hd wm '^^IMHH^pf' #V' m 1 rv^-** l^-s bK ti k^ ■ _: :; ^- 1 ?^a Jv 1 P^B^ft-1 L* s V '4 ^ J 9 ^"""^H k^r ^ t^ r i '^H ■K ^1 ^' '^ ^M^m 1 la ^M i ^ 1 r^ w.-'-f j,»«:j.i li^i f-v w>< . -^ i.«' '^'^ ^•^v-- THE JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE, COTTAGE GARDENER, COUNTRY aENTUEMAN. A MAGAZINE OF GARDENING, RURAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BOTANY AND NATURAL HISTORY. CONDUCTED BY GEOEGE W. JOHNSON, F.E.H.S., anb HOBEET HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Robson, Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton Park; and Mr. T. Weaver, Gardener to the Warden of Winchester College. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. D. Thomson, Archerfield Gardena ; and Mr. G. Abbey, Horton Hall. STOVE, GREENHOUSE, AND WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener to Colonel Sowerby, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. FLORISTS' FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rev. H. H. Dombrain. GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. William Kcane. POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Baily, Rsv. W. W. Wing- field, E. Hewitt, Esq., and other well-known contributors. BEE-KEEPING, by II. Taylor, Esq.; "A Devonshire Bee-keeper; " " B & W. ; " and Mr. S. Bevan Fox. HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by the Authoress of " My Flowers," and others. /sSC«?' LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GAROEN. votjUm:b v., nbtv sbhies. vol. xxx., old series. LONDON: PUBLISHED EOE THE PROPRIETORS, 162, FLEET STREET. 18 63. XJ -A^ / 1 i' a LONDON : PRINTED AT THE JOURNAL OF HOKTIlll'LTrRE OFFICE, 17, Johnson's court, fleet street. TO OUR EEADEES. At the close of another Volume, and, in this instance, at the close of another year, the Editors have again to give expression to their gratitude and their hopes. (Jn no one of the twenty-nine occasions on which they have thus addressed you have they in any degree exaggerated the similar feelings which influenced them ; and the successes and the onward prospects which on those occasions justified their words are still more justifying now. They turn over the pages of the Volume just concluded, and to which this Address is to be introductory, and they fear no contradiction to the dictate of their judgment that — it is more than equal to any one of its predecessors in the useful information it contains. Then as to the future. The i^ortrait within this Volume reminds them — were a reminder needed — that one of the most able of the contributors to this Journal will enrich its pages no more ; yet, as statesmen have observed in far more momentous transactions, the Editors have found that when a need for aid is acknowledged, efficient volunteers always step forth and render that need but transient. Those who are insensible to the approbation bestowed upon them by competent judges are devoid of one of the most efficient promptings to efforts for the attainment of excellence. The Editors do not pretend, therefore, to any such insensibility, but acknowledge the high gratification they felt on hearing recently from one who is now the oldest member of their staff, that a gentleman of no small note concluded his observations on these pages by saying — " That .Journal is independent, and I have never found a sentence in it unworthy of a gentleman." Those are characteristics the Editors have always coveted, and never more so than for the two Volumes which will comprise the Journals of 186-i ; for the Editors foi'esee that during its days events and topics appropriate to their pages are likely to occur wliich will require even more than the usually-needed firmness and good temper. INDEX. Abebdbenshihr, gardens in, 168 Aberpavenny Poultry Show, 301 Acacia (rrandis not flowering, 360 Acclimatisation in the antipodes, 524 Acliimenes, wintering, 338 Adeiaster albivenis culture, 439 Adenium obesura, 4T1 ^Echmoa culture, 291 Agraricus fertilis, poisonous, 395 Apave lurida, 191 Agricultural Hall Flower and Fruit Show, 162, 185; Poultry Show, 176 Aldborough and Boroughbridge Poultry Show, 157 Alexandra Park Exhibition, 66, 82 Alismas, 249 Allamanda neriifoHa, treatment of, 518 Allium fragrans, 259 Alocasia — metallica from eyes, 9 ; metalUca culture, 214; Lowii cul- ture, 319 ; macrorhiza variegata, propagating, &c., 419 Aloe, of Vera Cruz, 191; American, blooming, 208 Alyssum saxatile variegatum to pro- pagate, 154 Amaranthna melancholicus ruber, culture, 30, 103,110,141, 145, 151; ■wintering. 128; as a bedder, 205; bicolor and tricolor, 251 Amaryllis — longiflora rosea failing, 37 ; Regina ^pectabilis, 113 ; belladonna culture, 134 ; neg- lected, 307 ; failures, 329 ; cul- ture, 518 American— kitchen gardening, 230, blight, 498 Ammonia— in the atmosphere of hot- houses, 326, 329, 330; in air of plant-houses, 353; for grass land, 411 Ammoniated oxide of iron as a manure, 490 Anchomanes Hookeri pallida, 113 Androsace lanuginosa, 367 Annuals, list of early, 400 Anomatheca cruenta sowing, 319 Ante invadjng wall-frnit, 338 Aphelandra Leopoldi culture, 298, 478 Aphides, and two of their enemies, 53 Apiarian notea, 243, 302 Apiary, an experimental, 322 Apley Towers, flower-garden ar- rangement there, 292 Aponogeton distachyon hardy, 331 Appeal on behalf of the inferior animals, 160 Apples—Winter Hawthornden, 49; dwarf, 259; list of, 477 Apricot trees— in pots, 278 ; trans- plant'ng, 400 AquariHm- green slime in, 37 ; con- structing, 226 Aquatics— list of hardy, 172; hardy, 226, 247, 251, 312, 330, 331 Arabis— variegated, 372, 432 ; to pro- pagate, lltj ; Golden-variegated, 412 Arboretum, a plea for, 410 Arctotis repensfor bedding, 141 Artichokes, 336 Arundo donax culture, 399 Aah-bark for epilepsy, 400 Asparagus— dying, 76; beds, foul, 241; substitute for, 219; forcing, 377 ; making beds, 379, 400 Asphalt walks, 318 Afplenium viviparum culture, 440 Astelma eximium, 391 Aubrietia purpurea edging, 37,478 — Auricula culture, 246 ^■^ Autumn propagation of bedding JT" plants, 81 22 Azaleas— Louise van Baden, 113; select, 259 ; scale on, 338 ; in- ^ O lested by thripa, 399 ; list of, 498 Balcony-boxes, plants for, 254 Balcony, plant-* for eastern, 379 Bananas at the Royal Horticultural Society's Kensington Gardens, 515 Banffshire, gardens worth seeing, 16S Bantams— cTc, hard swelling at, 120 ; Sebright, 178 ; Game cock, dubbing, 223 ; and Spanish, may they be kept together? 364; with Cochin-Chinas, 444 ; points in "White. 4fi4 ; with Dorkings ; whitt-booted, 484 Barr Hall, 231 Battcrsea Park, bedding-out at, 168 Beans— failing, 18; Lima, 230; sta- tistics of, 440 Beaton, Mr. Donald, 266, 415 ; death of, 349 ; mcmoridl of, 385 Bed-centre, evergreen for, 419 Bedding-out— at the Crystal Palace, 101; at Kew, 104; at Kensington Palace Gardens and Hyde Park, 249 ; plants, wintering. 370. 428 Bedding plants — propagating in autumn, 81; of 1863, 141; pro- pagating, 154 ; wintering, 409, 457 ; frames for, 418 ; exhibition of, 469 ; grown in moss, 511 Bedfordshire, gardens worth seeing, 191,271,293 Beds, which is the best way of healing by hot-water pipes ? 514 Bee-keeping in Devon, 202 Bee-keepers, old school ot, 181 Bees — drone-breeding queens, 20 ; queens changing colour, 20; va- riation in colour, age of queen, season in Durham and Gloucester, 39 ; Litiuvian in Australia, season in Hants, 40 ; loss of queens, 38 ; proceedings of prior to swarming, 38; removing to the moors; in Devon, 59; driving, 60; foul brood, 78, 118, 137, 138, 180, 181, 203, 204, 242, 303, 362, 4u3, 404, 424, 443, 444, 461, 483, 484, 503 ; failures, moth, piping, colour of Ligurian queens, gtupifying by chloroform, season in Ireland, flights of a young queen, 79; Ita- lian (Ligurian), SO ; corsair, breed- ing, driving, 96; chloroform tor, season in Lincolnshire, bees con- valescent in Devon, 97; weak and unhealthy, 93; tru<^ causes of failure, 99, 100 ; killing drones, 100; age of queens, 120; destruc- tive effects of chloroform, 118; stupifying by chloroform, failure?, 119; dwiRdling apiary, 119; modem bives and forced swarms, 12u ; wintering, 120 ; experimental management, 137; weak, 135; eblorofoiTu for, 139; Ligurians in Scotland ; fertile workers, 140 ; two queens in one hive, 157 ; foul brood not an artificial disease, 157 ; the foul-bvood cunirover.-y, 158 ; apiarian note?, 159; destroying drones, 159 ; experimenting on, 160; unicomb hives, 160; age of queens, 179 ; effects of fumigation, 180 ; honeydews. 180 ; removing to the heather, 180; wooden hives, 181 ; uniting, M-ax moth'*, 203 ; in Cumberland, 204; honey - taking, 2(H ; hunible bees, 204; intio- aucing sealed combs, comb falling, 223; superstitions, 224; longevity of queen, 242 ; two queens in a hive, 243 ; drone killing, 243; stu- pifying with fungus, 244 ; perfora- ted zinc frames, driving in bar- hives, parthenogenesis, attacks on queens, 263; honeydew, driving, feeding driven, attacked by wa?ps, 264 ; moisture in hives, consump. tion of food in united, 282; two queens; queen's longevity; mis- hapsin uniting; virgin queens, 283; parthenogenesis, age of queens ; honey season, 284 ; mismanage- ment, 284 ; discoloured, 284 ; Mr. G. Fox's apiary, 302 ; virgin queen-* ; parthenogenesis ; intro- duction of a Ligurian queen ; two queens, 303 ; driving ; Edinburgh honey-season ; uniting swarms ; hives with combs but no honey, 304 ; random apiarian notes, 321 ; pollen on, 322 ; parthenogenesis, drones, driving, 323; honeydew, 324; two queens in a hive; loss of queen ; foul brood ; experimental apiary; acclimatisation, 312; light- coloured pollen ; in irame-hives ; fertile workers; foul brood, 343; in Staffordshire; age of queens, 344 ; pollen and honey of ivy, 302 ; drones in October ; in Lancashire ; sources of pollen ; kottle-feeding. 363; experimental apiary, 364; forced swarms, abor- tive brood, 381 ; experimental apiary, 382 ; foul brood ; Ligurians in Edinburgh ; B. & W.'s apiary in 1863, 383 ; season in Northumber- land; how Italian queens are lost, 384 ; moving hives, 334 ; pollen- gathering ; Ligurian, 404; micro- scopic examination of foul brood, 423 ; driving, 423 ; Ligurians, flowers for, 424 ; deposit on hive floor ; feeding, 444 ; gathering pollen in November, 464; to re- medy crooked combs in a frame- hive, 484 ; dying of dysentery, 562; on Lancashire moors, 503; driving, poUen-jatliering, 504 ; in Greece, 504 ; uniting, 523 ; flowers, 524 ; pollen-gathering and breeding in December, 523 Beet— insect attacking, 165 ; notes on red, 211 . Begonias, propagating by leaves, 175 Berberries — culture of evergreen, 57, 85; list of, 87 Eerkhampstead Nurseries, 471 Bilibergia culture, 291 Bird-question, the great, 49 Birds- their use, 15 ; caterpillars eating, 29 ; selecting for exhibi- tion, 116; small, 272 ; and poultry- keepers, 259, 279, 321 Birmingham— Rose Show, 13, 52 ; Poultry Show, 301, 402, 441 ; pens at, 361, 381 ; ten-shilling day, 420; notes on, 460; pens of Game dis- qualifled, 460; breaking rules at. 460; Captain Heaton at the, 500, 519 ; results of, 502 ; relative entries at, 518 ; Mr. Hindaon's Game fowls at, 519 Blackbird, a white, 100 Black Bantams' ear-lobe3, 264 Black Hamburgh Fowls at Birming- ham, 484 Blight, American, 176 Bloom, prolonging in flower gardens, 161 Bloomsbury "Working People's Flower Show, 32 Boilers, 141; their requisites, 61, 81; saddle, horizontal, and tubular 84; a new one suggested, 142; Messenger's, 143 ; Riddell's, 143, 144; to prevent cnioting, 219; empty in winter, 378 ; most econo- miCil, 379; garden, 409, 45 1 Bone-dust for Vine-borders, 419 Bones, dissolving, 419 Borders, foi-mation of for Vines, 245, 259 B'»ronia culture. 76; rutosma, 214 Bowenia spectabilis, 238 Box-edginu'S, 258 Brahma Poo tras- merits, 242; not well encouraged, 401 Bridlington Poultry Show, 117 Brighton Poultry Show, 463 Broccoli— large, 212; rapid growth of, 296; wintering, 335 Brood of chickens, largest, GO Broughton Poultry Show, 301 Brugmansia— to bloom in July, 134; not flowering, 154 ; arborea flower- ing dwarf, 175 Brussels Sprouts, small or large ? 509 Buckinghamshire, gardens worth seeing, 191 Budding, heading back after, 154 Burlingtonia decora var. picta, 471 Buyer and Seller, 479 Cabbage aphis, 259 Caladiums, wintering, 399 Calandrmia umbellata for bedding, 141 Calceolaria — violacea culture, 17, 498; punctata, 113; cuttings, 240. 357, 277,336; canariensis, 333, 369 Calceolarias — herbaceous, 49, 290 ; after flowering, 318 ; repotting, 419 Calico varnishing, 399 Calla palustris, 249 Camellias— propagation by eyes, S ; twelve good, 17 ; CarlottaPapudotf, 49; to bloom in December, 115; out of doors, 135 ; leaves scorched, 258; Hst of twelve, 299; blooms, protecting from, wet, 337 ; drop- ping off, 333; altering their time of flowering, 379; buds falling, 478; lidtof, 498 Canaries— and Bullfinches shedding their feathers, 120; red mites on, 244 Canna roots, wintering, 331 Cannes, gardening at, 468 Carnations — and Picotee, distinction between, 115; seed, 115 ; winter- ing, 196; Lord Clifton, 471 Carrot culture, 476 Catasetum, fimbriatum, 192; cer- nuum, 233 CauUflowers, culture of, 122 ; rate of growth, 123; varieties, 124 Cedar, removing a large, 458 Celandine for toothache, 20 Celery, 310; earl,', 12; forcing in open air, 66, 115 ; earthing-up, 93 ; culture and serving, 217 ; culture. 358 ; blanching, 377, 410 ; aitacked by fly, 477; management. 438; diseased, 439 ; in cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 492 Centaureas— ragusina culture, 41 ; argentea, propagating, 196 ; candi- diesima as a bedder, 290 ; argentea and candidisiima, propagating, 318, 372, 455; propagating. 459; 490 ; gymnocarpa and argentea, 468; for edging, 412 Cepbalotasus Foitunei and drupa- cea, 454 Ceiopegia Bowkeri, 296 Charcoal in composts, 4tiG Chafe's beetle poison, 464 Cherry aphis, 135 Cherries — fallinc in orchard-house, 57; for N. v/all, 379 Cheshire, gardens worth seeing, 191, 313 Chestnut (Spanish), large specimens 125 ChicUens— dying suddenly, 80; lay- ing, 95 ; lameness in, 95 ; destroyed by a hedgehog, 116 ; fresh grcmici for, 220; breedii.g early, 4-0; early, 484 Chicory culture, 358 ; and uses, 432 China grass for tying, 490 Chinese— seed, sowing, 241 ; find Japanese plants, sale oT, 250, 357 Chippenham Poultry Show, 443, 432 INDEX. Chrysanthemum— Society, Amalei* mated, 307; shaws— Agricultural Hall, 386 ; Stoke Xewington, 3S8 ; flowers one on a etcm, 4h6 Cbrycanthemums — to bloom in De- cember, 115; Mr. Salter's, 411; Temple Card' ns, 412; list of select, 440; at the Cry.-tal Paluee, 452; done blooming, 498; for exhibi- tion, 499 Cineraria maritima sowing, 439 Cinerarias frosted ; leavts curling, 518 Cissus discolor, treatment of, 518 Clay, burnt, in coniposts, 486 Clematis — Japanese, 49 ; for a trellis, 299; montami nor flower- ing, 379; Keginie and Fortunei, 471 Clematises, propagating, 33S Clerkemvell Flower r^how. 144 CHanthus Dampieri — culture, 25, 278 ; for bedding, 299 Climbers— for greerhouse, 57 ; for stf^ve, 196 ; for a wall, 419 Coohin-China — fowls management, 20 ; cbickens wfak-legged, 160; fowls, present value, 199; Par- tridge and Grouse coloured, points in, 223, 424 ; vulture hocks in, 264 ; white feathers in Butf, 364 ; losing use of legs, 364 ; blind, 424; fowls at Birmmgham, Captain Heiiton's, 479 ; Partrj?lge, to breeders of, 524 Cocoa-nut— refuse for potting, 135; fibre dust for potting, 154 Cockchafers, large destruction of, 249 Cjke, healing by, 219 Coleua Verochaffelti— as a hedder, 192, 206, 237 ; for bedding, 251 ; hardiness nf. 477 Collingham I'oultry Show, 362 Colocasia odorata, 90 Colours, melody and harmony of, 10 Compo&tP, materials for, 485, 609 Coniiers, to .'top Mceding in, 110 Conservatojy — heating, 17 ; a small, 37 ; and Palm-house connected with residence, 350; floor creen, 360 ; borders, plants for shaded, 400 ; creepers for porch, 400 Contvast r. .-hading, 251 Coop, hen-and-chickenB, 38 Corns— in a cock's foot, 80 ; in fowls and Geese, 304 Cornwall, gardens worth seeing, 191, 373, 413 Cotoneaster— berries, 57 ; nummu- laria not flowering, 175 Cottage gardens, 53 Cott:iges, construction of, 317 Cottingham Poultry Show, 201 Covent Garden Market, 154, 196, 218, 240, 257, 278, 298, 318, 337, 359. 378, 398, 418, 439, 457, 476, 497, 517 Covers of straw for plants, 451 Cranston's "Cultural Directions for the Rose," 511 Crassula rosularis, 113 Cratcegus pyracantha berries, 57 Crt've Ctrur— points of, 2(>4 ; fowls, 380, 440 Crucus Imperatontus, 468, 491 Cross-bied fowls, exhibiting, 223 Croquet and flower-beds, 265 Crowing a nuisance, 301 Crystal Palace— bedding-out at, 101, 213; Poultry Show, 176, 222, 320, 340 ; Flower Show, 184, Cucumber«house heating, 299 Cucumbers — mildew on, 17, 135; preserving, 115; disease in, 152; growing Winter, 163, 335; vul- garity in, 453 ; for exhibition, 458 Cumberland, notes from, 487 Cupheas, hardiness and culture, 219 Cupressus Lawsoniana, heigbt, 439 Cyanophyllum magniticum. 26 ; cut- 'ting down, 176 ; large, 188 ; cul- ture. 228 C^athea dealbata turning brown, *420 » Cyclamen culture, 150 ; Atkinsi, 160 ; ibericum, 150 Dahlia— FLO WKRS become white, 3'I9 ; tubers, ptorirg, 457; stakes, preventing rusting, 498; changin^^ colour, 439 Dampeis— use of, 379 ; management of. 430 Dandelicns, to destroj on lawns, 176 Darlington Poultry Show, 479, 502 Davallias losing their fronds, 134 Day's Giime Paste. 281 Denbighshire, gardens worth seeing, 413 Derbyshi''e, gardens worth seeing, 191, 333 Deutzia cr^nata flore pleno, 391 Devonshire, gardens worth, seeing, 191, 373, 413 Dew, 419 Dewsbury Poultn- Show, 19ft Dielytra cucuUaria culture, 299, 360 Dipteracanthus afliuis, 471 Disa grandiflora, superba, 113; cul- ture, 126 Doddington Poultry Show, 262 Dog's ears swollen, 284 Dorkings— plumage, 20 ; cock unable to stand, 364; feathers changing colour. 484 ; featherless, 484 ; breeding for exhibition, 504 Dracaena — propagation by eyes. 9 ; hflliconlfolia and aiamensis, 440 Driflield Agricultural Society 's Poultry Show, 117 Drighlington and Adwalton Poultry Show, 156 Dublin (Royal) Society's Poultry Show, 501 Ducks— the Cayuga Black, 279 ; at Birmingham. 484; fattening for exhibition, 504 Durham, gardens worth seeing, 9, 313, 357 Easingwold Povltry Show, 242 East Lothian, gardens worth seeing, 233 Echiuocaetus Rhodophthalmus and culture, 70 Edinburgh Horticultural Show, 232 Eggs— chilled, 37, 38, 58, 118; ex- periments on chilling, 155; pre- serving, 1611 ; addled, 178 ; chilled yet hatched, 199 ; destroying vita- lity, 284 Elms, large, 113, 125; becoming va- riegated, 477 Endive, culture, 358 ; wintering, 397 Entomological Society's Meeting, 73,148, 255, 333,492, 513 Erantheraum tuberculatum, 296 Eria—obesa, 49; myristicreformis, 471 Erica camea, 145 Eseuius of the Roman classics, 72 Essex, gardens worth seeing, 271 Eucharis araazonica culture, 196 Eugenia Ugni. hardy, 518 Evergreens— for a north aspect, 278 ; tor a screen, 2&8, 459; for wall, 458 Everlasting - Flowers, drying, 169, 360 Exhibiting and selling poultry, 440 Exhibition schedules, revision of, 108 Exhibitions, benefit from local, 266 ; Eyes, propagation by, 8 Farnbam Castle, 127 Fawsley Hall, 124 Fence, ornamental, 135 Fern, HareVfoot, 240 Fernery— consti-ucting a, 94; glass for, 258 Ferns— in Wardian case, 37; for a glass case, 241 ; lean-to house for, 241; under a north wall. 299; mfested with thrius, 319; hardy, on growing, 348 ; for greenhouse, 439; culture of. 478 Fig— the Castle Kennedy, 89, 127 ; •■ falling, 116 Flora in the Cotswnlds. 269 Florists' flowers, plea for, 311 Flower— Garden at Pentillic Castle, 71 ; gardens, can the period of full bloom be lengthened in ? 161 ; garden plan, 170; borders, give us back our, 287 ; gardens, telling beds in, 294 ; border, light chalky, 498 Flowers— to bloom simultaneously, 241 ; gardeners' names for, 328, 373, 390, 431 ; in a workhoase, 411 Flue heating a greenhouse, 241 Flues, new. construction of, 451 Forcing and plant-houses, econo- mical arrangement of, 51 Forks, trigging, 21 Fowls— killing for table, 135; cook- ing old, 155 ; losing jilumage, 160; at night, 179; growth of, 264 Fraser. Mr., death of, 69 Frost of July 19th, 69, 88, 91, 108 Frosts, late, 150 Fruit— weights used for, 17 ; weight of in France, 32 ; trees, for pot- culture, 220 ; planting, 256, 257 ; select, 258; dwarf in front of wall trees, 258; trees, planting, 297; trees, old and unfruitful, 318 " Fruits, scarcitv of home-grown," 9S2 Fruiterers' Company, 47 Fuchsia, Pillar of Gold. 296 Fuchsias— for a window. 94 ; done flowering, 135; select, 259 Fugnsia cuneiformis, :39i Fungus, poisoning by, 395 Furze, traneplnntiTig, 338 Game— BIRDS, 59; cock, bkak of RED, 424 ; fowls— Birchen Grey, 481; Mr. Hindson's at the Bir- mingham bhow, 499, 519 Gapes, cure for, 444 Gardeners — in Ireland, excluding from exhibitions, 13 ; Roval Bene- volent Society, U, 112, 130, 148, 187, 271, 333, 345; Friendly So- ciety, 26. 68 ; knowledge desirable for,"68, 105 *' Gaideners' Year Book," 490 Gardenia octomera, 391 Gardening— in Japan, 148 ; styles of, 351 Gardens worth seeing, 9, 49, 85, 168, 191, 233, 249, 271, 293, 313, 333, 357,373. 418,437, 466,470 Gardens, naming plants in public, 130 Garnham's Lady's Assistant, 504 Gastronema sangnineum, 471 Geese— lice on, 137 ; distinguishing sex in )Oung. 223 ; baskets for conveying. 223; Toulouse, 264; Sebastapol, 444 ; at Birmingham, 484; corns in, 304 Geraniums— cuttings in open ground, 94; cutting down Zonale, 115; Golden-leavi'd, 116, 128; Cloth of Gold. 155; treatment, 162 ; Mdm. Vaucher culture, 220; lifting and wintering, 2(.i9 ; propagating Cloth of Gold. 211 ; pruning, 259; win- tering, 279, ;J38, 339, 347, 419, 420 ; cuttings in small pots, 338 ; leaves for cuts, 433 ; stopping, 498 ; horse-shoe, what ai-e, 4!^i8 Gesnera zebrina not flowering, 458 Ghosts of the garden, 425 Giehurst Comj'ound, dressing fruit trees with. 353 Gladiolus— Reine Victoria, 110, 122; disease, 103, 185, 144, 168, 170, 189, 210, '2;.0; pronoimcing, 168, 237,329,356; question, 254; fail- ures, 288, 295, 325, 329 ; culture, 369,373; Charles Davis, 391 ; large bulbs, 507 Glam orga nsh i re, gard ens worth seeing, 293 Glass— insurance from hailstorms, 367 ; rough plate, for greenhouse, 458 Glazed houses, construction, 314 Gloucestershire, gardens worth seeing, 313 Gloxinias— list of, 37 ; culture of seedling, 121 ; to flower next sum- mer, 337 Gnaphalium lanatum propagating, 319 Gooseberry caterpillar, 12, 94 Gosliags wasting away, 137 Grapes— spotted, 18, 115; failing, 42 ; spot in, 57; atGarnston Vine- yard, 70 ; Uiildewed, 76, 115 ; shri- velling, shanked, 78 ; Archerfield Early Muscat, 101 ; thinning, 134; preserving, 176, 337; early ripening ut Muscat, 189; pactiing for conveyance to an exhibitirn, 192; keeping. 196 ; shanking, 209, 241 ; Muscat Hamburgh, losing its flavour, 22K ; for a small vinery, 24 6; Muscat, 251 ; in bloom shrivelUng, 409 ; Brosraouth, 419 ; decaying, 439 ; Tynninpham Muscat, 440 ; ripening in green- house, 449; keeping on the Vines, 459 Grass — walks, establishing, 498 ; land, comport for, 498 Grave, plants suitable for, 1 Greenhouse— heating, 76; for bed- ding plants, heating, 135 ; ar- rangeitient of, 164 ; stove, and pits combined, 165; temporary heat- ing, 219; shelf for, 219; floor, to protect from drip, 259 ; heating a small, 318 ; heating from a dining- room fire, 372. 416 ; constructing a removable, 459; plants for show- ing in August, 47"; blinds, 495; vinery, constructing, 498 Greenovea aurea, 296 Giubs, underground, 134 Guano— liquid manure, 57; to apply, 175 ; water, 196 ; on hot-water pipes, 329 ; water as a manure, 477 Halifax Poulte-s Show, 199 " Hand-book of Vine cultivation," 271 Hants (Ea^t) Poultry Show, 320 Heaths— Early-flowering Moor, 145; cultivation of, 130; lists of, 131; propagating hardy. 176; culture of, 227, V52 ; twelve hardy, 240 Heating— from kitchen fire, 13; a small propagating-house, 143 ; a small house and bed, 219 ; dif- ferent levels from one boiler, 428 ; beds by hot-water pipes, which is the best way .' 514 Hedgehog destroying chickens, 116, 136 Hedges- fast-growing, 338 ; under Yews, 338 ; history of. 147 Heliconia bievispatha, 471 Heliotropes— wintering in a room, 400; for winter, 518 Hen — Hamburgh, ravenous, 120 ; house floor, 223 Hens— broody, 384; egg-eating, 504 Heron's plume, 404 Hertfordshire, gai'deus worth seeing, 191,271, 357 Hertfordshire, gardens worth seeing, 313 Hibiscus Huegehi v. quinquevulnera, 296 Hippeastrum equestre culture, 400 Hives — wooden, 138 ; windows in frame, 139; making, new and superior material for, 204 ; frame, 223 ; double-sided wooden, 242 ; various kinds, 281 ; adjusting, 362 ; new material for, 443 " Hogg'sBritish Pomology," continu- ation of, 467 Holland House, gardens at, 612 Holly— moving a large, 94 ; berries, substitutes for, 604, 524 Hollyhock — propagation by eyes, &c., 9, 17; cuttings, 94; seed- lings, culture of, 196; stems, uses of, 336 ; flowers become black, 409 ; changing colour, 439 Holt, Edmund, 432 Homerton Nursery, plants at, 247 IIomoianthuB visoosus, 238 Honey storing, 100 Honeydew. 308 Hops, sulphur and ladybirds, in cul- tivating, 129 Horseradish culture, 338 Horticultural (Royal) Society's Show 4 ; Rose Show, 7 ; Exhibition 206; Committees, 9, 33, 69, lU 132, 172, 215, 253, 293, 389, 469 Hot-water pipes— to stop joints, 259 near roots, 419 Hothouses, atmosphere in, 285 Hoya imperialis, 254 Hull Poultry Show, 421 Humea elegans, leaves falling, 37 Hyacinths — for exhibition, 176 removing sucker.-* from, 498 Hyde Park, bedding-out at, 249 Hydrangea flowers, to obtain blue 458, 512 ImPATIKHS, culture of the GZNl'b' 312 Indian— Railway, notes from, 32 seeds, sowing, 241 Insects, in hothouses, 285 ; garden infested by, 278 Iodine and starch, 338 Ipomcea- hcderaefolia culture, 17 Lcari, 155 ; HorsfallifE pruning, 419 Ireland — landscape - gardening in 85 ; labour and laboui ers in, 391 INDEX. Isabel Powters, Mr. A. Heath's, 623 Islington Agricultmol HnU Poultry Show, ol Ivei7 ^ Si>n*s Dorking Nursery, 109 Ivorv, vegetable, 378 ls.ias. 238 Jai'an Flax for tying, 490 Japanese plants, saleof, 250, 330 Java sparrows claanging colour, 304 Judges should be aloue, 362 Keele Hall, 284, 274 Keighley Poultry Show, 221 Kt-nsington Palace Gardens, bedding- out at, 249 Krnt, gardens worth seeing, 191 Ke\T Gardens, bedding-out at, 104 Kidney Beans— need no sticks, 93; forcing, 397 Kildare Horticultural Exhibition, 143 Lancashire, gabdehs woeth see- ing, 191,249 Land-measuring, 105 Liipageria rosea— culture, 135; out of doors, 272 Laurels— dwarf, under Elms, 491 ; leaves, insect on, 518 Lawn— weeds on, to destroy, 197 ; triangular flower-beds on, 237 ; to remove moss from, 337 ; level- ling and relaying, 477 Lead — pipes, to prevent poisoning by, 313; cistern, water in, 444; iu water, detecting, 464 Leaves, do they absorb moisture? 408 Leeds PouUry Show, 481 Leicestershire and Waltham Poultry Show, 178 Leicestershire, gardens worth seeing, 191, 293 Leigh Poultry Show, 261 Lettuce— planting, 56; large, 111; insect attacking, 165; Cabbage, culture, 358 Lewisia rediviva, 113 Ligularia Hodgsoni, 471 Lilium lancifolium — culture, 94 ; repotting, 299 Lily of the Valley dwindling, 360 " Lime-trees diseased, 126 ; super- phosphate of to apply, 175 Lincolnshire, gardens worth seeing, 191 Linnet, Grey, 284 Linton Park, 145; massing colours at, 169 Linum, flavum cut'ings, 318; lanci- folium failures, 329 Liquid manure, soot as, 144; for Koses, l.i4 Lobelia Faxtoni. 141,439; kermesina as a bedding plant, 164; speciosa not prospering, 259; Paxtoniana cuttings, 419 Lonicera aureo- reticulata hardy, 94, 145; flava, layering, 94; fragran- tissima not flowering, 175 Longridge Agricultural Society's Poultry Show, 300 Low, Mr. H., death of, 240 Maiden-hair Fern culture, 76 Wacleania cordata, 110 Manchester— Field Naturalist So- ciety, 29 ; and Liverpool Poultry Show, 220; Poultry Show, 339, 520 ; Pigeons at, 521 Manufactories, utilising steam from, 298 Manure for flower-beds, 190 Marking trees, 215 May flowers, 49 Mealy Bug on Birch treeH, 477 Melons— failing, 42; thinning, 94; large, 110 ; cracking, 155 ; not coming to perfection, 228 ; house, heating. 360 Meredith's graperies at Garston, 166, 253 Merlhyr Tydfyl Poultry Show, 95 Mesembryanthemum tricolor for bedding, 141 Mtyeiiiii Vogeliuna, 49 Mice— poisoning, 279 ; in garden wall, 459 Miconia pulverulenta, 391 Micro&tylis discolor, 296 Midland counties Bird Show, 322 Middleton Poultry Show, 260 Mignonette— for conservatory, 318; culture of specimen, 430 Mildew of conservatory Vines, 311 Mimulus — cupreus culture, 30; cu- preus, prolonging blooming, 128; cutting ofi" seeds, 146 Mimuluses, Mary and Bessie, 113 Mistletoe— on a Peach tree, 419; on the Gooseberry, 431 ; on the Acacia, 470; on what trees itis found, 509 "i. ■•■- '■^•-- _ Mitraria coccinea— soil for, 299 ; and culture, 374 Monmouth Poultry Show, 341 Moss— for dr-unuge, 175; dyeing green, 404 ; dyeing blue and green, 504; in composts, 511; instead of pots for bedding plants, 511 Moulting, aiding, 344 Mowing machines, 16 Musa- Caveiidishii, weight of fruit, 12; sapientum, var. vittata, 238 Mushrooms— beds, dung for, 67 ; and spawn, to make, 153, 239, 377, 490; culture, 194, 195, 336; pro- duced tardily, 2lu ; to distinguish, 299; forcing, 417; bed manage- ment, 476 ; sprtwn, 490 Myrtle leaves diseased, 318 NECTAaiNJss— Cbickett, 188 ; hardy, 338 ; Victoria, 391 ; buds inserted last year, 459 ; in orchard-houses, 507 Nephelaphyllura scapigerum, 49 Netting— fruit, 93 ; to preserve, 115 Newport Poultry Show, 501, 524 New Zealand Flax culture, 440 NewmiJlerdam Poultry Show, 96 Norfolk Ornithological Society's Show, 422, 484 North Rode Hall, 270 Northern Counties Poultry Show, 380 Northampton, gardens worth seeing, 293, 333 Northumberland, gardens worth seeing, 9, 49, 313 Notes on gardeas, 109 Nuphar, species of, 248 Nymphaeas, 248 Oak, removing Evergreen, 115 CEnothera acaulis for bedding, lU Oleander cuttings, 299 Oncidium— papilio culture, 13; sar- codea, 334 Ophelia umbellata, 113 Orange— propagation by eyes, 8; tree unhealthy, 219 Orchard-house — oriental, 12 ; suc- cessful management of, 146, 187 ; is it a forcing-house 1 389; and Peach-houses, 4i)5, 489 ; a plea for ; management of, 507 "Orchidaceous Plants, Select," 48, 329 Orchids— what constitutes high cul- ture in epiphytal, 289; resting, 450 Ormskirk and Southport Poultry Snow, 15C Omithogalum capitatum, 49 Oswestry PouUry Show, 280 Ourisia Pearce's, 49 Ousel, a white, 100 Ouvirandra fenestralis culture, 400 Oxygen, use of free to plants, 468 Pampas Grass, 366, 487 ; not flowering, 399 Pansy, culture, 27S ; seed, sowing, 299 Pansies — Her Majesty, Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, and Tho.iias Muore, 471 Papavei', monstrous, 171 Paris, jottiii^js (roin, 62 Parrot picking its feathers, 364 Parsley- growing under difficulties, 147 ; growing for winter, 234 Peaches— triiining, Du Breuil's, 115 ; dropping, 116; trees in pots under Vines, 135; double-flowering be- coming single. 154; Stump of the World, Exquisite, Noblesse Seed- ling, Golden Kareripe, Peach-Nec- tarine, Canary, Monstrueuse de Du^, Honey, Turenne Amelior^e, and Crimson, 188; house, 241; Chancellor, 299; the Stone, 318 ; vnuii^ trees unfruitful, 318 ; for North Wales, 319; hardy, ;.3S; house management, 359 . tvee->. transplanting, 400; hous-^s, 40:, 419; under class and on the op .-n wall, 465 ; on trellis, 477 ; in or- chard-houses, 507 Pears— decaying on the tree, 37; leaves spotted, 91; Zephirin Gr6- goire, 113; De Maraise and Belle Julie, 238 ; the Styrian, 267 ; for espaliers, 299 ; for wall, 299, 360; Josephine de Malines, 319; Gra- ham's Autumn Nelis, 331 ; spotted and decaying, 477; for a north- east and east wall, 478 ; orchard- houses, 508 Peas— dwarf Sweet, required, 12; and bow to grow them, 22 ; de- scriptive list of, 23; changing its colour by crossing, 415 Peat in composts, 486 Pelargoniums — for a window, 94 ; Scarlet and Zonale, a word in favour of, 108; wmtering seedUng, 196 ; Cloth of Gold, propagating, 2U; Achilies and Artist, 296; wintering in a room, 400; selec; list, 440, 498; for exhibition in June, 499 Pentstemons, li^t of, 37, 497 Petunias— Mrs Sodth, 391 ; culture of double, 399 Petworth House, 186 Pheasants, Chinese, 18 Phloxes— list of, 37 ; culture of, 175 Picotee, Col. Clarke, 471 Pigeons — speed of Carrier, 260 ; dung, 278 ; weight of; 364 ; stock- ing a loft with, 364 ; Isabel, 384, 403 ; Show at Sheffield, 401 ; new varieties of, 443 Pine Apples -planted out, 379; de- caying, 439 Pinks, Rev. G. Jeans and Lord Herbert, 296 Finns aristata, 91 Piping surface required for hot- water heating, 45 Pipes— surface of, required, 399; covering for bottom heat, 439 Pit— heating, 219, 319, 379, 399; glass for, 338 ; for bedding plants, heating, 399 Pitcher- pi ants, resting, 450 Plant case— lamp-heating a, heating outside window, heating, 499 Planting, 310 Pleroma elegans, sowing, 115 Plougli, the old Kentish, 48 Plums—in pois, 57; Belle de Sep- tembre, 296 ; for north wall, 379 ; unlruitful, 439 Pocklington Poultry Show, 179 Polauds— white topknot, 424; at the Norfolk Show, 444 Polyporus betnlinus for razor-stropa, 432 Polystichum coriaceum losing its fronds, 134 Poplar, rapid-growing, 154 Post, pltnts by, 196 Potatoes— large, growth of, HI ; culture at Bromborough Poor Works, 268; Royal Ash-leaved Kidney, 237 ; experiments on, 427, 452 ; to grow early, 516 Pot -culture of fruit v. planting-out, 445 Poultry— mortality among young, SO; entrieij, relative number, 197 ; Shows, losses at, 261 ; feeding for exhibition, 264 ; exhibiting, 300 ; exhibitions, 319; for profit, 324 ; with diseased livers, 324; shows, relative entries at, 339 ; Judges should be alone, 339 ; weight of, 361; sale of at exhibitions, 361; selling precautions, 381; stating age at fthuws, 381 ; selling at Ex- hibitions. 401 ; prepaying for, 402 ; exhibiting profitably, 402; food, 444 ; disordered. 464 ; vulture hocks in, 484 ; houses, boarded flo >rs foi-, 484 Powters, Isabel, Mr. A. Heath's, 523 Prickly Fear, to grow, 517 Primulas— sinensis seedling, 219; with short flower-stems, 378 Propdg.iting-house, heiting a small, 143 Protecting plants, 4G7 PuUeis laying, 223 Pyrethrums, 238 360; 360 : Rabbits- EAR gum in, 160; for ex- hibition, 424 Radish culture, 358 Railway arrangements for poultry shows, 479 Ranuncuiusi a — list of show, 45 ; Fidelia and Linden, 113; culture, 360 Raspberry canes, plaiLing, 94 Raspberries on light soil, 338 Red Cap lowKs, 80 Red spider on Grapes nearly ripe, 57 Rhododendrons— Bhotan, atRedleaf, 8 ; Balemaniand Prince of Wales, 49; Countess of Devon, 2^8; Scan- dish's Pefection, 296 ; lime in com- post for, 38 ' ; seedlings decaying, 399 ; ir>m?planting, 469 ; twelve hardy, 478 RicharUia, watering and potting, 458 Richardias. 249 Rhus succedane i treatment, 219 Ribbon-border, 50 Rock plants, 158 Rondeletia speciosa culture, 491 PkOots — ;ireserving, 278 ; and leaves, 332, 370 Rosery at Ipswich, 446 Rosea— in pots, ciilture of, 3; propa- gation Irom eyes, 9 ; briar stocks fur, 17 ; Sho.v, National, 24; stocks, haybands round, 27 ; in pots, second season, 30 ; Hybrid Perpetuals on own roots, 37 ; list of for forcing, 37 ; at Messrs, Erasers', 45 ; Margottin's new, 62; leaves spotted, 115; for the suburbs, 183 ; mildew on, 196 ; Rev. H. Douibrain, Mrs. W. Paul, 238; for borders, 258; new, 306 ; Hybrid Perpetual for a bed, 310 ; six dark Hybrid Perpetuals, 318 ; new, 326 ; for pegging down, 337; Reiaede la Fape, 337; for pot culture, 3oS ; not flowering, 338 ; exbibiting-stands for, 360; pruning, 378; not flowering, 379 ; Madame Falcot, 391 ; pruning pillar, 399 ; transplanting, 399 ; shoot of Banksian, 399; conser- vatory not blooming, 399 ; ex- hibiting, 407 ; trees, burying their roots deeply, 431; Cloth of Gold not flowering, 4t0; exhibiting, 448, 5u6 ; in the suburbs, 449 ; from cutiings, 451 ; in pots for green- house. 451 ; tu bloom in winter, 458 ; Banksian on wall not flower- ing, 458 ; ia cases, 453 ; protecting, 458; for pillars, 459; Cranston's "Cultural Directions for," 511; planting, 515 Rouen— drake's bill, 284; Ducks* bill, colour of, 484 Roupy poultry, 364 Rushes, destroying, 378 Russelia— juncea uulture, 220; jun- cea, 246 Rust, protecting iron from, 3C4 Salvia patula not flowering, 319 Salading for winter, 358 Sand— for potting, 319 ; for plants, 360 ; silver v. ye loiv, 459 ; in com- posts, 509 ; river and drift, 510 Sareopodium psittacoglossum, 296 Sawbridgeworth, notes on novelties at, 44 ; runners rooting, 47 Scotch Bakies, 484 Scottish Ornithul^jgical Association Show, 522 Screen before a road, 419 Sea-kale— serving, 218; under pots, 360 ; planting, 379 ; forcing a row of, 420 Sea-side, trees for, 299 Selby Poultry Show, 58 Senecio pyramidatus, 113 Sexual parts of plants, 135 Shallot culture, 258 Sbeep among Yews, &c., 439 Sheffield Poultry Show, 18, 202 Shropshire, gardens worth seeing, 413, 456 Shrubs of low growth, flowering, 419 Silene Elizabeth*, 238 Silkworms' eggs, 344 Slimy grub, 94 Slugs— trapping, 297 ; new mode or trapping, 317; to destroy, 338; on Calceolarias, 378 Smoky locality, trees, &c., for, 478 INDEX. Snakes destroy chickens, 136 Soot as a liquid manure, 144 Spade, the, 21 Spanish — fowls for a email enclosure, 116; lump in hen's throat, 120; cock's comb drooping, 344, 424 Sparkenhoe Poultry Sliow, 197 Spergula pilifera, destroying worms in, 477 Sphaeralcea acerifolia, 2t)fi Sphccrog-yne latifolia propagating, Ac. 419 SpiriBa venusta not flowering, 360 Spring gardening, 2S8 Spruce Fira for light soil, 439 Squirrel — management, 223 ; feed- ing, 424 Stachys palustris as a substitute for Asparagus, 219 Staffordshire Agrionltural Society's Poultry Sliow, 202 Staffordshire, gardens worth seeing, 191,413 Stamford Horticultural Show. 27 Stauranthera grandiflora, 391 Steam pipes, 298 Stephanotis floribunda fruiting, 372, 410, 448. 469; pruning, 419 Stocks, wintering Emperor and Brompton, 298 Stove— (brick) lor greenhouse, 241 ; arrangement of, 438; portable, in greenhouse, 477, 498 ; plants to bloom in each month, 499 Strawberries— soil, making, 12; tan a? a covering, 14 ; culture, 16, 43, 57, 151, 3G8 ; growing successfully, 25, 305; in France, 30; protecting from slugs, 43 ; growing, 66 ; forcing, 70, 299, 397, 438, 459, 496; slugs on, 87 ; failing, on clayey soil, 91 ; on light soil, 134 ; latest time to plant, 175 ; cutting off leaves, 406, 448, 489; Frogmore Late Pine, 471 ; planting, 496 ; plan of growing near the glass, 517 Studley Royal, 28, 45 Surface-stirring in hot weather, 35 Suffolk, gardens worth seeing, 271, 413. 437 Suffolk Poultry Show, 300 Sussex, gardens worth seeing, 191 Syringing after dressing trees, 498 1 TaGRTES PCMItA POR BEDItINO, 141 Tanks— hot-water, 250; healing a I Cucumber-pit, 259; heating, 278; I heated room, use of, 399 j Tanner's barb, fungns on, 399 : Tai-porley Poultry Show, 2'il ' Teratology, vegetable, 171 Tetrathecu verticillata culture, 42 Thripa on Grapes nearly ripe, 57 Thunbcrgia coccinea culture, 379 Tbyme, Lemon, 115 Tobacco— leaves, drying, 135 ; quan- tity re(iuired for fumigating, 318 Todmorden Botanical Society, 271, 331, 432 Tomatoes, growing under glass, 89 Tonbridge Wells Poultry Show, 380 Torry HUl, 308 Transplanting large shrubs, 269 I Ti'ees— notes on hardy deciduous, 71,88; for a dry soil, 518 Tremandra verticillata, 175 Tremella nostoc, 318 I Trenching, it« advantage?, 417 Trentham, 327, 354, 374, 392, 413, ! 434, 499 ; Tritoma uvaria culture, 219 I Tritomas and their culture, 426 TropEEoIums— culture of, 115, 220; greenhouse, 302 ; select, 518 ! Truffles and Truffle-beds, 295 Tuberoses after flowering, 299 Turf— laying down, 88 ; preparing for potting, 438 Turkeys — baskets for conveying, 223; roupy, 344 Turkey Mill Gardens, 366 Undkrcover for a wood, 459 llropedium Lmdenii, 11 Varnish for rustic seats, 1S2 Verbenas— for early bloom 162; se- lect list of, 175; cuttings, 240; triphylla cuttings, 241 ; Purple King, cuttings. 337 ; list of new, 387 ; classed lists of, 467 Villarsias, 249 Vines— propagating by eyes, 8 ; cut- ting down old, 26 ; mildew, salt for, 57 ; leaves spotted, 76 ; break- ing again soon after forcing, 85; preventing mildew on, 88 ; proper stocks for, 89 ; in a greenhouse, 94 ; mildew, sulphur water a re- medy for. 115; leaf-stalks gan- grening, 124; in pots, 135; in boKcs, 175; lifting, 176; leaves blotched, 196; chemistry of soils for, 209 ; fungus on, 219 ; planting and selecting, 245; culture, 258; border, covering, 257 ; to form, 245, 259; training, 278; for a vinery, 299; turning out, 318; ■weak, 318; for cold vinery, 318; lifting roots of, 332 ; mildew on, 338; propagating from eyes, 356; lifimg roots and remaking the border, 365; cultivation in pots, 367,379; borders, superphosphate of lime for, 379; lifting roots and renewing the border, 385 ; mildew on, 390; in pots, soil for, 419; scorched, 420 ; close pruning, 430; grafting, 447, 458; pruning, 468, 487; starting in January, 459; early, and with Peaches and Pines, 478 ; bone manure for, 478 ; border, renewing and planting, 488 ; forcing, 498 ; renewing without losing a crop, 506, 516 Vinery— planting, 76; for six Vines 94; heating, 220, 299; moderating' its temperature, 380; converting greenhouse to one, 400; manage- ment, 490; back wall to, 420; ground or curate's lean-to, 447; and pinery combined, 458 ; keep- ing air moist, 476; filling up blanks in, 478 Vineries— ground, 272, 319, 349 ; arrangement and planting, 518 Violets not blooming, 499 Virginian Poke, 196 ; eaten in Ame- rica, 220 Wakefield Poultry Show, 201 ; lost fowls at, 280 Walk, weeds on gravel, 338 Walnut tree— unhealthy, 155 ; ma- nagement, 310 Warwickshire, gardens worth seeing, 470 Wasps, 284 ; destroying, 140 : male, 404 : as paper-makers ; male have no stings, 483 Water— importance of clean, 133: Lilies transplanting, 459 Wuterford Poultry Show, 263 Wax moths. 203 Webbla pinifolia, 391 Week, work for, 14, 31. 55, 74, 92, 113, 132. 151, 173, 194, 216, 238, 255, 276. 296, 316, 335, 357, 376, 396, 416, 437, 456, 474, 495, 515 : Doings of last week, 15. 34. 56, 75, 93, 114, 133, 152, 174, 195, 217, 239, 256, 277, 297, 317, 335, 358. 377,397,417,43,^,457,475,496, 515 Weigela rosea for a north wall, 511 Well Head Gardens, 193, 212, 229 Welton Place, 493 What other flowers think of it, 187 Wheat plant's vitsd powers, 271 Whitchurch and Malpas Poultry Show, 263 Window, plants for N.W., 498 Wintering — border plants, house for, 241 ; bedding plants, 279. plants in cold greenhouee, 390; in hotbed frame, 398; but no greenhouse, 399 : plants, 429 Wireworms injuring Vine roots, 94 Woodlice, destroving, 37, 220 Wood, Mr. W., 489 Woods, coloured, in landscape gar- dening, 70 Woodstock Poultry Show, 301 Worcestershire, gardens worth seeing, 233, 373 Worcesterhsire Poultry Show, 76 Workhouse, what may be done there, 284 Worms— in pots, 13 ; to destroy, 259 Yews — what animals ark poi- soned BT IT ? 47 1 ; hedge on clay soil, 477 : cattle among, 491 ; herbivorous, animals among, 524 Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Poultry Show, 117, 482 Yorkshire, gardens worth seeing, 85, 191, 333 Yuccas — removing, 379 ; fllamen- tosa, protecting, 399 Zinc tank, rapid decat of, 215 WOODCUTS. PAGE. Agaricns fertilis 395 Apple-trellis 235 Beaton, Mr. D , Portrait of..... 415 Bees, Apparatus for Uniting 119 ,, Feeder 3G3 „ Foul Brood 423 Boiler, Garden 410 Boronia rutosma 214 Bottom heat for Beds, four modes of giving 514 Catasetum fimbriatura 192 Cephalotaxua drupacea 455 „ Fortune! 454 Colocasia odorata 90 Colourg, Jlclody and Harmony of 10 Conservatory and Palm-house, Ground Plan of 350 Conservatory at Keele Hall 274 ,, at Trentham 414 Coop, Poultry 38 Cyclamen Atkinsi 150 Ducks, CayugaBlack 279 EchinocdCtus rhodoplhalmus 70 Erica elegans 131 PAOE. Erica vastcfiora 181 Flower Garden Plans, 49, 71, 170, 294, 394, 434, 435 Forcingand Plant-houses arrangement of... 51 Foul Brood, microscopic examination ot 423 Gardener's House at Trentham 354 Greenhouse Bhnds, rolling up 495 Holly Hedge 275 Hoya imperiulis 254 Jardiniere, March's 6 Land Measnring 106 Macleania cordata 110 Marking Trees 215 Mitraria coccinea 274 Oncidium sarcodes ,,.. 334 Papaver, transformed 171 Pentilly Castle Flower Garden 71 PmusaristLta 91 Parsley, ridges for 234 ,, Pot for covering 234 Peach-houses, Planting 236 „ Wall Case 236 Pear, Styrian 267 PAGE. Pine-houses, Construction of 314, 315 Polmaise Heating 47S Poultry-feeder S21 Propagating-house at Bcrkhampstead 473 Pits at 474 Bottom heat for 474 Ribbon-border, Plan of 49 Rose, Coupe d'Hebt^ 31 Trentham, Flower Gardens at 394, 434 ., Upright Houses at 355 Truffle, Black 295 Trellis foi Apple Trees 235 Uropedium Llndenii 11 Vegetable Teratology 171 Vineries, construction of 314, 315 „ at Keele Hall 235, 236 „ at Bcrkhampstead 471 „ Trentham 274, 374 Vines, Propagating by Eyes S „ Pruning 487 Wasps' Nests 483 Welton Place, wilderness at 494 }u)y 7, 1863. ] JOUBNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of M'nth Day of Weeli. JULY 7-13, 1863. Average Temperature Rain in near London. j^^.^^,.^ Sun I'ises. Sun Sets. Moon U.ses. Moon Sets. j\Ioon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day at Year. LIBRA NEW Y Day. Night. Mean. 1 Days. m. h. m. h. m. h. Ui. h. in. s. BOTANl 7 To W. Curtis died, 1799. B. 73.e 61.8 tl2.7 ' 19 53af 3 ICafS lafll 2 al (1 d 4 30 133 R W Bell-flower flowerp. 73.8 50.2 P2.» 1 19 54 3 15 8 26 11 17 1 22 4 39 189 QARDl 9 Tn Rampion tlowferi=. 74.0 SO.II G2.0 16 55 3 14 8 53 11 25 2 23 4 49 190 10 F Cardinal-Hewer ttuwers. 74.3 51.1 62.7 14 66 3 14 8 nioin- 34 3 24 4 S8 191 11 S Mullein flowers. 74 S 61 2 631 9 67 8 13 8 27 34 4 25 5 6 192 12 SltN 6 SUKUAT AFrKU TRI^1TT. 75.5 511,9 61 2 12 .'8 S 12 8 7 1 30 5 20 6 14 193 ■ 13 M D. Douglas killeil, 1834. G. 75.3 51,8 63,8 13 S9 3 11 8 53 1 IS 6 27 22 194 From observatiiins taken near London duvinj tlie last thiny-aix years, the average day temperature of the week is 74 5 °, and its night tem aeratur e Sl.C. The gre.iteat heat was K" on the 12th, 1859 ; and the lowest raid, 36", on the 7lh, 1860. The grea' et't lall c f rain was 1.10 inch. PLANTS SUITABLE FOE A GKAVE. I yTIL ]iuUic taste submits to woll-cliastened rules, it is difficult to say Jiow far it maj-go astrayinitsanxiety after novelty even in this, tlie most solemn of all the instances in which, it exer- cises its avocation — the de- coration of the resting-place of the departed. It affords little surprise, therefore, that now and then an authority, armed v.ith the necessary powers, enforces views differing con- siderably from the wishes of those who would like to do as they pleased with the surface earth above a departed rela- tive. Certainly no assemblage of objects presents so much diversity of ornament as the fashionable cemetery of the jiresent day. A company of weil-dressed people, conform- ing as they invariably do to certain conventional rules, have so many things in common, that in point of diversity they are tame compared with the fancy tomb and its accompaniments. This growth of fancy is of recent date, for our old churchyards present but little variety. Certainly the local custom of one neighbourhood diflers from that of another a hundred miles or more away ; but in each the changing events of a couple of centuries have made but little change in the manner in which the graves of the dead have been honoured by the living. i?ut it is not our province to give any opinion thus upon the stone, marble, and metallic enormities. Another feature has been added which, perhaps, has given rise to as much angry feeling as that of the sculp- ture amongst those who assume to have the direction of matters of that kind — the planting of flowers upon and around a grave ; and it is in answer to a query from a correspondent, " What kind of flowers ought to be planted there?" that I with some unwillingness address myself to the task of giving my opinion on the subject. Although the decoration of the graves of departed friends with flowers is of great antiquity, and has been kept alive by the stirring appeals of the poet as well as the writer of romance ; yet in many parts of England it has either fallen into disuse or has never been practised at all, and it is questionable whether it has ever been so popidar in any part of England as it is in The Principality. The impetus, however, given to it by the customs of many of the well-to-do in the example they set in deco- rating the tombs of their frieuds in our public cemeteries No. 119.— Yet. v., New Series, may, doubtless, find an echo in the other classes ; and after some extraordinary attempts at novelty made by some of the more ambitious something like uniformity may, perhaps, be at length arrived at, and the extrava- gant idea too often displayed may receive such an amount of public censure as to make it a matter of wide exception. Assuredly the simplicity of our primitive fathers never contemplated that the decorations of the graveyard should compete with the parterre, although the latter at that early period was of meagre extent as compared v,'ith its magnitude now ; and most likely the system of planting flowers over a grave had its origin in the first instance in gathered flowers being scattered there. The sympa- thetic mind of the poet can easily suggest to itself the innocent gambols of young children, plucking the Violets, Primroses, and other wayside flowers that came in the way of their accompanying their only remaining parent to visit the grave of her much-loved partner. It is very easy to picture licr seated on the grassy mound, the turf from its recent disturbance having a withered and unin- viting appearance ; and it requires no great flight of the imagination to conjecture the tiny lapfuls ot Daisies, Buttercups, and Violets of the little flower-gatherers left as an ofl'ering on their father's grave ; while on a second visit the mother's ears are saluted on the journey by the news that the eldest of the little party in plucking a Violet pulled up a plant also, and suggests it might perhaps grow on some naked place on "father's grave," where the turf did not meet. Transported there, it grows, is carefully watched, and at each visit its history and how it came there is brought to mind ; and another naked place being jperceived, a plant is this time sought for aoid brought to occupy the vacant spot. Erom such begin- nings it is likely we owe our somewhat overstrained mode of ornamenting the grave with the gayest orna- ments of the flower garden. Observe, I say " overstrained notion of ornament," for I by no means fall into the views of those who think such things suitable there, however much it may be desirable to do honour to the remains of those gone from \is. Certainly the feelings which prompt such offerings are of more consequence than the offering itself ; but society at large would speedily make unpleasant remarks if some mourner at a funeral attended that ceremony attired in the gayest colours that fashion commands in the ball-room. It would bo held as a poor excuse for such an unusual departure from es- tablished customs to be told that " respect for the dead " prompted the bearer to array herself in that way. Following out the sober idea of suiting the ornament to the purpose, let us see in what way the " little spot of gi'ound" — the final earthly resting-place of each of us, or of such as may be so honoured, ma,y be beautified without any departure from the feelings which ought to pervade sucji a place. I bj' no means object to all floral decoration, but as far as possible I would advise its being with low-growing indigenous plants, and more especially such as tlower early. No. 771.— Vol. XXX., Old Sebfes. JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. r July 7, 18G3. Of sucli, many reasons jjoint out the Violet as one of the most suitable. Lowly and unassuming in its out- ward charaoter, its beauties and its worth are ascertained by a closer acquaintance ; besides which, there is sometliing almost hallowed in the name, and I would in this instance go as far as to allow the cultivated variety to be substituted for the wild one. Next to the Violet we have the Primrose, than which neither the flower garden nor the hothouse jjossesses a more lovely gem. If more variety than the wild one be wanted, the double one of the same colour, or the double or single white, might be admitted ; but I would not advise the dark- coloiu'ed ones. Primroses and Violets are imqnestiouably the most im- portant of cm- graveyard plants ; although closely following on them, and perhajjs in some instances, as in that of beautifying the resting-place of a child, the Snowdrop be- comes appropriate ; and this early harbinger of returning spring may al.^o be planted on every grave almost, where its unassuming iiowers present to the iiUgrim the first of Nature's gems of the season. Contrasting, therefore, so well with the herbage which aftenvai-ds succeeds it, the Snowdi'oiJ is by universal consent an acknowledged legal occupant of the grave. I am far fi-om acknowledging the same right to its neigh- bour- in the garden — the Crocus. Its foreign origin and gaudy hue seem to point out a place for it elsewhere. If, however, the taste of the party interested decide on the Crocus, I would confine the colour used to white, or, in stretching a point, blue might be added ; but I think yeUow too glaring to harmonise with other sober objects around it. I believe with these few and simple flowers my ambition in doing honour' to the grave would be satisfied, as all might be planted on an unprotected mound, and all siu'vive the rough ordeal of the scythe. It would, however, be as well to mention here plants adapted to certain localities which might with perfect propriety be included also in our cate- gory. In iby soils partaking of the sand the little Stone- crop (Sedum acre), might be advantageously used. In like maimer on a chalky soil the wild Thyme might form a useful adjunct : there is something appropriate in the sound of the name of the latter. On soils of an opposite character, shady and moist, some of the Mosses might foi-m usefol adjuncts ; and here, again, the plant by its name speaks poetically to our feelings. And while we in all instances would allow the turf to a certain extent to occupy the prominent part of the "sod" which overlies the remains of a departed friend, a judicious admix- ture of the plants mentioned above may form an ornamental feature to au unenclosed grave better than the rough herbage which otherwise might occupy the place. The pretty little grass-lite plant Thrift might, however, be admitted, and might form a usefvd featm-e on exj50sed places near the coast ; and a neat-gi-owing little herbaceous plant, an Everlasting, might be introduced as a fitting object here also. Observe, I have advised the adoption of only low-gi'owing plants as fitting memorials of such a place. The WaUflower which grows on some church walls and on some ascends to the summit of the tower, sowing itself abundantly below, is nevertheless in my opinion nnsiuted to the grave. In like manner Snapdragon, which I have seen take possession of a waU at a great elevation, as well as Valerian, ai-e plants all too tall to meet the requirements of what I would lay down as a standard in such cases. The herbaceous flower-border afi'ords several more plants of great beauty and suitability ; but I am unwilling to allow any but those of home origin a place among our British dead. Much has been said about the Rose, and it is almost sedition to say anything against this acknowledged queen of flowers ; but I am far from certain that the graveyard is a fitting abode for her. Ths time-honoured custom of associating the sombre Yew with oiu- graveyards has in all Ukelihood led to the Cypress being a subordinate appendage to the same object, and small Cypresses are frequently studded around sculptural ornament. This, of course, is confined to the more affluent, and deserves a notice hereafter ; but I would ask a very homely question of those who recommend such aspiring plants as Cypress and Juniper to ornament the graves of a crowded churchyai-d, what it would look liie if every graD-e in the place were simOarly planted ? It would be a perfect shi'ubbery lacking the variety observable elsewhere. Be- sides, a grave planted with shrubs or high-growing plants conceals from view the sight of several of the graves beyond it, thereby acqidring exclusive attention from passers-by. More might be said on this head, but I leave it and pass at once to another feature in graveyard or cemetery decoration — that of the enclosed plots called family graves. Belonging as these objects do to the wealthier classes of society, we might reasonably expect in these tokens of a refined taste. It is much to be feared the spii'it of compe- tition has much to do with the pageantry to Ije found here. Of sculptural ornament it is not my province to speak ; but can anything be more at variance v.'ith the quiet solitude by which the spot is invested than the glaring colour's by which it is too often decked out ? An enclosure containing white stone or marble sculjitiu-e is surrounded by ii'onwork often bronzed or gilded, and through the openings ai-e seen the brightest scarlet Geraniums and yellow Calceolarias that the florist can furnish. It may be that my ideas lag behind the spirit of the times ; but I nevertheless have no hesita- tion in putting them forth as opposed to this glitter. The gayest part of the parterre caimot exceed what is seen sometimes around a grave. Assuredly there is a jjroper place for everything. Elsewhere the Verbena, Lobelia, and Petunia look well, but a grave is not the place for them. That plants ai-e necessary there I admit ; and those proper for such a small plot as is sometimes enclosed render it anything but easy to suggest what is best suited for it ; and I hope some of your readers will impart their oi)inions on this matter. My own are as follow : — If it were possible to retain the verdure of the turf, short, thick, and velvety in the imiform condition it is seen in when at its best, as in showery weather in May after it has been recently mown, I do not know of anything which could improve it ; but the ever-changing features of vegetable life render a certain amount of labour necessary to keep tui'f in order. This is not always convenient to those who reside at a distance from the spot. Something, therefore, that would form a substitute for grass in smaD isolated spots is much wanted ; and when Spergula pdifera was announced to the gardening world as an acquisition Ul^ely to supersede turf, not requiring any mowing, &c., I was in hopes we had a plant in many respects suitable to decorate the grave. Unfortunately, with me at least, the plant has been a com- plete failui'e ; and we must select something else as a sub- stitute for that sod which is destined to cover the remains of all that is left of mortality. A plant that woidd look well at all times, and without the trouble which grass entails, would be a great acquisition. The compact habit and deep green foliage of Saxifraga hyp- noides give it strong claims to our notice, and I am in hopes it will answer. There is, however, no reason why some of the flowers mentioned as applicable might not also be adopted here ; and perhaps a dwarf Rose might be intro- duced, a miniatui-e Cypress or two, or a small stunted Yew, which may have previously been ke2jt in a fiower-pot, and to keep it dwarf may still be kept plunged in that condition ; but gay summer-flowering plants, such as are usually called bedding plants, ought not to be used. Certainly some little order and appearance of cultivation may be shown. The plants may just touch each other, but need not crowd. Supposing a plot G feet square required planting, there might be one or two dwai-f Cypresses, just as the number of graves required. These might stand near the head, and the remainder of the space dotted over with patches of Violets, Stonecrop, Saxifraga hypnoides, or S. tii- dactylitos, which becomes an excellent and closely formed cushion of the deepest gi-een ; a jjatch or two of Primroses, which if removed when done flowering might give place to a dwarf Phlox, of which P. subulata is very good ; and I am not certain but that the deep gi'een foliage of the Saxi&'age might .allow an Auricula by the side of it. Snowdrops, of course, must not be forgotten ; and there is a dwai-f Ever- lasting, the foliage of which, as well as its flower, looks well at all seasons. With these I shordd say be content ; or if some of them were omitted it might perhaps be as well. It is, nevertheless, not unlikely but another set of plants might be adopted by some one else equally well adapted for the pui-pose. July V, 1863. JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Before concluding, I may add that I by no means disap- prove of the cultm-e of flowers in a public cemetery, although I cannot see in which way the undue preference given to bedding plants can be recommended on any plea excepting that of gaiety at one particular time, and that not of long endurance. Assuming, as is very often the case, that a cii'- cumferential border exists, shutting the interior from out- ward objects, evergreen shrubs oiight to predominate on this border, so as to give it a clothed appearance in winter; whUe in the front of this border may be cultivated a great diversity of flowers. I wiU not say that it may be converted into a fashionable ribbon-border, but many of the plants so used may have a place here, planted amongst others of their heio'ht and character. This may be a feature in the exterior border, but the clumps or beds that diversify the centre ouo-ht to be more sober in their exhibition of floral gaiety, while evergi-eens must predominate stUl more extensively. Nevertheless, such plants as Pinks, Iberis, Ai-abis, &c., might be grown to advantage ; and nothing looks better than the double white Rocket, for with so much turf and evergreen white or light-coloured flowers wUl teU to most advantage, and there are several of the hue — as, for instance, some Campanulas, white Phloxes, and I cannot see any ob- jection to patches of Cerastiiun ornamenting the front ; but beyond this most if not all the other bedding-out plants must keep outside. It is needless for me to foUow this subject further ; but I hope others wiH favour us with their opinion, as it is a topic deserving the iJbtice of those best qualified to take of it a just view, and a series of letters in The Jouenal of Hor- ticulture would be of service. J. Roeson. CULTTJEE OF EOSES IN POTS. This is a topic of general interest, although the following is a reply to " R. S., Bristol," who asks for information how to grow potted Roses in quantities. Although you do not say so, we infer that your object is to get up a stock of Roses in pots, for blooming under glass in spring and early summer, and there is scarcely any other object in the whole round of gardening that is so likely to prove a source of pleasure to those who are fond of that which is sweet and beautiful. Supposing, then, that you desire to have Roses in bloom next sjiring, there are two ways by which your end can be attained. You Ciin either procui'e plants that are already established in pots and in a fit condition to be gently forced into bloom, or you can get plants from the nursery -rows in autumn and pot them yoiu'- self. And as it is your object to grow extensively, the latter is the course that is to be recommended, as being not only the cheapest way of obtaining a large stock, but will, by following the directions which shall here be given, jjrove perfectly successful. You should go to some good Rose-nursery early in autumn, and get the first pick of the number you requii'e fi-om the nursery-rows. Choose those that have broken from three or four buds, that have made half a dozen strong healthj' shoots and have stocks only a few inches high, or, perhaps, better stOl, that are grown on their own roots. Let youi- selection be marked, and having secured them, leave them where they grow tiU the middle of October, about which time they have generally pretty well matured their growth and are shedding their bottom leaves. This is the proper time to Uft and pot them with the view of getting them to form fresh roots before winter, and by gentle forcing to secm'e a crop of bloom the following spring. The plants should be lifted with care, preserving every twiggy root, and shortening with the knife those that are strong and pithy. Pot them firmly in pots ranging in size li'om 6 to 8 inches. The soil most suitable for them is a rather heavy loam, with about a third of well-rotted hotbed manui'e or cowdung, with a slight addition of road grit or coarse sand. The pots should be well drained, and in potting the roots should be nicely distributed among the soil. When potted and watered plunge them at once in a pit or frame where there is a gentle bottom heat. Keep them rather close for ten days, and when the days are di-y syringe them morning and afternoon, and keep them shaded fi-om the sun. After the first fortnight the lights may be taken off them for a few hours in the morning and evening, always putting the lights on for the night ; but do not shut them down closely. The gentle bottom heat and the close moist atmosphere will maintain the action of the roots and leaves, and by the end of November they will have made fi-esh roots to a con- siderable extent, and the buds on the last season's growths wiU be as firm and prominent as those which have not been disturbed at ail. The leaves wUl be aU shed, except a tuft at the top of each shoot. If by this time the bottom heat has not entirely gone, they should be removed to some cool place. Their removal fi-om such quarters wiU in most cases be a matter of necessity, as few are the places where there is such accommodation to devote to wintering plants that can be otherwise protected. They can be plunged in some sheltered place where heavy rains and severe frosts can be guarded against. Sawdust or cinder ashes form excellent material for plunging in, as either of these is not so subject to the destructive inroads of worms, and forms a better pro- tection to the roots than common garden soil. The time to prune Roses thus treated must be regulated and determined by the time that they are requii-ed to bloom in spring. In our own practice we have several times had Roses in bloom, under similar cu-cumstances, early in March; and when required so early they should be pruned by the middle of December. It gives the plants a much better chance the first year ; and, looking at them as permanent objects, it is far the best way to keep them at rest till the middle of February. Let it, however, be supposed that you would desire a few of them to flower in March, that few must be pruned at the time named above. Cut them back to two or three eyes, according to the strength of the shoots, always cutting more closely in the case of the weaker growths. By the first week of January they should be introduced into a temperatiu-e of 45° to 50" at night, and if they can be afforded a bottom heat of 60° it wiU be much to then- advan- tage in causing them to break regularly and strongly. They should be kept near the glass, and be freely syringed with tepid water at least twice a-day — morning and afternoon. As soon as the shoots attain about an inch in length increase the temioeratui'e by 5°, and on every favom-able opportunity admit a good supply of fresh an-. Keep them away from 'the heating apparatus, and shut up early in the afternoon with a moist atmosphere. There are few things more adverse to Roses than a di-y parching atmosphere. Increase the temperatm-e gradually to 60° by the time they show their bloom-buds. Green fly is a gi'eat pest to forced Roses, and must never be allowed to gain a footing ; but their most treacherous and destructive enemy is the small black maggot, with which all Eose-growers are familiar. It folds itself up in the leaves, from which retreat it salUes and eats into the centre of the Rose-bud when little larger than a pea. There is only one way, that I am awai-e of, that you can cope with this enemy, and that is to look over the plants every day ; and wherever you see the leaves folded up or sticking two together, there you wiU find a maggot which you will destroy ivith a hearty good wUl, and put an end to his gluttonous repast. When the buds show themselves above the foliage, be sure to give a free admission of an- on all occasions when weather will permit, at the same time avoiding currents of cold air. If this is not attended to, the flowers and their stems will be weak and short-Uved. Immediately the flowers begin to show theii' colour the plants must be removed to a house where the temperatm-e ranges about 55°, giving the plants plenty of room, light, and ail-. Here they will not only open then' flowers with a, higher colour and a gi-eater perfume, but the stems and leaves will acquire a degree of stifl'ness and strength so desirable in Roses, and which cannot bo attained in a higher temperature and a moister atmosphere. When in ftiU bloom a temperature of 50° is sirffieiently high. Under such cir- cumstances they wiU. remain in bloom a long time, more particularly if shaded from the sun, and carefiiUy attended to with water at the root — that is, if the soil is preserved in that genial condition so commonly described by gardeners as " neither wet nor dry." Under such circirmstances as these you can have the enjoyment of a display of this queen of flowers next March ; but as already stated, it is the better JOtTRNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 7, 1863. way for the plants to let them break the first season of their own a,ccord, and let them be bloomed with loss artificial heat. When the plants have done flowering they should by all means be as carefully attended to as if they had yet to bloom. It is too often the case that forced plants are sadly neglected and mismanaged after having yielded their crops of bloom for the season. They should be g-radually hardened- oif and not placed out of doors till aU danger from frost is past. If when lifted in the autumn they were potted into six and eight-inch pots, the strongest of them shotdd be shifted into pots two sizes, and the weakest into pots one size larger. When shifted it is of great advantage to them to be kept under glass for a week or two after. This is pre- suming that they are shifted before all danger from late frosts is over ; but, when shifted later in the season, they may be plunged out-doors at once. Choose a sheltered situation where thoy can at the same time have all the sun possible ; give them plenty of room, and see that the material in v/hich they are plunged is sufficiently 02)en, and the site weU drained, so that no stagnant water can stand about their roots, otherwise these would rot, and as a consequence the foha-ge would become yellow and drop off, leaving you with um-ipe and di.seased plants. Eoses, and in fact all other plants intended to be forced, should never be, as is too often the case, plunged in damp shady situations. Throughout the summer endeavour to supply them with water, sufficient to keep the soil at aU times in a healthy growing condition ; and should worms find then' way into the pots, water with clear lime water. If worked on briars keep them fi-ee from suckers, and remove all flower-buds as they make their appearance, except in cases where Eoses may be required in November ; then Hybrid Perpetuals may be allowed to bring forward the buds which they foi-m after the middle of August ; and by placing them in a cold pit or frame, and later in the season encouraging them with a little fire heat, they will ejqjand and last in flower a long time. This i^ractice is not, however, to bo recommended, e:ccept you intend to grow a large stock of plants, as such treatment is not fa,voiirable to theii- suocessftil foi-cing in spring ; and I should think in your climate youi- Eoses out-doors can be had in flower late in the season. When the plants have mostly shed their foliage, and pre- sunung that yon intend to force a portion of yom- stock caxly, the best-ripened plants should be pruned. Then turn them carefully out of the pots, and examine the drainage, and get rid of any worms which may have iiitruded. When worke'd on the briar stock it freqirently hajipens that the stock gets gi-een and mossy; whenever such is the case, let them be dusted o-.'er with quicklime, which will destroy the pai'asites. Remove the surface soil, and replace it with fresh, rich soil, and when intended to be forced ea,rly they should be placed under glass at once. A cold pit or "vinery iiviU be_ a good place for them, if you desire a constant succession of flowering plants till Eoses are in bloom in the open ground. Continue ttooughout the winter to prune a convenient number, always putting them under glass as soon as they are pmned. It is always best not to piit them into heat tOl after they have been under glass in a cool structm-e • for a fortnight after they are pruned. Bear in mind a,U the time that it is only recommended to leave them out of doors in winter, in case of your not being able to afford them the protection of a pit or frame. It not unft-equently happens that those pruned in February, and left out of doors, have their buds crippled with March frosts, for spare corners under glass are very scarce now-a-days. It frequently happens that those forced the second season after being lifted in eight and 10-ineh pots, requii-e nothing further at the root the third season than simply to see to the^di'ainage, and to remove a portion of the soil ft'om the sm-iace of the ball, and replace it wii h rotten dung and loam in equal i)roportions. This, of course, entirely depends on circumstances. If the roots have made then- way down to the bottom of the pots, leaving a large portion of the top soil inert and unoccupied, they should be partially shaken out, have the strong roots pruned back, and in repotting a good portion of the soil be placed below the roots. My pTactiee has been to shake them out and treat thus every second year, and to root-prune them in a similar manner to that practised with the Geranium, only not so severely. It is not only possible to keep them healthy and in mode- rate-sized pots Ibr many years by this process, but they seem to rejoice in the operation, starting off with inci'eased vigour- with every application of fresh soil. In making a selection of Eoses for forcing you should select the greater portion of j-our stock from the Hybrid Perpetual section. Most of the Teas are beautiful for pot - culture, but generally speaking do not bear early forcing so well as the Hybrid Perpetuals. Then there ai-e Provence, Cabbage, and Moss Eoses, so beautifully fragrant. — D. Thomson. THE EOTAl; HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITIOiS^-JuLY 1. The horticidtural ca,mpaign began early this year, and it has closed at that period of the season when Londoners begin to consrJt their "Bradshaws," and when "Mun-ay " is greatly in request. The rival claims of the south coast and its soft sea breeKcs and sunny sands, the jjicturesque scenery of the Cumberland lakes, and the heathery mountains and deep glens of the Highlands, are now becoming matters of anxious deliberation ; those who have country seats to retfre to ax-e beginning to think of a change of quarters, and in another niontli London will have gone out of town. It was, therefore, we think, wisely determined that, the last great horticultural display for the season should take place before this periodical migration commenced. The Eoyal Horticultural Society is not remarkable for its good fortune as regards weather, and when it does have a wet day for one of its exhibitions the fact is sure to be ex- patiated upon, and not unfrequcntly with some embellish- ments, and it is, therefore, only justice to say that no day could have been finer than Wednesday last ; genial in tem- perature, with a bright but not overpowering sun, whilst a gentle breeze kept the afr fi'om stagnation, it was just the day that one would have chosen for out-door exercise. As on former occasions the plants and cut flowers were arranged along each side of the nave of the International Exhibition building, the hot dry atmosphere of which, it may be remarked, caused many of them to give evident signs of flagging, whUst the Fiiiit was allocated in one of the refresh- ment-rooms, involving a voyage of discoveiy to find it out. Many must have failed in the attempt ; for, contrary to all wont, the attendance of visitors to this paa-t of the Exliibition was unusually thin, notwithstanding the high character of the productions which invited their inspection. The absence of the grand specimen stove and greenhouse plants, as grown by Messrs. Whitebread, Green, Peed, and others, which constituted so important a feature in previous exldbitions, was also much to be regi-etted. as it deprived the Show of much of its effect ; and this want the Eoses, fine as they were, and forming as they did a principal, and, indeed, the most attractive portion of the Exhibition, did not fully compensate for. FiNE-FOLiA&ED AND Vaeiegated Plants. — Many large and handsome specimens of this description of plants were exhibited, including Crotons, Alocasias, Caladiums, Latanias, Dracaenas, Ar-aucarias, and a variety of others. Amongst Nni-serymen Messrs. J. & C. Lee took the first pi-ize with a collection in which were a noble Alocasia metallica, a large and very fine CordyUne indivisa, Cyathea Sniithii with its handsome lively green fronds, Cibotium princeps, Ehopala magnifica. and Caladium Baraquini. Messrs. A. Henderson and Co. had the second prize for Alocasia macrorhiza varie- gata and metallica, the naaTow-leaved Croton angustifohum, the elegant fern-Uke Jacaranda SlicifoUa, Dracaena ferrea and cannix-folia, Dieffenbachia maculata, Maranta variogata, Caladium Chantini, and other plants. Mr. BuU, of Chelsea, was third, and he had some magnificent plants -, among which may be noticed a tall and very handsome Ehopala corcova- deiisis. Dractena austi-aUs, Gleichenia flabeUata very large, Paudanus utiUs, Araucaria Bidwilli, AlsopMla excelsa, and Latania borbonica. In a collection from Messrs. Jackson and Sons, of Kingston, there were also several large speci- mens, including a noble Alsophila australis, Coryjjha aus- trahs, Draccenas terminidis and ferrea, and the variegated Pandanns javanicus. July 7, 1865. ] JOiniNAL OP HOETICULTUEE AJfD COTTAGE GARDENER. Among Amateurs fine collections of ten came from Mr. Taylor, gardener to J. Yates, Jlsq., Highgate, and Mr. Smith, of Syon ; tlie former taking the first and the latter the second prize. In Mr. Taylor's exhibition there were Cycas revoluta and Dion ednle, both of them of great size, and a fine Chamaerops Immilis ; and in that of Mr. Smith an immense Latania borbonica, Croton pictum of great height, Calathea or Marauta zebrina, Duranta Baumgardti, and the Wax Palm, Ceroxylon andicola. A third prize was awarded to Mr. Boss, of Newbury. Phlebodium aureum and Coleus Versehaffelti in this collection were good specimens. Prizes were offered for va,riegated Begonias, but we only noticed one collection, which came from Mr. Young, gardener to E. Barclay, Esq., of Highgate, and it received a second prize. It contained handsome plants of President Van den Hecke, Duchesse de Brabant, and grandis, also Charles Encke, Anna von Schonborn, and the better-known Rex, Marshalli, and Eoliissoni. Caladiums afforded a more extensive display, and from the diversity in the markings of their foliage were much more effective. Messrs. A. Henderson & Co. had the first prize for a fine collection, consisting of the pretty argyrites, Belleymei, Chantini, a handsome plant of bicolor maguifica, Troubetskoyi, a large jjlaut of Wightii, picturatum, pteeile, and regale. Mr. Ingram, gardener to J. J. Blandy, Esq., Eeading, had. splendens, variegatum and others already named, and received the second prize ; Sir. Young, Abera- man, coming in third. Fuchsias. — These did not come up to our expectations, being exactly the same plants that were at the Eoyal Botanic Show the previous week, and much deteriorated from what they then were ; exception must, however, be made in favour of Mr. Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Barchard, Putney Heath, who had a first prize for thi'ee fine standards, stand- ing about 9 feet high, of Eose of CastiUe, Prince of Orange, and Venus de Medici, the heads being full of flower. For six plants Mr. Gardener, of Clapham Park, received the first prize for Fair Oriana, Senator, Wiltshire Lass, Madame Cor- nelissen, Eose of CaetiUe, and Isa Craig, aU of them hand- some plants, and fall of bloom. Next came Mr. Cannell, gardener to G. Jennings, Esq., of Clapham ; and in the Nurserymen's class, Mr. Treen, of Eugby, had a third prize. Feens. — Several collections of these, both exotic and British, were exhibited, the latter proving to the majority of the visitors the more attractive of the two, and affording a relief to the eyes from the brOliant colours of the cut Eoses. In the class for Exotic Perns, by an oversight, apparently, on the part of the exhibitors, the requirement that the pots should not exceed 15 inches in diameter was not complied with. Such collections, consequently, were disqualified for receiving the amounts offered in the schedule ; but extra prizes were awarded instead to Mr. Bull, Messrs. A. Hender- son & Co., and Mr. Lavey, of Fetcham, aU of whom had excellent collections. That from Mr. Bull was the finest, all of the plants being large and handsome specimens. It con- tained two very large Cibotiums, Barometz and princeps, Alsophila excelsa and radens, Dicksonia antarctica, Blechnum brasilensis, and Pteris natalensis. Messrs. A. Henderson and Co., whose plants were also very fine, had Cibotiums Barometz, Sehiedei, Cyathea boconensis, Drynaria coronans, Brainea insignis, Phlebodium pulvemlentum, a lai'ge Also- phila australis, Angiopteris erecta, and Drynaria musEefoUa. In British Ferns the finest came from Messrs. Ivery and Son, who had two collections. That which received the first prize consisted of Athyrium FiUx-fcemiua multieeps, corymb- iferum, depauperatum, and pliunosum ; Lastrea Filix-mas cristata and Jervisii, Lastrea decurrens, Onoclea sensibUis. Osmunda regalis cristata, Polystichum angulare Elworthii and proliferum, and Adiautum capiU.U3- Veneris. The other collection was also very select, contai nin g, among others, the new forms of Athyi-iimi FOix-fcemina, distinguished 'by the names of glomeratum, Iveryanum, and Applebyanum, and Blechnum spicant polydactylon. Mr. Salter also exhibited a fine collection, in which Osmunda cinnamomea, and speeta- bilis and Struthiopteris pennsylvanica were beai'ing panicles ; and there were besides Scolopendrium vulgare polycuspis, a variety vAth. the extremities of the fronds much branched, Asplenium lanceolai.um micro Ion. and a handsc mt pjtent of Lastrea Fihx-mas cristata. Mr. Lavey had likewise a second prize for an excellent coUeetion, in which we noticed a fine Trichomanes radicans, and some of the new forms of Athyrium. New Plants. — These were sent ui considerable numbers, some making their appearance for the first time, others having been already shown at previous exhibitions. Messrs. Veitch had two extensive collections containing many of their recent introductions from Japan, not the least impor- tant of v/hioh was the beautiful and sweet-scented Lilium auratrmi, already described in these columns, and of which a faithful representation is given in the Florist and Pomologisl of September last. The specimen exhibited did not. how- ever, give a fail' idea of the great size to which the flowers attain — 8 or 10 inches across — v/hen produced from large bulbs. The hybrid Cattleya between Aeklandia; and Lod- digesi was another beautiful and interesting object, and Hkely to j^rove biit one of a number of other acquisitions in the same line ; Bomaria multiilora, a gi-eenhouse climber from Peru, with orange and scarlet flowers, is also a plant likely to prove an acquisition, more especially as it is very fi-ee-flowering. Among other plants from the same firm were Abies Alcoquiana from Fusi-Yama, or the Sacred Mountain of Japan ; a hardy and beautiful Gymnogramma : Acrophorus affiiis, a very handsome species with shining light green fronds ; Asplenium consimile, a new hardy Fern ft-om CMli ; Drynaria HiUi ; Alsophila Tisnitis denticulata, with handsome shining fi-onds ; and Ligidaria Kajmpferi argentea, with roundish leaves variegated with cream colom-. Besides these there were Sphterogyne latifoHa, Eetinosporas, Sciadopitys, Miconia pulveriilenta, and others noticed in previous reports. From Mr. Bull came Phaseolus Hlaeinus with ornamental Ulac flowers, the fine Aj-aucaiia Eulei fi-om New Caledonia, together with one of its cones measuring about 20 inches in length ; Latania Versehaffelti, a variegated Broussonetia papyrifera, Euterpe edulis, Areca dealbata, the fine golden Gymnogramma Laucheana, and, what was very remarkable, a fine plant of the Madagascar Ouvirandi-a fenestralis in flower, Messrs. Backhouse, of York, had a collection of rare Hy- menophyUums and Trichomanes, among which were included Trichomanes scaudens, Zollingeii, and membranaceum ; also HymenophyUum valvatum, Lindsfea stricta, and other tro- pical Ferns. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son brought ImantophyUum cyrtanthaeflorum, with ornamental red flowers, not, however, nearly approaching those of miuiatum in size ; Mr. Watson, gardener to C. Leach, Esq., Clapham Pai-k, contributed Disa grandiflora superba, with flowers in which a bright scarlet was the preva ilin g coloiu- ; and the Sev. J. G. FusseU, of Frome, a fine seec'Qing Gymnogramma with the fr-onds densely covered with rich yellow dust. Mr. Standish had Asplenium elegantulum, a handsome Lycopod fr-om Japan, and two Oaks fr'om the same country, in one of which the foliage was very curious, appearing as "if it had been in great measure gnawed away by some insect, this characteristic, however, being natui'al to the variety. A large and very interesting collection of Euryas, Osman- thus, Eetinosporas, Aucubas, and other Japanese plants was likewise shown by the same exhibitor. Miscellaneous. — An exceedingly interesting exhibition was contributed in this class by Lady Dorothy NevHl, to whom we owe the introduction of the AHanthus silkworm into this covmtry. Her ladyship not only showed the insect in all its stages from the egg to the moth, as well as the sflk with wliich the cocoons are sm'rounded, but the worms themselves at work on the Ailanthxis tree. The importance of this ex- hibition was marked by the Gist prize being awarded to it. From Messrs. E. G. Henderson came a collection of vai-ie- gated Geraniums, including several of the new tricolor varieties, one of t'nem called Lucy Grieve having a fine crimson zone deeiDOning in the older leaves to a purpHsh- crimson ; variegated Chinese Primroses, the beautiftil silvery- leaved Centaurea argentea, and an extensive and very in- teresting collection of Ivies were also shown by the same exhibitors. Mr. Lavey and M". Higgs had some very fine pans of Lycopods ; Mr. La • also sent a collection of ninety-six kinds of wJd fioweri- .i.nd Messrs. Hooper & Co. had a sanilar exhibitioi is annuals 01 w!_icu tney exhibited fifty kinds, also Pink s and Pansies. Several good stands of t"ne last two flowers were shown by Mi-. Bragg, of JOTJENAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ Jil!}- 7, 1863. Slough, and Hooper, of Bath, both of whom hail also Sweet Williams : those from Mr. Brag-g boing Hunt's varieties, and exhibiting a great advance in roundness of outline. Mi\ Turner had also a fine stand of Pinks as well as of Verbenas, for both of which he received prizes. Geraniums and Petunias were shown by Mr. Bull ; a fine box of Iris las'.-igata by Mi-. Standish ; and Fuchsia PiUcir of Gold with yellow variegated leaves by Messrs. F. & A. Smith. ForWardian cases aiTangedlbr the cb-awing-room, Messrs. A. Henderson & Co. had first prize for a large cirrvUinear- roofed one opening at the ends ; and Messrs. BaiT & Sugden had a small neatly-filled case of a much less expensive character. Some tastefully-filled flower-baskets were slio^vn by Messre. Henderson ; and Mr. Macintosh, of Hammersmith, had tlii-oe ha-udsome window-boxes an-anged with excellent taste ; Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Verbenas, and Stocks, with Mignonette and blue and white Camjjanulas in ii-ont, being the materials with which they were iilled. They v/eM deserved the first prize which they received. i£-. "rv.o- -<5^i^g^^ ^ An extremely ornamental jardiniere from Mr. March, of St. James's Street, of which the accompanying is a represen- tation, also excited great admiiution. It consists of crystal, the stems being a series of spheres, the play of li,ght through which has a most briUiant effect ; while the glass itself is protected from breakage by a light framework of white metal. These jardinieres are intended for the window- spaces in dra,wing-rooms or for placing on tables, theii- ornamental appearance being eulianced if elevated on blocks covered with maroon velvet. The display of Fruit was excellent, especially as regards Grapes, and Peaches and Nectarines ; but, as we have ab-eady remarked, its very existence appeared to be unknown to a great proportion of the visitors. In collections the first prize was awarded to Mr. Tui'uer, of Slough, who had fine Muscat and Black Hambirrgh Grapes, very fine Noblesse Peaches, Hunt's Tawny Nectai-ines, Black Tartai-ian Cherries. Marquis of Ailsa Melon, a Queen Pine, and President Strawben-y. Mr. Penny, of liegent's Park, was second ivith a good Eipley Queen, a Green-fleshed Melon, Muscat of Alexandi-ia, and Snow's Muscat Hambui-gh Grapes, Elruge Nectarine, Grosse Mignonne Peach, and Bigan-eau Chen-ies. Mr. Henderson, of Trentham, was thii'd; and an extra prize was given to Mr. Tm-nbull, of Blenheim. Pines. — These were not numerous, no more than tliii'ty Queens being shown, and only two Providences, both of which, though of large size, could not be considered as perfect ; the one which received the first prize, from Mr. Young, of Aberaman, being over-ripe, and the other from Mr. WaUis, gardener to J. Dixon, Esq., of Congleton, being almost green at the top. The iii-st-prize Queen came from Mr. Grant, of Finchley, and w.as a handsome fi'uit, weighing 4 lbs. 9 ozs. ; next came Mr. Smith, gai'dener to J. Walker, Esq., Calderstone, ■with one T,'eighing 5.v lbs., but not rijje enough ; and the third prize was given to Mr. Ward, of Headington, Oxford, for a well-ripened fruit of 4 lbs. 4S ozs. Extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Smith, of Norwood, and Mr. Can-, of Byfleet ; and good fruit were also exhibited by Messrs. Moore, Brown, Ha,nnan, and Hall, the latter exhibiting, but not for com- petition, a very fine one of 4 lbs. 11 ozs., and another of 5 lbs. Of other varieties, an Envdle of 8.V lbs. from Mi-. HaU received a first i^rize, and a Black Prince from Mr. Dwerri- houso, of Heckfield, the second ; a large fruit, but not ripe enough, coming from Mr. Young, of Aberaman. Gkapes afforded the most extensive display, and the ex- hibitions of the Hambiu'gh varieties by Mr. Meredith, and of the Black Prince fi-om Mr. Hill, of Keele HaU, could scarcely have been sni-passod. In collections Mr. HUl had first prize for a fine one, con- sisting of Black Prince, Bucklaud Sweetwater, West's St. Peter's, Lady Downe's, Frankenthal, Black Hamburgh, Early Savimur Prontignan, and Eoyal Muscadine. Mr. Hen- derson was second with West's St. Peter's, Pope's Ham- biu-gh. Mill Hill Hamburgh, Frankenthal, Black Hamburgh, Black Prince, Trentham Black, Victoria Hamburgh, Golden Hamburgh, Gromier du Cantal, Muscat of Alexandria, Mus- cat Hative de Saumiu-, Muscat Escholata, Muscat Hamburgh, and Buckland Sweetwater. Mr. Cross, gai-dener to Lord Ashbirrton, Ali-esford, was third. Of Black Hamburghs by far the finest were those from Mr. Meredith, the bunches being of gigantic size, compact, and perfect in colour and bloom ; they were accompanied by some leaves of enormous size. Mi-. WaUis, of Congleton, and Mr. AUen, gardener, to J. B. Glegg, Esq., of Withing- ton HaU, received the second and third prizes, having also exceUeut bunches ; but Mr. Meredith's threw ,aU the others completely into the shade. Mr. Hannan, gardener to E. Craw- shay, Esq., Mei-thyi- Tydvil, had also thi-ee fine bunches weighing 7J lbs. With Dutch Hamburgh Mr. Meredith was also successful in taking the first pi-ize -ndth large bunches and ben-ies, Mr. Widdowson being second, and Mr. Turner third ; those fi-om the latter were too red. For Frankenthal Mr. Meredith was again fii-st with s^jlen- did bunches both as regai-ds size, form, and colour; Mr. Jones, of Cheadle, being second, and Mr. Henderson, of Trentham, thii-d, both of the last two exliibitions being also good. with Black Prince Mr. HUl left aU other competitors fai- behind, showing the same magnificent bunches which he had at the Regent's Park, and the weight of which was 9 lbs. 5 ozs., and the length of the largest of the tlu-ee about 20 inches. Mr. Cross was second with the same kind. In Muscats of Alesanch-ia Mr. Embery had iu-st prize for fine bunches, the ripest shown, whUst Mr. Tm-ner was second and Mr. TurnbuU tliii-d, the bunches and bei-ries being large but not so weU ripened. In other kinds of Muscats Mr. McPherson, of Eadbourne HaU. Derby, took a fu-st prize for lai-ge and Snely-ripened bunches of the Canon HaU Muscat; Mr. Emberv was jHly 7, 1S63. JOITRNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. second for the same variety, and Mr. Turnbull third for fine bunches of Bowood Miiseat. . " In other white kinds Mr. Mould, Hartsbourne Manor, Watford, had the fii-st prize for Chasselas Musque, Mr. Hill second for three splendid bunches of Buckland Sweetwater weighing 6 lbs., and Mr. Henderson third for the same kind. Mr. Meredith had good bunches of Golden Hambui-gh ; and Ml-. Cramb, of Tortworth, some of the finest which we have seen of the same kind, but unfortunately they were rubbed. Peaches and Nectakines. — The exhibitions of these were numerous, and, with few exceptions, the fruit large and well ripened. The best two dishes came from Mr. Dawson, and consisted of Violette H;itive and Chancellor ; the next best were Violette Hative and Grosse Mignonne from Mr. Young, of Havant. A single dish of Royal George from Mr. Lawkins, gardener to G. Brassey, Esq., Brariifield, gained first prize, the fruit being of the largest size ; and a similar award was made to Mr. Wills, of Oulton Park, for the same variety equally fine, and it was also exhibited in great per- fection by Mr. Edward, of Eyewood, who gained the second prize. Mr. Gross, gai-dener to Lord Ashbui'ton, had Elruge and Pitmaston Orange Nectarines ripened to perfection, as evidenced by their depth of colouiing, and received the ni'st prize in the class for two dishes ; and the second was taken by Mi: Tegg, gardener to W. H. Goschen, Esq., Eoehampton, for very fine fruit of the same varieties. In single dishes Mr. Wills had the first prize for Elruge, large and finely ripened ; but the fruit being placed on the leaves of Cissus discolor we thought no improvement. Mr. Bannerman, gai'dener to Lord Bagot at Bhthfield, was second with the same kind ; Mr. Tillery third with Red Roman. Figs. — There were few exhibitions of these, tiie Brown Tiu'key being, so far as we remember, the only kind shown. Those from Mr. Smith, of Syon, and Mr. Pottle, were per- fectly ripe and excellent ; and good fruit also came from Mr. Robinson, gardener to R. Benyon, Esq.-, Engl.jfield, and Mr. Henderson, of Trentham. Cherkies and Pluics. — There was a great lack of com- petition ui these fruits. A fine dish of Circassian or Black Tartarian Cherries, fi-om Mr. Turner, had the fii-st prize ; Elton from Mr. Widdowson, and Black Eagle from Mr. Beck of Tetworth, having- the second and third. A good dish of Black Tartarian was also shown by Mr. Thomson, of Stan- stead Park. The only exhibition of Plums was Jefferson's, fr'om Mr. Ingi-am, of Reading. Straweeeeies. — The best four dishes came from Mr, Lydiard, of Batheaston ; it consisted of Victory of Bath. Gem of the West, and Sir Charles Napier, and Oscar, both very large. Mr. Turner was second with the two last- named varieties, President and Empress Eugenie. In col- lections of not less than six kinds, Mr. Widdowson had first prize for remarkably fine dishes of British Queen, Prince of Wales, Crimson Queen, Sir C. Napier, Admiral Dundas, Sir C. Campbell, Oscar, Sir Harry, Prince of Wales, Myatt's Surprise, and Empress Eugenie. Mr. Turner was second with a collection of twenty -eight sorts, comprising- most of the above. President, Rifleman, Carolina superba, and some others. Melons. — Mr. Pottle had first-prize in the Green-fleshed class. Mr. Turner second in the same for Marquis of Ailsa. Mr. Tegg, gardener to Baron Hambro', thh-d, for King' s Green- fleshed, and fii-st for a Hybrid Scarlet ; Scarlet Gem from Mr. Taiery ; and Mr. W. Tegg took the second and thh-d prizes. Melons at present are wholly judged by flavour-, and it is not uncommon to see the smallest and least at- tractive-looking fruit gain the highest prize ; but whilst we quite agi-ee that flavour should principally guide the decision of the Judges, we stUl think that appearance should receive some consideration, and that it would be desirable to in- stitute a class in which flavour and appearance combined might be the test of merit, flavour counting, say, for two points, and appearance for one point. Miscellaneous. — Some fine orchard-house trees in pots were shown by Messrs. Lane & Son, and Mr. Cattermole, of Tooting Common, both of whom received first prizes ; also, from the Society's Garden at Chis-wick, and Mr. KaUe, of East Horsley Towers, who had Plums and Peaches ; the other collections consisting of Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, ' Figs, and Peaches. Some well-ripened Tomatoes were ex- hibited by Mr. Ten-y, the Hyde, St. Albans ; a seedling Melon called Monarch, and weighing 10 lbs. 11 ozs., by Mr. Henderson, of Trentham ; some excellent Strawberries by Mr. Marcham ; Laxton's Early Prolific Pea, wluch tm-ned out to be nothing but Dickson's Favourite ; and some seedlings, an account of which will be found in the proceedings of the Fruit Committee. THE NATIONAL EOSE SHOW. I COULD quite understand, when I saw the Exhibition to-day, why it was that the Rose Show had been tacked on to the thu-d great Exhibition. Retrenchment, I presume, was the order of the day. No prizes for Orchids, nor— as it has, I know, been suggested by one of the most active members — Zouale Geraniums : none either for show Gera- niums, which were shown so well at the Regent's Park last Wednesday ; and hence one mass of gi-een, very refreshing no doubt, filled the nave, fine-foliaged jjlants and Ferns forming the great bulk of the things sent. And had it not been for the Roses the Show would have been poor indeed ; while the Fruit, separated far from the others, lent neither its fragrance nor its beauty to the great body of the Exliibition. Why it could not have been an-anged in one of the contiguous courts I conld not understand. My business is, however, with the Roses, ever beautiml and chai-ming as they are. I feel compelled to say that, on the whole, Roses have not been shown in first-rate con- dition this season. Neither at the Ci-ystal Palace nor to-day had they that ft-eshness and contovu- which one likes to see them always possess, too many open eyes and battered faces suggesting ideas of late hom-s and an over-supply of mois- ture. Some exquisite blooms were, no doubt, exhibited; but I am speaking of them as a whole. As far as to-day's Show was concerned, the Amateurs were decidedly in the first rank, and Mr. Hedge, as usual, in the first rank of Amateurs. Some of his (lowers were very exquisite. He has an immense stock ; and, with his thorough knowledge and skdl, he has advantages which make it a difficult matter to vanquish him. The new Roses were as usual those most eagerly looked after ; and it is oidy another instance of the uncertainty that hangs about Rose-gi-owing that the same flower in different boxes bore a totally different character, and would hardly have been recognised as the same variety. After a care- ful scrutiny of the various stands, and the new Roses generally, I think that we may set down Mr. Standish's Andre Leroy, Mi-. Geo. Paul's Lord Canning, and Le Rhone (GuiUot fils), as the three best new Eoses. The fii-st is a seedling reared by TrouiUard of Angers, and named after his employer, M. Leroy. It was figured in the Florist and Pomo- logist ; its shape and contour were well given, but the coloui-- ing fell very far short of the reality. It is a thick, fine- petalled flower, Of excellent shape, and of a rich dark velvety crimson, and of good habit. Lord Canning is a flower some- what of the build of Comte de NanteuU— a bright pink -with large petal. Le Rhone is very much of the style of Senateui- Vaisse. with a dark shacling in it. ^Vhile on the subject of new Roses I may mention that I received a few days ago fi-om my friend, M. Margottin, of Bourg-la-Reine, a box containing blooms of two new flowers he purposes sending out this autumn: one is a splendid flower, a seedling of Louise Odier, crossed with a dark Hybrid Perpetual, having the exquisite shape of its parent, and retaining (in a Bom-bou, a gTCat object), a deKcious fragrance — one or two petals in a letter quite perfumed it. It is of excellent habit, as I saw when in the raiser's garden. The colour is a deep crimson. I feel persuaded that this will be a great acquisition. I now proceed to the stands of new Eoses. The fii-st prize was awarded to Mr. W. Paul for the foUowmg :— Maurice Bernhardin ; Robert Fortune, vei-y globular ; Pi-ince CamiUe de Rohan, very dark nnd fine; Charies Lefebvre, good; Professor Koch, dark and double ; Louise Darzms ; Lomse Mai-gottin (1S(33), pretty and good; Beauty of Waltham, good; Tm-enne; Gloire de Chatillon. Uke Madame Masson; Vicomte Vigier, good ; La BriUante, very fine ; Mademoiselle Em«in; Framjois Lacharme, exceUent ; John Hopper, good; Madame Ernest Dreol ; and Madame Charles Wocd. JOUBNAL OF HOETICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 7, 1863. Mr. B. E. Cant was second with Souvenir de Comte Cavour ; Baron Adolphe de Eothschild, good ; Olivier Del- homme ; Francjois Lacharme ; Vicomte Vigier : Vulcain ; Charles Lefebvi-e : Reynolds Hole, a good pink ; Monte Christo, dark ; Madame Charles Wood ; John Waterer ; La Brill ante ; excellent ; Madame Ernest Dreol : Gregoii'e Bour- dillon ; Souvenii' de Mous. Rousseau ; WUhehn Pfitzer, dark ; and Madame Boutin, fine. Messrs. Paul & Son were third with President Lincoln, a promising flower ; Le Baron EothschUd ; Prince Camille de Rohan, very fine bloom ; Lord Clyde, good ; Madame CaUlat ; Le Rhone, good, dark ; Lord Canning, a fine new English Rose of Messrs. Pauls' rearing; Monte Christo; Gloire de Bordeaux ; Olivier Delhomme, very good ; Belle de Printemps, curiously mottled, but bad shajie : Baron de Rothschild ; Wilhehn Pfitzer ; Louise Darzins ; Souvenir de Comte Cavour ; Paul Despard ; and Prineesse d' Orleans. Mr. Standish, of Bagshot, had Gregoire Bom-dillon, Souve- nir de Comte Cavoiu', Madame Standish, Charles Lefebwe, Madame Boutin, Vicomte Vigier, Madame Charles Wood, Mrs. Dombrain, Marguerite Appert, Marechal Vaillant, Andiv Desportes, John Standish (agood bloom), Andrt' Leroy (fine), Catherine GuOlot, J. F. Lombard, Reynolds Hole, Vulcain, and Alexaudi-e Dumas. In Mr. Keynes' stand were Souvenir de Comte Cavom-, Glou-e de Bordeaux. Fran<;ois Lacharme, Robert Fortune, Monte Chi-isto, An(b-e Desportes, Marguerite Appert, Paul Despard, Man'chal VaUlant, Charles Lefebvr-e, Tiu'enne, MdUe. Julie Daran, John Standish (very good), Le BriUante, Alphonse Damazin (good), Richard Smitli, Madame C. Wood, and Olivier DeUiomme. Ml-. Cranston had La BrUlante, Madame Caillat, Camille de Eohan, Comte Cavom-, Wilhelm Pfitzer. Miu-iUo, Le Rhone, Richard Smith, Alphonse Damazin, BeUe de Massifs, Alli-ed de Rougeraont, Archeveque de Paiis, L'Esmeralda, Ducde Bassano, Souvenii- de M. Rousseau, Comte de Com'cy, ! Vulcain, and Lecrosnier. Amongst the Roses there of last season, there ai-e evi- I dently some which are destined long to remain in our c-ata- j logues. Such flowers as Souvenir de Comte Cavom-, Prince CamUle de Eohan, Mareehal VaiUant, Madame Boutin, Madame Charles Wood. Alphonse Damazin, Adolphe Xoblet, Charles Lefebvre, and Frani,-ois Lacharme are iudrsjiensable : while WDhebn Pfitzer, Souvenii- de Lady EarcUey, and Vicomte Vigier stand well nigh equal to them if not" quite. I Thus a dozen good Roses may safely be set down as the production of ISf.l. If there is a defect, it is that as a rule they are not quite fijl enough, and thus apt at times to open too much. Madame Charles Wood is the most ex- traordinary flower for lasting that I know. I have had blooms of it cut for a week without fViUing, while La Brd- lante has just the opposite tendency ; the colour flies verj' soon. Of them all I should fi-om present appearances be inclined to fix on Fran<^ois Lacharme as the best of the lot. 1 had intended to have given this week the details of the prizes in the other classes, but must resei-ve it for the next issue.. — D., Deal. BHOTAN imODODENDEON AT EEDLEAF. YouK impression of the 2.3rd of June has only just come to hand, or I would sooner have replied to the coiu-teous re- quest of " A Devonian," to say that the Bhotan Rhododen- dron alluded to expanded the fii-st bloom on the 20th inst., and the last on the 28th, thus coming unfortimately be- tween two meetings of the Floral Committee, to whom I had intended to sixbmit it. I think it is likely to i>rove identical -with the one described by yom- coiTCspondent, as it is a large trumpet-shaped flower, pure white, with an orange throat, and a most agreeable and delicate fragrance. Each bud produced three blooms. With regard to its hardiness, I cannot speak with the ne- cessary certainty, our plant haring never been subjected to the open aii- in the -winter ; but at that season it had only the protection of a small lean-to, and was never covered. Judging from appeai-ance. I should say that it is quite as hai-dy as the Sikkim varieties I mentioned before. "Where it can be pm-chased I cannot say. This plant was presented to my employer by a lady in Scotland, and labelled "Rhode from Bhotan." Perhaps these notices may elicit some information on that subject. This has been a very fine season for the Sikkim Ehodo- dendrons out of doors, and they have made a remarkably clean and handsome growth, owing to the absence of those piercing morning frosts in April and May,— John Cox, Red- leaf. FiK. 1. PEOPAGATIO^' BY EYES. The facility with which certain plants are reproduced from buds or eyes induces me to give a short detaQ of my experience in this mode of propagation, laying no claim to onginality, but simply to aid those who may not have practised it. Vine Etes.— To propagate the Vine by the means of eyes, procure a sufficiency of the wood of last year's gi-o-wth— that which is removed by pruning, selecting the mediiun- sized well-ripened wood. Commence v^-ith the bottom eye : holding the shoot perpendicularly in its natm-al position, and having the eye tm-ned from you, place the blade of the knife some quarter of an inch beneath the eye, ch-awing the knife cleanly through in a slanting do-niiward dii-eetion. Next tiun the whole branch dh-ectly upside doivn, cutting the eye clean away fr-om the same by drawing the knife cleanly through the wood — in its present position closely beneath it — also in a partiaUv slanting direction. i'V\Tien finished the eye should in form somewhatresemble fig.l. Having the eyes thus properly pre- pared, proceed to pot or pan them. I am pai-tial to the latter, as when moderately shallow I can the more readily command an evenness of temperature, whether the heating materials be too hot or slightly the reverse, as, by simply plunging the pans in the latter ease, or placing them upon the siu-face of the material in the former, I can readily command the desired heat. B-at whether pots or pans be chosen take care to crock them well, as an excess of mois- ture around the eyes is most injurious to these. The soil I use is formed of two parts good yellow loam, one of peat, the same of leaf mould, with sand in quantity sufiicient to make it nicely porous. I sift it, because by doing so I am enabled better to di-vide the roots of the plants than if the soil were rough. Having the pots ftUed, press fii-mly each eye in the soil about 2 inches apart, taking care not to have the eye bui-ied beneath the soil, though no part of the wood should be visible. If the eye be not fully exposed, it is liable to damp or rot off, even after it has made a start to grow. Give gentle bottom heat, say 50°, increasing 5° weekly until the maximum of 70° is attained. Care shordd be taken to keep the heat, both above and below, at a moderate tempe- rature, for an excess of heat often causes the eyes to start prematiu-ely, and before the wounds have rooted, or even foi-med the callus. After the fii-st fortnight or so, when it may be supposed the callus is formed or that they have made good progi-ess, an advance of heat -n-ith a nice growing atmosphere will be beneficial to them, continuing thus unto they have made reasonable growth and you siumise they ai-e getting in size too large to remain advantageously together in the same pan, with a view to their being readily parted for the pui-pose of potting-off singly. Then small-sized pots having one substantial crock in the bottom, good yellow loam, and well- decomposed dung, &c., will suit them well, and into this they should be cai-eftiUy potted. The Orange, Citron, and Camellia may be thus pro- Ijagated, About the first week in March pick out a well- ripened shoot, the growth of the last or preceding yeai-. From this with a sharp knife simply cut out the leaf and eye, having at then- base a small portion of the wood, just sufiicient to give it the appearance of a cutting having a small heel to it. Procm-e good loam, peat, and decomposed cowdung in equal parts, with a fair proportion of silver Joly 7, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTTJKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. sand, and into this they should be finaly planted, in pots or otherwise, to be placed upon a gentle hotbed, giving an advance of heat eventually, as I have already explained with reference to the Vine. The Hollyhock. — An essential point is procm-ing medium- sized well-ripened wood having little central pith. I mark a few stalks some days before requiring them, pinching the point off fi'om each, which causes the buds to become slightly active and prominent. I then — having the whole stalk divided into three or four pieces, to admit of its being more readily handled — cut out the eyes, commencing with the lowermost ones, cutting the entire bud, leaf, &c., away from the stem an inch or more above it, severing it clean across. Then finish off the base at the joint and base of the leaf precisely as all cuttings are made, taking care, however, not to cut too closely, or to loosen the leaf or otherwise injure it dm-ing the process of manipulation. Use a compost of one part of good yellow loam, one of leaf mould, and one of sand. Place six or eight eyes in a 48-pot, keeping the leaves up where necessary by a support. At first a gentle heat should be given, to be advanced eventually as explained above ; thovigh where no heat happens to be at command they often root well plunged in sawdust, packed in a frame or box placed in a shady situation and turned northward. They should when rooted be properly potted-off. &c. The Rose. — Toprojiagate the Eose by this means, procm-e shoots similar to those from which eyes would be taken in the process of budding. Simply cut the wood directly across about half an inch above and below the leaf, eye, &c. Plant in soil, and adopt the treatment recommended for the HoUyhock. The Dkac^na is easily propagated by cutting in pieces the leafless portion of the upright stalk, though I believe of our fellow labourers few would like to destroy a good plant in the process. My real object, however, in introducing this genus is to refer those who have a plant to the very base of its main stalk, where will be found small growths having an appearance not unlike the main eyes of a Jerusalem Artichoke. At times two or three of these are seen attached to each other. They should be cut apart, and placed in free sandy soil in a good brisk top and bottom heat, when they wdl be seen to shoot \xp readily, each forming a plant. Under this process the best variegated kinds appeal- to lose theii- chief merit, at first assuming the uniform colour of the original species, though they become beautifully variegated the second season. Alocasia metallica. — We give the mode, which is the simplest possible. Just supjjose the metaUic-looking Alo- casia to be a Richardia sthiopica. Eeduce this to a small plant and cut the bottom of the plant away, dividing it into as many little pieces as you can perceive eyes in the same, leaving where practicable the small roots or rootlets found attached to each, potting, plunging in heat, &c. But let those who are not quite so ventm-esome simply take the soil away carefully from the base of the main portion of the plant, cut a reasonable bit off and pot it, carefully repotting the plant, thus proceeding as the plant continues to grow, and soon a good stock will be thefr reward. — W. Earley, IHg^well. phlet, with a plan of the garden, and a short description, price 3s. The gentleman who has favoured us with the following list adds as a note: — "Those named ai-e all fii'st-class. Many others well worth visiting might have been included, but I have kept the list select." CHIEF GAEDENS OF GREAT BEITAIK. We have so repeatedly been asked for a list of gardens having attractions worthy of a visit at the cost of some expenditure of money and time, that we have determined to make a commencement, and to ask of our readers to furnish us with similar lists. The sooner they favour us with them the more useful will they prove, as the season for seeing such gardens in their gayest array is at hand. We have been asked also to state where and what fee should be paid for the pleasure thus afforded, and for the time of the gardener devoted to the visitor ; but upon this point we can give no information. The practice varies so much that no nde can be stated as generally applicable. A gardener visiting such establishments should pay nothing under any circumstances, and the feelings of all other parties we think ndght be considered, if at all such gardens a book was kept in which visitors must inscribe their names, and on the table by the side of that book were copies of a pam- PBINCIPAL GABDENS IN NORTHUMBERLAND. Name of Residence. Proprietor. Gardener, Nearest Railway Station. Alnwick Duke of Northumberland... Arcot H. Shum Storey, Esq Belsay Sir Charles Monck, Bart.,,. Beaulront \Vm. Cuthbert, Esq Creswell A. Creswell, Esq. Felton Park ... High Gosforth Holeyn Hall... Meldon Park... Mitford Newton Hall.. Sandhoe Wallington ... Wolsington ... Thos. Riddell. Esq... Eustace Smith, Esq. Edward James, P%q John Cookson, Esq. Mrs. Mit'ord Mr.-'. Widdiington .. Rowland Erriogton, Sir Walter Trevelyan Matthew Bell, Esq. Esq..., Bart. jNIr. Bailey.... Mr. Elswurth Mr. Jackson. (Unknown) . Mr. Forsyth (Flower Depart.) Mr. Robson (Fruit Depart.) Mr. Crosslev Mr. Jno. Hall ... Mr. Geo. Cook... Mr. C. Graham... Mr. Jas. Taylor. Mr. D.ivison Mr. Marf-hpU ... Mr. Hedley Mr. W. Lawson . Alnwick, Killing worth. Newcastle. Corbridge. I Longhirst. Acklington. Killingworth, Wyiam. Meldon. Morpeth. Alnwick. Corbridge. Meldon. Killing worth. A FEW OF THE BEST GAEDENS IN DURHAM. Lambton Earl of Darham Mr. Stephenson Fencehouses. Gibside Rt. Hon. Wm. Hutt Mr. Scutt Scotswood. Ravensworth.. Lord Ravensworth Mr. Moult Newcastle. Barnard Castle Raby , . Duke of Cleveland Mr. Short . or Winston. Southend Joseph Pease, Esq Mr. Richardson. Darlington, These gardens may be visited any day by applying to the gardener. EOYAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY.— July 1. Flokai. Cosimittee. — The entries of florists' flowers on this occasion were very limited, and of no particular interest. The new plants were numerous, and chiefly from Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea. The names and awards made to the new plants will be given in our next Number, our memoranda not being at this moment before us. Mr. Turner, of Slough, sent two seedling Piriks — one named Rev. George Jeans, a heavy-edged rosy crimson flower, with well-arranged petals, was awarded a first-class certificate. The other seedling was not considered any ad- vance on other varieties in cultivation. Mr. Francis, of Hertford, exhibited a very dwai'f-habited Scarlet Pelargonium with remai'kably small green foliage, the trusses of flowers not very bright nor of good form. The plant was commended as useful for decorative purposes. Messrs. E. G. Henderson exhibited their superb collection of Variegated Zonale Pelargoniums, which for richness and biilliancy of colouring ai-e unequaEed. Mi's. Pollock and Sunset, so well known to the floral world, received first- class certificates in 1861. Lucy Grieve and Italia Unita were on this occasion awaixled fii'st-class certificates. Lucy Grieve is after the style of Mrs. PoUock, but with variously- tinted zones of brighter colom-s, and the plant is of more robust habit. Italia TJnita is a very brilliant white-foliaged vaiiety. The shaded zones of dark crimson make it very conspicuous and distinct. Ml-. Bull sent several seedling Zonale Pelargoniums. One, named the Clipper, was a scarlet flower of excellent form, which was requested to be shown again, the specimens sent not being in condition. With the exception of a stand of seedling Pansies, which at this late season were out of character, and a seedling Eose which was very fai- behind the Roses of the present day, there were no other flowers worthy of notice. Fkuit Committee. — There were a few subjects before the Sub-Committee of the Fruit Committee at the last great Show, consisting principally of seedlings. Mr. Turner, of Slough, again sent his seedling Strawberry President. On this occasion it was much larger than it has ever been exhibited previously, and is certainly a fine-look- ing fi-uit. The flavoirr, however, did not come up to the standard of what the Committee thought first-rate; but they were, nevertheless, of opinion, that on account of its size and solid flesh it woidd be a good market variety. 10 JOUENAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ July 7, 1863. Mr. Lydiitrd, of Batbeaston, near Bath, also sent two seedling Strawbenies, both of wliich were fine-looking fi'uit. Gem of the West is a fine bright scarlet colour, with a good deal of the Pine flavour in it, but it lacks sugai-. This defi- ciency may, however, be attributable to the season. Victory of Bath is a large darker-coloiu*ed variety, and its flavour was not remarkable. Mr. Euffet, gardener to Lord Palmerston, Brocket Hall, sent a seedling Strawberry called The Premier, which, judg- ing fi-om the plant exhibited in a pot, bears immensely. The fi'uit is large, dark-coloiu'ed, and the flavoiu- is very good. Mr. TiUery, of Welbeck, sent a seedling Nectarine raised fi'om the Elnige. It is of medium size, and in colour closely resembles its parent, but the flesh is rather more stained next the stone than iu the old variety. It is a good sort, but scarcely sufficiently distinct. Mr. Archibald Fowler, gardener to Lord Dali'ymple, Castle Kennedy, Stranraer, N.B., sent fruit of a very large Pig, which weighed 6 ozs. It was received without a name, and the variety has been grown at Castle Kennedy for aboxit a century. It appears to be the Large White Genoa. It is of turbinate shape, pale gi-eenish-yellow coloiu', with a brownish tinge on the apex of the fruit ; the flesh brownish- red and of good flavour-, but not first-rate. Mr. Keynes, of Salisbury, exhibited bunches of a Grape introduced from Corfu. They were very large and shoul- dered, the benies of good size, well set, and of a somewhat ovate shape, gi-een, and vnth a transparent skin showing the textiu-e of the flesh through it. It was not sufficiently ripened for a correct judgment to be formed of its qualities. Mr. J. Fleming, gardener to Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, at Clevedeu, sent a seedling Grape raised from a cross between WMte Frontignan and Eoyal Muscadine. It combined the properties of both parents ; but as the plant is yet young and the bunch was hardly ripe, it was not in condition to form a correct opinion of its merits. Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, exhibited a seedling Early White Nectarine raised fi-om Victoria Peach ; the flavour of which was piquant and gave evidence of being improved by being more highly ripened. He also had an Eai-ly Orange Nectarine a fortnight earlier than Pitmaston Orange and with the same flavour: and a seedling Hautbois consider- ably larger than the ProUfic. It is called the Eoyal Haut- bois, bears abundantly, and is a great improvement on the old variety if its flavom- is produced eqtially good. Mr. Laxton. of Stamford, exhibited two ilishes of his seedling- Early Prolific Pea, which proved to be Dickson's Favourite. In another dish, Mr. Laxton exhibited a small frame variety as Dickison's Favom-ite, wliich he is evidently growing in error for the true sort. THE MELODY AND HAEMOXY OF COLOUES. AccoKDiNQ to the commonly-adopted doctrine, there are three primai-y colom-s, red, yellow, and blue. The com- bination of these in certaik proportions yields vvfliite. The absence of them all is black. These primai-ies. mixed to- gether two and two, produce what are called secondary colours — viz., orange, from the mixtm-e of red and yellow ; green, from the mixtui-e of yellow and blue; and purple, from the mixtm-e of red and blue. Prom the combination of the seeondai-ies arise three tertiary colours — citron, from the mixture of orange and green ; olive, fi-om the mixture of gi-eeu and pm-ple ; and russet, from the mixtm-e of orange and purple. The language of music has been applied to colom-s, and colom-ists talk of the melody of colours, and the harmony of colours. Colom-s are said to be in melody when two con- tiguous tints, or shades, or hues, run insensibly into each other — as when red sUdes into pink and white, and pm-ple deepens into dark pm-ple, or merges into red-purple and red. Two different colours are said to be in harmony when their association is felt to be pleasant to the eye. Two colom-s are said to be complementary when they to- gether niiike up the wliite beam. Thus green and red are complementary, as also purple and yeUow," orange and blue. The eye feels pleasure in seeing colours in melody, or melt- ing into each other. It also feels a pleasure in contem- plating certain associations of different colom-s. In parti- cular the eye is pleased when complementary colours are beside each other, or are under the view at the same time. Complementai-y colom-s contrast the one with the other, but are always in hai-mony. It is necessai-y to add that white associates pleasantly with evei-y other colour ; so does black. The following diagram is constructed with a view of showing what colours are couqjlemeiAary to each other. In the figure w6 have three primary colom-s — red, yellow, and blue -. and the three secondaries, orange, green, and piu-ple, with the hues of secondaries on either side. We iiave also the tertiaries, citron and russet. The diagram is so con- structed that the colours in corresponding segments of opposite cii-cles are complementary, and so in harmony. Thus — red and green, blue and orange, yellow and pui-ple, are complementary coloui-s. According to the hue of any particular secondary, so is also the hue of its complement. Thus a pure purple requu-es a yellow, but a red-pm-ple re- quires a yellow-green, and a blue-pm-j^le a yellow orange, as the complementary colour ; and so of all the other secon- daries. The tertiai-y citron is in harmony with a dark pm-ple, pui-ple requires a yellow, but an olive a dark orange, and russet a dark gi-een. These principles are taught now in every school of art, and aa-e attended to in the manufac- ture of all our finer fabrics in which colom- is an element of beauty, as in dresses, carpets, hangings, and furnishings of various descriptions. Green Harmonising with Red and Russet. — The soft hue which the Author of nature has been pleased to give the leaf oi the tree and herbage, is by far the most abundant colour iu the vegetable kingdom. Now, wherever the flower of a plant is red, it associates agreeably ■with the leaf. The flowers of the Eose, and manj' Pinks, Geraniums, Pelargo- niums, Mallows, Lychnises, and dozens of others, contrast strikingly with the foliage of the plants on which they grow. The eye delights to see the fniit of the Chen-y, the Eose, and the Thc^rn, and the berry of the Holly, the Mountain Ash, and other plants peeping forth fi-om the green leaves. Furple Harmonising with Yellotv and Citron. — This is the second most prevalent hai-mony iu the vegetable kingdom. So far as we have been enabled to observe, pm-ple of vaxious tints, shades and hues, such as red-pm-ple where there is a preponderance of red, and blue-iim-ple where there is a preponderance of blue, is the most frequent colour of the petals of plants. Iu beautii'ul contrast, we often find yellow in the centre of the flower. Thus in the gai-den Polyanthus, and many varieties of Am-icula, the outer rim of the corolla is pm-ple, and an inner cii-cle is yellow. Pm-ple and citron are also commonly associated ivith the flowers of Grasses. Orange Harmonising with Blue and Olive. — This harmony is less frequently met with in the vegetable kingdom. It is very common in the sky. A pure blue, however, is rai-ely to be met with in the flower in any of the organs of plants. Most of the flowers called blue have more or less a tinge of red. In the flower of the Forget-me-not, which ever greets the eye so cheerfully, there is a border of blue-purple, and a July 7, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HOETICULTtTBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEE. 11 centre or throat of orange-yellow. In the Pansy, so rich and soft, that it has obtained the name of " Heai-t's-ease," we have yellow and purple of various hues and degrees of intensity, brightened by a mixtiu-e of white. In the Daisy, described as " crimson-tipped," by Burns, there is the yeUow disk, harmonising both with the white ray and piu'ple on its tips. These flowers are favourites with aU classes, peer and peasant, old man and young maiden, countrjonan and townsman. They pleased us in out childhood, when we seized them, and sought possession of them so eagerly, but found them fading, like all earthly enjoyments. The frequent juxt?-position of complementary colom-s must have a physical as well as a final cause. If it be asked, What this is ? we are inclined to answer by asking another question, the answer to which may possibly thi-ov/ a light upon the first. When a beam of light falls on a green leaf, the gi-een is said to be reflected and the red absorbed ; but we ask, What becomes of the red ? When the beam falls on a purple petal, the purple is said to be reflected and the yellow absorbed ; but what becomes of the yellow ? Are the red and yellow in these cases absolutely lost? If these con- stituents of the beam be lost, they are the only powers in natiu'e which are. In this world of ours, nothing which has existed is lost ; as nothing new absolutely comes into being. It is now a received doctrine, that the heat absorbed by plants, in the geological era of the coal measures, is laid up in fossil deposits, and may come forth iu our ejioch when the coal is ignited. May we not suppose, in like manner, that the red absorbed by the plant, when the green is re- flected by its leaves, will come forth, sooner or later, in some form — in young stem, flower, or fruit ; and that the yellow absorbed by the flower, when the purple is reflected, will come out in the yellow pollen, or in some other form ? We have thought, at times, that as the pm-e white beam, when it reaches the earth with its atmosphere, is divided into several rays, and that no one of these is lost, and as they wfll come forth sooner or later, we have thus a harmony of coloiu's in natui'e. — (Amerlean Gardener' t- Monthly.) TmOPEDKTM Li:yDENII. Ip this is not the most brilliant, it is at least the most | ered for the fii-st time in Europe, singular of terrestrial Orcliids. For gardens it is a rare curiosity, for botanists a perfect wonder, and an object of just pride for the enterprising cultivator who introduced it. The cuai-aeters of the type may be stated in a few words: — It is a Cypiipedium, the la- bellum of which, in- stead of being formed like a slipper, extends in that of a tongue, becoming nai-row and extending downwards, like the other divisions, in the form of a narrow band. The sepals are of a yellowish-white colour ; the two inferior lire joined together in one, about 2 inches long, and striated with greenish nerves. The petals (including the labeUum), extend to at least a foot in length: they axe pale, striated in face of their internal base, having a spot on the two posterior cor- ners or horns of the depressed caruncle or protuberance which sui'mounts the gyno- stem or column. This noble plant is a native of New Grenada, where Mr. Linden dis- covered it 1843, in the territory of Chiguara, in the small woods of the Savannah, which rise on the Cordilleras to an altitude of 1650 metres, or fully 5500 ft., and overlooking the vast forests of Mara- caybo. It has been de- scribed by Dr. Lind- ley from a dried speci- men : and was flrst flow- in the rich collection of M. Pescatore, at liis Chateau, CeUe, near St. Cloud. It is worth while to consider for a moment one of the most curious examples of that law which is justly called the law of balance in the organs (of plants). According to a funda- mental rule of symme- try in their flowers. Orchids shoiild have a verticil of three sta- mens, alternating with the interior parts of their perianth. Now, in consequence of a normal abortion with the generality of these plants, the posterior stamen exists only in a state of fertility; the two lateral ones having disappeaa-ed, or being only present in a state of sterile protuberance on the gynostem or column. In the Cy- pripediums on the con- trary ( Cypa-ipedium, Uropedium), the pos- terior anther is replaced by a fleshy caruncle, but to compensate for this, the two lateral anthers exist in a per- fect state. If we add the one-stamenedflower of an Orchid (Orchis), to the two-stamened flower of the Urope- dium, we obtain the three-stamened flower of the ideal and sym- metrical type of the Orchid faruily ; and thus, in botanical arith- metic, as in ordinary calculations, two added to one make three. — (Dk. Planchon, Flore des SSerres.) 12 JOUENAIi OF HOETICTJLTURE AI^D COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 7, 1863. MAKING A STKAWBEERY SOIL. The remarks made by my esteemed friend, Mr. Eobson, at page 432, in reference to the repeated faOures experienced by " A. Z.," induces me to bring to your notice a case in my own experience, where an apparently similar difficulty was suooessfiiUy overcome. It occurred in the garden of a gen- tleman in my neighboui'hood. He was one day lamenting that he could not grow his most favoiu'ite fi'uit, Sti'awbenues, in his gai'den, tiy what he would, and begged me to go over to advise him. I did so, and found the sod to be of the same light sandy nature as that described by your cori-esijondent ; and I liave found from experience that such soils when highly manured do produce very fine foliage indeed, but very little fruit — in fact, they "run to straw," as a farmer would term it. My advice was, to take off the top spit and supply its place with 9 inches of clay and strong loam, such as is used in making bricks, and incorporate it well with the subsoil. This was done, and nothing coidd be more gratifying than the success attending the operation, as the plants produced fine fi-uit in great abundance, and I was glad to hear that the example had been followed by several other jjersons in the immediate neighboui-hood. — John Cox, Redleaf. WEIGHT OF 3IUSA CAVENDISHII FEUIT— OIlIE]>rTAL OECHAED-HOUSE. HAvrNG seen in j'ovu' .Joiu'nal two notices lately of the weight of heads of ft-uit of the Musa Cavendishii or Banana, they have stin-ed up old recollections about a head of the fruit I grew when I was a joui'neyman some ten years ago, and of a singular incident that hapjjened concerning it, which fixed it upon my memory. The said head weighed, when freed fr-om all superfluous stem, 56 lbs., and numbered 220 or 222 pods of fruit. Know- ing that the Banana is still grown extensively in the same place, I wi-ote to the gardener, and the followmg is an extract from his reply : — " Coodham Gardens. "Eegarding the Banana, I think that I have a better fruit just now than either of those you mentioned. The number of swelled pods are 212, and which I think will weigh close on 50 lbs. I weighed a fruit last year which was 53 lbs. I expect tius fruit to be ready towards the latter end of .July, or the beginning of August. — E. A. Stewart." Writing the a))ove remmds me of an article \Ti'itten by me upon the cultivation of the Musa as a hothouse fruit for a certain gardening periodical, which was not inserted because, as the editor said, it was " not of general interest." Perhaps now that we have liad a good deal of tilting and fii-ing of blank cartridge upon the orchard-house question, mig-ht it not be worth while to prefix the word " oriental," and try how they would succeed ? A practical knowledge of the habits of such fruits would soon fomi an idea of what an ■■ oriental orchard-house," should be, and the skiU required in their cultivation would be about a minimum. — Alesandek Storrie. . P-S. — I have grown various varieties, but the Musa Caven- dishii is the best. M. sapieutum grows taller, and has not such large heads of fi'uit. DwAKF Sweet Pea. — I lately sent a query asking why it is that a dwai-f eatable Pea has been obtained, and that a dwarf Sweet Pea has not. Can botanists or florists assign a reason ? At present neither have replied to it. Mio-ht not hybridising the dwarfest eatable Pea with the Sw'eet Pea, produce some change ? — Matthew Fitt. Early Celery. — The working men of Dewsbuiy have long been celebrated for the production of early Celery. Twenty years since it was considered very early if' it w.as on the table at Dewsbury Feast (July 25), "now it is not con- sidered to be so ludess it is dug up in June. Last year the earliest was dug up the last week in June, this year the first was on the table June 21st. The length of the best stalk was 21 inches long, blanched 10 inches, and of a pro- portionate thickness. It was grown by a working man, - -S. THE GOOSEBEEEY CATEEPILLAE AND ITS HABITS. Noticing a remark made by youi' correspondent " E. F.," on the 2nd of June, in his " Doings of the Last "Week," respecting the non-appeai'ance of the gooseberry catei-pillar and his attributing the disappearance to the agency of birds, I am induced to offer a few facts that have come under my own obsei-vation. Like " E. P.," as soon as the trees were in frill leaf and the weather genial, I commenced examining the trees to see if the caterpOlars had made theii- appearance, and I found them in various stages of existence. Some appeared to be just issued from the egg, and had made many small holes through the leaf; in most instances each grub had eaten out a hole the size of a small shot. Other caterpillars were more advanced, some being half and others three-foui'ths gi'Own, and there were some that had apparently attained their full size. Amongst the latter there were a few of a l^ale gi-een colour ; and adhering to the leaf they were on, or close by, was the dark skin. I then began to look for the parent insect or fly, but could discover nothing but a black fly, which was very numerous ; and in most instances, upon the trees being touched or an attempt made to captiu'c them, they fell to the ground and were lost. At fii'st I began to tliink they might be the parents, and, if so, could see no means of saving the trees and crop but by catching and killing them. I consulted all the works I had on natural history, but could find no other information than that these caterpUlai's are the produce of a si^ecies of saw-fly, which deposits its egg on the leaf of the tree ; the egg in cour-se of time giving birth to a cater- pillar ; the caterpillar, after attaining its period of existence, falling down from the tree and bui-ying itself in the earth tOl the following spring, then bursting fr'om its crusty shell and seeking the young leaves to perform the like offices again. I therefore resolved to try some experiments upon them, and for that piu'pose I prociu-ed two fiill-gi'own caterpillars and placed them under a bell-glass on the 23rd of April. After the caterpiUai's had changed then' skins and fallen from the leaves on which they had been previously feeding, I began to examine the sand in the flower-pot to ascertain their whereabouts, and 1 found the one that changed first directly under the leaf from which it fell, buried about an inch fr-om the surface. The other I unfortunately damaged with the point of a knife used to discover them, probably owing to its not having attained sufficient strength of shell. I then placed them on the top of the soil in a smaller flower- pot, covering them with a bell-glass as before simply for convenience. On Satiu'day, May 16th, about eleven o'clock, I had the gi-atifioation of seeing a fly under the glass, which I was satisfied had come from one of the chrysalises. It was about one-third of an inch in length, the fore part of its body of a dii'ty yellow, and the tau of a bright yellow colour', with transparent wings very similar in appearance to the fly that is the cause of galls upon the Oak trees in many places. At one o'clock I collected some more cuttings ; and, after proceeding as in the former instance, I placed the fly under the bell-glass with them. The fly now seemed less restless than before, and began to walk about the leaves apparently with pleasui'e. After watcMng it for a few minutes I observed it walk to the under side of a leaf, and, after examining it for a short time, it walked to the top of the leaf and then commenced laying its eggs along the midrib in the direction from point to footstalk. The number of eggs deposited on the midrib was about twelve. Then the fly went to the fom' side-ribs of the leaf, and there deposited from eight to ten eggs on each rib, amounting in the aggregate to fifty-two. A number of eggs were Laid on other leaves, but they were not so regidarly placed. Their total numbers, I believe, were about 200. The eggs are of a transparent white colour', about one-sixteenth of an inch long, with a dark spot at one end, and they are deposited with great regularity about the same distance apart. July 7, 1863. ] JOUS.NAL OF HOETICTJLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAKDENBE. 13 On Friday, May 22nd, I fancied there was a slight altera- tion in the colour of those eggs that were laid first, and about eleven o'clock on Saturday, 23rd, they were evidently producing caterpillars, for they coxild move about. After preparing a flower-pot by filling it with silver sand, &c., as if for choice cuttings, I selected three vigorous shoots from a healthy Goosebeny tree ; p.nd, after carefully inserting them, I introduced the two full-grown catei-pOlars, making them secure by putting a bell-glass over them and pressing the same into the sand to prevent tlieir escape from the side. They soon began to eat greedOy, and appeared quite at home, consuming at the rate of a fnll-gTOv.'n leaf in twelve hours. On the next day (the 24th) one began to appear torpid, and by the middle of the day had changed its skin, leaving it on the leaf it had been feeding from the previous day. Prom the size of the leaf that remained and the amount consumed by the other, I presume it had not eaten anything for the last twelve hours. By changing its skin it had assumed a pale green colour and remained in this state tlu-ee or four hours, taking no more food, and then fell from its position and birried itself in the soU — which it does veiy quickly — and in about sL^ or eight hour's it was covered with a crusty shell. The other caterpillar did not change its skin tOl the 28th, but the operations were the same ; but I found it took about twelve hours fi-om the time it changed its skin tOl it became a chrysalis. — J. Patet, Gardener, Loseley Park, Guildford. CULTURE OF ONCIDIUM PAPILIO. In answer to youi' correspiondent, " Okchidophilus," the above plant will thrive either on a block or in a pot, pro- vided the proper treatment is given. We have found it succeed well on a block plunged into a pot, so that the block is 3 or 4 inches above the pot's margin, filling the pot with drainage, and a little sphagnimi moss or rough peat on the top. It also succeeds well on a block of wood suspended from the roof, but not too near the glass in winter, as the cold is apt to affect it. If gi'own in this way a little live sphagnum moss should be placed on the block, and the plant fastened on with some copper wire and snrall nails. This Oncidium does not require a high temperature : from 55° to 60' in winter is sufficient heat ; and in spring and summer it may rise from 65' to 75°, and more by the heat of the Sim, from which the plant mirst be shaded. The plant requires a good supply of water in the growing season, and when at rest just enoirgh to keep the bulbs in a plump state, for if allowed to shrivel it will be a long time before return- ing into a healthy condition. — B. S. Williams, Paradise Nursery, HoUoway. EXCLUDING GAEDENERS IN IRELAND FROM AN EXHIBITION. It seems to be quite a common proceeding in Ireland not to allow gardeners to enter the place of exhibition on the same footing as you do in England. I exhibited some Strawberries and Auriculas in Dublin in April last ; and on asking the Secretary of the Society for a pass, I was told that there was no pass given, and that I would not be allowed to enter till six o'clock, p.m., unless I had a subscriber's ticket. I, of com-se, thought it very strange that an exhibitor should not be allowed to see the results ; but fortunately I had a fi-iend who gave me a ticket, otherwise I might have staid outside till the company were dispersed. I write this to let the Belfast and other gai-deners see that theirs is not the only society in Ireland that allows such offensive treatment.— t-James Clev?s, Gardener, Cloon Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland. [The sooner the horticultiu'al societies in Ireland expunge such a supercUious rule the more creditable will it be for them. — Eds.] Birmingham Rose Show. — The prize list of this important Exhibition of cut Koses. garden ornaments, and horticultural implements is now ready, and, as will be seen on reference to the advertisement which appears in another column, may be had on application to the Secretary, Mr. Alexander For- rest, Queen Cliambers, Birmingham, irom whom also forms of entry may be had. The last day on wliich entries of implements and garden ornaments can be made is July 2nd, and of Eoses July 9. There is every reason to expect an unusually fine display of the " Queen of Flowers " at this interesting and important Exhibition. DESTROYING WORMS IN POTS— HEATING (FROM A KITCHEN FIRE. I HAVE several times read in your Joui-nal instructions for destroying worms, but do not remember whether they ap- plied to pot-plants or not. Will you inform me whether any or what application can be made to Vines in pots mth- out injuring the plants!'' I was repotting a young Vine this morning, and saw more worms amongst the soil than I Uked to see. There were a lot of young white ones feeding, I suppose, on some broken bones that were put amongst the soil in the first shift from the small pot the eye was put in. These as well as the larger ones I want dislodged if it can be done without much risk, though so far as mj' observations go, I do not expect the worms wiU harm the plants much. They, I think, live on the fat of the soU, and not on the plants. I beg to ask another question. My glass house or orchard- house is a lean-to, 24 feet by 12, south asj^ect, 5 feet 6 inches high in fi-ont, and 11 feet at back, all glass, ends and side, to 2 feet of the ground. In one corner at the east end, 8 feet by 4, I have erected a kind of stage, having three tiers or forms about 16 or 17 inches wide, and underneath this iron gas-pipes of two-inch bore run from the back of the kitchen fire along the west end of the stage, the front, and back ; the pipe and water enter near the bottom of an u'on cistern, close to where the pipe comes through the house wall. The same two-inch pipe forms the boiler, made to a bevel with the back of the fireplace, the bottom pai't connected with the cistern by a retiu'n-pipe of li-inch bore. I have no means ot keei^ing the fire off the pipe boiler ; so that as long as the kitchen fire is in, the water is hot, but never gets to the boUing-point, though it wiU simmer inside the cistern at the mouth of the flow-pipe, but never bubble. To counteract the heat I have to introduce the outside aii% and everything put on to this stage, with regular syringing, grows famously. A young Vine, last winter little thicker than a stocking-neecUe, is now 6 feet high and three-eighths of an inch thick nearly. The top form of this stage is about G feet from the apex of the roof, between wluch form and apex of the roof the wall is bare. Now, having given a description of the place, I wish you to tell me if a Muscat of Alexandria Grape will succeed in a wooden box 16 inches square, which, of course, holds more soil than a pot of that diameter, and if it will give an annual supply of fruit when placed on the top form or stage, and trained against the waU, allowing 7 feet for each branch, and a bunch at every foot of length — say about a dozen if needful. The house designed as an orchard-house, has now nearly assumed the form of a greenhouse, but all wood and glass, has cost me about X20. The labour and work, except the heating apparatus, is all my own ; and considering that I never handled a joiner's tool before, I do not think any amateur would despise it. This is information for a man of limited means as mine are. I have only night and morning to work.— W. M. [Put a couple of spadefuls of quicklime into a barrel of water, stir it well, and when clear water the pots with it. This will destroy the worms, and do good rather than other- wise to the roots. We not agree with you as to the innocence of woi-ms in pots. True, they do not often meddle with roots, but they disturb and unsettle the earth about them, and are apt to neutrahse and stop up the best drainage. See what was said on drainage in " Doings of the Last Week," lately, as to keeping out worms. But in using bones and rich manirre, the eggs of the worms are often taken into the pot in the compost, and lime water is the best remedy, and it will also act chemically with manure. It is not safe to use it strong for some fine hair-rooted plants, but Vines will not find fault with it. Your mode of heating the cistern by pipes at the back of 14 JOUHNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 7, 18^-3. the kitchen fii-e is ingenious, and, no doubt answers. Cover- ing the cistern and giving plenty of air will neutralise the effect of the heat, and by shiitting off that corner you might have a miniature hothouse there. If ever you find the heat too much, the simplest thing would be to shut off the pipes from the fire by a moveable iron back or damper, mth an inch or so of air between it and the pipes. We can easily fancy that in hot weather you may have too much heat at that part, and it so a wooden covering would be best for the cistern. We would lite the box for the Muscat Vine to be longer than 10 inches square, and so much deep. If 24 or 30 inches long by lO wide and Ifi deeji, it would be better. If a heavy crop is taken from a 16-incli pot, it is rarely of much use afterwards, and eight to ten bunches from a Miiscat Vine in a llJ-inch pot would exhaust it too much for cropping it so every year. Much, however, may be done by removing the surface soU every year, top-dressing with rich compost, and using manure-waterings. You deserve great credit for doing the work so weU, and we wiU be glad to hear how you succeed, and would merely hint, that if confined to IG-iuch boxes, we would have several — say two or thi'ee instead of one. If the cistern did not occupy all the sj^ace, you might also plant a Muscat or two, train them up the back wall and down the roof. The roots would not dislike a little heat from the cistern.] USE OF TAN AMONG STUAWBEEEIES. In No. 115 a wish is expressed that tan may be tried for keeping Strawberries clean. I have a friend that has used it extensively for some two or three years to my knowledge, but I would not write till I had ascertained the result of his experience ; yesterday he paid me an unexpected visit, and I at once made inquu-es about it, and he says it is the best thing for the purpose he ever made use of He has a Str.aw- beri-y garden which produces when in full bearing about sixty quarts per day. The walks are only wide enough for convenience, and he every year covers the whole, walks and iiU, with tan fresh from the pit and has done this for some years. He puts it on in AprU, or sooner if doing so accords better with his other garden operations, and long before the fruit begins to ripen the tan is washed by the rains till it is as clean as the dessert plate the Strawberries are to be eaten off. It acts as a stimirlant to the plants, saves aU trouble of weeding, and the runners strilce as freely into it as Ferns into cocoa-nut refuse ; beside my friend can go about his garden in any weather without soiling Ms shoes, and I may add he is an experienced gardener, and not a young one. — WOKCESTEE. GAEDENEES' EOYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. The annual dinner of this Institution took place on the evening of Friday last at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate .Street, when upwards of one hundred members and their friend.s were present. The chair was occupied by the Right Hon. the Earl of Ducie, supported by several members of the Coimcil of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, among whom were Mr. John Glutton, Mr. J. J. Blandy, Rev. Joshua Dix, Mr. James Vcitch, and Mr. John Lee. There were also present Mr. Robert Wrench (Treasurer to the Institution), Ke-\-. J. M. Bellew, Mr. Koch, and Mr. Henry Paull, M.P., &c. The room was profusely decorated with flowers and tino- foliaged plants. The whole end of the room behind the Chaii-- man was a perfect bank, from floor to ceiling, of Geraniums and other showy plants liberally eontriliuted, at no small trouble and expense, by Mr. Charles Turner, of the Royal Xursery, Slough. At the opposite end of the room, occupiing a gallei-y in front of the Chairman, was a brilliant display of female lieautv, even more attractive to the guests than the best exertions of Mr. Turner proved to be. A^Hiether it is for the sake of uniformity that the ladies are placed apart opposite to the flowers, so that both may reflect a borrowed beauty on the ruder mass below, we know not ; hut we strongly suspect if they abandoned the higher regions and mingled among frail mortals, their presence would not be less eft'ective nor their influence less beneficial. The noble Chairman proposed the healths of Her Majesty and of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, which were enthusiastically responded to. In proposing the health of the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, his Lordship said, " As gardeners we should all hope for the time when sworda shall be converted into pnming-hooks ; but so long as the evil passions of men continvied, that was an event which was not likely to happen as long as the world lasted. It behoved us, therefore, to look to our national defences, and to see that our military, naval, and volunteer services were preserved in a perfect state of efficiency." The toast was responded to in eloquent terms by Major Robinson, of the Hon. Artillery Company. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, *' Pros- perity to the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution." His Lordship introduced the toast by remarking that it would be superfiuoua in him to say anything in favour of an Institution which had now been so long before the public, and which had been productive of so much good to a class of men to whom every member of the community was indebted. A vast number of the pleasures we enjoy are derived from the skill and labour of the gardener ; and if evidence were wanting, we have only ti> look around us, even in the present room, and see the magnificent flowers and fruit with which the walls and tables are decorated. But it is not alone pleasure to the senses that we obtain from the gardener's art. It is well known that some of the most direful epidemics that devastated Europe, and particularly the northern parts, in the middle ages, have totally disappeared by the extended cidti-v-r.tion and use of garden vegetables. Gardeners as a class are intelligent and provident ; but there are cu-cum- stances over which they have no control, by which they are not unfrequeutly reduced so as to be dependant on others for support. It was no disgrace for a man to be placed in these circumstances when he had striven hard tn maintain a respectable position in society, and he would simply instance two men well known to the greater number of the company present — Mr. Mearns, gardener to the Duke of Portland, and Mr. Sangster, long a member of one of the large seed-houses in Loudon. Both of these men had little expectation at one time that they woidd ever require to come to this charity for relief, but rather that in their later days they would not only be secure from penury, but were fairly entitled to enjoy some of the luxmies of life. It was for the relief of such cases that this Institution was founded, and he therefore had great pleasure in proposing " Success ami Prosperity to the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution." Rev. J. M. Bellew then proposed the health of the Chairman, remarking that one of the finest charact(;rs in the world was an English gentleman -with a handsome income, who spent his life on his ancestral estates, diffusing joy and happiness to all around him. Such an English gentleman was the noble Chairman. Who was there connected with agricultm-e and gardening to whom the name of Earl Ducie was not familiar } But it was not in these pursuits alone that the noble Ch;iirman had dis- tinguished himself In all the movements tending to benefit the country and society at large, his name and presence were to be f nmd. Even in the volunteer caiise he was eminently distin- guished, and had taken so decided a part in rifle practice that he might be pronounced to be a dcured good shot. The toast was received vrith great applause, and his Ijordsbip briefly returned thanlis. 'i'he Chairman then proposed the following toasts: — "Mr. Robert Wrench, the Treasurer of the Institution," "Mr. Cutler, Secretary." His Lordship retired at half-past 9, and the Chair was occupied by Mr. Bellew, who proposed " Success to the Royal Horticultural and Botanic Societies," which was responded to by Jlr. Blandy. Mr. Koch proposed the health of the Committee of Manage- ment, and Mr. Child returned thanks. The Chairman proposed the health of the Stewards and of the Ladies, which concluded the entertainment of the evening. The simi of about £400 was subscribed in the room for the benefit of the Charity. WOEK FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Peksevese in the all-impoi'tant operation of stin-ing the surface of the soU at every favourable opportunity. There is no kind of soU wliich will not be benefited by this ope- ration ; but certainly on those having a tendency to run to- gether or bind, it is indispensably necessary. No one who has not followed out the system as the mai-ket-gardeners do, perseveringly, can truly estimate the great advantages resulting therefrom. It is very proper to apply stimulants in the shape of maniu-e trenched into and incoi-porated with July 7, 1S63. ] JOTIRNAX OF HOBTICTJLTUKE AND COTTAGE GAP.DENEE. 15 the staple soil, or in a Uquid state diiring the gro-ning season ; but the benefit of such applications is greatly in- creased by continual, and, as far as possible, deep sui-face- stirring ; for it is the external atmospheric influences acting upon, and combining with, the substances composing the food of plants, which reduces them to a state fit to be taken up thi-ough the roots, and assimilated by the plants. Arh- choies, as" the heads are cut, the stems to be cut close to the roots ; clear the stools from decayed leaves, and loosen the surface of the soil about them with a hoe. Asparag^is, the beds should now, in the midst of the growing season, and while the soil is moist, receive good soakings of manure water, with a good portion of salt added thereto, taking the precaution of applying in good time stakes and lines to the outside rows at least, to prevent heavy rains and high winds breaking down the plants, which is very injurious to the crowns." Carrots, if the aphides make their appearance c n this or the Parsnip crop, di'edge them well early in the moi-ning with dry wood ashes, chaiTed saw or wood dust, or soot, any of which is good, but the three raised together have a most beneficial eifect, not only in cleai-ing away the nuisance, but also in fertiUsing the soil, and producing healthy luxuriant crops. If any of the Brassica family are attacked by insects, dredge them in a similar manner, and if attacked" bv the root maggot, apply soot in a liquid state. CaulHioii-ers. earth-up those that were phinted iu the beginning of last month ; plant more for coming into use in the au- tumn. Celery, the main crops to be got out without delay, the plants to be well supplied with soft water, and to be shaded for a few days if necessai-y, the early crops to be UberaUy supplied with Uquid manure, and the soil about them to be frequently stiiTed with a fork, but by no means make any attempt at moulding them up until they have attained the desired growth. Garlic and Shallots, as soon as the tops begin to die, take up the roots ; after allowing them to remain on the ground a day or two to dry, tie them in bunches, and hang them in the root-cellar. Onions, make a small sovdng for dramng young. The TripoU answers weU for that puiijose ; the autumn-sown ones transplanted in the spring are very fine this season, and will now be attaining their "ftdl size. When this is perceived lay the tops down for a time previous to pull in g. Sea-kale, this, like the Asparagus crop, is particularly fond of manure water and salt, which may now be applied to assist in forming strong crowns to insure good cuttings of luxui-iant, fine-flavom-ed Kale another year, the crowns to be duly thinned. Spinach, sow a few rows to keep up a succession ; thin the preceding crop, and keep it watered in diy weather. Tomatoes, keep them well thiuned-out and constantly nailed. Turnips, keep up good successional sowings, of which a good breadth may now be put in ; charred refuse or dry wood ashes spi-inkled over thein when they are wet is a good preventive against the fly. FLOWEK 6AKDEN. If the dry and hot weather continue, much wateiing will be necessary here. Even the ordinary herbaceous plants should have'a thorough soaking once or twice a-week. In- deed, it is more necessary with these than with mass flowers, which have now, of coui-se, become well established. Cut back the Dcrpetual -blooming Eoses as they go out of bloom, and well water with the richest manure water to encom-age a second growth and bloom. See that Hollyhocks, Dahlias, and the taller-growing herbaceous plants are properly secured to stakes, &c., as they grow. The budding of Eoses to be proceeded with in duU weather. Give plants infested with gi-een fly a liberal washing with the engine, or sp-inge them with tobacco water. jSTow is the best season for ob- serving the eifect of the arrangement of the colours, &c. ; and if any alteration is deemed necessary, it should be care- fully noted, which will greatly facilitate its execution at the proper season. As yet, we cannot say that the flower garden at the Eoyal Horticultural Gardens is as perfect in all its parts as could be wished. There is an undue prominence of some particular colour- — viz., scarlet and blue, while others of equal worth are " few and far between." But it matters not, though we have red, blue, and yellow colours iu abun- dance ; if there is an absence of compensatory hues, it would he like having the high notes in music without the low — neither harmony nor variety would be apparent. FEUIT GAKDEN. The principal operations here wiU consist in keeping the youno- wood of wall fruit trees constantly nailed-in, the laterSs from the young wood of Peaches and Nectarines to be spuiTcd down to the first joint. Some portion of the young wood of Gooseberries and Cmxants to be spurred-m 'at this season, as doing so both increases their productive- ness and the fineness of the fruit. STOVE. Encourage the progress of the young stock for winter blossomino-; and maintain a comparatively moist tem- perature. ° An increased circulation of air to be allowed amongst the Orchids dm-ing the bright weather that gene- rally succeeds a period of gloom, as the humidity constantly stagnant wiU otherwise have an injm-ious effect. PITS AND FRAMES. These structures should now be producing for the conser- vatory or mixed greenhouse, a sirtficient number of Cocks- combs, Balsams, Globe Amaranths, Thunbergias, Gloxuuas Achimenes, &e. The growth of specimen Fuchsias should be duly encoui-aged, also late-blooming Pelargomums. Ihe Japan Lilies, Chimney Campanulas, and Guernsey Lihes, should be ordered in due time, they are remarkably pretty and useful autumn-floweiing plants. See that Cmerarias and Calceolarias are standing in a cold, shady situation. A quantity of stocky plants of the Scarlet and Variegated Geraniums, Veronica Andersoni, Heliotropes, late-struck Fuchsias, &c., should be duly encouraged for late autumn- floweiino-. Encom-age the growth of Prknula smensis, they thrive will in Ught, open, fibrous, sandy loam. The perpetual- flowering Eoses should not be forgotten, they ai-e good and useful plants in the gloomy months of autumn. ^ W . E.EANE. DOI^'GS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GAEDEN. Sowed last Dwarf Kidney Beans in the open an-, will sow more m a fortnight, where we can protect from autumn fi-ost. Sowed Dickson's Favourite, Bishop's Longpod, and Early Washington Peas for the last crop unprotected. Staked-up advancing crops as we could get at them and could find sticks, of which we are scarce. In sowmg at this season, we make the cU-iU much v/ider and deeper than usual, sow the Peas wider, but not too thick ; soak the dxdls after sowing, cover with an inch of soil, water more shghtly again and then place half an inch of di-y soil on the surface, and strew with a Uttle soot and Ume. We also put hme m the water first used to start or kill slugs and worms. Drenched the rows of Peas bearing heavily, and those m lull bloom, to help them to set strongly. To keep in the moistui-e m sonie cases, where Spinach between the rows was gettmg old, out it down, and placed it on at the bottom of the Peas ; in other cases, brought short grass and litter, and where that could not be done, hoed the ground, so as to throw di-y soil over the watered place to keep the water in by lessening evaporation. Sowed succession of Turnips, Eadishes, Let- tuces, and the first of Endive, watering and snading as soon as sown. Eraser's Broad-leaved Endive is a most desn-able kind for ^dnter work. Sowed also a httle Parsley and Chervil, &c., for succession, and as we are, scarce put m cuttings of Taii-agon and other herbs. Topped late Broad Beans? A little Mazagan and Longpod may stiU oe sown for late crops ; but with us sowing after the middle of June seldom does much good. Eegidated Cucumbers, ta-ned out more Gherkins, and earthed the last piece of Mushrocm-bed in the shed. Those in the house ai-e almost dof -J^"^^ first piece in the shed, from the rubbishy matenals we could command, is coming in. In answer to several q"enes -^e would say, that s5 weeks from the spawmng is a good generalise to wait. If forced into growth ^-^^ .f^^H' they seldom bear so long. To all who wish to b^ve the best material, however, we still say nothing "f «^ ,,"? g°°^'''f di-oppings of horses fed on hard food, with about a tlmd of the shortest litter, and the material not aUowed to heat too violently before using it. BIEDS. A lady andgentleman who called ^ere the other day, were in raptures of deKght-and what with, think you? The 16 JOUEWAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE : GARDENER. [ July ; swai-ms of blackbirds, the clouds of tlu-ushes, the numbers of dishwashers or water-wagtails, and starlings (the last two we have taken under our peculiar protection), the swarms of linnets hopping fi'om bush to tree, and ever and anon emitting theii' sweet plaintive notes, and even the armies of the soot-balls of London — the tliieving span-ows. What cared they if the finest Strawberries were nibbled, and the best Peas purloined? "Why we would have a garden for the very pui-]i50se, and let the sweet fellows take all they liked, if we could only get such hopping beauties, such choirs of harmony." It reminded us of a conversation be- tween a lady and her gardener. Says Blue Apron, " I am sadly pestered with vermin. Madam ; will you allow me to take means to lessen the evil by destroying the vermin ? " " Certainly, why should you be thus annoyed 'i but what is or are the vermin ? " " The bii'ds, Madam, the bkds ; I must trap and shoot them." " O ! the birds, the beautifiU bii-ds ! call them vermin ! The sweet, lovely songsters ! No, indeed. You siu-ely would not have the heart to kill them, and you, too, a man of such kind feelhigs ! Why, my beautiful garden would be a lonely thing without my feathered friends." And Blue Apron was obliged to be content -with grumbUng. No doubt he netted and trapped on the sly ; but a report of a gun was never heard. Nets must be our great safe- guard in such cii'cixmstances, then there will be quite enough that will go to the birds' share, to repay them for what good these hard-billed gentry do us at other times, and we confess that to our own ears there is something sadly out of place in the noise of a gun, and the smell of gunpowder in a garden. It is amazing though, how the hard selfishness of our nature ^vill often ride roughshod oyer all our best feelings and kindest sympathies. The last time v/e saw one of our fiiend bird-admirers, who looked upon lis as worse than a Goth, for pej^pering some sparrows among a favourite riuarter of Peas, he was making the whole neighbourhood ring with the rapid discharges of a huge horseman's jjistol. "What, what, are you doing now? 1/OTt shooting the pretty birds ! " And he replied with crimsontd cheeks, " Bother them, they have cleared oif my Stravjben-ies, and now they wUl not leave a pod of this new delicious Pea." Aye, just so it is ; let the shoe pinch in the tender selfish part, and then, notwithstanding our ad- miration of our feathered fi-iends, there are times when we would wish they gave us less of their attentions, or that means shoiUd be used by which we might reckon on having the fu'st gatherings, so as to leave them oidy bountiful gleanings. Let bii-ds alone, "first served" will ever be their motto. FEtriT GAKDEN. Tied-up Raspberries that had drooped and broken ties with the weight of fruit. Some grumbled at t'ne frost in- juring the Gooseberries just when out of bloom, and many, no doubt, were cut ofl' ; but if with us 50 per cent, more had gone, it had been a good thing for the bushes, as they ai-e far too heavily loaded, notwithstanding the quantity taken for bottling. Even now it would be a charity to thin them if we could find the time. One advantage is, there will be little necessity for summer pinching of the young wood, though both GoosebeiTies and Currants, at all strong, are much more friritful and easily regulated in consequence. Some of the bushes ai'e rather thin of leaves, which we attribute more to a thunderstorm than to caterpillars, as after eaiiy spring we have seen little of the latter. Netted almost every piece of ripening Strawberries, and find that the individual fruit, thanks to the rains coming in time, are coming better in size than we expected at fu-st. Some of the later Keens' and the earliest Queens have been very good ; stOl the bulk, owing- to the dry weather, are rather smaller than usual. At one time it was aU the fashion to have Strawberry-banks, the beds divided by stones, flints, bricks, &c., and the Strawberries hanging temptingly over them. The fu-st necessity for theu- full success we should consider to be abundance of water near to them. One ei-ror, however, it is as well to dissipate, and that is the idea that beds so raised require such an amount of water iu addition to those plr.nted on the level quaa-ter. Young plants generally need moi-e at ih-st ; but when plants are established and the surface is either kept stirred or mulched, the plants on such banks need no more watering than those on the level. In fact, they are just as independent as the depth of good earth beneatii them is all the more, for the roots wiU go deeper and the moisture will rise by capOlai-y attraction so long as there is moisture to get. We have known such banks spoiled by merely keejiing the sui-faoe moist, v/hich kept the roots starved from two causes — the water at the surface did not get down to them, and the line of evaporation being broken there was no rising of moisture fi-om beneath to help the-m. Netted aU Cherries from which we expected to gather, otherwise we should expect to reap nothing but the stones and the stalks. Kept shortening the points and thinning the shoots of Pears, Apples, Plums, &c. Find ovu- double smoking has pretty weU done for the brown beetle among the trees in orchard-house. Peach-house, &c., but it has been a woiTy. Have heard wondi-ous tales about a new insect powder, and a sort of piston pepper-box for ejecting it on insects wherever settled or situated. The thing is, those missed are just the mischief and need the looking alter. We dislUce smoking for many reasons ; but still lor many pur- poses it is still the most efl'ectual plan. Painted the backs of frames and pits where Melons are gro-wing, to keep the red spider, &c., at a distance. Watered Peach trees. Fig trees, and Vine-border outside after strewing over it a little soot and superphosphate of Hme. Used water about lOCK, as it woiJd get cooled in toxiching the earth, and proceeded ■svith thinning Grapes as fast as we could, as they now re- quit-e being attended to. Young potted Pines should be slightly shaded and syringed in very bright days, and if shut up early in the afternoon should have a little ail- all night if the heat inside will permit. Prom 60° at night, to 85° and 90° during the day, -svith air and atmospheric moistm-e in proportion, -will suit them better than a liigh- steaming temperature at night, which renders them too languid to stand a great amount of sun heat -without flinch- ing. Bottom heat now should be from 85° to 90°. Removed Chen-y trees finished bearing and -with buds well formed to an earth-pit, partly phmged the pots, and gave in addition to necessary waterings, good syringings all over -with clear soot water, and at times a little sirlphiu- water to keep off red spider or other insects. Those who -wish fine- flavoured Oranges of their own growth, should keep their plants under glass and give them plenty of sun temperature. Guavas, where grown should also have plenty of sun and air as the fruit ripens, or it wul be insipid. Other matters much in routine. OKIJAMENTAL DEPAETMENT. Mowing Machines. — Out of doors the chief work has been mowing and machining the lawn and grass between flower- beds. In grass of usual strength the machine ought to be used every four- days or so in common weather. There is little economy iu using it so as to be forced to go over the grotmd t-wice. Some gentlemen have complained to us, that though they can manage with Budding's, Shanks', Wilkinson's, Green's, &c., when the grass is short and dry, and the gound firm and hard, they can do no good -with then- machines ivhen the grou'nd is at all mossy, as the knives get clogged up at once and refuse to cut except in seams, that not only tear the muscles of the man's arms, but leave the v/ork in ridges and fuiTows and as ugly as a bad- cropped head of hair. To remedy the latter e-nl the roller or rollers in front snould be sunk considerably, which just elevates the knives all that the more, and enables them to cut the grass -without plunging- do-wn into the moss. In fact, all such matters must be regulated by the roller in front. In going among small beds and going round circular beds, it is of importance that the roUer in front, as in Green's lU-inch machines, shovild be divided into four equal parts, as then you can go round a circular or a curved line as easHy as a straight one. With the roller in one piece you cannot do so, but must take several shorter strokes to get round the ch-cle or curved Kne. As to eiitting gTass when wet, though it can be done, we rai-ely attempt it, but find that the drier and shorter the grass the better the work wlU be done. For want of regulating- by the roller many a machine is left to enjoy itself alone in the tool repository and the old scythe depended on. We were lately consulted as to why a machine would not work. Its roUer has been removed as an im- provement, and to cut -with such a machine at all must have required a very gi-eat amount of physical exertion merely to July .TOITRNAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENER. 17 keep the machine properly balanced.. There are nuts in aU macliines by which the front roller can be elevated for firm ground and short gi-ass, and depressed for longer grass or loose mossy ground, and the knowledge of this simple fact would cause many a machine to be employed that now is useless and unused. We are glad to say that we have had no ditBculty with grass-cutters, the men prefen-ing them much to the scythe. "We have no doubt that a little patience and gentle encouragement miist be given to secure their being used in some places where everything qow is objected to. A little of Sam Slick's soft sawder wUl, judiciously employed, soon be found to conquer all the objections of prejudice. In the flower garden we presume most of Tulips and spriag bulbs have now been taken up, unless it is resolved to leave them out all the season. Gladiolus will stand waterings with maniu-e-water, or may get a rich top-di'essing of old rotten dung or leaf mould. Dahlias have been looked over as to tying and watering ; ditto as to Phloxes and her- baceous plants in general. Set out a number of Hollyhocks in pots that had been struck ft-om the thinnings of good kinds some six weeks ago, and which were inserted under hand-lights over a very slight hotbed. There are now some hundreds of fine plants, wHoh vrill bloom tliis autumn. We may take off a lot more when thinning and tying ; but these will not do so well, as the young shoots slipped oil' early when too thick. We have, it is true, struck them from buds even of the thinnings ; but all such buds and all such shoots rooted now wiU require to wait next year for blooming, whilst slips taken off in spring wiU come nearly as soon into bloom as cuttings struck last autumn. Now is also a good time for sowing Hollyhocks to bloom next season, pricking them out on a border when up, and planting out in autumn and spring where wanted to bloom. Now is also a good time for striking under a hand-light, or a shady border, Pentstemons, Phloxes, perennial Silenes, Heartsease, and Pinks. In order not to disfigui-e the old plants of the latter, it is best not to cut over the cutting, but to pull it at once out of its socket, aaid thus the cutting is fit for insertion at once. This is done by holding the bottom of the shoot by the left hand, and pulling the top with the right hand, just at the second joint ; most of the pieces, cuttings or pipings, will come out clean from the joint, and with a sounder bottom than you could make with the sharpest knife. This method is not only the best, but saves a deal of time in stripping leaves and base cutting across. Boses have been mulched, as we could not water them, and some of the stronger shoots have been stopped and nipped. The fii'st massive show of fine sorts against a wall is nearly over. Rose cuttings wOl do now, but better a month or six weeks hence. Many of the Antirrhinums (Snapdi'agons) ai'e very beautiful, and now is a good time to increase the best kinds by cuttings. It may be as well to wait a few days longer if the cuttings are not quite ready. The best cuttings are those that come fi'om the stem below the flower- spikes. When these are about 3 inches long slii^ them off' close to the stem, and insert in sandy soil under a bell- glass in a shady border. If the shoots are thinned many of the side shoots left wiU bloom later, though the spikes will not be so fine at the fii-st. These Snapdragons make beautiful masses in rough or rock gardens ; but some people dislike the smell of them veiw much, whilst other people rather like it. Edged and hoed beds of bedding plants, and have had no end of labour in securing them. They are now filling fast. When the gi-ound is a little warmer we wfll slightly mulch them in the openings with old Mushi'oom- dung, &c. Changed plants in conservatory, and gave plenty of water to Camellias in conservatory and in hothouses, as if left dry now they are apt to drop the buds that are formed. Syringed Azaleas frequently. Potted young Geraniums, and many other hardwooded and softwooded plants, &c. — E. P. Elm Leaves Vakiegated. — Who can account for the leaves of Elm trees becoming variegated throughout the whole tree, so as to present an appearance of almost perfect whiteness ? The trees in question have assumed this aspect within the last few years, and stand amongst others which remain in theii' natural state. — W. H. Beadon, Devonshire. TO CORRESPONDENTS. *^* We request that no one wdl write privately to the de- partmental writers of the " Jom-nal of Horticulture, Cottage Gai-dener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should therefore be ad- di-essed solehj to The Editors of the Journal of Borticul- ture, (Sfc, 162, Fleet Street, London, E.C. We also request that con'espondents wiU not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered promptly and conveniently, but wi-ite them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or thi-ee questions at once. We cannot reply privately to any communication unless under very special circumstances. Calceolahias [H. J. S.).— The blooms were much -Klthered and much bruised. They seeni to have been handsome but small. Saving seed from the best would probably give you some good varieties. Sdndiai. I An OW «n6scri4cr).— Such a manufacture is quite out of our province, consult some Ki)cyclopfBdia. TwELVK CAMBtLiAS (/. R. I)'.). -So far as we know them, those in your list are all jfood. For twelve we would select from it— Augusta, Alesina, Chanulerii, Caryophylloides, Heniiersoui, Jubilee, Mathothma, tensjlvanica, ferlectiou, Kubiui, Verschaffeltiana, and Viscomie nova. Time foe Cotting-uown Geraniums [A Subscriber).— it is best to have successions of Ger.uiuius. We have cut ihem down at times varying between July and the en,i of Septe.uber, and louud ihey succeeded equally well; but, of course, ihose oat late were later next year than those out eurly, and hart small foliage until the spring. Mildew o.-< Cigumbeks (.iV.).-Ii i.'< just possible that the slate in both caries zeis too hot, but the chief cause of the mildew may be owing to deficient ventllatiou. We would u.se sulphur freely over the slate, and give air night and day. We should not like the roots getting through the slate. We would make it secure-jointed, place 6 iuchei of rubble over it, and have holes at the sides to make sure tnat llie waler poured through the pipes never stood higher than 1,J inch over the slai.-. In the oiher bed we would do the same; out as the sides seem comparatively open, to secure top heat we presume, you could not expect the .-amc Uuitom heat theie. With such an open chamber, the case of " Tanks versus Pipes" has not a fair chalice To insuie a fair comparison boih chambers should be equally shortened, and moisture presented equally lo both slate coverings. Mere dry heat will not rise .-o quickly anu reguhiily by itaelf ao when it is ac- companied with hot vapour. Hemino a Conseevatobt IB. Gibbous) —\oui: sketch gives no in- foruiaUon about the levels, ll the boder in ihu aviary is a foot or 18 inches below the base of the garden and the diawing-roon. doors there wdl be no ditticulty whatever. You could not well make a junction from the pipes in the aviary, unless the pioes were as high in the house to be heated. You miohtdo this by bnnsing the pipes ..s far as the doorway, and causmg ihem to return from ihence without passio,; the doorway. In fact, you mi-ht have all the heat yon want from a stack or pillar of pipes without the pipes noing round the house at all. A small brick Ainotfs stove would no doubt do the work well, but then you would require a chimney. Most likelv the hot water would be the best and le..st troublesome. It you gate u»a'sectionof aviarj, ooller. and house to be ueated, showing the level of boiler, doorways, *fec., we would be more sure. Vahioos ^Ezra J/i/esl.-The best time for moving Briar Koses for buddinS is any time irom the fading of the leaves until ihey begin lo grow in thi- spriiig, the sooner lu the winter the better. Taiie theBnari up cateluUy. prune the roots to 6 or S inches fiom the stem, prune ofl all shoots from the stem, and leave it at the desired height, plant m good rich soli so as to encourage ttbres near h,.mc, and as soon as growth appears, prune all oil along the stem except one or more shoots at top, and bud these close to the stem as soon as the oaik runs and you c.in get buds well developed, bee Mushroom culture in a late Number. Six weeks is a general lime alter spawning and eartliing-up ; but we have gathered in less than three weeks, and had them as long as ten or twelve weeks. In ordinary circumstances, «i.K weeks 13 what we calculate on, and it is ver.v rarely we have oeen uia- appointed lor thirty ye.us. We thmk that such things as Maurandyas and Lophosoermums In small pots will suit you, and so would such Nastur- tiums as Tiopmolum tiicolor and pentaphyllum. iPoMJiA HEDEayEFOLiA CutTUBE {Felixstowe].-^'e suspcct your plant is the Uuamoc.it hederteiolia of Paxton, a rather tender annual Irom Brazil, which will blow m a warm sheltered place In the oi en border, it turned out about the begi.ii.ing of June. If these conditions cannot be given, it will flower well tn a rough branch if kept under glass. There is "■"'»/'' much confusion with some of these plants. For iiistaiice . A small, scauet, very beautiful convolvulaceous plant is somcti.nes ca led ll''>™?'''/"""lta' Ipomoja quamocUt, and Quamocl.t coccinea. This, '°°' '"^'j'.'^fffi"';*' raised on a hotbed, hardened and turned out in June, will do well in a warm place, but north ol London in most seasons it will do be»tuii..er glass. Caiceolau.a violacea (G. A-.).-Weare notquite ^"""f'''"";^'';,^™ mean. If it has pinnate leaves and small lilacvlolel flowers, It would flower test in spring and early summer in the greenhouse, and would do best .1 kept in p'ots."lf put out of doors it will do best P'^n^ed in a p.. ■ '^^^'^-^'f^ out and then lilted, the wood is apt to be too "'"l'^' " ""' "J','';-J-;„" it is the sort we imagine it will not blow freely out of doors, unless in a warm sheUered place, and even then it would be better if kept m a pot plunged. Weiouts Useo rOE Fruit (Subscriber,. -The pound of =' j'«" °™7' is the weight employed at our London exhibitions and at Covent Garden m weighing Iruit. WORK 0.V Gaedemng {An A,„atcur).-Yo'x can have "The Garden Manual ■' free by post from our ofHce for twenty postage stamps. It will give the information you mention. 18 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTtJBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 7, 18G3. Florists' Flowers [Ohms, Ofdham^ fFrexham). — Wc do not think thiit the flowers sent are bupcriur to many in cultivation. U would be well if all raisers of seedlinus; hid a few of the best of those cultivated to coiuitart- with their own productions. Seedling Pansy (T. C. N., Little Wi/mondlcy^ Stccetiatje).'-'Vhe Tansy is certainly very black, *ju'- so are several of those now in growth ; ami in shape it was liiile betrer than th« wild one. It mif^ht ansuer for bediliui,^ purposes if free-floweriv;,'' enough. Seedling Pelargonivm (Christ iuc).— The seedling Pelarponinm is not, we should conpidei— uriiff*i*ithus some very peculiar properties in freedom of bloom, &c.— worth cuUivating. Seeolino CALCEOLAiaAs (M. Major, Knosthorpei. — The seedlifig C'lce- olarias are very fine ; the size of the flowers ^ud the brilli.uicy of the mark- ings being alike ci^nspiiuous We wonder much why the tluwer i^> nut more cultivated. It deserves to be generally grown. Strawberries. — We have received from R. Webb, Esq., Galoot, near Reading, a basket of immensely iaryi! Sirawburries which Mr. Weby calls '* Refresher." It is somewhat like Sir Harry or some member of that race. The flavour was exc-Ilen;, and one in the basket measures 9 inches in circumference ! Broad Beans Failin'g ( ). — The fleshy knobs or excrtscences on ihe rootsol tlie Btaus arc qt^ite natural, and have nothinc to do with ynur crop failing. You will find similar excrescenc-s on the roii;s of t,'rearer part ol the tiibo of the pod-iiearers which are cultivated for food— vi/„. Peas, Beans, Lentils, &c. We could not delect any luuiius nor aDyihin}i the matter with the root. We can, therefore, only guess at the causa ct your crop failm;:. Perhiips your laud is light, andihe crop lalletl in tlie iliy weather tor wane of moisture. Tlie plants may have been iufesieiJ wiiu the bean aphis, or the flowers poor with abortive poilen. Ghapes Diseased (71 Y. G).— The enclosed berries were badly spotted* The pavilion on ihe eastern side of the vinery would materially aid in '. bringing about the diseased condition oi the berries. The Canon Hall is I more liable to the spot than most others. It requires a dry hot atmo>iihcre to have it in perfection. The shadiittt Irom the pavilion would prevent the \ sap takeo up by the roots from becoming taoroughly elaborated in the ; leaves, and in that crude state it euter<;d tne berries no doubt. Wc kiiuw j of no remedy but keeping the berries dry during the ripening pvoces?, and keeping the roots, not too highly fed, ne.ir the surface, with the full t^olar ! rays over them continually without shade. { Namk of Fruit [Thomas Record). — Tour Grape is Cliasselas de Falloux, i descritied in Hogg's *' Fruit. Manual." I Names of Plants ( ZZ(77-rt>).— Ej'callonia macrantha. {P. II. G.).— 4, Campanula gaiganicu. The other three too shrivelled. Flowers ror recognition must oe Sfnt in m fresh state, or we cannot afford iiie time required to name them. {Avoca). — 1, I'ernettya luucronata ; 2, Fablaiia irabricata; 3, Heliantoemum tomentosum ; 6, probably Puil.idelphus mexi- canus. The otiiers were too sbrivelled for identification. (W. I^., JJerLs',. — 1, Cynoglo>Eum sylvaticuni ; 2, Hypericum anUiosa?mum; 3, Lyf^iniachia nemorum. {Celandine) — It is ^alsafy, Tragopogon porrifolius. Thcie must be some mistake. {T. .b".).— 1, rhalictrum flavum ; -, iMedicag'j hipu- lina; 3, insufficient ; 4, liallota nigra. iiTeg^arly spotted on a yellow ground with red shades, as in the common Pheasant. It is also less -wild than the pure lih'd, in which wildness seems a characteristic of the breed. The Indian begins laying from the 10th to the 30th of April, and finishes in June ; lays from thhty to forty eggs, coloui- diirk olive, nearly round, and much smaller than those of the common bu'ds. The hens lay many more the second than the first yeai*. The breeding -bu-ds should be tresh-ma,ted every five yeai-s. A jien 9 feet squai'C will servo for a ccok and five hens. " The Indian poults may be distinguished fi-om the first by two very dark black stripes they have on each side of the forehead. The black stripes they have on th.* body are idso much plainer than in the common poult. " In taking account of the qualities and defects of the Indian, it is hard to decide whether it is superior to the common breed. It is certainly handsomer, it lays more freely, the young hatch better and come our sironger, but it is subject to the same weakness. It is bos.des extremely wild, and often kills itself against the top of its pen or cage, unless this covering be common network, or the birds have one wing cur. When tumed into the woods there is no hope of ever catching it again, its suspicious characer drives it fi-om the tfap, although suffering, ir may be, f om hunger. It flies much better than the commcu bi d, but it; takes ad- van-age of this to change from one i^lace to anoiher, if disturbed often. We beheve it can only be kept on large domains." POULTRY, SEE. and HOUSEHOLD CHROI^ICLE. POULTRY SHOWS. July 20th to 24th. Wuf;ct.sTEnsiiiK.E. Sev.^ Mr. J. Holland, Chesnut W.tllc, Worcester. Entries close June 20th. JuLX 3uih and 31st, Eastern Coi;>ties (Slowmarket). Sees., Messrs. W. G. Itunsou, and A Simpson, Stowmiirket. Entries close July 2lst. August 2jth. 1'ocklinuton. Sec , Mr. T. Grant. Kntries close Aug. 17. August 29lh. Halifax and Cali'er Vale. ^Vc, Mr. W. Irvine, Uulilas. Sept£,mbkr 2nd. Cottisghaji. Hcc. Mr. J. Brittain. SEPTBMbEu 2nd. Wakefield and VVest Kidi.^ig. Aec, Mr. J. Crossland, jun , Wakefield. Entries close August 24th. CHI^"ESE PHEASANTS. In "La Maison de Campagne," a French periodical, is a notice of Pheasants, and among them a description cf the Chinese, which we have thought worthy of being ti'anslated. "We ai'e more especially moved to do so becaxise we have fi'equently said, we believe, that Plieasants may bo profitably kept as a hobby. " This bird has not been long known in Prance, and yet it has been so extensively crossed with the common that it is difficult to procui'e piu-e bhds. The cock should have a sharp head ; long thin neck, divided in the middle by a large white ring ; neck violet shaded ; the lower pai't of the back and the wings cloaa- green (query, light blue ?), the sides yellow; but eveiy feather forming the side-coverts should be marked at its extremity with a regular black point. The tail is short, pointed, brown, and transversely striped. The female is smaller and thinner in shape than the male, her plumage is of an ashen gi'ey with violet shades. " The Indian is at once tlistingiiished from the common Pheasant by liis smaller head, and the manner in vi'hich he carries it thi-own backward, and by the almost perpendicular carriage of the tail when the bird is walking. The half-bred Indian is a large bird, and recognised by the green on its back which has a red tint, by its wings which are grey instead of green, and, above all, by its sides which are ! SHEFFIELD POULTEY AND PIGEON EXHIBITION. The Poidtry Exldbitions hitherto held at Sheffield have always been carried out under the pressure of many diffi- culties : hence arose the numerous changes of management, and also the impression became general that such meetings would be no longer carried out, on accoi'.nt of the impossi- bility of finding a gentleman wUling to take the responsi- bility incuiTed. At length, however, success seems to have followed closely on the energetic means this year adopted to secui'e tills Show's annual perpetuity. By fai" the best of all the Sheffield shows of poultry has been the resiilt, and the Exhibition of Pigeons has certainly never been equalled out of the metropolis. We ai-e glad to add that the weather being" also favoui-able, a very higlily respectable and nu- merous company were drawn together on this occasion. As might be anticipated, the pens of Messrs. Turner, of Sheffield, than which none are more effective, were those used by the present Society. It is scarcely necessary to say, the Cremoi-ne Grardens at Sheffield afford every possible convenience for such a meeting, whilst the rural and extensive views in all dii'ections are not trifling adjuncts in calling together a numerous assemblage of visitors, from among those more particularly whose daUy avocations coniine them within the precincts of densely-popiilated neighbourhoods. It is only just to add, the bii-ds were well fed and attended. We will briefly remark on the principal classes. The old birds of Vorkiiujs were not shown in lai-ge numbers, nor was their condition that of birds just now fatted for an exhibition, the eaiiy moult of the present season precluding it altogether. Still, there were among them many pens that in a few weeks might be shown very advantageously. The Dorking Chickens, on the contraiy, were really fii'st-rate. Old Siiariish necessarily showed to the worst possible ad- vantage, for the I'cason just assigned tu the adidt Dorking class ; Spanish, perhaps, being the most affected during moult of any poultry. The first prize went to Mr. Gaa-lick's celebrated pen ; but the second and tliii'd were r.-itliheld. In this variety the Chickens were not numerous, but exceed- ingly good. The class for Spanish Hens was a perfect one, and one of the most closely-competed in the Show. The Cinnamon and Buff' Cochins also showed to very great advantage, whOst in the Brown and Partridge-coloured class the contest, though confined to two pens only, was unusually good. Certainly Captain Heaton, though suc- cessful, has never before been pressed so closely. The only representative of White Cochins was Mi\ Dawson, but they fully maintained the credit of that gentleman's yar-d. The Brahmas were better than at any prerious Sheffield Show. July 7, 1863. ] JOTJUNAL OF HORTICULTURE AJ^D COTTAOE GARDENER. 19 All the Gaine classes were well tilled, the birds being ex- cellent, and high eoutlition was almost the universal order of the day. sS-. Charles Challoner showed birds that would indeed be hard to beat in any show, the condition, plumage, and the chai-acter of the birds, being alike faultless. Mr. Helliwell's Duckwing cock was also a veiy worthy competi- tor in the Single Game Cock class, nor were his pen of thi'ee in the same variety less praiseworthy. The Malays at Sheffield were such as no previous meeting in this neighboui-hood ever possessed; the birds of Mr. Ballance, of Taunton, being the successful ones. The Hamhurgh classes, though so good, showed as all such varieties of fowls at this season must do, the disadvantages of moidting time ; nevertheless, the comj^etition was a re- markably close one. The rivalry in these classes dui-ing the coming winter season of 1S63 will most probably be beyond precedent. Never were Polands so scantily shown. Of Black White- crested, although two classes were specially appointed them, not one pen was even entered. The Sebright Bantam classes were equally void ; but the Game and "White Bantams were really above par. Mrs. Seamons, of Aylesbury, took aU the prices for Ayles- bury Duels, with such birds as that lady alone can exhibit, and it is as worthy of remark the Embden Geese fi-om the same breeder were equally unexceptionable. Mi*. Fowler's Rouen Ducks were really excellent. Three pens of extraor- dinarily good Buenos Ayrean Ducks were shown, but all in immature feather. In Pigeons, the Sheffield Show this year must rank among the highest ; and when we inform om- readers that the re- nowned stock of Mr. Feber Eden were shown in full force, regret must prevail among those Pigeon-fanciers who did not avail themselves of a sight of the Sheffield collection. That gentleman's triumph was necessarily complete, being- first in both the Canier classes, first and second in both the Powter classes, with such White ones as make all who see them covet ; iirst in Almond, and also other Tumblers ; fii-st and second in Barbs, besides other minor premiums. The class for "New, or any distinct variety" of Pigeons, was a perfect treat to any lover of those bu*ds ; in fact, we never before saw four pens of Runts together so good as were here shown, and we must not omit very favourable mention of both the Archangels and Icelanders. The Rabbit pens were weU filled with capital animals, but a keen wind prevailiug, they seemed as though inclined to whisper *' no place like home; " the open exhibition ground being a most extreme change from their customary hutches. DoRKH^G (Silver-Grey).— Prize, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. DoEiiiNG (Coloured, except Silver-Grej).— Prize, Rev. J. F. Newton, Kirby-in-Clevci.mJ, Smkesley. Dorking (Auy colour).— C/»icA;fin*. — First, Rev. J. F. Ke^^^ton, Kirby-in- Clevelami, aLOReelty. Seconu, F. Key, Sheffield. Third, liev. J. G. A. Baker, Big^ileswadc, Beds. Commended, tie v. J. F. Newton. Coc/{. — First, H. W. b. Berwick, Helmsley, Yoik;. Second, J. White, Warlaby, Northallerton. 'Ihud, 'J'. Tath;im, Kiugsthorpe. Highly Commended, Rev. J. G. A Baker, licjn, or Pallets —Vn-st, ana Third, H. \V. B. Berwick, becoud aim HigMy Ci)iiHi.eudcd, Kev. J. G. A. Baker. Spanish.— First, J. Garlick, Liverpool. Second and Third withheld. Chickens.— £,v^X, J. 11. Kodbard, Wrington, Bristol, becond, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Hiyhiy Coiuuiended, T. Greenwood, Ddwsbuiy. Co* A.— Fir^t, H. Beldon. Brauioin. Sceun.i, J. It. lUidburd. lliird, J. Smith. Hiphly Gommtinde'i, K. biuwn. SUtffield. Hen u or Pullets.— first, J. K. Eodb^rd. Second, H. Bt-Ulou. Third, Mazier H. Ciabe, Asiou. Hi{jhly Commended, S. Robaon, Biutaerton ; Airs. Bruwn, hlietheld. Cochi.n-China (Cinnamon and Buff). —Prize, T. Stretcli, Ormskirb, ChiLkens.-hn^t ana Iniid, J. H. Barker, Shetheld. Second, F. W. Karle, Edeuhurfat, Pre-cui. CocHiK-Cui.vA (Brown and Partridge).— Prize, Captain Heaton, Man- chefiier. Kinbly Conimecdcd, R. While, Sheffield. Chickcns.—Fiize, J. Stephens, Wulsali. CoCHi.N-CiiiNA (White or Black).— Prize, W. Dawson, Hopton Mirfield (Whitej. Chickens —ytizfi, AV. Dawson (White;. Cochin-China.— Cot/;,— First, T. Stretch, Orni^kirk. Second, J. Wright, Woodbridge. ihird, S. White, Tidesweli Fourth, H. W. B. Bcrvpiek, Helmsky. Coinmeiided, R. White, SheltieUi. Jlais or Pullets.— Pvizi^, H. W. B. Beiwick. BaAHMA- FooiiiA (Liftht or Daik).— First, J. Hinton, Ilinton, Eath. Second, Mis. M. Stumun.-j, Aylesbury. Chi kens.— Bict-i, J. K. Fowler, AyletUury. Second, J. Hinton. Third, Jlis. M. Seamons. Cut/c — Firs', J. liiuion. Second, .1. K. Fowler. Highly ComuiCi.ded, J. Pares, Chertsey, Gamk (White and Piles).- First, A. Guy, liuton. Commended, G. HelH- weh, slleiiiehl. CA/t/.c/zS. — Prize, A. Guy. Game [ Hlaek-br'-iiflted and other lleds), — First C. Challoner, Steelley. Highly Cuniinendeil, G. Helliwell, Slieffiel'i. Chickens. —ywit, C- CliuUoner. Second urd 'Ihiid, il. Snowden, Great llurion. Cummendea, C. W. Laxton, Nantttich ; W. Beiilcy, Scholes ; W. H. V/ordsuuitb, Chesteiheld. Gaue (Black and Brassy- winged, except Greys).- First, G. Helliwell, Sheffield. Secouil, W. W. Ba'.lurd, Leamington. Gamk (DucKwmgri and other Greys and Blue.-}.— First, G. Helliwell, Shetheld. Third, b. Slater, North Carlton. Second withheld. Game (Anv colour).— CerA:, — First, C. Challonei, Steelley. Second, G. HLlhwell, Sheffield. Third, G. Wostenholm, Sheffield. Fourth, .1. Wharin, jun., Rotherhum. Highly Commended, T. Bramhill, Sheffield; G. Wosten- iiolm. Commended, K. Aykroyd, P.radford; J. A. B. Grtaves, Fccle&field. Mens or Pullrfs.—^rize^ W. Beniley, Schules. Malay.— First and Second, Master C. A. Eallance, Taunton. Highly Commended, A. Sykes, Mile End, London. CocA.- Piize, Master C. A. Ballance. Haubdrgh (Golden-pencilled).— First, W. Froggatt, Walkley, Sheffield. Second, S. Smith, Nurthowram, Halita:x. Third, J. Piitchutt, Edgbaston. Chit kc7is.— lirnt, H. Pickles, jun., Early, Skiptun. Highly Commended, S. Smith. C'oiA.— Firat, H. Beldon, Brad ord. Second, W. Bulton, Sheffield, Thid, G. Hancock, Sheffield. Commended, T. Crookes, Shttiield. Hamburgh (.Golden-spungled). — First, G. Brooke, jun., Huddersfield. Second, H. W. tt. Berwick, Helmsley. Thud, J". Roe, Hadtield. Chiikens. — First, Mrs. A. Koe, Hadtield. HiC^hly Commended, G, Brook, Hudders- field. 6(A/..-Prize, H. Bt-ldon, Bradlord. Hamuukgh {iJilver-penciUed).— First, Miss F. Harrop, Walkley, Sheffield. Secoiid, C. Moore, Poulton-le-l-ylde. Third, H. Beldon, Bradford. Chickens. —Prize, Mrs. J. Harrop, Walkley, Sheffield. Highly Commended, A. Nicholson, Walkley, Sheffield. Cot A.- Prize, H. Beldon, PIaubl'hgh tSilver-spaugled).— Fir.'-t, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, T, Daviea, Newport. Highly Commended, A. Newton, Silsden, Leeds, Chickens.— l-nsx, W. Bownes, Shtffield. Second, IL Bancrott, Stunnington Sheffield. Third, T. H. Turner, Sheffield. Coct.— Prize, H. Beldon. Hamburgh iGoldtU. or Silver-pencilled). — Be?is or Pullets. — Prize, G. HelliM-ell, W.ilkley, Sheifield. Highly Commended, J. E. Powers, Biggles- wade, Beds. Hamdokgh [Golden or Silver -spangled). —.Hens or PuUcts.— Fnzej Mrs. Birch, fcihe-Tield. PoLANos (Goli^en).— Prize, H. Beldon, Bradford. PoLAKUs (Silver). — Prize, W. Newsome, Bingley, Yorks. PoLAKjjs (Golden or Silver).— C/.zt^At^jx — Prize, J. Hinton, Hinton, Bath, Cock. — first, P. Hardy, Bradford. Second, H. Beldon, Bradtord. Com- mended, F. Hardy. Gami; Bamams (Black and othsr Reds).— Prize, Hon. W. T. Fitzwilliam, Eutherham. Commended, \V. lllingworth, Sturton, Retiorti. Game Bantams (Other vaiieties).— Prize, W. Silvester, Sheffield. Game Ba.ntams,— Coed-.— First, Mi.'-s Brown. Sheffield. Second, G. Helli- well, Walkley, Sheffield. Third, W. Wuod. Sheffield. Commended, W. L. Masun, Ciiesiei held ; A. Sykes, Mile End, London. Bantams (Black or White;.— First, J, Wade, Leeds. Second, Miss K, Charlton, Briidtbrd. Ba.-^tams (except Game).— Priie, J. Wade, Leeds. X)i;cK3 tWliite Aylesbury}. — tust, Second, and Commended, Mrs. M. Seamons, AyUabury. Ducks ;Roueu;.— Prize, H. Beldon, Bradford. Commended, J. K. Fowler Ayles;'Ury. Ducks (Black East Indian).— First and Second, C. A. Ballance, Taunton, Highly Commended, J. K. Jessop, Hull. Geese. — Prize, Mrs. M. Seamons. PIGEONS. Caheibes. — Cot/.*.— First and Third, P. Eden, Salford. Second, J. Smith, Sheffield. Highly Commended, S. Robson, Brotherton. Bens.—F'nst, P. Eden. Second, H. W. Edmonds, Westminster, London. Third, H. Beldou, Er-idford. Highly Commended, W. H. Edmonds. Commended, P. Eden. PowTKRs.— C(^c/l-.— First and Second, P. Eden, Salford. Third, H. Beldon, Bradloid. Highly Commended, W. Taylor, Sheltield; H. Brown. Walkley, Sheffield. Commended. M. E. Jubliug, Newcastle-on-Tyne. ifen.— First and Second, P. Edea. Third, \V. Taylor. Commended, G. Ure, Dundee. Tumblers (Almond).— first, P. Eo'en, Saliord. Second, F. E. Else, Bays- water, London. Third, H. Beldon, Bradford. Highly Commended, W. H. Ednicmos, We&tminster, London. TuMBLKiis (Any other variety).— First, P. Eden, Salford. Second, H. Beldor, Bradtord. Commendeo, F. E. Else, Bayswater, London. Fantails.— First, Miss Brown, Shtffield. Second, F. Key, Beverley. jAconi>s.— Fii-st, li. Yardley, Birmingham. Highly Commended, F. Key, Bidveiiey. Trumpeters.— First, S. Robson, Brotherton. Second, H. Yardley, Bir- mingham. Bares.— First and Second, P. Eden, Salford. Third, H. Yardley, Bir- mingham. Highly Commended. Mrs. Taylor, Sheffield. TuHiirrs,— First, J. R. Jessop, Hull. Second, H. Beldon, Bradford. Comiuended, J. Wade, Leeds. OwL.s.— First, F. E, Else. Bayswater, London. Second, H. Beldon, Bradford. Third, M. E. Jobhng, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Commended, H. Beldon. Bkakds.— Prize, F. E. Else, B;iyswater, London. AwY >EW OH DiSTi.NCT Variety.— Fir.-t, T. D. Green, Saffron Waldcn. Second, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Third, J. Smith, Sheffield. Highly Commended, T. D. Green ; J. Wade, Leeds. Rabuits. — J'or Le}if/th of Enrs. — Prize, W. "White, Sheffield. For Colour.— Virs^t, W. J. Pope, Biggleswade, Beds. Second, W. Chamberlain, Desluid, Leicester. Thiru, R. W. Freestone, Rotheram. Highly Com- mencltd, W. Hudson ; W. Littlewood, Chesterfield. For Weight.— Fiv&t, J. Warner, Chesterfield. Second, F. Jone^, Sheffield. Highly Com- mended, W. L. Mason, Chesiertleld. Mr. Edwai'd Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Spai-kbrook, offi- ciated as the Judge both of the Poidtry and Pigeons. Eastern Counties Poultry Show.— We are informed that great exertions are making to render this a first-class Esliihition, and we hope that it will be successful. The plan adopted at this Show ?nd elsewhere, of giving prizes pro- 20 JOURNAL OF HOETICULTimE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. July 7, 1S68. portionate to the number of entries we think very good. Thus, if there are only five entries in a class, the first prize will be only .£1, but if there are twenty entries that prize will be £S, the second and third prizes being increased at a similar rate. Cetstal Palace StnaMER Poultry Show.^ — A i-eport has been circulated that this Show is to be discontinued. Our readers will be pleased to hear that the Dii-ectors of the Crystal Palace have the subject under consideration, and it is most probable that next week we shall be able to announce the days on which the Show will be held. PRONE-BEEEDING QUEENS. In reference to the hive mentioned at page 4nri, in which drones appeared on the 24th of AprO, I may add that it had not been fed either last autumn or this spiing : therefore, might not be supposed to be in a more advanced state than other vigorous hives at the same season. As youi' corre- spondent " B. & W." had strong stocks in his apiary, it cannot but be supjiosed that there were drones in some of them earlier than he had obsei-ved, especially in such a mild climati as Somersetshire ; for even so i'ar north as Northumberland drones were down early in May. The hive A, with a pure Ligurian queen, he reports as very populous and active, and no doubt its drones were early : so that even if the queen of b should prove all that could be desired in point of the purity of her progeny, " B. & W." can scarcely have a plea in favour of drone-breeders in spring : rather, I imagine, the verdict of English bee-keepers will accord with that of their Geiinan brethren, recorded at page 2S5 of last volume, however painful its execution may be to the tender-heai-ted apiarian. As "' A Devonshire Bee-keepek ' ' proposed, at jsage 270 of last volume, to try the same experiment with the family of a di'one-breeding queen, and your readers have not been favoured with an aeeouut of its success in impregnating young queens before the natarral time for the appearance of the drones, I infer that it has .liso failed. In short, it appears as necessary that there should be a high temperature, as that there should be drones in existence. , Can " B. & W." say what had been the maximum tempe- rature about the end of May ? as it would be interesting to ascertain the lowest temperatm'e in the shade at which fecundation has been known to take place. The importance of having a i^rolific queen at the head of a family in autumn cannot be overrated ; but perhaps this did not occur to '• A. W. B." who writes under the heiwl of "Swarming DilSculties," at page 42.5 of last volume, as it appeai-s two families were united to Ms weak stock, while no mention is made of the removal of the queen. It is a good rule never to retam the queen of a hive which is weak in numbers in autumn ; but in forming unions to select that queen wliich has the largest population. I do not go so far as to say that weakness is invariably to be laid to the charge of the queen, as it is possible other contingencies may have been the cause ; still, if there are two or thi-ee queens to select from, the extra trouble of driving and re- moving that which may be under suspicion would be more than repaid by the futm-e prosperity of the hive. — Investi- gator. [Premising that I have ah-eady fuUy indorsed the con- clusion of Gei-man apiarians as to the general uselessness of drone-breeding queens, I have pleasure in stating the result of my own experiment. My virgin queen is stOl hving and stiU lays the eggs of drones only, but her fecundity is not nearly so great as I anticipated, whOst providing her with workers to perform the ordinary duties of the hive is no small tax on the resources of my apiary. On one occasion only can I imagine that she, or rather one of her drones, has done good service, and that is in the impregnation of a young queen hatched on the 14th of May, which commenced egg- laying on the 30th of the same month. In this case I had no di-ones but those of her breeding, with the exception of a very few in one of my other stocks, and these latter were destroyed during the wet weather we had in Jvme. Whilst agreeing with "Investigator," that a tolerably high tem- perature is necessai-y ia order to render the services of drones available, and that, therefore, it would probably be of little use to attempt queen-rearing much before the natru-al time — in reliance upon the progeny of a drone- breeder, I may yet point out that drones produced in this abnormal manner are by no means so liable as others to be destroyed on the occurrence of bad weather, and that this in bair inventions — there is never- theless a limit to its use as well as that of all other things. Other tools require attention also : and leaving the further prosecution of hand-tillage to other parties, a few notes on various implements in general use may be given in future articles. j. Kobson. PEAS, AND HOW TO G]10W THEM. (Conclud.ed from page 4fi7.) 2nd. In Modebatk-sizedGakdens.— In some places there is the convenience of a sorith wall. Under it, on the southern side, you can have Lettuces ohinted to come in after the Endive is done, ar.d a row of Peas about 4 feet from the wall in a parallel line to it, without iujuring the Apricot and Peach trees on the wall. Peas in this position idiould be so\ra on November cho 10th, and from this parallel Irae let fall in December some perpendicular drUls ;f feet apart, and sow in them Sangster's No. 1, Dillistone'a Early Prolific being sown in tha paraUel. A few spruce branches wdl save these from the nipping east winds if stuck on one Ride of them. In open weather another sowing may be made m^ February, and on the Ist of March a sowing of V»'arwick (Eoi'ly Frame, or whatever eUe the soetlsmen plea-^ic to ca.U if), and Early Green Blavrow. Whenever the first -rop of Marrows is sown it must be done at the same time that the last crop of earlies is sown. This is to provide for a succes- sion. For successional crops the annexed table may be referred to. After the first sowings are accommodate*! with warm sunny sites the main crops will do better in the opea quarters. Of late, planting Peas amongst other crops has been ad- vocated. I am persuaded this is erroneous. I cannot tell what space is saved, nor see any better crops accrue, nor yet any crop that likes smothering between Pea-rows. I object to making Beet, Potatoes, and other root crops subservient to Peas. Suppose we sow Peas in rows 12 feet instead of 6 feet apart, and take a crop of Beet between, the Peas will take up 3 feet of the space, and of the remaining 9 feet fully 6 feet will not have any sun until ten o'cjock, and none after three o'clock, so that there are but 3 feet'left fully exposed to the sun's rays, and instead of its being^ saving it is a loss of 6 feet. The Peas will be better for this extra apiu^e I a Feb. and —The beat of the earliest ; Maj . 10th ... Early Frauk (Double-bloasomed Frame, \ y^y [Q[_|j^ Charlton, Hotspur, ^Varwick).— Good J J^^j.',jj ^g^* cropper; stands severe weather well...... ; S'CTION II.— SECOND EARLY. Coining into use in June and July, Dickbon'p Favodriti: (Auvergne, Sickle). ) M^iroh Ist, — Extra lone pojs, containing nine to > loth, 21st, tenFeas. Fine flavour ; KAprillst... \ March 1st BisHOr's Dwarf.— Largepods, good crop- ( to April per and quality ( l^th. ; Junel5:h...l3toU . Paradise Maerow (Champion of Ptris, \ jj^^ ^fj ^nd Excelsior).— Good cropper and excellent > .ipiii. flavour / Climax (Napoleon).— Blue wrinkled Har- 1 i^ row; requires rich soil j April 15th ,, Burbriboe'b EcLirsE (Stubb's Blue Mar- ) March and row).— Itich-flavoured large Pea; long- .April. pods, dwarf, robust^growing ) June IJth .. Bkllamy's EARLYGBKiN Marhow (Prize- ) jj|i,.j), and taker).— Great bearer, pods good size, :■ ^^.j^ji Peas dark grten. Keeps long in season. ) ' Flack's Imierial Victory. — Branching, |^ April and fine flavour, and good cropper > -May. ...14 to 15, Chami'ion of Enqlakd. — Most delicious i )_ April and good bearer )' May. ... 14 Section III.— GENERAL CROP. Blue Prus,*ian (Prolific).— Round, pro-\ April and hfic; excellent Havour ) May. ... 15 Scimitar (similar to Bedmau's Impmal f ^^ jj ^^^^j and Klacli's Victory).— Round bluepods, - *\ij,y_ ^j long and curved ) Fairbeaeu's Blue Surprise, — Long well- 1 filled pods, containing seven to nine'- .\pril. .,,14 to 15. Peas; good quality ) Fairbeard's Konpareil, — White,wrink- (^ April and led J good bearer j May. ...14tol5. Lord Raglan.— Worthy of the veteran) j^^jji jnd Marshal. Green- wrinkled, fine flavour ; j '^^ jj keeps long in season ) Thurstone's Reliance (Dancer's Monas-) April and tery).— Large ana good | Mdy. ... 16 Veitchb Peeeectio.n.- Delicious flavour, i robust branching habi!, fine foliage, [ Aprillstto large n ell-filled pods. A better Pea ^ May 30th ,,, IG . cannot he } WooDioBO liREEs Marrow (Nonsuch),— 1 Anril and Rich flavour and productive ; liable to !■ 'jiar 15 mildew : ) -,-..- Sectios IV.— LATE CROP, i British Qoeen (Defiance, Carter's Vic-) , ., ...^ toria. Tall Mammoth),-Fine flavour, ! ^P"! uiu Height in feet. 1 to Li 12 13 14 14 13 14 14 4 to 5 to 16,,, 3 to 4 ., 3 to 4 toria. Tall iuamuiuiuj, — mn: ija*ua;,' , very large Peas and pods; bears till!' nf^v tlst killed by frost ) '"J' •^'-'- •• Ne Plus Ultra (Jeyes' and Payne's Con- J queror. Incomparable), — Deep green, f May 1st tn great bearer, very superior flavour ; best 1 June 1st. ,, for late crop. Will not bear cold and wet, ) Geni HAL Wyndham. — First-claES ; glossy, l_ April 15th dark green pods ) to June. ,. Victoria Marrow (Waterloo, Gibb's^ , ,.j j^^^q Defiance), — Fine flavour, large pods, '> ,! jq.jj abundant bearer.., ) ^ Mammoth Dwarf Green Marrow. — 1 Strong, dwarf habit, branching from - May. near the ground ; tine flavour ) Mammoth Tall Green Marroav (Mon- 1 April l.')th arch, Strathmore Hero.)— Fine flavour, |- to very prolific; large size ) May 00th , Mammoth Tall White Marrow (Cham- "i April l5th piun of Scotland). — Sp endid Pea; fine [■ to cropper ) June 1st. ...16 to 17,,, White Scimitae (Sugar Pea).— Eaiable) April and pods ; the best of Haricots ) May. .,, 15 Palates vary more than tlie quality of Peas. The best way to t-est Peas is to sow a small quantity of each, and so suit the appetite, and learn the kinds best adapted to the 17 17 17 16 16 6 tot 6 to 8 6 to 7 6 to 7 , 2J to 3 ..IG to 17... C to7 6 to 8 3 to 4 m JOURNAL OF HOBTICUIiTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ July I*. 1863. ■ioil and oiimate. It will prove an mteregting"experimeut> and the aote? aoeruing therefi'om wouJi-l be extremely useful- — G. A T^iK NATIONAL ROSE SHOW. SECOND NOTICE. Stt tar j,s the two Metropolitan Eose Shows are concerned tiiis j'ear, my own judgment upon them was that while Roses were not out of character, they were cei'tainly not in charay Mr. W. Earley, gardener to F. Pryor, Esq., of Digswell. Welwyn, was an excellent specimen of aa-t, and secui-ed the fu'st prize. Mi-s. Walker, of Stamford, obtained the second prize. This lady's design was exceedingly pretty, the top consisting of three cornu- copias combined, containing Chenies, Grapes, and Straw- ben'ies. Mrs. Jos. Phillips exhibited a vase of flowers which for elegance and taste displayed in the arrangement was unequalled. The pi-izes for the groups of flowers, itc, were awarded by a jiu-y of ladies. There was also exhibited in this tent a very atti'active bouquet of artificial flowers, con- structed by EUza Mary Hunt, of Burley-on-the-HiU, who has been an invalid from childliood."] For the same reasons we cannot pass any remarks upon hand-bouquets, &c., though each had classes and were well competed for. Pkuit. — There were some good samples of frait. Mr. Matheson, gardener to the Mai-chioness of Exeter, showed fine collections, as also two fine Black Hamburgh Vines in pots; the two when arched together counting at least twenty-foiu- good-sized bunches. Mi\ Bowman, gai'dener to John Hardy, Esq., Grantham, had exceedingly fine samples of the Golden Hamburgh Grape, good Black Hambiu'gh Grapes, and Green-fleshed Melon, with each of which he took the first prizes. In conclusion too inuch cannot be said in praise of the unifonn courtesy of the two Honorary Secretaries, Messrs. Laston and Hewitt. — W. Eakley, Digswell. STUDLEY ROYAL. . Studlet Eotal, near Eipon. Yortsliii-e, is the residence of Earl de Grey and Kipon. The pleasui'C grounds are cele- brated for theu- beauty and extent, and by many ai-e con- sidered the finest of their kind extant. John Aislabie, Esq., a good old countiy gentleman, assisted by his gifted gai-- dener. Mi-. Fisher, formed the grounds at Studley Royal about the year 1720 ; and his successor William Aislabie, Esq., spent a long life in beautilying and extending' what his father had founded. The pleasure grounds are situated in a nan-ow deep dell, called the Skell, with steep, m-egular, wood-covered sides, and traversed by a stream. The situation must have been very beautiful in its natural condition, and, consequently, requii'ed a tutored eye to bring it into its present improved pictm-esque state. The eye and uund must have been well acquainted with what forms a good landscape pictm-e, and not only that but with the combinations which produce one. The proprietor as well as the gardener had, judging from the results of their efforts, a sound knowledge of pictorial effect. They were not forming a picture for themselves only, but one that time would improve and which now may be said to have attained the height of its beauty. An adequate account of all that is worthy of note in these gi-ounds would almost form a lai-ge volume ; I must, there- fore content myself ivith noticing a few of the principal featui'es. AiTived at the pai-k lodge a noble avenue of Limes is entered, shutting out tlie view of the vroodlands on each side; but at times a glimpse is caught of the many fine Oais \vith which the park abounds, some of them gu-ting 30 feet a foot above the ground, and a view of the mansion to the right. Midway in the park, tm-ning to the left, along an avenue of Beech trees of stately growth, I presently came to the beautiful Uttle valley of the SkeU. To the left of the entrance to the grounds is a lake covering twelve acres, into which the water or stream from the gi'ounds empties itself by a fall of about 6 feet. The fall is accompanied by a low tiUTCt baleony-wall, and on the lake were iiquatic fowls, now and again uttering their peculiar cries, -iscending a steep bank from the lake, shaded by a canopy of Beech and Chestnut ti-ees, the gates aire reached. The entrance to the grounds is by an iron gate witli some inadequate lodges by its side, where each visitor pays Is. and enters his name in the visitors' book. Great and small do this ; and as this nominal charge is applied to keeping in order grounds which contribute largely to the enjoy- ment of the public, no one can ca\il at the sum, for very few people would like to keep at their own cost some hundreds of acres for the good of the manufacturing community. The kind and generous feeling of those who allow then- gTOunds to be seen by the pubhc, who for the most part are shut up week after week in the smoky, impure ah- of our lai-ge towns, cannot be too highly eulogised. These gTounds ai-e open every day except Sunday, ;uid guides are ready at the gates from seven o'clock in the morning until five in the evening, to conduct and point out interesting objects to the visitors. Passing along a broad and comfoi-table walk canopied by foliage and with a dense tall screen of Yew to the left, shutting out the view of the other side of the valley and the water in the hollow, yet with a few openings, embrasure- like, that reveal some of the beauties, a pleasing featui'e is reached. This is a steep bank planted wiih common Laurels pegged down so as to hide the whole of the ground, and kept about 2 feet high by cutting back the shoots once or twice during the summer. Beech trees of large dimensions overshadow the walk ; ajid as the eye catches a glinqjse of an octagon tower situated on the opposite side of the vijley a cast, said to be lead, of two contending gladiators ueai- the water below, is seen. There is stUl a dense wall of Yew to the left and its canopy overhead, but an opening is reached that has taken many by sui-prise, being a prospect of the valley in its widest part. A little to the right stands a building called the Temple of Piety, well backed by the foliage of the trees of a neighbour- ing slope. Beneath is a level piece of ground, where the water fr-om the upper part of the gi-ounds is exjianded into spaces of lake with accomp.anying statues of Neptune. Bacchus, and Galen. A lover of fine trees can hardly pass some to the left that stand near glades of lawn sloping fi'om the eye to the water edge. A Nonvay Spruce (Abies excelsa), near the walk, but somewhat entangled with the adjoining shi-ubs, is straight, without any apparent deviation to the top, and displays a luxiu-iance I have not seen elsewhere. It is 12(! feet high, and the stem more than 12 feet in circumference above the roots. Another, neai-er the stream and less enclosed by other trees, attracts readier attention : it is not, however, so lofty, and is but 11 feet in cfrcumference of stem. A North American Spruce on the other side of the grassy opening to the NoiTvay Spruce is 14 feet in cu'cumference of stem, and 13.5 feet high. Almost adjoining .stands a fine example of the Hemlock Spruce (Abies canadensis), 70 feet in height, with a stem neaily 8 feet in cu'camference. Supposing those trees to have been planted by Ma'. Aislabie about 1720, a usefid criterion of growth is fm-nished to subsequent planters of Conifers. Passing on you begin descending the declivity under the shade, and perhaps, may see as much beauty in a Sycamore tree 70 feet liigh without a branch, as in a gorgeous flower parten-e. Evergi-eens and groves adorn the declivity, and from a cavern a stream issues overshadowed by a dense mass of Beech foliage. The eye scai'cely loses sight of this before a view is gained across a bank of Yew and Laiu-el, overhung with nobler foliage, of the long canal as it is called, the moon and crescent ponds, with their grassy teiTaces, and of the lake in the park, backed up \vith wootUand scenery. The statues in the valley and an octag'on tower to the right rising from a clump of Firs ai-e iilso interesting objects. Continuing my joiu-ney, I have another peep thi'ough the La\u-els, and see the statues Hercules and Antseus in contention, in the narrowest pai-t of the dell. Diverging to the left instead of following the path through the woods, but stm overshadowed by old trees, I crossed to the other side of the valley by a rustic bridge, where the stream glides sUently along. On the bank of an irregvdar pool called Quebec ai-e several natiu'ally-iniu-ehed trees, none of them being more than 15 inches in cu-cumference of stem. On a smsiil island in this water stands a monument to the memory of the gallant General Wolfe, and beyond I soon found myself in a formal yet beautiful valley, in which is a build- July 14, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AiJD COTTAGE GARDENER. 29 ing called the Temple of Piety. Inside of this is a mural basso-relievo of the Roman female nomishing her captive father from her breast. The view here is confined to the valley yet possessed of much peculiai- beauty, but the scene suddenly changes. I passed up a steep path in the wood, but just stopped to make a note of an old Yew that is fast decaying and said to be 700 yeai-s old. It is only some 5 feet round, and how it came to be 700 yeai-s old withovit attaining the majestic pro- portions of its neighbours seems curious. Passing through a short subteiTanean passage partly hewn through rock the octagon tower is soon reached, and fi-om it we have a view of the objects so recently vLsited ; but seeing them again from another and distant point does not give the .-lameness one might expect. Studley HaU to the north is seen fi-om here ; and in the opposite du-ection How HiU, with a mimic tower begirt with shade, is a conspicuous and interesting object. Leaving the octagon tower I passed a long but purposeless avenue of Beech trees, in no way improved by the sombre hues of Firs, which give an air of solemnity not desirable in pleasure grounds. I always deprecate avenvies formed of deciduous trees and evergreens intermixed. Evergreens are formal, lack gracefulness, and though noble-looking, are seldom majestic ; and such mixed avenues are less harmonious than those composed exclusively of deciduous trees. Co- nifers contrast best with formal landscape work, as in gardens where oriental fashions predominate, and they are more adapted to back-uj) and relieve statuai-y and the dazzling Italian or geometrical flower parterres than to plant with deciduous trees in avenues or groups. Cedars are well enough for an avenue leading to a mausoleum, but in a richly wooded district they are too formal. They are more fitted for a hill top or a mountain side than to plant in right lines. Pursuing the ample path I was delighted with an aisle of Beech trees ; but an opening between Yew trees to the left showed an obelisk in the centre of the opening, whereas, to please me more, it ought to be at the end most distant from the eye. Through an opening towards the park a view is obtained of Monkenshaw Lodge, and the Roman Monument high alx)ve the SkeU. A little farther on. turning to the right, a pillared pavilion dedicated to Fame is reached, and on all sides but one entered with difSculty. I cannot forbear protesting against visitors defacing the pillars by writing theii' names in pencil, and I hope such offending parties will some day be exjjosed. I noticed as I walked along the Sabine Rose (Rosa Sabini) in flower, but whether indigenous or not I could not ascer- tain ; and among wild plants I did not see any rarities, nor, excepting Polystichum aculeatimi, any qviantity of the Fern tribe. Asplenium fontanum was formerly very plentifial. The path is next among noble Oaks, and, though very closely planted, occasional glimpses of the vaUey ei'eate a longing after that noted Fountains Vale. Arrived at Anne Boleyn's Seat, fatigue is forgotten as soon as the doors in front are thrown open. The prospect that then without warning bursts upon the eye of the spec- tator is beyond the powei-s of pen or pencil to convey. It must be seen to be appreciated, for it sm-passes everything I ever before looked upon, and is lovely beyond comparison. In front are the ruins of Fountains Abbey, desolate but beautifnl. The view is bounded on one side by limestone rocks and wood-covered hills, and on the other by a lofty wooded hiU, and a brook gliding gently from the ruins thi-ough a gTeen meadow to a lake that seems to wash the base of the peninsida on which the spectator stands. Near to the ruins, on a neighboiu'ing hill , are some Yew trees, under which the monks resided while the monastery was building. So says tradition. Their original number was seven, but theii' number is now reduced. Presuming the abbey to have been built in the twelfth century, these trees — taking into consideration the time that must elapse before they would be of sufficient size to afford shelter for the monks — cannot be less than a thousand years ago. After a stroU around and inside the abbey ruins, said originally to have covered twelve acres, I continued my route on to the Echo under the rocks, and re-entered the grounds by the rustic lodge. I cannot quit this sylvan paradise — coeval with the works of Kent and Brown, whose offers were often declined by W. Aislabie, Esq., who equally with his father had a good knowledge of landscape gardening — without expressing my regret at having so little time, and apologising for the desul- tory description given. Being my maiden description I ask for a little leniency fi'om the sledge-hammer critics, though I am about to propose a few alterations. I would suggest a copious thinning in some parts of the grounds, and planting in others. Some of the views require opening-out, and others are too wide fr'om the point of vision. A judicious planting of the newer kinds of deciduous and evergreen trees and shnibs would add much to the beauty of the place, for the monotony of the vegetation, principally such as is indigenous to the locality, gives a sameness to most of the views. I regret they are not there already, for, judging from the few there are, the soil and climate appear uncommonly well suited to their growth : but I feel sure alteration may safely be left to the present owner of the grounds. In journeying up the hill through the park I came to an obelisk, the view fi-om which along an avenue mostly of Limes is very effective. Ripon Minster, at a distance of two miles from the entrance to the park, appears to stand at the end of the avenue, and beyond its towers a fine Wew of the open country is affox-ded. The avenue is about a mile in length, and somewhat broken in places ; but still, whether looking towards the obelisk fi-om the entrance gates or fi-om it towards Ripon Minster, the effect is strikingly beautiful. The trees in the park are some of them of large propor- tions. The Oaks are magnificent ; one was 32 feet in circum- ference above the roots, and many were more than 30 feet round. — 6. A. {To he cmitinued,) CATEEPILLAE-EATING BIRDS. Having read with interest Mr. Robson's opinions on smaU birds, I venture to offer a few words on what I have noticed on the subject, as during the past season I have frequently watched the Black Cap (Cm-i-uca atricapiUa), the blue Tit- mouse (Pai-us coeraleus), and the Chaffiiich (FringiHa coelebs) ; and I saw the two former feed their young ones chiefly with caterpUlars, especially the Titmouse, 4£e old birds taking two and even three at once. I have not seen Chaffinches feed theh- young with catei-pillars, but I have seen them pick them off the trees by scores. I will not attempt to speak of the harm all kinds of birds do ; but I think there is not one that does not do some small amount of good at different seasons — for instance, the Blackbu-d and Song Thrush, inveterate enemies to nearly all kinds of iruit as they are ; and I am inclined to say a word in their favour. A nest with four young ones was taken from a ti'ee, put in a cage and replaced for the old ones to feed, which they did, with what I cannot say; but I have found in the cage caterpillars that were dropped in feeding the yoimg. What I have stated I have been eye-witness to, and I have no doubt that some of the craft that have had more experience and feel interested can give more light on the subject. — S. Rogers. HOW THEY LIVE AND LEAEF IN THE NOETH. Manchester Field Naturalist Society's Bxcubsion to Hardcastle Crags. — On the 27th ult. about sixty members of the Manchester Field Naturalist Society visited Hard- castle Crags. Having g-iven an invitation to the Tormorden Botanical Society, they were accompanied by about twenty- five of the members, and by an equal number from the Huddersfield Philosophical Society. The latter were mostly geologists and entomologists. The Manchestei- and Tod- morden parties arrived at Hebden Bridge at half-past 1 p.m., and went to the White Horse Hotel, where many took lunch. They then started for " the Crags." two-thirds of the com- pany consisting of ladies — among whom was Mrs. Hugh Stowell, who had the vascuhim strapped on her shoulders in true British style ; Canon Hanson (her brother) was also one of the party. While on their way up the vaHey, its 30 JOTTENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 1 July 14, 1863. Burpassing beauty, wood, hill, and stream combined— was the subject of universal remark ; the ladies especially were lavish in their commendations, and long before the day's ■rambles were ended, had exhausted their vocabiUary of terms in which to express admiration of the lovely and picturesque scenes in which they found themselves. _ Among the Ferns gathered were— Polypodium phegoptens. Poly- podium dryopteris, or Beech and Oak Ferns ; these were found in abundance all up the vaUey. Towards the top and near to High Greenwood, Schistostega pennata (Slunmg Moss) was found in limited quantity. Lower down the vaUey Hypnum ochraceum, Ac. and several fine forms of Athynum and Lastrea were noted, and the fine evergi-een fronds of Polystichum lobatum and aculeatum were conspicuous m very many places ; a soUtarj- plant of the Asplenium tri- chomanes"was also seen. Many of the Manchester and Huddersfield parties had to retm-n by the 7.30 train to take the 'busses, &e.. from those towns to their respective homes. Afterwards those who were able to stay later took tea at the White Horse Hotel. >Ii-. Grindon, Secretary of the Man- chester Field Naturalist .Societv. when tea was over, made a resume of the day's employments and enjoyjuents. and the remainder of the party left by the later trains. Perhaps a company of so elite a character, in such niimbers. never before visited the Hardcastle Valley ; the day was delight- fully fine. — Halifax Courier. MIiniLUS CUPKEUS AND AMARANTH US MELANCHOLICUS. I HA VI tried both of these this season. They were sown in strong heat in February. Mimulus cupreus grew very rapidly afterwards in a cold frame, always kept close, and covered with matting by night ; it is now in flower, but about lialf of the plants ai'e inferior in colour to the rest, one hali' being a rich orange scarlet, and the other a sort of washed-out orange. I have placed them in a ring round a bed of Heliotropes. The AjnaranthTis gi-ew readily, and promised well at first. I kept it longer in close heat. 1 hardened it off as gradually as I could, but the leaves turned yellow at the ba.se, and then •Irc.pped-ofi' in a truly melancholy way. Those plants only which have been kept in a close cold frame, and constantly supplied with liquid roamu-e, ai'e doing well. — S. L. J., Cornwall, STKAWBEERIES IN FRANCE. Woe to the man who ventui'es to express his opinion, if that opinion fixll not in with the notions of exhibitors ; and fortunate for him if, by a long coiu'se of no gentle applicatiou of abuse, his skin becomes rhinoceros-like, so that trifles do not woiTy him. The first jilace for experiencing the "pleasui-es of abxise" I give to the office of a. .judge, the second to the reporter of a flower show. If one happens to say that Mr. A's Grapes were superb, and Mr. B's magnificent, and Mr. C'e excellent, even then the superlatives are measured out earefiilly ; and if one be not as expressive as the other, but if Mr. D.'s are said to be wanting in flavour or colom% immediately aU the "quills of the fretful porcupine" ai'O protruded, and a great injuiy suiiposed to be done. Surely, the least thing one might expect is that credit would be given for fair intentions, even though one were set down as an ignoramus. And so M. Ferdinand Gloede attacks me for what I said about his Strawbemes ; and, if I vmderstand his charges, they are these : — 1. That I had some sinister motive in representing his StrawbeiTies as inferior. 2. That they were excellent, or they would not have obtained a first prize. 3. That the reason that they were not fii-st-rate was because the Exhibition took place at a bad time for his plants. 1. As to this charge, I am at a. loss to conceive what it means. I do not know anything of M. Gloede personally. I only know that he has written on the Strawben-y so strongly that I was led, when I saw his name, to expect much. He is the coiTespondent of a gentleman whom I esteem very highly, and therefore I could have no motive in misrepresenting what I saw. It could not be because he was a Frenchman, as I think your readers pretty well know by this time that 1 have ever desired to say what good I could of our neighbours , of whom, indeed, 1 am by descent one. 2. As to the second charge, I can oidy say that he had, if I recoUect rightly, no competitor, and that tiiere was not a bit of fruit at the Show that woiUd have gained a fifth prize at our metropolitan exliibitions. 3. As to my possessing no knowledge of pi'actieal garden- ing, I do not exactly see what is meant. I certainly do not go out for a day's work, nor do I often take the spade in my hand ; but I do claim to knowing a little about even Straw- berries, and perhaps if I had said M. Gloede's were admirable, my practical gardening would not have been called in ques- tion. I did not pretend to know all about " practical gar- dening" in France, nor the climate of Les Sablons. I spoke of the Strawberries as I saw them ; and that my judg- ment was tolerably i/on-ect is evident. I think, from M. Gloede's own showing, or else why endeavour to explain that the time was a ijad one for Mm ? I have thus disposed of M. Gloede's critique, and would strongly urge him not U:> look for bad motives where none are intended, and to believe that if criticism is adverse it may at the same time be impartial. — D., lieo'i. THE CULTIVATION OF ROSES IN POTS. SECOND SEASON. I PREFER potting in this way : — Having placed my com- post on the potting-board, I procui'e a quantity of turves as they are brought in fi'om the field, and veiy rough, pretty dry, well decomposed cowdung. The jjots being ch'ained, and on the potting-ljoard, I tear off one oi- two lai'ge pieces of the turf, and put it into the bottom of the pot on the drainage, top downwards. In general thi,< wUl be of suffi- cient height for the ball of the plant to rect upon ; if not quite high enough, I put in a little of the mixed material to raise it to the required height ; next, tear off pieces of turf, 6 or 7 inches long, and 2 or 3 inches wide, and as many thic?k ; about four such pieces should be crammed in between the ball and the side of the pots peiTjendicularly. Between tliis, place large pieces of rough cowdung, neiu'ly equivalent in bulk to the size of the Icjam, and fiU up all crevices and cavities with the mixed compost, finishing off with the same, and making the whole quite firm. Diuring the operations, care is requii-ed not to leave any ca\dties between the mould and pot, but to fill aU up compaijtly. Tliis is to be the treat- ment of the strong-growing vai'ieties. The Teas, Chinas, &c., may be potted in a similar w:iy, excejJt leaving out a portion of the rough cowdung, and using more of the mixed material in its plaroperly trained — those intended for climbers, such as the Hybrid Chinas, Hybrid Bom-bons, and strong-growing Noisettes, round neat stakes, 3 to 4 feet Idgh. If these had been thinned during the previous summer, they will now require little or no pruning, but merely to have theh' branches tied neatly and regularly round, shortening the extreme points. Any very strong-growing Perpetual or other summer Koses, may be trained iu a pyi'amidal form, by placing stakes round the side of the pots, and making them meet at from 2 to 21 feet liigh, passing a hoop round them at about li foot from the pot ; the branches must be tied down to the rim of the pot, and round the stakes up to the summit, liearing in mind to keep the branches well dov.'n, as there will no difficulty in filling u)) the top the foUowiiig spriug. These, like the others, do not requu'e much pruning ; thinning-out where crowded, shortening where too long, and regulating the branches, will be enough. This appUes also to the less robust Hybrid I'erpetuals, Bourbons, Chinas, Teas, &c. ; the plants J^ly M, ie(i3, ] JOUENAL OP HOETICULTUEE XSHD COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 31 being all young, tie wood thinned out and stopped when necessary, during the previouH summer, they only require to be properly tra nod, with a little shortening. All the classes 1 am now speaking of, are best suited for bush Eoses, and in training, the branches must be tied well down to the rim of the p./t all round ; any branches in the centre of the plant can bo tied down to the lowest branches, but not in too close or crowded a manner. I am awaa'e some first-rate gi'owers recommend pruning many of these hard in, at this stage of growth ; in tiiis I can see no advantage. seen large branches and whole plants of Tea. Eotes die off : hence the great care necensarj' to protect them from frost and cold. At the same tiuie, no opportunity should be lost of removing the lights from tiitr whole collection every fine day, and for as long a time as possible, that the s'loots may not be weak or drawn ; they should )>e exposed to all the Ughr, and to soft rains, which are very beneficial, protecting them fi'om cold or heavy rains. By the middle of April alj danger from severe njght frosts being past, they should have au' all the night, by tilting up as the plants, under proper treatment, will be full of young i the lights at the back, and keeping the lights of as much. wood, and to prune then;\ hard would spoil the bloom. AU that I find necessary is to thin out where over-crowded, to thorten where toe. long, and to properly regulate and tie- out the branches. The plants will tiow reijuire to be placed in their winter habitation, and nothing is better than a cold pit facing the south, the lights being at a very acute angle, in order ti> catch every ra.y of light and sun. Let the plants be placed upon inverted pots, as close to the glass as possible, keeping the delicate varieties, as tJie Teas, Chinas, &e., at one end by themselves. Leave the lights off night and day during autumn, except in case of raius, from which they nmst be Bcnipulously prote'^ted. Duiing the winter the lights must, be oft' all day in settled weather, and tilted up by night to allow a, cu'cxilation of air am^.ng the plants, shutting close only in case of very severe frosts and wet; slight frosts are not injurious. Through the winter they reqoii'e little or no water. I have had them a montii or two without a drcp, and it should be given only when the mould is very diy ; the great point of winter treatment being to protect the plants from rain, to give veiy little water, and to allow the>n abundance of air. About the end of Febniary, many of the Pei-petaals, Bourbons, Chinas, Teas, &c., wdl commence growing, and the slight protection which they have will facilitate this. About this time they should receive a surfacing of rotten cowdung, fi'O'm 1 J to 2 inches in depth, tailing out a portion of the laould to make room for it, particularly by the riui of the pot. If it is desu'ed to have a portion of the plants in bloom early, the end of February is an ez- eellent time to remove them into a wajm greenhouse — a span-roofed house is the best _: and here the plants will progress rapidly, amd come early into bloom. But I will leave this strvTCtui'e and return to then- present quarters, and bloom them there. As the plants progress in growth they must be fr-equently looked over, tying- the lower branches of aU down to the rim of the pot, and the other branches of the dwarf Eoses neatly and regularly down to them, but not leaving the centre open or baa'e. The pyi'ani'-dal plants should be trained regularly from tlie rims round the sticks to the summit, and the climbers in a, similar way ; they shoidd also be turned round in the pit once or twice a-week, that they may not get one- Rose Coupe d'llr'bi as possible by day _; foUowiiig this up to the middle of May, when many will be coming into bloom. By the begioning of May the pots may be remtived from under the plants, and they set on the bottom of the pit, provided it is not too far from the glass — not more than 9 ruches. From the end of April to the end of May, and later, till the blooming of the last plants, the pits should be sprinkled every fine da,y, morning and evening, ai-ound the sides, on the ground, and over the foliage of the plants untU the blooms begin to open, when it should be discontinued. It should be performed with a very fine rose-pot, or a syringe. The fohage, under this treatment, will be remai'kably clean and healthy. In wet or cold weather this must not be performed, as mildew wotdd be the inevitable consequence. After my plants had been top-dressed in the spring, and when commencing gTowth, they received a watering of liquid manure. Such waterings are not necessai-y to be repeated before the end of three weeks ; and after that once a-fortnight will be often enough, irntU about the middle of May, sooner or later, according to the weather and the forwardness cf the plants. About that time WM may expect the bads to be t (Veiling, and the liquid manure may be given once a-week, and cuutinued through their blooming ; when given the plants siioidd have ;t good soaking, and at aU inter- vening times from the commence- ment of then- g-rowth in early spring to the end of then bloom- iiig, soft water must be used. .ill strong watery shoots as they make their appearance sliould have their extreme points pinched out when 6 inches long, and through the whole season of gi'owth con- tinual attention is uecessiuy to tying, training, and taking off the suckers of worked plants as soon as they appear. From the com- mencement of iheir growth to the end of the blooming time, as soon as the least sign of green fly is visible, they must be fumigated. CaterpUlars in the leaves and buds during growth shoidd also be looked closely after. If the weather is fine about the middle of May, a little shade may be given for a. few hours each day with thin gauze, as the buds by this time wUl be sweUing. On the opening of the blossoms the plants should be moved into a cold north house, and kept rather close and shaded, where they wiU bloom finely; a cold pit facing the north wiU answer the sided. Through the spring, while the jilants are gi-owing, 1 same purpose, but in this situation they cannot be seen to paa'ticularly in March and A]5ril, air must be regulated with advantage. caution ; the young shoots being extremely soft, the cold harsh winds of March would be very injurious to them, and from these they must be protected, giving an- at that side of the pit from which the wind cannot beat upon the plants. By night they should be shut close to avoid spring frosts — these slight frosts being more injuiious when the plants are so fai' advanced than 12° to 15° wordd be in the depth of winter. I have even found it necessary to weU mat the pit where the Teas and Chinas were, in March, when severe frosts were expected, and the plants appeared Uable to be frozen — a thing not vmfrequent at that season. Alternations of the weather in spring are very injurious to delicate Eoses ; and, from the effect of a little frost at that season, I have The Eoses having bloomed, aU dead flowers should be cut off, and the plants placed back in the pit from whence they were taken ; here they may have plenty of aii- and light, and may remain untd they have perfected their growth, dming which time they may have Uqtud manm-e about once a-fortuight. After completing their grovrth, let them be placed out-doors in an open any situation, any straggling Ijlooms or suckers that may be produced being cut off. The plants may remain out of doors untU the end of September, when they wdl requii-e fresh potting. This may be performed in the same way as the potting in the preceding season, except that the baUs may be reduced a Uttle more, and the plants being old will require a portion of the old wood to be :^ JOUENAL OF HOKTICULTUBE AJ^fD COTTAGE GARDENER. July 14, 1863. cut out, and the young wood shortened, thinned, tied down and trained as before. — (J. Saul. DurdJuim Down Nivrsery B-i-istol. in Gar^/>V'^-s' Mofiazinc of Botany.) BLOOMSBUEY WOEKIKGMEN'S PLOWEK SHOW. This took plii^e on Wednesday last. There was a capacious tent between 60 and 70 feet long and about 40 feet broad, with the plants arranged on foiu- lines of tables, one on each side and a double line down the middle. Tliere were between 200 and 300 exhibitors, and between 400 and 500 plants entered for competition. Altogether there were more than 500 plants, as some were sent which could not compete. The laa'gest oLass was the one confined to the densest district in the pai-ish, where the first Show was held, and which has kept the lead ever since. There were sis classes in all — four for adults and two for the childi-en at the schools. In every class were oflFered prizes for Fuchsias, Geraniums, and Annuals, three prizes for each in each class, the highest being 10s. for adults and 5s. for children. At the last Show (1861) decidedly the best plants were shown by the servants. It is worth notice that the same sei-vant gained all three first prizes at this Show. .T,nd, in the classes for Geranijims and Fuchsias, v,Tith the very same phmts as those with which she gained prizes two years ago. This, at least, shows how well phints can be kept 'in an area for a long period. In the plants which competed with hers were much more recent introductions into the parish. There is one thing connected with the Show which should not occur, and that is that numbers of people who liave plants do not enter them for the prizes. If only half the plants in the parish were entered the Show would be twice as extensive. One man sent some veiy good specimens of Dahlias orown m one of the worst parts of the parish, to which was''ois Lacharme (fii-st-rate flower), John Hopper, Madame Clemence Joigneaux (a very siiperiorEose), Souvenir de Lady Eardley, Madame Julie Paran, Acheveque de Paris, Turenne, Souvenir' de Comte Cavour, Marechal VaiUant, and Monte Chiisto. Mr. Peny, Bu-mingham, sent a very excellent stand of twenty-four Verbenas, among which were some good seed- lings which received the special certificate. A seedling. Mauve Queen, a delicate lavender-coloured flower, was com- mended. Should this variety bear the sun' s scorching rays it will be a most useful bedding plant. Among other good seedlings were — Purity, deep bright rose, clear eye ; Eubens, good form, deep crimson, white eye ; Motley, deep rose; Monarch ; and Startler. In the collection of twenty-four vai-ietiee, we noticed — Black Prince, Lord Elgin, Eeine des Pleure, L'Avenir de Ballent, Foxhunter, Colossus, and Lord Leigh, the three brightest and largest-trussing scarlets. On this occasion Foxhunter was decidedly the best scarlet exhibited, and a variety which should be extensively cultivated. While noticing the Verbenas, we must here mention that the Committee this day withdrew the first-class certificate granted 1862, to a Verbena named Eugby Hero, it proving to be on careful examination identical with L'Avenii' de BaUent. Messrs. Veitch sent Selaginella involvens, and SelagineUa involvens variegata, both of which received first-class certifi- cates. P'rom the same nursery came three pots of Liliuni auratum, one plant with the flower-stems bearing three flowers each. Mr. Melville exhibited a seedling ISTemopMla auriculseflora, one of the dark chocolate varieties with a distinct whit* border — commended. A seedling Verbena, Princess of Wales, a s-sriped variety, was requested to be seen again, one imperfect truss only being sent. This was a promising flower. Fkuit Cosimittee, July 8th. — A meeting of the Com- mittee was held at the garden at Chiswick, Mi'. Edmonds in the chair. IVIr. Ai'chibald Fowler, gardener to Lord Dal- rymple. Castle Kennedy, N.B., sent fiiiit ol a large white Fig, which appeared to be Large White Genoa. Mr. Cook- son, Lenton Purs, Nottingham, sent a seedhng Strawberry of the Sir Harry class, which was of gocid fia.vour andlarge size ; but not sufficiently superior to those in cultivation to requii'e any special notice. The Committee then proceeded to examine the Vines in pots in the forcing-pits, and noted the following :— -Chasselas , de Florence, a form of Eoyal Muscadine, ■wlueh sometimeg 34 JOURNAL OF HORTICUXTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. July 14, 1863. produces berries with a tinge of red on them, but in other respects it does not differ materially from the old variety. Chasselas Imperialo Precoce proved to be Prolific- Sweetwater. A variety sent to the garden by Mr. Teitch. of Chelsea, and marked K, was found to be a remarkably fine early Grape, a fortnijjht eai-lier than the Koyal Muscadine, and of a rich sugai-y flavour. It was recommended for fm-ther trial. Chasselas de Montauban was proved to be the same as Prolific Sweetwater ; Minestra is the same as Frankenthal : Muscat de Clermont is Chasselas Violet ; La Bnixelloise is Frankenthal; Madeleine Royale is the same as Chasselas Royal. These being all the varieties at present ripe, there the laboxu's of the Committee ended. We would call the attention of our readers to tliis collection of Vines in pots, which is well worth seeing, and which reflects great credit on Mr. Eyles and his able aid, Mr. Barron. WOEK FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN G.VRDEN. Ply the fork frequently amongst the growing crops, and continue to manm-e. Trench-up every piece of ground as it becomes vacant, and plant it with CauMower, Broccoli, and Winter Greens. Cabhuges, get ready a patch of ground for the sowings of this crop to stand the winter. The sod to be of a light sandy nature, and not too rich, as it encoiirages a luxuriant growth which is apt to make them more suscep- tible of injury from frost. In Coleworts raake a sowing for the mate spi-iug crop. Capsicmns, the plants to be kept watered diuing dry weather, and if mulched -n-ith a little litter they wdl not require it so often. Neglect of watei-ing or mulching them now is frequently the cause of their not truiting sidBciently early to ripen ; they receive but little attention, and, consequently, they do not begin to grow tUl the autumn rains set in. Celery, the earliest-planted will now require to be gone over, and stripped of their small lower leaves and side shoots ; the trenches to be then tho- roughly soaked with water previous to the plants being earthed-up. which should take place as soon as the plants are quite di-y. Prepare trenches for a late crop. C'm-roU, thin the late-sown crops, and loosen the earth between them where they have been sown in drills. Dv.-arf Kidney Beans. a last sowing to be made in a sheltered situation ; the di-ills to be watered if the soil is very cb-y. Endive, plant-out finally the strongest from the early sowings, and sow also more for late crops ; the small Green-cmied is best. Onions, puU-up the crop of autumn-sowing, lay them in rows with the roots turned to the sun, and frequently turn them until the stalks ai'e withered, when they will be fit for storing. As they are very liable to decay if bruised they should not be tlrrowu about roughly, but liantUed carefully, and spread cut thinly — not laid iu heaps. Lettuces, sow more, and keep up a good succession of Radishes and Salads. Spinach, a good breadth sown now in rich soil wUl afford many successive pickings in the autumn, and tend materially to save the winter beds from being picked before they become strong. Tomatoes, they requii'e frequent attention to cause them to ripen their fruit : the shoots to be thinned, and those left to be closely nailed to the wall ; to be well watered, and then mulched. When planting Celery, EmUve, or any other enlinary vegeta,l)le, it is unnecessary to deprive them of any portion of their leaves— indeed, the depriv.ation is injiu-ious. which may be proved by trying both methods. Allow no waste of spare or bursted Cabbages, Greens, Caidiflower leaves and stumps, Bean or Pea-haidm, or, indeed, any other garden article, but give them to the pigs, if any are kept : and if not, they should at all times be trenched at once into the soO as manure, to assist in producing the crops which they are well calculated for, as it is, to some extent' returning to the soil what has been taken from it, together -with what has been obtained from the atmosphere. This is a most bene- ficial and natiu-al iikkIc of applying assistance to succeeding crops. Continue to di-edge the young Turnips, Cabbage.s, and other seedling plants with dry charred dust or wood ashes while damp eai-ly in the morning. A so continue to keep a watchfid eye on the caterpUlars that infest the Goose- berry, as they often make gre;i,t havoc about the time the fruit is fully grown. FLOWER GARDEN. Attention will be well bestowed at this time upon bedded- out plants, deficiencies to be made up, decayed blossoms to l>e removed from Roses, and the young wood cleansed from insects. Continue to propagate Pinks, Pansies, and Picotees. Bud Eoses, mow and roll lawns, and follow up assiduously the extirpation of weeds. Cover the blooms of Cai'nations and Picotees as they expand, placing cardboard coUars beneath them. Layering may be commenced, beginning with the grass or shoots which are most forward. Look to Dahlias, thin-out v,'here required, stake, tie. midch, &o. FRUIT GARDEN. Espalier Apples and Pears to have their leaders tied-in, the superfluous spuri'ed. Attend also to choice Apples and Pears planted in the open quarters, but not trained. Remove superfluous shtfots, and tie downwards the points of some of the strongest shoots to counteract their Ivixuriant growth. Attend to the stopping and nailing of wall trees in general. Remove all runners from StrawVierries not required for making fresh plantations. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Attend to the greenhouse plants now placed out of doors. See that worms do not effect an entry into the pots, and attend to the routine of tjing, stopping, and other details. The season has now arrived when those hardwooded speci- mens which require a second shift this season must have it without delay, at least before the end of the month, so that the pots become well stocked with roots before the autumn. Be giuded in shifting by the strength of the plants. If gi'owing robustly a liberal shift to be given : but if not, a smaller one must sirfficc. All plants which have done blooming to be cut-in, preparatory to stjirting for new gi'Oivth ; the decayed flowers and seed-pods to be removed before they exhaust the energies of the plants by perfecting theii- seeds. Many of the stove plants in some places will be now occupying these houses while the regular tenants are in the open ah- ; but as many greenhouse plants, such as Eriostemons, Borouias of various kinds, and other New Holland plants reqiui-e the assistance of a little heat to insiu-e their making a good growth, they may be kept in the house with the stove plants, regidating the temperature so as to be agreeable to all the inmates. Keep a moist atmosphere, especially towards the evening, and shut up for an liour or two about the time the sun leaves the house. STOVE. As many of the pilncipal plants of this house will now bo in the conservatory or greenhouse, advantage to be taken of their absence to encourage the others for winter-blooming, especially such as Justicias, Begonias, Aphelandras. Eran- themrmis, Clerodendrons, Rondeletia speoiosa, Luculia gra- tissima, Torenia asiatica, Pentas camea, &c. A batch of Achimenes picta and Gesnera zebrina to be started for the same pirrpose. Maintain a moist growing atmosphere with ]ilenty of air, and guard against insects. Where a house or pit cannot be devoted to the Azaleas this wUl be a suitable situation for them, but they are better bj* themselves. W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Much as last week. Made the most of the Httle water we coiUd command to keep Peas, Beans, Lettuces, Tm-nips, gi'owing and crisp, and shading a little to break the force of the sun's rays. Watered Cauliflowers, except what was nearly fit for use. Earthed-up the forwardest succession, leaving a hollow along the midcUe for future waterings, and earthed-up chiefly to keep the water we gave round the roots. Instead of taking the remains of the Cauliflowers to the rubbish-heap as usual, will most likely strip off all ths leaves, and lay them along the sides of the advancing crops, to shade the ground and keep the moLsture in. Never have we witnessed such glorious weather for se- curing the haycrops in first -rate condition ; and notwith- standing the drought. Turnips that are pretty forward in the field-s are looking well. All cereals that we have noticed, ■n-ith the exception perhaps of a little patchy Barley, are from theu- beautifid appearance enough to fill every heart >vith gratitude. It is only in gardens, where the water- July 14, 1863. ] JOTJBNAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AKD COTTAaE GARDENER. 39 supply is a very serious consideration, that such glorious days and bright suns bring irith them any feeling of anxiety and alarm. This great water question has for a long time been like a coil of ropes round our legs, impeding freedom of action. If a bit of envy should ever enter and find a short resting-place in ou_r mind, it would be from seeing a garden where \vater in abundance was ever present, and where, by the mere placing a pipe on a tap, quarters of Strawberries and vegetables might be flooded at will. There can hardly be a comparison made between such a place and another in which water must be dribbled out as if it were wine. The practical deduction to di-aw would be the importance of securing such water-sixpply for the site of a garden, and the imprudence of fixing on the top of a hill for a garden, and especially if there was much done in the way of bedding plants, the water to be depended on being merely that which can be caught from the atmosphere. We are rather pleased than otherwise that the hint the other week about landlords building cottages and leaving the tenants to scoiu- the ditches and dirty pools by the highway for water has so far told. Entering into particulars is out of the question. Kindly intentioned improvement — not bitter acrimonious criticism or exposure — will ever be our motto and i^ractiee in such matters. We ai-e well aware of what one correspondent tells us, " that many landlords wordd be bonified at such a state of things, which exists solely from their ignorance of the matter, and from no want of kindly sympathy." Then would it not be good policy to try in a quiet way to dispel that ignorance ? PhUosophers may debate, and never settle, how far, if at all, human cha- racter is moulded by mere circumstajuces. Simple obser- vation tells us that there are men of such strength of deter- mination as to rise superior to all circumstances of position, however seemingly unfavoiu'able. With the mass of us common folks circumstances exert a most powernil influence. Look at that little girl, who, with the instinctive love of the beautiful so largely inherited by woman, is as much or more pleased with her pretty new frock than the beUe of the ball-room is with her satin and pearls. Would she be so likely to roU in the dust and the mud (though children may do much worse), as if clothed vrith a ragged garment, so •Jirty that it would require a microscope to speak of its colours ? We could instance the wonderfid transformations, even in outside appearances, eft'ected by moving a family from a tumble-down ricketty homestead, and settling them in a nice cottage, on the conditions that cottage and garden were to be kept clean, and the latter weU ciiltivated. Even in such a cottage, however, a woman's attempts at cleanli- ness and honest respectability of position, must be greatly neutralised if she must hunt the ditches to get even a little of muddy water. If a few more landlords woidd inquire into such matters for themselves, we would be delighted. StJEFACE-STIERINu. The general reader will, we trust, excuse the above di- gression as to pure water for cottages. The want of plenty of water in the garden has caused us to resort to many makeshifts. Surface-stirring is one of the most generally applicable. From several notes received there seem to be much doubt and darkness stdl existing on the subject. One lady tells us that her plants are dying, that the ground is very hard on the surface and is cracking in many places, and that she imagines that if she slightly forked over her ground she would be stUl worse off, as the heated air would pene- trate and dry up her soil more and more, until the roots could find no moisture to nourish them. The cli-y hard- baked surface of many a border and bed is sufficient evi- dence that such an idea is very general. It is, however, based on a thorough fallacy. Here, however, let us note that an excess of luxuriant growth and an excess of fruitful- ness are two very distinct tilings. To secure great fruit- fulness at the expense of diminished growth the soU. can scarcely be too firm, either at the surface or anywhere else. To secure rapid growth the soil should be more loose, and the surface open enough to receive the air and its oxygen. Thus, to secure a dwarf standard or pyramidal Apple tree, we must resort to means somewhat different from those we should adopt for securing a very large head of CaiUifJower, In the first case we should have what firmness we could, with as much mulching or more moving of the surface as would prevent cracking, and in the second we would have deeper than sui^face-stirrings of the sod in order that air should get to the roots, that the roots themselves might be multiplied, and thus the organs increased for sucking up the rich waterings presented to them. We have often seen a piece of ground in Cabbages that had become case-hardened in April or earlier wonderfully improved in its appearance in twenty-four hours merely fi-om deep surface-stirring, .'5ay 3 or 4 or more inches deep— a very different thing as respects roots and afr from mere surface-scratching with a Dutch hoe, &e., though that, too, has its uses and iidvantages. By such means the air is admitted, to effect mechanical and chemical combinations with the materials in the soil ; but the great effect iipon the Cabbages is not produced so much by letting heat in and moisture out as our correspondent, by her reasoning, liught suppose, as by quite contrary means — namely, the keeping the moisture in and the heat out. On this principle, when we wish to get a mass of soU as much heated as possible by the sun's rays, we would have the soil firm and the exposed surface smooth and level rather than rough. Hence, when we have wished to obtain very- early Cauliflower imder hand-glasses, we have kept the sur- face of the sod. rather smooth and firm ia early spring, that the great stimulus of heat should get down to the roots, and then as the leaves began to shade the ground and we could receive little help from dii-eet absorption and conduction of sun heat, we have then stirred the soU. for the purposes ali-eady stated. All this we should do on the simple prin- ciple that, as a general ride, bodies absorb, conduct, and radiate heat in proportion to their density. Thus, if we place a two-foot rod of seasoned wood in the fii-e, we may hold the end of the rod without feeling any inconvenience imtU the flame of the burning wood comes too near- to us ; but if we place a simUar bar of iron ia the fire, the end which we grasp w-ould soon be too hot for us. In such an experiment the wood should be old and seasoned. We reeoUect long ago, when burning a piece of green wet Ash and holding "it by the end, it got so hot that we thought we had discovered some unknown heat-conducting power in the Ash; but we had done nothing of the kind— the moistiure in the wood was heated by the fire, and was thus forced though the pores and vessels of the wood, just as steam or hot water rises from a boUer. We come, then, to two conclusions— first, that firm soU is by absorption and conduction sooner and more highly heated by the sun, and just so much sooner cooled by radiation of heat when the atmosphere is colder than the ground, than a loose open soU would be ; and, therefore, surface-stir- ring ai-rests extra heat from the sun during the day, and lessens the loss of heat by radiation at night ; and secondly, as the less of moistiire by evaporation is in proportion to the heat applied, then the looser the siu-face the less the amount of moisture raised by evaporation. Those who stUl doubt as to the first, may satisfy themselves by burying two ther- mometers that indicate alike— say U inch from the surface —the one in loose soU and the other in very firm soU, the soU in both cases being of the same consistence as to dry- ness, and examining both at 3 p.m. after a sunny day. We wUl be surprised if that under the firm soU do not show the higher temperatiu-e. After a diUl day and a clear night we shoiUd expect it to stand the lower of the two in the early morning. We satisfied ourselves as to the second in a very simple manner. We took two good-sized bell-glasses with rourded conical, not flat tops, because we wished the vapour raised during the day not to drop fi-om the top when condensed, but to nm down the sides. The bottom of each glass was then fitted into a lead gutter, formed of the material often used for the small squares of cottage windows, but which we ti-ust wiU be soon superseded for that purpose by che-ap glass. These two glasses with their troughs were set, one on firm ground and the other on moved ground, >>"t as much alike as possible in other circumstances, and both tuU in the sun, care being taken by earth and putty out^side that neither air nor vapour shoidd enter the glasses j-om without, so that whatever moisture was found withm in a morning must have been entu-ely oiving to the heat of the sun raising it as vapour from the ground enclosed. Ihe results were very varied ; but when the glasses were examined early before the next morning's sun had tune to vaporise 36 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE OARDSNEE. July 14, ISC'!. the condensed moisture trickling down the sides, the general &ct aa-rived at was, that the trough in which the g^lass stood over the solid ground had most water in it. The same results we believe would take place in every garden and field according to their relative eii'cumstances. True, on stin-ing soO with fork or share, the heat of the air would enter, and in proportion to the diyness of the air, would the soil be deprived of superabundant moistui'e, and other chemi- cal and mechanical advantages would follow ; but the heat admitted would almost entirely be the heat of the aii- near the surface of the ground, and not that accixmulated heat from the sun's rays striking repeatedly on the same solid spot. In the first casi, too, the conduction of heat down- wai'ds is arrested by the open surface ; in the second it is assisted. The siurface-stin-ing acts, therefore, in Ixith cases very much lilce the shade of a thick mat spread over the gi-ound. Flitting a cold hand successively on ii-on, stone, firm smooth earth, and loose earth exposed to the sun's action, would almost decide the matter by the mere sense of touch. The strongest alignment a fi-iend suggested against such conclusions was gained from the well-known fact, that tender iruit trees against houses and cottages often fared better than in gentlemen's gardens, even though they scarcely ever had any waterings, and the ground above the roots was either paved or pitched. How did the roots get moisture at all if the heat of the soil and the evaporation from the soil were so much in proportion to the firmness of the surface ? We think the ease on the other hand is quite in our favom-. The earth being close to the paved surface got more heated in spring than a common garden border would do, and thiis roots would be stimulated in unison with branches. So little is this the case in general with trees against walls at the back of cropped borders, that it is (juite common to shade the wall in parly spring, or to leave the twigs dangling from the wall, and thus keep them colder than they othei-wise would be until the earth would get a little heated. A vast deal has been written on concret- ing the bottom of borders ; but we believe mucli might also Ije done by concreting the sui-fece as soon as the trees were established. Then as to the moistm-e question, there need be little fear of that if the roots are not whoUy isolated from the surrounding earth. "We cannot say how fax a good healthy plant wOl draw moistui-e for itself in such eu-cumstances, but the gi'eater the evaporation, the greater the quantity attracted to supply it. We once had a Vine-border that could not receive from above a drop of water for five years, and yet on uncovering it, it was found to be just nicely" and healthily moist. The leaves were less, and the fruit more abundant every year : and on taking up the pavement over the roots of fruit trees trained against a cottage, we have generally found the soil nicely moist though not wet. This is, how- ever, another side of the question — frTiitivJness i\ luxu- liance. The piinciide fairly understood, we can easily vary it, just as we would bring such knowledge to bear veiy differently on two young Cabbage plants, one of which it was desired to bloom as soon as possible, and the other to become in the shortest time a great thumping head to fill the tray at the hall table. ORNAMENTAL GAKDENING. We skip other depaa-tments to continue the pra<,'tical iQusti-ation of the same piinciijle. In addition to much of what was stated last week we knived pai-t of the lawn where there were some Daisies, in preference to macliining or mowing, as it is not desii-able in such warm weather U> make the grass too short. The chief work, however, has been regulating beds and borders, hoeing or surface-stirring, watering what we could, and then almost immediately cover- ing with a slight layer of leaf mould and old Mushroom- dimg. Generally we used to pass all such material through a one-inch sieve, and then add to it a little soot and lime before strewing it over the bed, as these latter ingi'edients tend to keep the beautiful birds scratching it about over the lawn, and this they can hardly attempt when the beds are too thick for theii- bills and shoulders. Tlus year. being scarce, we have been obliged to use leaves of this season rather too rough for the back rows, and our old mirture for the fi'ont rows and all the smaller beds. Now, though we consider this covering from half an inch to an inch or more as a capital thing when rightly used, the right use depends much on the time and the season. Scarcity of water has made us refoi't to it sooner than we otherwise would have done, when a. KtUl wanaer soil would have done no harm, whilst the gi-eat heat would hp,ve prompted us to thus mulch some tilings sooner than we did. We shall now for some time be pretty independent of the water-paE as respects those beds thus managed. Rougher things, such as Dahlias, have had a di'cs.siug of short mowing^, and without any watering they are standing well. As examples ai'e best remembered we will single out tv.'O classes of favoiuite bedding plants, and show liow the same principle would apply to them somewhat dift'erently. First, there are the Scarlet Geraniums. We believe the summer can scarcely be too bright and warm to insure their doing first-rate out of doors. In a dull summer and wet autumn they are more prolific of leaves than flowers. So much is this the case, that in such eu-cumstances, and but tor the expense, planting in pots, woiUd be best — in fac-t, treating them like the tree with its roots und(n' pavement. So well convinced ai'e we that these plants like a warm soil, that we would stir the surface but little, and would not mulch at all but for the (fread of the plants being dried up. As our ground is poor, half an inch or so of the compost just helps to prolong enough of vigour for flowering, and keeps the moisture in. Then, secondly, there ai'e the Calceolarias, which are now so beautiful, and which, in cm- opinion, re- quire quite different treatment. These plants will often do well in a dull cold season, when Scai'let Geraniums only pretend to mass with bloom ; but we have never known the brightest and longest-continued sunny weather have any other efiect on them except to make them brighter, providepearance from the ordinaiy black queens. Kor is this variation con- fined to the females : it has already been stated in these columns that pure Ligurian drones are frequently very dark, but I have only recently become aware that drones of the ordinary species may simulate the appearance of Italians. This has, however, been the cage in a recent instance in which, whilst destroying the few drones which existed in a second swarm of common bees that I had purchased, I was astonished at finding some among them as distinctly marked as any of my Ijest Ligurians. What rendered this more remarkable was the faet that neither the queen-mother her- self nor any of her worker oii'spring participated in the slightest degree in the gay colc^urs which distinguished theh- male relatives. — A Devonskibs Bee-keep5.r. AGE OP QFEENS — BEE SEASO:^^ IN SOUTH DURHAM. I OBSERVE in No. 117 that "ALanabeshiee Bee-ksepek" states that he had a queen for '■ seven years." Would he kindly say if this is what he vfrote, or is it a misprint i- I am glad to say the weather in this part (South Durham) since the 9th of June has been very fine and good foi- bees, and shouM it continue, a few weeks more I do not think there wHl be any occasion to take them to the moors. I think there can be no douVjt that the Ligurians are much superior to the common ones. I had a swarm from one of mine in a common straw hive on the 21st of June, and this swarm swarmed again on the 1st July; a half-bred swarm, hived into one of Tegetmeier's obsen'atory-hives, filled it with comb, honey, and grub in twelve or fourteen days, and I have been obliged to put two glasses on, to give them air at top and bottom, and destroy the queen-cells to prevent them Bivarming in twenty-one days from the day of hiving. I cannot say from experience that the hybrids are equal to the pure Ligurians, but they appear to be superior to the common bees ; and this season I find both the hybrids and Ligurians as tame as I ever found the common bees. To preserve them pm-e you must keep them at a distance from one another, and I have, therefore, moved my hybrids foiur miles a^vay. — A. ?>'. APIARIAN NOTES FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE. I CANNOT give a very favourable report of the bee-season from this county. The spring was too dry and too cold for honey-gathering. The first swarm I heard of in this neigh- bourhood was on the ISth May. The second was on the 28th from one of my own old stocks ; but breeding has gone on well with the help of occasional feeding. The honey- gatheiing has been delayed until this time (the 18th June), in consequence of the want of that fine electric weather which often takes place the last fourteen days in May. There are only now about fi-om fourteen to twenty days left for honey-gathering ; but the grass is later than usual, and we have no heath and little Dutch clover. In July and August the bees have a bad chance, excepting in heath ccamtries, and where the Dutch clover abounds in July and August, and even latter in some localities. Yesterday (the lyth June) and to-day, incessant rain from N.E. and North. As I do not admire artificial swarms, I cling to the old- fashioned natural, and, as Virgil describes it, that " Divine instinct " which teaches the bees to increase their number in their own way, which, to my mind, is one of the most wonderful, and bj' fai' the most exciting act which these extraor-linary insects perform. Your coiTespondent from Durham seems to make a shrewd guess that the cold easterly winds in May render the flowers and blossoms nearly useless to the bees. In 1848 we had twenty-nine days of easterly wind, and little or no honey was gathered in that month. The kite districts have cer- tainly a chance of faring better this summer, and I hava always been of opinion that July and August will be finer and (frier than in any of the three preceding seasons. The exhibition of bees and hives at the meeting of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Show amused me very much, and I was pleased to obsei-ve that Mr. Wood- bury's Mves were greatly admired at the Show, and that his '• live stock " made such a " buzz " in the newspapers. It was very agreeable news also to hear that his Ligiiiian bees had ai-rived safe, and had been so much admired in Australia. The latter I consider a great feat accomplished, as it is well known that in a voyage of probably more than ninety days, the gi-eatest care must have been taken of those bees to insure success. I omitted to mention that I hived a second swarm on the 12th, which had hung under a thick slirub aU night in the rain. They were very weak, and I gave them some honey -, they are now working most vigorously in one of Nutt's old- fashioned boxes. The last two days I have had a first swarm (from one of last year) swarm no less than four times ; and yesterday (the 17th), no less than t^vice on the same day, and each time the swarm returned to the parent hive, after half-settling Dwice on an artichoke plant, and twice on a young pear tree ; not the same tree each time. I fear they ■wiU not issue out again, as rain has set in. I can say, certainly, that for half a century I do no re- member four consecutive seasons so bad as the past three, icchuUng the i>resent, to be ranked almost as unpropitious as any one of the three, so many stocks having been ruined by the cold weather in the spring. ' The twelve days' rain from the 5th to ' the 17th of June caused gi-eat distress to m.any young swarms. In 1>ri9 (then living- at Thornbury Park), I lost thi'ee stocks 40 JOUENAIi OP HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAIiDENEE. [ July 14, 1863. of bees from sheer want, and, of course, inattention. It had been nearly incessant rain for twenty-six days. Many swarms perished, or became much reduced, by the rains this month (Jvine). I am glad that tlie little useful publication " Bee-keeping for the Many" is coming out with additions and improve- ments. It would be well, as I have oilen said, that such a book as ■' Hive-making for the Many " should issue also. It would be pleasing to see cheap baj--hives and Payne's im- proved cottage-hives with supers and glasses on sale at such piices as would suit the poor cottager. Take the country in general, how few of the farmers, leaving cottagers out of the category, have adopted any of the novelties in hives so often described in The Journal of Hoeticultuke ? In the town of Cheltenham with 40,000 inhabitants, none ex- cept the everlasting old-fasliioued straw liive is to be seen for sale at any of the hive-shops. M. Dzierzon's remarks on feeding bees seemed very prac- tical. The bees should only be fed when it is needed, and to those who are watchful over bees, it will soon be dis- covered when that happens. At the same tune, in feeding- weak stocks in the autumn against winter, it should be done plentifully, according to thefr wants and weight. June 22. — My thii-d swarm came off yesterday (after six times issuing foi-th), and was hived at one o'clock. Weather cloudy, drizzly, and vmsettled, but a warmer temperature, and brood rising. — H. W. Newman, Hillside, Cheltenham. LIGURIAN BEES IN AUSTRALIA. I AM indebted to Mi-. Edward Wilson, President of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, for the perusal of various reports from the Australian Apiaa-ian Society, and jom-nals kept by the gentlemen to whoso care the Ligurians were enta^usted upon then- an-ivaJ in Australia, from which I glean the following interesting particulars. Mr. Sayce, President of the Apiai-ian Society, v/i-iting uuder date of the 23rd Mai-ch says, " It may now be faii-ly stated that the Ligurian queen bee is a more prolific insect than that with which we have been so long familiaa- ; and I do not hesitate to say that the industry exhibited by these bees is unapproachable by that — great as it is — which cha- racterises the others ; or perhaps I should speak more correctly were I to say that the Liguiian bee is a more puissant insect, and that this, added to a most extraordinary gift of scent, which enables it to discover the existence of honey however remote or hidden its receptacle, gives it a superiority in the collection of food. I have also observed that its labom-s are less interfered mth by the weather ; for during the recent rains, except when very stormy, the bees went out and retiu-ned laden with their stores, apparently quite unconscious or indifferent to the existence of anything whidi could occasion them inconvenience or discomfort." Ml-. H. Templeton, of George Street, Fitzroy, gives most interesting details in his diary respecting the management of the Ligurian stock entrusted to his eai-e. The bees were shut up by me on the 22nd of September, and underwent a confinement of seventy-nine days, as appeai-s by Mr. Temple- ton's diaxy commencing on the 10th December, when he states he " received a hive of Ligurian bees, the propei-ty of the Acclimatisation Society, which upon examination proved to be in a most wretched contUtion, the inner sui-faee of the hive beaj-ing testimony to the great distress which the swarm had endm-ed on the voyage. Found about three quarts of dead bees in the empty box placed under the hive for the purpose of ventilation, which I at once removed. On exajnining the comb I discovered a few living bees — not more thaai a large tea-cup might contain, and many of these in a sickly dying state. Left these to gain a little sti-ength before fui-ther ta-oubling them." Two days afterwards Mr. Templeton says he " took out the frames containing the combs one by one in order more fuUy to ascertain their true state. Found on both sides of one comb and on one side of the combs adjoining on each side of it, a number of fine- looking bees, by this time much revived, each having an orange belt round the upper pai-t of the abdomen, and yellow rings distinctly marked back to the point. Disco- vered the queen — a fine lai-ge yellow one — actively running about on the centre comb occupied by the living bees, evi- dently enjoying excellent health." In two days more fresh- laid eggs were discovered in three of the combs. From this time all v,'ent well. Three stocks of common bees were at different times united to the Liguiia,ns, and with such skiU and good fortune were these junctions eilected that no fighting took place. Copious feeding was also resorted to, and under the influence of this stiiiuilus a number of drone eggs were laid. Queen-rearing and the foi-mation of artifi- cial swarms were next attempted with similai- success ; !ind under date of March 23rd Mr. Templeton says, " The young queens are come to maturity, and are out of the ceUs. 1 have supplied two common hives with Ligurians queens, and have, therefore, fom- hives, two of which I know to be all right, and the two others are hopeful." In a continua- tion of the journal it is remarked that '• the quantity of brood deposited by the two young queens is. most astonish- ing ;" and under the date of -ipril 3rd Mr. Templeton gays, " I examined a few frames, and fovmd the uld queen not only lively and well, but cai-i-ying on the breeding as vigor- ously as ever. Were I to state the number of eggs that that queen has laid since the 10th December last — viz, sixteen weeks, it wotdd appear- quite fabulous ; no bee- keeper will believe it until he sees them — it is more than double the number a common queen could produce in the same time." The diary ends on the 11th April, before which time the writer announces his possession of foui- royal cells, which being from the brood of a young queen would produce grand-daughters of the old queen that came from England. He also states that he has twelve stocks in frame-hives, of which fom- have yet to be supplied ivith Ligtuian queens. It may be remembered that the first venture was made with four stocks. All reached Australia alive, although with gi-eatly reduced numbers ; but one I believe afterwards deserted its liive. Of the remaining two, the one under the care of Mr. Sayce, the President, has wdl filled its hive with honey, and the other under the care of Mi-. M'MUlan has formed a strong stock. — A Devonshire Bbb-keepek. BEE SEASOiSr IN HAMPSHIRE. Thanks for your acknowledg-ment of my letter. I think if there was a Ligurian hive within reasonable distance of my abode I should have heaa-d of it. I will make more diligent inquu-y — it may sei-ve to measure the flight of bees. Wo have between us made a mistake as to the number of years I have been a bee-keeper. I began in 1838, a most unfortunate time as regarded the north. I do not remember that we had a good bee year tUl 1842, and as I ti-ied "no end " of experiments my disasters would fill a book. As I grew older I grew wiser ; and of late years few have had more honey than I have taken. Torkshu-e is a very good county for bees. They breed more, make a great deal more comb ; and of course when a season is propitious three or four stone is nothing to boast of; indeed, some of those from the moors will weigh on then- return '- well on " to six stone. The hives are so small in Hunts and the Isle of Axhohne that you could not work with them in Yorkshii-e. and vice versil. Having only been two seasons in Hampshire I judge more from the size of the hives I see in the cottagers' gaa-dens than from actual experience. This yeaa- the season is so good that few of my neighbours can reap the harvest they ought ; and in trying remedies by cutting the tops out of old hives to make " grafts " they are making many " mulls :" and tliis would seem to show that gr-.d'ts, or " ekes " as we called them in Yorkshire, are not much in use here. I have not seen my striped beauty since I wrote. Her subjects began drone-kiUing just then, and I expect her guards may have kept her out of hai-m's way. Now the back window is deserted. The bees aa-e very few in number, but they have Trilled all theii- drones, are carrying pollen, and are very pugnacious, fi-om which I gather that she is alive and well. — A Hampshire Bee-keep sb. OUR LETTER BOX. SnEFFiELO Pooi.TRT Snow.^lhe prizf birds single Ppanisli cock, Cariiei Pi^'ioii cork, and vaiiely ligfons belong, we said, lo Mr. Smith ol ShefBeld. but thut gmtU-nmn live- at VVJll^all. PjoEo^s {A Subscriber].— Write to Mr. Tegetmeier, Muswcll IliU, LoDd^D, K., tttid a&k his advice. July 21, 1863. ] JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUHE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. il WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day Day of of M'nth Weefc| 21 Tn 22 w 23 Tb 24 F 25 S 26 SfN 27 M JULY 21— 27, 1863. Sun's declin. 20° 32' u. Carrot fluwer>. Corn Parfley flowers. Virgin's Bower flowers. St. jAMts. De. CaMB. bom, 1797. 8 SUKDAT AFTER TkIMTT. Water Dropwcrt flowers. Average Temperature near London. Rain in iast 36 years. Day. 73.2 73.5 74.2 72.5 73.7 73.1 74.5 Night. 61.0 51.6 53.0 53.2 50.0 51.1 52.2 Mean. 62.1 62.7 63.6 62.3 61 .B 62.1 63.3 Days. 16 20 18 13 10 18 17 Sun Rises. m. b. 9 4 Sun Sets. m. h. 3af8 2 8 1 8 Til. 58 7 67 7 55 7 Moon Rises. m. h. 16al0 26 11 36 49 1 3 3 IS 4 17 5 Moon Sets. m. b. 41 af 9 10 27 10 57 10 37 11 morn. 2.5 A8«^- Sun. ^^'"■■ 6 7 ? 9 10 11 12 203 204 205 2oe, 207 208 From observations taken near London during the last Ihiny-six years, the average day temperature of the week is 73.5°, and its Light temperature 51.6°. The greatest heat was 92», on the 25'.h, 1S44 ; and the lowest cold, 34°, on the 25th, 1860. The greatest fail of ram was 1.37 inch. CENTAHREA EAGFSUSTA AND ITS PEOPAGATION. EVERAL years ago I ventured to bring this loTely plant under the special notice of all who were interested in flow- er-gardening, as a sub- ject which was every way likely to be of great value in combi- nation with the far-too- limited collection of plants which are gene- rally considered avail- able under the present fashionable style of flower-gardening. The high opinion which I formed of this Centaurea whenever I saw a well-grown plant of it has not been in the least altered, but, on the contrary, has been more than warranted by the beantifiil effects which have been produced by its extensive cultivation in several flower gardens, as well as by its general cultivation in pots for all the various methods of decoration which are popular at the present time ; but it unfortunately happens to be a plant with which the trade has not been very successful in getting up a stock equal to the demand which has arisen for it. I think it was Mr. Eobson who recently refei-red to it as a plant which was likely to be much more thought of and extensively used as soon as its adaptability became better known ; and the wonder is that it has not before now been brought more prominently before the public, and popularised bj' the great schools in such matters around London, where I was surprised to meet with so little of it last summer. It is considered, and has been found even by some of the shai'pest of the trade in such matters, a difficult subject to increase rapidly ; and in instances which have come under my own ken some nursery propagators have failed with great batches of cuttings ; and partly on this account I have heard it several times remarked, that any one who could have offered a large stock might have made "a good thing" of it. I have never found any difficulty in striking this plant under ordinary circumstances ; and I will briefly detail the mode adopted, and refer to the way in which it has been used in the flower garden here. Let it be supposed that a few plants in pots are all the stock in possession at this time. If strong stubby plants in six- inch pots, they are. shifted and placed in the open air in the fuU sun. By the time when plants are generally housed in autumn they will have formed fine, large, bushy plants ; and although this Centaurea is almost if not quite hardy, it should not be left out beyond the 1st of October, because, if subjected to drenching rains, its soft wooUy foliage is apt to damp-off at the centres of the plants. To keep it in the best possible condition to No. 121.— Vol. V., New Series. afford fine fresh cuttings in spring, it requires to be kept OH a dry airy shelf, and to be very sparingly supplied with water — just sufficient to keep it from drooping is quite enough, for it is a plant very apt to damp-off in winter if kept damp and crowded among other plants. In spring they are found with a quantity of cuttings studded all round the bottom part of the plants ; and if these cuttings are short and without a bit of clear stem about a couple of inches in length, the plants are put into heat, and there the cuttings soon elongate, and are cut off with a sharp knife almost close to the main stem of the plant. They are prepared in the usual manner and dibbed into eight -inch pots, which are very carefully di-ained and filled with silver sand. The pots are plunged to the rim in a pit where Verbenas and other bedding plants are struck. They are watered just sufficiently often to keep them from drooping, and the foliage kept as dry as possible. They root in about twenty days ; and as soon as they fonn roots about an inch in length they are potted-off into three-inch pots. 1 have always observed that they never thrive well if left any length of time in a strong beat and in pure sand before being potted-off. They are by no means particular as to soil : half loam half leaf mould does very well. As soon as they make roots to the bottom of the three-inch pots they are transferred into six-inch ones and placed in a cool frame or house, and by the end of April they are fine strong plants ready for planting out. The fii*t week in March is quite early enough to take the first batch of cuttings ; and soon after the first lot are taken from round the lower part of the parent plants, the second lot will be ready for striking. Those cuttings with the longest and most firm stems invariably strike the soonest, and a far less per-centage of them damp off in the cut- ting-frame than in the case of those that are short and softer in the stem. It is a very rapid-growing plant, and cuttings may be struck as late as the end of April for the purpose of being planted in the open ground. Later-struck cuttings form beautiful little plants in six-inch pots for dinner-table decoration, as weU as for vases and general decoration. There is another method which I have adopted with less success — namely, to put in cuttings in autumn, and place them in pans and boxes in a dry, cool, airy house : in this way a gi-eat many wUl callus through the winter, and with a gentle bottom heat in spring will root freely, This is just as is often practised with late-put-in cuttings of Scarlet Geraniums, and meets with very nearly the same success. I prefer spring propagation, it being more certain, and the trouble and care entailed are less than by adopting the other mode. I have never found autumn cuttings put into bottom heat immediately do much good, but on the cool system the majority of the cuttings do very well. To keep up a stock I think it much the best way to keep a few plants aU the summer in pots— they come in usefijl for many other purposes, and to take cuttings from the planted-out plants sadly mars their appearance, while, on the other hand, to lift the old plants is a laborious No. 773.— Vol. XXX., Old Seeies. 48 JOTJENAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ July 21, 1863. affair, as they form such immense bushes ; and unless potted-up earher than they can be spared from the flower garden, they require much more room and care than can be afforded them in quantity, and except under very favoui-able circumstances they do not bear the lifting well. Three years ago I planted out upwards of four hundred plants ; and one of the most effective and novel combinations I ever saw was Centaurea and PeriUa plant for plant. The bed was a diamond bed, forming the centre of a cluster of beds on grass. It was raised to a cone 5 feet above the level of the turf. I well remember being severely found fault with by some fair critics when the bed was newly planted. The surface was paved over with blue bullet-like stones from the shore, and it certainly looked odd ; but by the time the stones were all hid, those who had most severely criticised the bed had begged a thousand pardons for their mistake. The PeriUa, of course, was the taller by a few inches, and, viewed from the distance, it was con- sidered the best imitation of rockwork. The same season another bed was planted with blue Lobelia, and then the Centaurea dotted aU over it, so as to leave a ground of blue running among the feathery foliage of the Centaurea. When Lobelia speciosa has been used for groundwork in panel-borders, a single plant of Centaurea has been used for the panels ; the blue and it form a very chaste and pleasing combination, and the two plants are thoroughly distinct in character. This year it is used for panels alter- nately with Christine Geranium where the groundwork is Lobelia speckled thinly with Gazania splendens. In another wide border it is planted in the centre of panels of Pui-ple King Verbena where the groundwork is a deep scarlet. The Centaurea is raised quite above the level of the panel of purple ; and even at this date the effect is very pleasing, and will be more so as the purple fills fully up and becomes more massive. Raised in the same manner it forms a beau- tifol centre to a cone of Scarlet Geraniums. In oue instance or two it has been surrounded with a circle of Clu'istine in the centre of Tom Thumb. As a vase plant edged with Lobelia it is most lovely. It also looks well in vases edged with dwarf Scarlet Geraniums. As a plant for placing in gold vases on the dinner table it is most acceptable, and stands such work well — in fact, this is one of the most useful plants of the day. It would be a great step in the right direction if it were possible to plant over flower gardens to a larger ertent with plants diverse from and more picturesque in character than the everlasting and monotonous masses and lines of Geraniums, Calceolarias, and Verbenas ; and this want is being more largely acknowledged every year, and the more so as taste becomes more refined and alive to the fact that beauty con- sists not alone in gaudy colour's, however strikingly in con- trast or nicely harmonised. David Thomson. TETRATHECA VEETICILLATA CULTURE. In answer to " J. M." we reply that the plant is rightly named. Full directions for culture were given in a previous volume. It requires when young to be grown chiefly in sandy peat, well drained, and never allowed to become very dry. It also requires a temperatui-e of from 45° to 4S° in winter, with a due proportion of air ; and in summer, if the top is fully exposed to the sun, the pot should be sheltered by plunging or shading, or placing in a double pot, as, il' the pot is fuUy exposed, the roots are apt to be iniured. It generally blooms most freely in early spring and summer; and that gives, as it were, the keynote to its culture. Left to itself, it soon becomes weak and rambling ; and therefore, to secure anything like compactness, rather free pruning must be resorted to when the plant has nearly finished blooming, taking care, however, not to cut farther back than the current year's wood, as it breaks badly from older wood. After pruning, keep the plant rather dry, cool, and quiet until there are signs of breaking ; then put in a coLl pit or other place ; and, with the excej^tion of giving more air, treat the plant as to syringings, &c., much the same as was recommended the other week for Epacris. As the young shoots grow mort au- must be given ; and if in fine days in September the pi;tut should be exposed to the sun fuUy, the more ripened and short-jointed will the wood be, and the more covered will it ultimately be with bloom. What potting the plant requires should be given when the young shoots are about 2 inches in length. After that repotting watermg should be done very carefully, so as not to saturate the new sod, sHght syringing and shading being resorted to in preference until the roots are working in the fresh soil. As the plant gets large, and an eight-inch or larger pot may be necessary, fibry sweet loam in the proportion of a third or so may be added to the peat, along with some pebbles, broken pots, and nodules of charcoal to keep the soil open. Cuttings of the points of the shoots wiU strike at any time, but the best cuttings are thinnings of the young shoots about 2 inches long formed after the regular pruning. For these a small pot— say a small 60, should be three- parts filled with drainage with a slight covering of rough peat and sand, and a surfacing of half an inch of pure silver sand. Place the cuttings round the sides of the pot, the heads of the cuttings pointing inwards. Water well, and then place the small pot inside of a five or six- inch pot, stuff' between with moss, cover with sand, and in the space between the two pots phice firmly a bell-glass with a conical head, and set anywhere so as to command a temperature of from 50° to 60°, and where shade can be given when necessary with a piece of paper over the glass. The cuttings, with the glass down, will stand a good deal of sun morning and evening. If kept too close and shaded they wiU draw very spindly and weak. To neutralise that, and also prevent the cuttings damping, move the glass a Uttle at night, and as soon as the cuttings callus freely taie it off' altogether at night, if there is no likelihood of the tender cuttings being dried from being placed near a heating medium. To prevent damping on the one hand and drying up on the other, it will be found preferable to keep the place round the cuttings moist, and even to water the space between the two pots instead of watering the little pot in which the cuttings are placed. We have not grown the plant lately ; but, by the above mode, we have found every cutting strike and grow freely. In potting-off we first placed four round the sides of a small 60-pot, using chiefly sandy peat with a little charcoal about the size of bird-shot, watered, kept close, and shaded from bright sun until they were growing freely and each plant was forming a nice little mass of roots, when each of the four plants received a single pot. The plants were frequently stojiped by jjinching-out the points, and brought under the general routine of manage- ment. In potting place the drainage as dii-ected the other week, so that wherever the plant is placed worms cannot get in from beneath, as the plant will not thrive with worms about the roots ; and, though they may be dislodged with clear Ume water, we always found the plant disliked such applications, or even hard weM water of any kind. If raia water cannot be had, and spring water must be apphed, it should stand in the sun twenty-four hours before being used.— R. P. GRAPES AND MELONS FAILING. The Grapes in my hothouse I perceive are drying-off; their appearance a few days ago was luxuriant. I have been speaking to a gardener about it, and he says my head man gives them no longer any water, contending that, the Grapes having swelled, the Vines should be di'ied-otf. Common sense, one would think, indicates a totally different plan ; for when the plant requh-es the greatest nourishment, then the gi-eatest moisture should be administered. This is my theory. Am I right ? From precisely the same cause, I think, my Melons are good for nothing, and not bigger than a cricket-ball. My man may be right : if he is, it strikes me as the greatest anomaly in nature. Another thing I should mention in regard to the Melons — the bines run all over the frames, and would get out if they could. Does not this exhaust the plant ?— E. B. [We feel that it is a very delicate matter to pronounce upon the fitness of a certain treatment, when it is a matter of dispute between a gentleman and his gardener, where the data given are necessarily so meagre. When Grapes are dead ripe it is often advisable to keep the borders rather Jaly 21, 186S. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTITRE AND COTTAGE GAUDENEE. 43 dry, as a little excess of moisture is apt to cause the berries to crack. If the Grapes were merely swelled, not ripe, then extreme dryness would be apt to make them shrivel and dry up. As they seemed so luxuriant a few days ago, we could not be positive that this was the cause, unless assured that the roots were dry. In such weather they might soon be- come so, if the roots were shallow, and no mulching or watering given. If the roots were moderately deep, we should be inclined to judge that dryness at the roots was not the reason ; but to assign it to a very dry and hot at- mosphere inside. As a general rule, however, we should never think of "drying-otf " the Vines until the fruit was not only ripe but mostly cut. When fully ripe, we would not deluge the border, but we should rather wish it to be dry until the fruit was pretty well gone. A good theory may become a nuisance and a mischief when too hard driven. In such dry burning weather, even if Grapes are ripening, a little moisture in the house from syringing walls, stages, floors, &c., will prevent shrivelling and drying. In cold, dull weather, such treatment would help the berries to crack and rot. If the Grapes are merely swelled, not ripe, watering at the roots if diy will be all in their favour, and just a moist condition in opposition to dust dry should be the state of the roots until most of the fruit is cut. Even then some tender kinds are easily influenced by a moist or very di-y atmosphere. In moist, muggy weather, therefore, it may be advisable to put a little fire on and give plenty of air ; and in very dry weather it may be just as necessary slightly to damp the atmosphere of the house, by syringing floor, paths, &c. We fear that there may have been something of the same extreme as respects the Melons, only the extra luxuriance makes us doubt a little. If there was a good depth of soO, and that was well saturated after the Melons took hold, and the surface stirred afterwards, we have frequently had fine crops of Melons that never again were visited by water. These were cases in which the heat was more important than moisture, and when we knew there was plenty of moisture to swell and ripen the Melons. In general cases. Melons just require as much water as most other plants — quite as much as the Cucumber, until the ripening process ap- proaches. If there is an exception, it is the importance of having a dry atmosphere when the plants are in bloom. That is best secured by having the surface of the bed dry then. Of course, if the soU, as a whole, were dry, we should not expect the fruit to set, and if set, we should not expect them to swell. When the swelling commences we like the soil to be moist. If the weather is unfavourable, and a moist surface would cool the place too much, then we would moisten the bulk of the soU, and leave the surface dry. In fine sunny weather there will be no harm in watering the bed in the usual way. A dry surface is essential for flavour, if the fruit is ripened in dung-frames ; but the soU con- taining the balk of the roots should not then be dust dry, and neither should it be deluged. Except when it is setting and ripening its fruit, the Melon needs as much moisture as a Cucumber, and not a great deal less than a Cabbage. It is only as the fruit approaches maturity that the extreme of dryness is a matter of importance. When plants are grown in pots, or in narrow beds, and trained to a trellis, and the fruit suspended under the foliage, but con- siderably above and free from the bed, then even surface dryness of the soU is a matter of less importance for securing flavour. In all cases where the fruit is merely swelling, we should consider a very dry state of the soil unsuitable, and calculated to ripen the fruit prematurely before it had gained half its usual size. The sUght doubt as to this extreme of dryness we find in the " another thing," as to the bines being so luxuriant and trying to get outside, the frames being full of them. This is hardly compatible with extreme dryness of soU, unless, indeed, the roots have gone in search after moisture beyond the soil, and are revelling vinchecked in rich rotten dung, or something of that kind. In such a case the plant will not become exhausted — quite the reverse ; but it will most likely be a very successful instance of luxuriance versus fr-uitfalness. Such luxuriance of bine speaks of the plant thriving, but then it also speaks of want of concentration for a definite puipose — namely, fruit. Leave such luxuriance unchecked, and the plant in its eagerness to grow and expand may forget all about the fruit that needs elaborated sap to swell it and give it flavour. When a plant in a frame is thus a thicket of shoots, more than half the foliage is uninfluenced by the sun, and, therefore, hurtful rather than otherwise. If not curtailed, it would be a good thing for the plant if the frame were raised, ajid the Vines allowed to go outside. Melons dislike cutting and slashing. The best mode is to disbud at first, and pinch merely afterwards. In such a case as we presume the present to be, a severe cutting and thinning woidd do more harm than good. The check given to the mere growth would act on the fruit, and very likely arrest its swelling. Shorten all the shoots of the small fry at once by merely picking-out their points, which will thus give a gentle check to mere gl■o^rth of wood, so that the fruit may have the benefit of the nourishment which woxdd otherwise have been appropriated to the pro- duction of wood, and then take a little foliage away day by day, until at last there are few leaves that cannot be fully exposed to the light and air when you give it. If there is plenty of heat, leave a little air at the top of the frame all night, and give as needed during the day. If thus kept cool at night, the plant wiU rejoice rather than otherwise in a high temperature during the day. But for the enervating influence of a high close temperature a,t night, there would be less trouble with airing and shading during hot sunshine. Such are a few random ideas, the residts of some ex;- perience; but we by no means think they will clear up thoroughly the difference as to opinion between "E. B." and his gardener. If they help to do so, or to establish the principle that one system may be vei-y good, if thoroughly carried out, whilst two good separate systems if blended and mixed wiU often produce mischief and faUure, we wUl be more than satisfied. Without understanding the system on which a man works, it is not an easy matter to say that his practice is wrong. Nothing could seem more different than watering Melon plants only at planting time, and watering on an average, say, once or twice a-week, and yet precisely similar results may be obtained in both cases by a little diversity of detaU. Only this much we may say, that the man who strikes out a fresh path for himself whUst in the service of another, must make up his mind that he must also secure pretty fair success. Many a servant has lost a good master because, right or wrong, he would have his own way. Many a master has lost a good servant becaiise he would not exercise a little forbearance.] i STRAWBEEEY-GEOWING. I CAN from experience safely recommend " H. C. K.'s " mode of mulching Strawberry plants with a liberal quantity of horse-droppings ; but I cannot bear out his assertion that it is possible by this treatment to keep " one piece of ground under Strawberries for sixteen years without the slightest loss of either quality or quantity." As he speaks from ex- perience, wiU he kindly inform your readers more clearly if he means that he has had for sixteen years good crops from the same old crowns, without renewing the beds with fresh plants ? Surely he can hardly mean this, for it is against all recognised theory or practice. His system, if correct, wiU be a perfect blessing to the host of amateurs, who with their odd man or boy have to rack their wits how to renew their Strawberry-plots every three or four years. Whilst on this topic I venture to say that I have acci- dentally found that the waste fibre from the cocoa mat and brush factories is an exceUent protection for the ripening Strawberries instead of straw or grass. It keeps the fruit clean and dry, does not harbour vermin, and with care lasts many years. It was sent to me by mistake for the potting fibre ; but it is now the right thing in the right place. — W. X. W. Protecting Stbawbekries from Slugs — Cotoneasteb MicKOPHYLLA. ->- Some of youi- correspondents have been inquiring how to' protect Strawberries fi'om slugs. I am much tormented with them, and have found dry sawdust from my sawmUl a complete safeguard. In addition to the uses lately mentioned for the Cotoneaster mici-ophyUa you might suggest the grafting it on Thorn stocks about 4 feet 4^-- JOUENAL OF HORTICXTLTTJEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. July 21, 1863. Iri^h, and training it to a round head. It has a beautiful appearance in the autumn. It is the only plant I know miicU naturally ^ows towards the north, and, therefore, if planted against a wall with a south aspect will always keep close to it without nailing. — An Irish Subscriber. I^GTES ON NOVELTIES at SAWBEIDGEWOETH. Thanes to the orohai-d-house system, we have been en- abled to make the acquaintance of seTcral novelties tliis season which without the aid of such an appliance we might have lived aU our days in ignorance of. Whatever may be said for or against orchard-houses depends entirely upon the point of view that the advocates or opponents of those structures view them from. A gi'eat deal has been said in onr pages lately on both sides, and it cannot be denied but that much ability has been displayed by the writers by the way in which they severally supported their \'iew3 on this subject. It is not oiu' intention at present to supjjort the views of either party, but simply to record such facts as have come under our own observation, and to take advan- tage of the new information we have obtained — information we should have despaned of ever having got except for this mode of cultivation. For some seasons past Mr. Eivers has had in operation a glass sti'uoture which he calls a Chen-y-house. It is in every resjiect the same sort of thing as the ordinary orchard- house ; but being devoted exclusively to the cultivation of Chei-ries in pots, he has designated it by this name. Like ourselves (and, oh! how often have we felt it), Mr. Rivers had felt the disapjjointment arising from endea- vouring to prove new Cherries on trees gi-own in the open ground. It mattered not how much trouble was taken with them ; however skilfully pinched and pi-uned, or artfully feshioned, they may have been ; or however profusely they may have blossomed ; if a cruel May fi-ost did not devastate the promised crop, the bu'ds devoured it ere it was half ripe. Years passed on, and no progress in knowledge was made, tiU in pure desperation the trees were crammed into pots and taken for refuge to the Chen-y-house. And weU have they repaid the trouble taken with them. The trees ai-e beautiful pyramids 3 to 3 1 feet high, and literally studded with fr-uit of the greatest beautj' and finest flavour. We would strongly advise om- readers to see them. Among the new vaiieties we obsei-ved as possessing vei-y great merit, and which cannot fail to become permanent in our collec- tions, were the following : — Eaelt Red Bigarbeac {Bigarreau Range de Goube^i). — The fniit is large, about the size of the ordinary Bigan-eau, but of a decided heart-shape. The skin is bright red and transparent, like that of Belle de Choisy. The stalk is I J inch to an If long. Flesh fh-m, rich, sweet, and excellent. This is a very excellent early Chen-y, quite ripe before the old Bigan-eau begins to coloui-. The tree is like a Duke in its habit of growth, but the fruit is so decidedly heart- shaped, and the flesh so fu-m, that it must be classed among the BigaiTeaus. Early Black Bigarreau. — This is a fitting companion to the preceding, and ripens at the same time. The fruit is large, distinctly heart-shaped, as large as the Bohemian Black Bigarreau. Skin jet black. StalS 11 inch to If long. Flesh dark piu-ple, fii-m, riclily flavom-ed, sweet, and excel- lent. Mr. Rivers received this from the Continent under the name of Bigarreau a gros fruit couleiu- de chair, which is evidently a misnomer. LtTDWio's Bigarreau. — Fruit large and perfectly heart- shaped, terminating at the apex in a sharp point, with a slightly maj-ked suture on one side. Skin shining, of a fine bright red coloui-, which is evenly distributed over the whole surface, except that it is a little paler on the shaded side. Flesh pale yeUow, very tender and melting, much more so than Bigarreaus generally are. A delicious early Bigarreau. ripening just after the Early Red Bigai-reau. Bohemian Black Bigarreau. — Tliisis a fine large Cherry, of a roundish heart-shape, even and regular in its outline, and flattened a little on one side, where it is marked with a faint suture. Skin jet black and shining. Stalk dark green, remarkably short, being not more than li inch long, stout. and rather deeply depressed. Flesh quite black, firm, but not crackling, juicy, richly flavoured, and delicious. This is ten days corUer than the common Bigarreau. It is a splendid Cherry. Drogan's Bigarreau (Bigarreau Blanc de Drogan). — This is a very early form of the Bigarreau, being quite shrivelled when that variety is only just ripe. It is perfectly heart- shaped, rather pointed at the apex, and flattened on one side. .Skin yellow, mottled and flushed with red on the side that is much exposed. Stalk I5 inch long, stout. Flesh firm, sweet, and richly flavoured. A very desii-able variety. Transparent. — This is said to be the result of a cross between Eeine Hortense and May Duke, and it has preserved in the form of the fruit that of the latter parent. The fruit is above medium size and oblate, with a bold style-mark on the apex, and vrith a very faint suture on the side. The' skin is thiu and transp.arent, showing through it the netted texture of the flesh, and of a unifonn pale red colour all over. Flesh melting, tender, sweet, and delicious. This comes among the Red Dukes, and is aUied to Belle de Choisy. Dbchenaut is another of the Red Duke class. The fruit is large, roundish heart-shaped, broad at the stalk, rather flattened, and marked with a faint suture on one side. Skin bright coi-nelian red. and shining, becoming darker red when quite ripe. The stalk is li inch to If long, inserted in a wide and deep depression. Flesh tender and succulent, with the May Duke flavour. This is a fine large Cherry, well worth cultivating. These were among the most attractive of the new sorts of Cherries. There were many more, some really new and others old fi-iends with new faces, or, rather, with new masks ; for the new names under which Mr. Rivers imported them were merely masks to palm-off old sorts, and which but for the orchard-house might have continued undetected for years to come. We have heard a great deal lately about the diSiculty of fruiting Apricots in the orchard-house. There seems none about it at Sawbridgeworth, for in one of the large orchaid- houses there are some splendid large trees completely studded with fruit. The whole secret, if secret it is, consists in ramming the soU in the pot when the tree is planted as closely as it is possible to pack it. This soil should con- sist of tenacious loam and dung, and the surface should be mulched in summer with very rich soluble matters, such ae malt-dust and horse-di-oppings satm-ated with very strong' liquid manure. Among the novelties in this department we observed the two following, which will doubtless prove valu- able acquisitions : — Early Moorpark. — This came from the Continent undes" the erroneous name of Angoumois Hatif, which is a totally different thing. The fruit of the Early Moorpark is roundishy inclining to oval, with a very deep suture on one side ex- tending from the base to the apex. Skin yellow, mottled and dotted "with ci-imson on the exposed side. Flesh in all respects resembling that of the Moorpark. Stone oblong, with a covered channel along the back, which is pervious. Kernel bitter. This ripens three weeks before the Moorpark. Sardinian (De Sardaigne). — This is a small early Apricot, not much larger than the Red Masculine, but equally as early and much superior in flavour to it. The skin is white, but where exjjosed to the sun it is spotted with a few erimsott spots, and sometimes has a flush of red. The fiiiit has A deep sutm-e on one side. The flesh is vei-y juicy, with » sprightly sweet flavoiu-, which is very agreeable. The stonte'- is very small, not more than half an inch long, with a covered channel, which is pervious. Kernel bitt^. The tree is a great bearer, and ripens its fruit as early as the Masculine. This season it was ready for use in the orchard-house on the 28th of June. The pot-fiiiit-tree culture in this v-ast establishment is^ truly marvellous. We observed house after house literaUy crammed -with Peaches. Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Figs, Cheixies, and Vines, all in prejiaration for the winter cam- paign. One mass of two thousand of the new Viotori* Nectai-ine, which is to be sent out this season, particularly sti-uck us by the health, vigour, and uniformity of their growth, and the neatness with wMch they had been worked so close to the soU. But there is a new idea Mr. Rivers is about to introduce, and to which he attracted our atten- July 21, 18C3. ] JOUENAL OF HORTICtTLTTTKE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEK. 43 tion. It is no other than what he calls " Japanese trees " — Apples, Pears, and Plums, or, in filet, any kind of frnit trees, grown in No. 24-pots. There was a lot of them not larger than a decent-sized Geranium laden with fruit, and their dimensions are limited "by a constant system of pinch- ing. Judging from what we saw on this occasion, the idea bids fair to become popiJarised, as they are grown, not under glass, but simply plunged in rows on a bed of dung, leaves, or other fermenting material fi-om which a steady, gentle, genial heat can be obtained. There is no covering whatever required ; and those who complain of the constant watering necessary in the houses will have an oppor- tunity under this system of indulging in the amusement of gi'owing pot-plants without so much labour in watering as there is in the house-system. EOSES. MESSRS. FBASBKS' NUESEKT, LEA EKIDGE EGAD. A VISIT to this extensive nursery is well repaid at this season of the year. Messrs. Frasers' Eoses are now in high condition, and among them are to be found the very best varieties in cultivation. The soU seems particularly adapted to the Kose ; and although the time of flowering may be a little later than in other nurseries, the size and eolom- of the individual flowers cannot be surpassed. Evei-y Kose-grower should visit this collection and make notes of the new and distinct varieties. There is much advantage in purchasing Eoses after seeing them in bloom — it prevents that frequent disappointment which attends the purchase made from description. Messrs. Fraser have also now in bloom a large and interesting collection of Fuchsias. Much is it to be desired that our Fuchsia-growers would pay them a visit at this season. They would leam that the new varieties can make good specimen plants ; and if they could only see Comet, Lord Warden, Elegantissima, Marginata, Signora, Hermiue, and the double variety True Blue, as grown in this esta- blishment, they would immediately introduce new and excellent kinds into their collections. The amateur who cultivates the Zonale Pelargoniums will find in this nursery some excellent new French varieties, novel in colour and perfect in form. Much is it to be desii-ed that this beautiful class of plants should receive more attention. Among other interesting plants the Messrs. Eraser have a very large collection of single and double Petunias. These are planted out in a bed, and seem well calculated to be very eifective for that purpose. Several of the double varieties are as large as the Eose Bai'onne Prevost when fully expanded, and some of the striped varieties ai'e exquisite. Should any person be induced to run down by the Eastern Counties line (making the journey in twenty minutes), let him be sure to ask to see the splendid coBection of German Stocks, and he will agree with me that they alone are well worthy of the journey. — X. HOT-WATEE PIPING EEQTIIEED foe HEATING A VINEEY. What quantity of pipe will be required to heat a vinery 70 feet long, 14 feet wide, 5 feet high in front, and 12 feet at back ? It wiU be in three divisions, one being for early forcing ? — Cumbeiensis. [Supposing the first house to be 23 feet, for that you will need 140 feet of four-inch piping for early forcing ; for the second about 100 feet ; and for the third or late house, and to be kept so, about 80 feet. If all the 70 feet were intended for Grapes from July or so, then about 250 feet would do. It is best, however, to err on the side of having enough, as then you might change your houses gradually at any time from late to early. Deficiency of piping just means waste of fuel, and, therefore, is seldom true economy.] cultivation of lovers of this interesting flower. Among edged flowers on white grounds I noted fine specimens of Kilgour's Queen, Liifey, and Herald. Edged on cream or buff grounds. Linden and Terpander. TSdged on yellow grounds, Eva, Su- W. Hoste, Delectus, and Festus. Mottled flowers, Melancthon and Coronation. Spotted flowers on yellow grounds, Pertinax. Self-colours, Apollo, Boviqiiet, Marquis of Hereford, Eliza, and Suranne. Two or ttu'ee edged varieties of seedlings were produced, but without names, so that there were no means of identification. I understand the promise of vigorous bloom was good in the early part of the season, but the frosts of April and May did much injury. — X. Show Eanttncttlttses. — It may be interesting to some of your readers to know the names of a few choice sorts of Eanunculnses that have appeared in successful stands at exhibitions this month. The foDowing notes were maide at Oxford and WaUingford of flowers, whach well deserve the STTJDLEY EOYAL. {Cotichided from page 29.) Now for the gardens. Introduced by a fi-iend to Mr. Clarke, the clever gardener, I was privileged with a view of his department, for the pleasure grounds form a department of themselves. The mansion is situated in the outskirts of the pai-k and near to a public road. Although much improved by its present owner, it is not sufficient either in size or architec- tirral beauty to harmonise with the surrounding scenery. The outline of another mansion close by, partly buDt some years ago, still remains, and is used for a variety of pui'poses. In front of the mansion a large new garden, or rather series of gardens, in the teiTaced style, with geometrical beds, some on grass, others on gravel — after the designs of Mr. Thomas, of London— was fast approaching completion. The plans are simple but very chaste, and harmonise well. The parts are not so intricate as in many of a like kind, nor so toy-Mke as the polyclu'ome figiu'es or parterres at the Eoyal Horticultiu'al Gardens. The finished part of the garden was very efiectively planted, and the plants being large, showed the various edgings, ribbons, ancl masses well considei-ing the earliness of the season (June 6th). In company with Mr. Clarke I made for the kitchen garden, and in the chat by the way 1 found he is one who looks on all the brotherhood of Flora as friends. Being a perfect stranger I had no idea of putting on paper what I saw ; but, what with the kind reception and the known celebrity of the place, I became bold enough to jot down a few things seen and heard. The kitchen garden is situated some distance from the mansion, and is separated fr'om the park by a low wall. It is divided into several compartments by walls, and appears to have been made at different periods. The principal garden, however, is a parallelogram, divided into quarters in the usual way, and the walks are bordered with fruit trees. It was well stocked with vegetables, and the beds of Asparagus, though very old, bear well. The north wall of this garden is covered with iine Peach trees loaded with fruit, testifying that there is no necessity for an orchard- house, even in the north, to seciu-e good Peaches. There is more ft-uit on one of these trees than in any orchard-house I have ever entered. The leaves of the trees, however, were somewhat scorched, as if some caustic solution had been applied to them ; and, what was most remarkable, no insect had, I was informed, infested them : consequently no solution likely to cause the leaves to bhster and wither had been used. In other respects the trees were vei^y fine. At one end of the garden is a double row of pits, formerly Pine-pits, heated by hot water and dung-linings, but now used for plants, fui-nishing cut flowers in winter and plants for decorative purposes, besides bedding plants, &c. Mr. Clarke speaks highly of Una and Beadsman Gei-aniums as famishing early blooms for cutting. Another pit, considerably below the level of the ground, is planted with Vines, which apparently are very old, feut they annually produce good crops. In an adjoining house were some very fine Cucumljers of a variety named Scott's Superb, and, whether a local or old variety, it certainly is not in general cvdtivation. It is not a very abundant bearer, but moderately handsome and large, hanging a long time without turning yellow, besides being a good winter-fi'uiting variety. The house in which it is growing is used for propagating and many other purposes. 46 JOUENAL OF HOETICXJLTTOE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 21, 1863. In another house-a narrow one-I noticed some well- grown Vines in pots. The pots containing the Vmes were placed along the front and the canes tramed up the root but 30 closely together as to cover tne whole of it. iiy t^^s plan double the quantity of fruit is obtained, and ear y L-apes ripen more surely than when the roots ^'^fout.ide m a colder medium than the canes. Each Vine m a pot i^ aUowsd to carry from six to nine and even twelve bunches and aner Muscats could not be wished for. T^e Muscat of Alexandria, White Muscat, Canon HaU, and Tottenham Park Muscat, all do weU -, and the last, although m every respect like the White Muscat, is yet a much treer setter than any of the Muscats and not so hable to spot as most ot them Mr. Clarke, who has had ample opportunities ot comparing the Vines in aU stages of theu- growth, says the Tottenham Park is as fi-ee a setter as a Hamburgh. Tne bunches are stiffer, and the footstalk of the berry is con- siderably stouter than that of the Muscat of Alexandria. InoSer^kind, under the name of Wlute Muscat is in no wav different, I think, from the Muscat of Alexandria ; but as I have seen it elsewhere under that name, I may be wrong In some pits were Peas in full bearing, a row eacn of Sangster's and Eclipse; the fii-st dish, however, had been trathered three weeks previously. \ The southern division of the garden is occupied by a pond with an island in the centre, and near to it is the approach from the park, and a neat Uttle flower garden mostly occu- pied by herbaceous plants ; but I understand a re-arrange- ment of this garden is contemplated. _ A barn-like budding in its external appearance is used tor th° growth of Mushi-ooms, and has in its mterior a bed m the centre on the floor, and two shelves, or beds 'iJi. round. These shelves, or beds, are formed in a very substantial way the sides being of iiou, and are about 15 inches deep and 5 or 6 feet widl, with iron-grated bottoms. Two beds weie iust coming into bearing, and promised a prodigious crop. I understand this house produces a succession m aoundanoe of very fine well-flavoirred Mushi-ooms. AUthe garden walls are covered with fruit trees in good order, and bearing weU. A Pear that Mr. Clarke speaks very highly of, the crops of which are enormous, ^ Hacon s Incomparable. It is a large melting Pear- m use for dessert fi-om November to January. A black Mulben-y on tne waU adioining a Fig-house has the branches tramed perpen- dicularly downwards, and annually produces good ci-ops. Besides thewalled-in portion of the garden mentioned there are other two compartments, in one of which was a Fig-house, with Vines on the rafters. The Fig trees are planted mside the house, in narrow borders at the back, about 1 foot wide and 2 feet deep, and the trees trained to the back wall. Ihe fi^t was large, plentiful, and ripening. The variety was. if I mistake not, the Brown Turkey, the best of Figs for any pui-pose whatever. The nai-rowneas of tne borders would cramp the roots, and unless this is the case Figs make too much wood to bear weU. The Vines were only newly planted, but Vines in pots were bearing splendidly thus making use of the house untd the young Vmes are of suth- cient size to bear. I incline to the opinion that Vines can be grown ecxually well in pots as planted out, and better wi,oT.o t-hp bovrlpr is outside on a cold wet subsod. ine l)e grown et|iutiiji .rcji iii 1,^,-- — r — — -- . , ■, rpi,, whlre the border is outside on a cold wet subsod. ine house can then be used for a variety of purposes m winter , but where the Vines can be planted in the house or the border heated it saves time and labour to have them planted out. In this house I noticed a vei-y fine plant of Coleus Verschaffelti in preparation for planting in the flower garden to form a centre bed. It was more than 6 feet across, and by planting Golden Chain Geranium round it, edged with Amaranthus melanchoUcus ruber, it was expected an ettec.ive bed would residt. Should Mr. Clarke carry out his idea and And it answer, I hope he wiU favoiu- this Journal with a notice. „, ^r. , Two vineries adjoin the Fig-house. The Vines however, had been cut down and grafted with newer and better kinds than the old ones, and beside each Vine was a Vme in a pot. The grafts were just beginning to break. Inarching, how- ever, I consider a better way of working the Vine than orafting. Inarching can be done at any time, and a much stronger cane can be had the fii-st season than from graftmg, however well done. Here, again, were more Vines in pots bearing profusely. The pots were only 9 inches m diameter; and by pUcmg them about 2 feet apart, and bringing the canes of both pots too-ether, they were tied in the shape ot a halt-circle. Some of the pots, or arches, had twelve bunches, and one beino- White Frontignan and the other Muscat Hamburgh, they were, indeed, very handsome. The Gnzzly Frontignan, so liable to shank when planted in an outside border, was here in pots colouring beautifully, the bright amber colour of the berries contrasting well with the jet black of the Hamburo-hs. In this and the next house I noticed good plants o1- Graptophyllum pictum; Crotons pictum, longi- foHumvariegatum,andvariegatum; Pothos argyroea; Cordy- Une indivisa ; Dracaena terminaUs, and a host ot other varie- gated and fine-foliagcd plants too numerous to mention Ot the crolden-veined Lonicera aureo-reticulata, Mr. Clarke possessed a good stock, and shoidd this stand oui- cb^te in summer only, it wiU make a very effective edgmg. Who will be the first to try it ? Mr. Clarke intends doing so this summer, and I hope he will communicate the result. In the centre of the gardens stands a large greenhouse, or rather vinery, used as a late house. The Vines were just : tJ^g anTprLised an abundant crop, tinder the Vmes on a high steep stage were a great many wmter-flowering plants, as Cyt&uses. Camellias, Azaleas &c makmg good wood, the Azileas being neatly tramed The house is heated by a combination of smoke-flues and hot water, just re- minding one how ineffectual flues are m large houses. Probfno- Mr. Clarke on the subject of flues versus hot- water hil reply was in favour of flues for small houses and Tseries of houses wide apart; but in favour of hot water for large houses or a series or range of houses requurmg a forcing temperatm-e. Notwithstandmg that the houses at Studlev are wide apart, most of them are heated by hot water and the oU fl'J.es done away with, for aU the houses are very old. Most of them, however, are kept at a high ^^CkTse^ by\ere ai-e the under-gardeners' rooms, not so bothy-like as some of the like kind in other places, nor half so inconvenient. A commodious frmt-room, or rooms, potting- sheds &o adioin. Another waUed compartment, called the orchak contains aU the best kinds of hardy fruit trees m foU bearing; and on the north wall (south aspect) were s2e very fine Apricot trees, Moorpai-k chiefly, .loaded w,th ^dt How many Apricot-houses have 700 fruit m them? Yorkshii-e is " a county where Green Gage Plums are never Jeen iTperfection," says the writer of a book reaching into tens of editions ; but so far is this from being tnie, that not only Green Gage Plum trees m Yorkshu-e bear weU as standards and yTeld bushels of fruit, but there are Apricots on many cottages the fruit of which annually pays their rent In a Cucumber-house heated by hot water, the old flues being done, we saw Reynolds's Winter Cucumber It is a free bearer ; but as for being ahaiidsome 6^*. ^^ f J^f *^« contrary. Nevertheless, it is said to be good for use, and it hani a^ on- time. Adioining is a Pine-pit with plants m a flo^irlMn- condition, and some young Vines preparing for for"amongst which were Chavoush,I)enbies Muscat, and other "select and new kinds. In a small compai-tment were MocasTa metaSica, A. macrorhiza variegata, and other choice ^'^In^'the way is another Cucumber-house planted with Carter's Champion (will any one teU me the difference between ChXpion and an' old kind that was formerly ^0^ under the name of Smither's Wmter Cucumber, or fco^^s winter?) and on Bome shelves at the^ck^ere Oscar Strawberries bearing profusely m pots. Thib variety promises to be a good forcer. ^ Time would not allow of my seemg i""* more ; but in a duno--frame I noticed an abundant crop of Melons, l^ge enouo-h for anything. The kinds were Onon, Golden Per- fection and a new kind. Princess Alexandra, evidently a Jood cropper, large, and of handsome shape^and if it be a. well flavoured as it looks it wdl merit its name. CrosTin" the pai-k I reached the old flower gardens, and these caU for a few remarks. They form one ot those old- tuese call lor a .j^nding paths, verdant lawn dis- fi^^-^d by S hire anHioth'erVere and ^^^V^^^ hau hazard An old greenhouse with high front-hghts or ta'^dts andan opaqu^ roof f o-^^JVaf^'^^h Tome course, of Uttle value for plants, but it was gay with some July 21, 1863. JOUENAL OP HOKTICTJLTTJRE AlfD COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 47 Geraniums, &c. A tea-house ornaments the centre of the garden, and some beds of various shapes in front, planted with bedding plants, looked pretty. On the lawn is a very large round bxish of the variegated Box (Buxus sempervirens variegata), about 15 feet high, and not less than 60 feet in circumference. Besides a tine Cedrus deodara and Picea cephalonica, I noticed Picea nobUis or an intermediate vax'iety between that and Picea Nordmacniana about 25 feet high. Roses in flower, Khododendi-ons, ornamental deci- duous trees, and evergreen shrubs viforthy of note, are also met with everywhere. Somehow I have omitted mentioning a Peach-house in its proper place ; and as I noticed not only some fine fruit on the trees planted out, but some trees in pots preparing for forcing, I took Mr. Clarke's opinion about trees in pots. For early forcing or affording a few fruits early he considered a doaen or two of great service, but for affording a supply he denied then- utility. With another look at the new flower garden, and thanking Mr. Clarke for his kindness, I departed. In conclusion let me add that every thing under Mr. Clarke's management denoted indomitable jjerseverance, intelligence, and skill. In the welfare of his assistants he also takes great interest. They are privileged to leave work at five o'clock on Saturdays ; and I trust that ere long every gardener and every man employed in gardens will have his houi-s of labour shortened, not ordy at Studley, but throughout the country, and instead of leaving work at five o'clock on Saturday, that they may hava Satm-day afternoon, like other trades, to themselves, to improve themselves by visiting other gardens, and collect- ing plants or studying nature in the field. Men who would •not work harder dming the remainder of the week to make up for Satm-day afternoons I would discard fi-om the garden- ing world ; but I feel sure they would, and that no employer woiild regret granting the advantage.— G. A. EOOTD^G STEA"V^BEEEY-RU:?fNEES. In rooting Strawben-y-i-unners into smaU pots, ought the pots to be put under the first joint of the runner (I mean the joint nearest the plant) when the roots are sprouting, or under the last bud 'i If put under the fii-st joint, ought the end of the runner to be cut off? — M. B. [The question is of more importance than would appear at first sight. When it is desirable to increase a favourite kind every runner made may be layered with propriety, and thus a great number of plants may be obtained ft-om one stool. In this case the lii-st layer is put in, and every one that comes after in succession, and none are cut from the mother plant untU all are rooted. In iLich case the first layers wUl generally be the strongest, and we would advise their being kept by themselves and planted by themselves. Where time and means exist, this plan of rooting the young plants is by far the best for making autumn-plantations, as the plants will be strong and established enough to produce a fair crop of very fine fruit the following summer. We lately stated that we approved of layering the plants in small pots when forcing plants were required ; but we said nothing as respects our correspondent's interesting inquiry as to what woidd be the best layer to adopt. Here, then, we must just tell what has been our practice of late, though somewhat opposed to the theory which experiments led us to consider as the soundest and best in the matter, if circumstances admitted of its being carried out. To clear our way we must here allude to another query about runners, sent by a coiTCspondent "Quiz," who has had a hot discussion with a friend as to whether runners were to be looked upon as feeders or robbers. We think that both are right and both are wrong, according to the stand-point of the argument. For instance: here is a Strawberry-stool that we wish to become as bulky and luxuriant as possible; and in such a case, were size and luxuriance the objects, we would look upon a number of Tunners, each rooting and catering not only for itself, but also by the connecting Unk for the old parent plant, as being much less robbers than feeders. It so happens, however, that we value the Strawberry-stool less for its mere luxuriance and large leaves than for its weU-ripened buds and conse- quent extreme fruitfulness. In such a case we think little of the young plants either as feeders or robbers. Our object is to concentrate as much strength in every parent stool as shall be compatible with the extreme of fruitfulness, and hence we shorten and remove all runners early. We even remove some of the weaker buds or shoots of the stool, not only that the strength may be concentrated, but that the sun and air may play freely round, and thus thoroughly ripen the buds for next season's produce. In gaining this result we prefer that the runners should grow a few weeks before they are nipped oft', as sometimes when we have kept them nipped close all along, some of the extra strength being thi'own into the buds, they were apt to burst or, as it is called, come bUnd, at the fruiting season. Though we generally keep our Strawberries about three years on the ground, we have often proved that if stools are so deprived of runners early, and the smallest shoots thinned out and rich top-dressings and manure-waterings given, the same plantation may be kept in good bearing order for many years, though no great advantage is thus gained — not enough, in our opinion, to make up for the advantages of a regular rotation of cropping. Owing to the cold springs and dry summers our practice of late has been to layer the first runner that came, and, then, unless in a case of scarcity, to nip oft' the ru nnin g point, to concentrate aU the growing strength into the single runner. Thus, also, a few runners from a stool get more sun and air than if a greater number were layered. These first layers, in general, make as stated above, the finest and strongest plants, and if well managed afterwards, they will be found very fair for fi-uitfulness. If made too luxuriant, or kept growing too long in the autumn from rich surfacings and manure-waterings, the fine buds will be apt to split, and then it will be found that the extreme of luxuriance is not always attended with the extreme of fertility. Though for the above reason of lateness of runners, we chiefly depend on the first-formed, we would under other cir- cumstances be inclined to slip off the fitrst-formed one with- out hurting the string, and wait for the second yoimg plant on the runner to layer. Several years ago, we made experiments in this dii-ection, and although the results were not in aU. cases so conspicuous as to give grounds for forming an unalterable theory, stiU they were such, as, on the whole, fully to convince us that the second young phint formed on the runner, though generally less luxuriant, was also generally more compact and fruitfld. In this case two new runners were allowed to go beyond the layer on the pot. On account of the dryness of the ground, we have been obliged to take the first iimners, and these will be none too early for early forcing ; but we should be glad if others more favourably situated would make some experiments in this direction, as what may be of less moment when some thou- sands are grown, may be of considerable importance where only a score or two of pots can be managed. From whatever cause, some stools will often be found much, more inclined to sterOity than others in the plantation, and these should be either pulled up or marked, so that no runners be taken from them. This is the more necessary, as almost constantly such plants send out the earliest and strongest runners, and the sterile habit is almost sure to be continued. We recollect picking-out such stools of the Elton perfectly barren, when all around them had a dense crop, and on marking and trying layers from such plants for four years, we never gathered a fruit from them. A little trouble in selsction, therefore, is far from being labour lost in small gardens, where every foot of ground is an object. Take layers, then, if possible, from the best bearing plants.— R. F.] FBinTEBEBS' Company.— On the 8th instant, the Master of the Fruiterers' Company (WiUiam Brown, Esq.), with the Wardens (Josiah Walker, Esq., and HUary Nicholas Nissen, Esq.), and Mr. O. C. T. Eagleton, the Clerk of the Company, waited upon the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House by appointment, and presented his lordship with a choice se- lection of aU the fruits of the season. The Master and Wardens in addressing the Lord Mayor, refeiTed to the deviation the Company had made from the ancient custom of presenting sundry bushels of Apples in the winter, and expressed a hope that the present now made would be more acceptable. The Lord Mayor acknowledged the present in 48 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 21, 1863. a very pleasant and appropriate manner, while the Lady Mayoress and the ladies of her family inspected with much delight the splendid specimens of Pines, Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, &c., which were displayed in the saloon. — (Ciiy Press.) THE OLD KENTISH PLOUGH. It is seldom that the gardener calls in the assistance of expensive machinery to aid him in his manifold duties. True a water engine is a machine ; and of late years much improve- ment has been made in mowing machines, which, in fact, have become so common, that it is a question if more turf is not kept in trim by these appliances than by hand- mowing. Machines for fumigating and dusting plants with sulphur have been tried, but are often more novel than useful ; and there seems much difference of opinion about the relative values of the different tree-planting machines. The one containing the greatest compheation of parts, giving it the greatest claim to the character of a machine, is certainly not the best; it is, in fact, more a mechanical appai-atus than a horticultural one. Pre-existing machines of a simpler construction, which did their work with a less amount of screw and other com- plications of a mechanical kind, but with, perhaps, an in- creased amount of hand-labour, did it much better for the patient operated on ; simplicity in most things is best for the multitude, and unless a piece of mechanism perform its work much better and cheaper than the same can be done by liand it soon falls into disuse. Its strongest ad- vocates fail in maintaining its popularity, and the original implement it was intended to supersede is restored to favour again. Nevertheless, we now and then meet with decided improvements in something where it was thought perfection already existed. Tools have been much improved in the last few yeai-s, digging tools especially ; and the implements used in different localities have been brought into competition with each other, and the axlvantages and disadvantages of each made apparent to all not too deeply tinctured with prejudice. Every one connected with rural affairs knows a plough ; but there are plenty of ploughmen who are, no doubt, adepts at theii- calling that would be puzzled to understand the action of a Kentish plough ; and if they accidentally came upon one not at work, they would, in all probabOity, suppose it to be intended for some other pui-pose than tilling the soil. And yet this implement — heavy, cumbersome, and to all appearance the most antiquated ijn its class — has not been exceeded in the quality of its work by the best-con- structed implement that has been brought to contend against it from the manufactories which have a European reputation for the skilful adjustment of all the pai-ts of their implements. In the matter of ploughs, Kentish farmers have taught their brethren a lesson in other paits of the kingdom, while in return they have received some useful lunts in the same way themselves. Doubtless some amount of prejudice still exists in both cases, but that will in time vanish. Sound principle will in the end prevail; and when once the way is opened for the admission of an error, its removal is more easy. Returning, however, to the matter of ploughs, let us see in what way the Kentish plough differs from others in the way in which it does its work. In most parts of England where I have been the ploughing- up of a Clover-bed is regai-ded as a job in which ploughmen delight to show off then- skill ; and when working hours are over it is not unusual to see them all walking backwaj-d and forward along the headland, examining with the eyes of con- noisseurs each other's work, and commenting accordingly. The qualification for such work is to exhibit the fui-row sUce turned up with great exactness, so as to resemble the ridge of a house, or, in fact, a series of ridges and furrows, each side of the ridge presenting the angle of 45° ; and, assuming the sharp edge of the ridge and of every ridge to be straight, the work would be considered well done. This is, or until lately was, one of the criterions of good ploughing in the central and northern counties of England. We will now compare it with what is done in Kent. The Kentish ploughman turns over his furrow in quite a different manner. He has been to see the fashion of ploughing in the midland counties, and he tells them plainly they do not turn over the soil at all, they only tui-n it three- quai-ters over ; that their vaunted angle of 45° means that instead of having turned the ground over as much as 180°, as he does at home, they have only moved it 135° from its original position ; and that he could show them how to tui-n it upside down, which, in fact, he does completely — the criterion of good work with him being to do so, leaving the bottom of the fiirrow slice quite flat on the top and a clear crease or Hue of marking between each furrow as straight as possible. The advantages of this plan are that any weeds, rubbish, or dung that may be on the top is completely biuied, the weeds being less likely to grow than when hall' bmied in the three-quarter-tui'nover system of other places, and he consequently feels not a little proud of the old-fashioned wooden instrument which he sees others despise. Kentish ploughs have also another peculiarity — only one furrow is wanted, as they are so constructed, that by the movement of a mould-boai-d and another direction being given to the coulter when they come to the end of a fui'row, they retiu'n in the same ground, and turn the soil in the reverse way, the alteration not taking more than a minute I to make. Much stress has been laid on this point at meetings j where Kentish ploughs have competed with others, the latter requiring two furrows to be thrown against each other to staat with, forming a sort of ridge, cei-tainly not wanted for I any purpose ; whereas the Kentish plough, by beginning at the outside, and using only one furrow, leaves aU its work as level as where it begins. It is needless to say it could go round a piece the same as other ploughs do ; but it is seldom if ever done. Some little alterations have been made in it diuing the last few years, but compai-atively few to what its neighbour, the iron plough, has undergone in the hands of a Howard and a Ransome ; and it is not too much to say that these great makers have borrowed from the Kentish plough more than that implement has done fi-om them ; and at a challenge meeting some two years ago, between the advocates of the ploughs of one of these makers and the old Kent implement, much interest was evinced, and im- paitial judges were unable to determine which of them did the best work. Even scientific men, who assume to be oracles in then- way in deciding on the laws which ought to govern mechanics, have found their theories overthrown at times by the perfoianances of the Kentish plough. A gentleman well versed in engineering matters and mechanical constnictions, thought he had invented a much lighter implement, but when subjected to the test of the dynamometer, it was found to be the reverse in the draught wanted. One oi#two leading features in the Kent plough being good seem to atone for all that appears clumsy. The parts that penetrate the ground ai'e long, the sole of the plough being upwards of 4 feet in length, and the wing as long ; and it is pulled forward Uke a long, tliin wedge rather than a short thick one. There is less iron in it than in most ploughs. The tiirn-wrest or part moveable at each end is of wood, as also are the beam and most other paits ; but there being no cm-ved mould-boai-d as in other ploughs, strangers not acquainted with its uses would hai-dly suppose that it was intended for ploughing, and it seldom fails to excite the derision of such as inspect it for the first time, if not at work ; but when so employed, and the qiialities of the work done ai-e examined, there is generally a pause, and an inward question is asked. Can tliis be wrong ? Conviction is very unwilling to say No, and the idea is carried home that soils must assui-edly be better that are completely turned over than those which are only partly so, and the application of this problem may be earned into other quarters as well j but enough has been said for the present, and if agree- able, I will at a futiu'e time return to the subject. — J. R. Select Orchidaceous Plants. — The fifth Part of this beautifiil and trustworthy publication is j|Ust published, and is a worthy companion to its four predecessors. It contains Pleione lagenaria, Vanda coernlea, Dendi'obium Wardianum, and Lselia superbiens. The portraits by Mr. Fitch, the descriptions by Mr. Warner, and the cultural directions by Mr. Williams, are all excellent. July 21, 1863. JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAJEDENER. 49 POKTEAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND FETJITS. Khododendkon Batemani (Mr. Bateman's Rhododen- dron). — Nat. ord., Ericaces. Linn., Deoandria Monogynia. Discovered by Mi-. Booti. in the Bhotan Himalaya. Very robust. Flowers crimson and large. Noble species. — {Bot. Magazine, t. 5387.) Oknithogalum CAPiTATim (Capitate Ornithogalum). — Nat. ord., Asphodelese. Linn., Hexandria Monogynia. Bulb- ous-rooted greenhouse plant from Cape of Good Hope. The whit^i and purple flowers open in February. — (Ihid., t. 5388.) Metenia Voqeliana (Vogel's Meyenia). — Nat. ord., Acan- thaceoe. Linn., Didynamia Angiospermia. A most lovely stove plant from Fernando Po. Flowers purple with orange throat, opening in May. — {Ibid., t. 5389.) Nephelaphyllum scapigebum (Scapigerous Nephela- phyllum). — Nat. ord., Orchidaceae. Linn., Gynandria Monan- dria. Imported from Borneo by Messrs. Low & Sons, Clap- ton. "A singular and beautiful little Orchid." Flowers yeUow and white with purple blotches. — (Ibid., t. 5390.) Ebia obesa (Thick -stemmed Eria). — Nat. ord., Orchid- aceae. Linn., Gynandria Monandria. Native of Martaban and Moulmeiu. Flowers white. Flowered in a warm stove in February." — (Ibid., t. 5391.) Japanese Clematises. — Clematis Fortimei, white ; and Clematis florida Standishii, violet blue. Both plants were found by Mr. Fortune ia Japan. Probably hardy, and have had fii-st-class certificates from the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultm-al Society. — (Floral Magazine, j>l. 153.) Peaece's Ohrisia (Ourisia Pearcii). — A dwarf hardy pe- rennial of great beauty. Introduced from Chili by Messrs. Veitch, Chelsea and Exeter Nurseries, through their collector, Mr. Pearee. Flowers crimson streaked with dai'ker crimson. It had a fii-st-class certificate from the Floral Committee. — (Ibid., pi loi.) Ehododendeon Pbince of Wales (RoUisson's). — A cross- bred between Rhododendrons javanicum and retusum. Flowers bright orange. — (Ibid., pi. 155.) Heebaoeous CALCEOLAELis. — Four varieties raised by Messi-s. Dobsou & Son, Isle worth. — (Ibid., pi. 156.) Camellia Caelotta Papudoff. — Introduced by Messrs. Veitch from Florence. "A first-class variety." White blotches on a gi-ound of carmine rose. — (Florist o,nd Pomolo- gist, ii., 89.) Winter Hawthoenden Apple. — ^Roundish-oblate, large, pale yellow, mottled red on the most sun-erpoaed side. "The' flesh ffrmer.than that of the old Hawthornden, with all its qualities." Fii-st-rate culinary Apple, in use from October to March.— (Ibid., 96.) CHIEF GAEDENS IN GEEAT BEITAIN. I feel confident that the readers of The Journal of Horticulture wOl feel obliged to you for giving a list of the chief gardens in Great Britain ; but permit me to suggest that your correspondents on the subject should be cai-eful in stating to you whether their lists comprise the principal or a few of the best gardens of a county, for it is very evident that the gentleman who furnished you with a list of the "principal gardens in Northiimberland " has never crossed the Aln, otherwise he would not have omitted Cbillingham Castle, where the finest flower garden in the county is to be seen, and where the greatest number of bedding-out plants are ; and it is quite patent that there is a very superior selection of French Pears cultivated succesafriUy in the fruit gardens ; and in the American gaa-den, quite distinct fr-om either of the above, there is as line a collection of Rhodo- dendrons as is to be found in the north. Mr. Bowey is gardener. And why should he omit LUburn Tower close by, the seat of — CoUingwood, Esq., where the gardens are almost overshadowed by the cloud-capped Cheviots ? Yet here in the earliest spring Nature bursts into such beauty, that I have frequently gone miles out of my way to see in bloom the splendid collection of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, and other spring-flowering shrubs which thrive so wbU under the treatment of Mr. Dees. Both fruit and flower garden are good. Here, also, about four or five years ago they could boast of an Araucaria imbricata only second to some of those fine specimens at Belsay. Mr. Dees is very successful with the WeUingtonia gigantea, but none of them are so tall as that very fine specimen near to the old castle at Belsay. It would be an easy matter for me to name at least seven or eight gardens in Northumberland equal to, and some superior to, those named in yom' Journal this week. Why are Howiok Gardens not named, the seat of the Right Hon. Earl Grey, Mr. Moore, gardener ? It is true there are better Orchids at Wallington and CressweU ; but Howick Gardens are of more general interest to the tourist and visitor than some you have named ; so, also, are those of the Home Secretai-y, and EsUngton Gardens, besides many others. — Ptekis. [We wish that oiu' correspondent had increased our obligation by giving a tabular list of all the gardens he knows worthy of a visit. No one can be acquainted with all such gardens in a county, and we wish every coiTespondent to particularise only those really known to him. We can- not have too many of such contributions, and we shall be obliged by any one sending us the names of any two or three gardens he knows are worth visiting. — Eds.] THE GEEAT BIED QUESTION. In No. 117 of The Journal of Horticulture, Mr. Rob- son asks for evidence that small bu-ds eat caterpillars. I can supply some on this point. A pair of the large titmouse this year made a nest in the potting-shed in the garden here, and reared a numerous famEy — six or seven, I believe. One day, being in the shed, I saw both the parent birds on an Apple tree within ai very few feet of me, and each with a caterpiUar, about tlrree-quarters of an inch long, in its beak ; whether these were the caterpillars which infest Gooseberry bushes or not I cannot pretend to say, but, Uke them, they were of a light colour. The destruction of caterpillars by this pafr alone was, in all probability, very great, as there was so numerous a family to feed. Since the young bii-ds have taken to the wing they are, however, often to be seen escaping fr'om the I'ows of Peas with a Pea in then- beaks ; and I apprehend that the same is the case with many small bu-ds, that thefr parents feed them with insects while in the nest, but that when they have to provide for themselves they indulge in a mixed, or, perhaps, sometimes an entu-ely vegetable diet. If this be so, the proper course seems to be to leave them undisturbed while nesting, and to diminish then- numbers, where neces- sary, at a later time. I have no hesitation in saying that in some places very little fiTiit would be left if the bu-ds were allowed to increase without check. It must be remembered that their natural enemies, hawks and owls, are actively pei-secuted by game- keepers, and very greatly diminished in numbers. — SussBX- ensis, E Pari;, Sussex. MAY FLO WEES. Flower gardens in most places are, during the month of May, very deficient in a fine display of bloom. The bulbs such as Crocuses di-op ; Hyacinths, &c., are all over; and the bedding-out plants are only just planted out, and not in bloom, even in the most favoui-ed places as to climate and shelter. Though many of oiu- aristocratic fami- lies are during that month in London, yet there are large numbers who have nice gardens that prefer the country — their home in fact, to the dust, heat and discomfort of town Ufe. Such families, no doubt, would be glad to have their flower-borders well-stocked with Flora's gifts, but they are not just up to the mark how to accomplish this point in May. The above reflections passed tlirough my mind on visiting a garden near Manchester that I have refeired to more than once, I mean the gai-den belonging to J. Shorrocks, Esq., the Lodge, Ashton-on-Mersey. I saw these gardens about the middle of May, and a more gorgeous display of flowers I never beheld at any time of the year at any place whether in England, Ireland, or Scotland. The garden was Uterally a blaze of flowers, old-fashioned indeed, but yet very gay and effective. For the most part they grew on borders in front of shrubs, and were in such masses that very little soil was visible. so JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTTJEE AOT) COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 21, 18C3. I was so much pleased with the display that I took notes of their names, and thought the list would be useful to many of the readers of The Journal of Eorticultuee. I was somewhat surprised at the small number of species, though that only shows how a good gardener like Mr. North may furnish his employer's flower-border at, comparatively speaking, little or no expense. In order to render this list as useful as possible I shall not only give their names but also their colours, height of growth, the soil they will thrive in, and lastly the mode of propagation. Altssum saxatile. — Bright yellow. Height 9 inches. Soil, light sandy loam on a dry bottom. A plant that spreads much ; miiny of the patches have measured 3 feet across. Propagated by slips put in in June under a bell- glass ; but the best way to procui'e a stock is to purchase a s hillin g packet of seed and sow in April or early in May on a warm border, and transplant the seedlings, as soon as large enough, where they are to bloom. In order to obtain a large patch quickly, plant five plants 6 inches apart toge- ther, and the second year they wiB make a dense mass and a good display. Anthericum liliastrum. — Clear satiny white. Height, 1 foot, light sandy loam well-drained. Propagated by dividing the plants in autumn. Axjbkietia deltoidea. — Blue. Height, 2 inches. Soil, light sandy peat and loam. Propagated either by slips put under a bell-glass in a shadj- place in June, or by dividing the plants just aJter the bloom is over, watering the divi- sions every evening if the weather is dry. A beautiful spread- ing plant. Bellis peeennis. — A dark red vaiiety. Height, 4 to C inches. SoO, any good gaiden. Propagated by divisions after flowering. Plant five together to form a good patch to be effective. Cheiranthus Maeshalli. — Deeporange. Height, 9 inches. Soil, common garden. Propagated by slips taken off in May, June, or July, and planted in a bed, shading and watering them till rooted. This beautiful plant is easy to propagate. I seldom lose a single cutting. To make more sure it is desirable to make each cutting with a portion of hai-d woody stem at the bottom. Such cuttings or slips are more certain to root. As soon as they are rooted Uft them up carefully, and transplant them where they are to flower. Here again, in order to make a good show of bloom at once, these young plants should be put in in patches of at least five together. Plant one in the centre and four around it, and you will have a goodly display the year after. Ieekis sempekvirens (Perennial Candytuft). — Height, 6 inches. Colour, clear white. SoU, any good loam not too rich, or it will spread too much and not flower freely. Pro- pagated by cuttings in June under a bell-glass, though I strike the cuttings freely enough when planted in shallow ! pane in ordinary loam and sand, with a layer of sand on the top, and placed in a shady part of a greenhouse. The best kind of cuttings are such as are a little hardened at the base. With such I generally manage to root nine cuttings out of ten. When rooted plant them out in patches of three only, because the plant naturally spreads very much. I find it necessary every year to cut the plants in severely as soon as the bloom is over, in order to keep the patches within modciate compass. This is one of the greatest ornaments to the flower-borders throughout May ; with me it is just going out of bloom in the first week in June. Paneies. — The dark varieties are most suitable for a mixed flower-border. I observed at this place that the yellow and white colours rather predominated : hence the dai-k varieties of Daisies and Pansies were most to be pre- ferred. Any common kinds answer the purpose, provided they ai-e pretty hardy and free bloomers. Veronica decussata. — Pale blue. Height, 1 foot. Soil, common. Propagated easily by division as soon as the bloom is over. To form a large patch, plant five or more plants together at 6 inches apart. I am not certain this is a correct specific name, especially as I cannot find it in the Cottage Gardener's Dictionary. It is, perhaps, V. gentianoidcs. At any rate, it is decussate, and is a handsome border peren- nial, pei-fectly hardy, and delicately beautiful. With these few species of hardy perennials planted at regular intervals, the borders here in May were truly splendid. No doubt the colltction might be more numerous, and Mr. North informed me he intended to add to it as sooa as he could. I ought to mention that the effect was enhanced by a good collection of hardy Azaleas of various cclours, which formed a pleasing background to the low- growing flowers. The pleasure ground was in high order, the lawn close-mown and of the finest kinds of grasses, the lines of the borders were well defined, and not a vestige of a weed was to be seen. In the parts where bedding-out plants are used, Mr. North had ventured to plant out early, and fortunately no late frosts have taken place in the neighbourhood. So it is to be hoped that this style of flower-gardening will be more effective than it was last year, when in many places in the north, owing to the wet summer, many beds totally failed, others gi-ew too much into leaf, and even those that did flower had their blooms dashed and BpoUt by the splashing rains. I was much pleased with a novel mode of forming a ribbon- border here. It is the gardener's invention, and looks well„ even as soon as it is planted. There are two straight lines and then two wavy lines that cross each other. These two lines are planted with Flower of the Day Geranium crossed with Calceoliuia Aui'ea floribunda. I send a rough sketch of the bed or bordei'. It is 72 feet long and 12 wide, and is planted thus : — -iO- -ao~ 1. "Walk in front of hothouse. 2. Edging of Box. 3. Lobelia ppeciosa. 4. Variegated Sweet Alyssum. 9. Grass bolder. The sketch is drawn to a scale of one-eighth of an inch to the foot. It is just half the length of the border. I have seen the latter since the above was written, and in my opinion it is much more pleasing and elegant than mere .'). Purple King Verbena, f. Firefly Scarlet Verbena. 10. Low hedge. 7. Tom Thumb Geranium. 8. Calceolaria Aurea floribunila. straight stiff, Unes. Next season' let some one that' has spice try the same plan, I am sure^he or they will be welJ pleased with it. ^^^^^^ T.^Applbet. July 21, 1863. ] JOUBNAL OF HOETICULTITRE ANB COTTAGE GAUDENEK. 51 ECONOMICAL AEEANGEMENT OP In these days of rigid economy, -when persons of ample means delight to deal in the cheapest mai-ket, perhaps the following plans and suggestions for the economical arrange- ment oi' plant-houses upon a small scale, may not be with- out interest to some of our amateur patrons ; and even young gardeners and nurserymen may study them possibly with profit to themselves. The plans have been prepared not only with strict regard to economy of space — a matter of considerable importance in small gardens — but also so as to tui-n the whole of the materials to the gi-eatest advan- tage, and that at, considering the permanence and durability of the erections, a very moderate cost. In the construction of horticultural as in aU other buildings, there is no economy in "make-shifts;" the best materials and the best work- manship will ulti- mately be found the most economical, and those who save a few pounds by what is technically called " scamping a job," in the first erection, wUl generally find that they have been penny wise and pound foolish before the end of the first seven years. A range of houses on this plan has lately been erected for a gentle- man. The forcing- house has yielded abundance of Roses and other forced flowers, with splen- did Cucumbers, and at the present time a vei^y fine crop of Melons is coming for- ward. These and the Cucumbers are grown in large pots plung- ed in leaf mould over the tani, and the roots ai'e allow- ed to grow in the plunging materials. Under the Melons, &c., which are train- ed within a foot of the glass, plants for flower garden pui'- poses aie propagat- ed, and a few stove plants, as Gloxinias, Achimenes, Garde- nias, &c., are grown underneath. For the above purposes, or for the cultivation of a select collection of stove plants or Or- chids, or even for the growth of the Pine Apple, perhaps no better arrangement could be made, the command of heat, both for the plunging-bed and the atmosphere, being of the most efficient description. If the forcing-house was devoted to the cultivation of Orchids, for which it is admirably adapted, we should build the inner walls on each side of the pathway in rookwork, and also place a mass of rookwork the whole width of the house against the end wall, leaving niches to be filled with suit- able material for the cultivation of some of the finer kinds of Ferns, Mosses, and such Orchids as are likely to succeed in such a situation. By merely opening a communication on each side from the tank and heating-apparatus, the rock- work might be supplied with any amount of moisture or bottom heat ; and by simply placing a cistern of water above the level of the rockwork and over the boder, silvery streams of warm water may be made to trickle over the tortuous REFERENCE TO PLAN. A, Pathway. E, Bed for plants to stand upon, or be planted in. c. Hot-water pipes three-inch diameter in house, two-inch in pits. 1), Hot-water tank for bottom heat, heated by two two-inch pipes, GHOUND PLAN OP HOUSr.R AND FITS. Cold Pit. Greenhouse. Cold Pit FORCING AND PLANT HOUSES, Ac. track of the rockwork, finally refreshing the feelings, and ministering to the picturesque character of the scene, by terminating in a miniature waterfall, the grateful rippling of which will do much to cheat visitors into the belief that the house is not so warm as the proper ciUtivation Of its occupants renders it necessary that it should be. '• Oh ! but," remarks some adept in the art and myst(iry of growing Orchids, "to do the various kinds justice, and produce them in perfection, two houses are required." Granted ; therefore, if you please, we wiU confine the Indian kinds to the house we have been speaking of, and by con- tinuing the same heating arrangements, we will convert the oreenhouse into a house for the growth of those kinds which are natives of Mexico and colder climates ; and thus, with one exception, we SECTION OF FOBciNQ-uonsE. havc arrangements I as complete as the most fastidious could desire, where light, heat, and moisture are at command, to do aU that is i-e- quired for the proper cultivation of this beautiful tribe of plants. Indeed, in the laconic language of one of the best gar- deners in the country, these are " nice snug houses," suitable for plants of aU kinds j and if Nature's jour- neyman, the gar- dener, only performs his part properly, success is certain. For the cultivation of Vines in pots, such houses would be perfect; and one of these houses, with the side-pits to bring on successional plants, would produce Grapes- ■ sufficient for a small ■ family, and that for several months in the year. In the construc- tion of this range of houses the position of the boiler is not indicated, but we pro- pose to fix it at the north end of the forc- ing - house, to heat the tanks, house and pits, independently of each other, hav- ing stop-cocks or valves to each set of pipes, so as to work the whole or a part at the same time, as may be ne- cessary. The greenhouse will be heated by continuing the pipes from the forcing-house, placing stop-cocks where the pipes enter the gi-eenhouse. The pipes for surface heat are placed in a trough lined with cement, so that in case of need, when a very moist heat is required, water may be placed around the lower pipe to create moisture. The pipe tor surface heat must be 3 inches in diameter, and those i-unning through the tank for bottom heat 2 inches. For the side pits two-inch pipes will be sufficient for ordinap' pur- I.oses ; but if a stixjng heat is required, why then, three or ibur-inch pipes will be required. The cold pits adjoining the gi-eenhouse wUl be found very useful for the growth of Sngnouette, Violets, and Stocks throu<^h the winter, and also for protectmg plants for the flower garden, and in the heated pits Eoses and other flowers may be forced.— (A., in Gardeners Magazine of Botany.) Warm Pit. S Hothouse. B Warm Pit. S2 JOUENAL OP HOETICULTTXKE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. [ July 21, 1863. THE BIEMINGHAM EOSE SHOW. July IGth and 17th. When any gi-eat design is carried into eifect and proves to be a success, the word " patronage " is wliisjjered about as tiiough the rich man's purse were the only or chief motive power; but those who are in tlie habit of looking beneath the surface will surely acknowledge a motive power still more potent. In support of tliis view I woidd instance the late Birmingham Eose Show, which, as a Eose show, I believe was second to none in the kingdom, and, probably, in the world ; and it was held in the midst of a manufaetming town which, like manufacturing towns in general, is densely populated, very smoky, and inhabited by two classes of people — employers and employed, boasting of few if any of the upper ten thousand. The Town HaU in which the Show was held is a fine massive building of the Corinthian order of architecture. Interiorly it is both spacious and lofty, and the ceiling is finely deco- rated. At one end is an orchestra siu'mounted by one of the fijiest organs in the country ; and below the organ a crescent was formed by some of the stages or seats being arranged with CamelUas, Conifers, Ferns, and other plants, and within this crescent the baud performed. The Eoses, which certainly were the principal features of the Show, were arranged on stages in the body of the build- ing; and although a portion of them were to be found up-stairs, the most important collections were below. Each temporai-y stage contained two rows, and between these were Ferns, Begonias, Caladiums, &c., the whole looking exceedingly well and doing credit to those who had the arrangement of them. I took a few notes of the Show, which 1 send for the benefit of your readers ; and though my re- marks may not be in so masterly a style as those of a pro- fessional reporter, yet I will do what I can. In giving any opinion on the condition of the flowers I can only speak from impression, for, not having seen the preceding Shows, I cannot speak from comparison. There were Eoses that had not attained their best, and there were those that were past it. Some were not vdthout fault as to form and colom-; but, on the whole, I consider they were very good. Some would say that the flowers were too open, but every Eose-gi'ower knows what a difference a single day will make in the appearance of a flower in the bright sunny weather that has lately prevailed. Making allowance for this, I consider no one has a right to complain that the ex- hibitors had not done well. Certainly instances were not wanting in.which the same varieties woiild differ considerably on different stands ; but this is natural and may be the effect of locality, or it may be that individual flowers differ on the same plant. In Class A (Nurserymen), ninety-six varieties, single trusses, the first prize was awarded to Mr. B. E. Cant, Colchester. Among his lot were Lffilia (very fine), President, Madame Vidot, Fran9ois Lacharme, and G-loire de Dijon, all first-rate. The second prize went to Mr. John Keynes, of Salisbm-y. In this collection were some good blooms of Jean d'Arc, Jules Margottin, Marechal VaiUant, MdHe. Bonnaire, Comtesse Ouvaroff, Madame KnoiT, Beauty of Waltham, Alphonse Kan-, Celine Forestier, Lady Stuart, Madame Hector Jaequin, Madame Boll, Triomphe de Eennes, Gloire de Santenay, Olivier Delhomme, Souvenu- de Comte Cavoui', Biu-on Gonella, Comte de Nanteml, General Jac- queminot, Glou'e de Vitry, Senateur Vaisse, all good and fi:esh-looking — more so, in my opinion, than the preceding, and they were certainly better ai-ranged. Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, and Mi'. W. Faul, of Waltham Cross, were equal thii-d in this class. In the collection of the former were good flowers of Eugene Desgaches, Comtesse CecUe de Chabrdlant, Due de Eohan, Jaune of Smith, Madame Pier- son, Niphetos, &c., all good and neatly packed ; but many would say the flowers were too full blown. Mr. W. Paul's collection contained, in addition to fine fiowers of some of the above. Due de Gazes (very dark), General Jacqueminot in fine condition, and Louis XH'. In this class entries were also made by Messrs. Francis, of Hertford, who showed Louis Peyronney very large, and the following fii-st-rate : — Baron Gonella, Louise Magnan, Prince CamiUe de Eohan. From Mr. Tm-ner, of Slough, whose coUectiou looked really charming, there came amongst others good blooms of Triomphe de Caen, La Boule d'Or, Eugene Appert, Crloire de Santenay, Souvenir d'un Ami (good), Madame Bravy, Madame Charles Wood (very large). Mr. Cranston's collection included many good flowers, but they were loosely arranged compared to the last. Mr. E. Smith also entered in this class. In Class A (Nurserymen), forty-eight varieties, three trusses, the first prize was carried off by Mr. John Keynes, of Salisbury, with a most excellent stand, all fresh and beau- tiful. The second prize went to Messrs. Paul & Sons, Ches- hunt ; and the third to Mr. B. E. Cant, of Colchester. In this class were several other exhibitors, including Messrs. Francis, Keynes, W. Paul, Paid & Sons, Smith, and Turner. In Mr. Francis's collection I paiticularly noticed fine blooms of Anna de Diesbach, Mrs. Elvers, Catherine Guillot, Com- tesse de Chabrillant, Prince Imperial, Madame Schmidt, and what seemed to me Jules Margottin named Senatem- Vaisse. In Class A (Nxu-serymen), twenty-four varieties, three trusses, the fii'st prize was taken by Mr. Keynes ; the second by Mr. W. Draycott, Humberstone. near Leicester ; and the third by Mr. George Batley, of Eugby. Class A, No. 4, twenty-foxu- vaiieties, single trusses, was open only to niu'seiymen in the counties of Warwick, Wor- cester, and Staffordshh-e. The first prize was awarded to Messrs. S. Perkins & Sons, Coventry; the second to Mr. W. H. Treen, of Eugby ; and the third to Mr. George Batley. The other competitors in this division were Mr. J. Cole, of Birchfield, near Birmingham; Mr. E. Smith, Worcester; Mr. A. Wood, Worcester ; and Mi-. E. H. Vertegans, Chad Valley, Edgbaston. The ti-usses shown here were in no' way inferior to the others, proving that these counties are well adapted for the culture of this the queen of flowers. In Class B, No. 5 (Amateurs), forty-eight varieties, single truss, the first-prize cup was given to Mr. J. T. Hedge, Eeed Hall, Colchester. Here were splendid flowers of Eeine Vic- toria, Comtesse CecUe de Chabrfllant, Beauty of Waltham, Jaune of Smith, Alexandre Fontaine, Matlame Chai-les Wood, Louise Magnan, La Boule d'Or, Mrs. Elvers, Auguste Mie, ■ Triomphe de Caen, Louis XIV., and Solfaterre. The second prize was awarded to Mr. S. Evans, gai-dener to C. New- degate, Esq., M.P., Nuneaton, Warwickslui-e, who also had some good blooms ; and the thii'd prize to the Eev. S. Eeynolds Hole, Caunton Manor, Newark. Class B. No. 6 (Amateurs), twenty-four varieties, single trusses.— The fii-st prize went to Mi-. J. T. Hedge, Colches- ter; the second to Mr. S. Evans, gardener to C. N. Newde- gate, Esq.. M.P. ; and the thii-d to Mr. E. Sage, gardener to Earl Howe, Atherstone. These collections were all good, and some were really first-rate. Class B, No. 7 (Amateui-s), eighteen varieties, single trusses. — The first prize was awarded to Mr. C. J. Perry, Castle Bromwich ; the second to Mi-. J. T. Hedge ; and the thu-d to Mr. E. Hunt, whose collection included good blooms of Smith's Noisette and Prau-e de Ten-e Nou-e. Class B, No. 8 (Amateurs), twelve vai-ieties, single trusses. —The first prize was taken by Mi-. J. Stratton, Manning- ford, Wiltshire, with a collection including Cloth of Gold, Triomphe de Eennes, and others little if anything inferior. Mr. E. Sage, gardener to Earl Howe, had the second prize ; and the thh-d went to Mi-. E. Hunt, Leicester, who had Celine Forestier, Madame Hector Jaequin, and Madame C. Crapelet, very good. Class B, No. 9 (Amateiu-s), twelve varieties, single truss, open only to amateurs resident within fifteen miles of Ste- venson's Place, Birmingham.— The first prize was awarded to Mr. W. Brown, gardener to Mrs. Alston, Ehuden HaU, near Birmingham : and equal second pi-izes were given to the Eev. P. M. Smythe, the Kectory, Solihull, and Mi-. C. J. Perry, Castle Bromwich. Class B, No. 10 (Amateurs), sis varieties, single trass, open only to amatem-s resident within fifteen miles of Ste- venson's Place, Birmingham.- The first prize was taken by Mr. C. J. PeiTy, Castle Brom-wich : the second prize by Mr. W. Bro-wn, gardener to Mrs. Alston, Ebnden HaU; and equal thirds by Mi-. E. Gai-net. Sutton Coldfield, and Mr. B. Wright, the Quarry House. Great Boit, Staffordshire. Class B, No. 11 (Amateurs).— Six varieties, open only to amateurs resident -within three miles of Stevenson's Place, Birmingham. In this class there were no entries. Class C, No. 12 (Open).— CoUections not exceeding twenty- jHly 21, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 53 four new Koses of 1860-61-62, single trusses. The first prize went to Mr. John Keynes ; the second prize to Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, Herts ; and the third to Mr. C. Turner, Slough. Entries were also made by Messrs. Cant, Cranston, S. Evans, and W. Paul. The collections were very similar to those in other classes, and contained many of the same varieties. Class C, No. 13 (Open).— Best new Roses of 1860-61-62, six trusses. Here Mr. J. Keynes was first with Marechal VaiUant, Madame Furtado, Chai-les Lefebvre, and Olivier Delhomme. Mr. Wm. Paul was second. He had Madame Furtado and Beauty of Waltham. Messrs. Paul & Son were third with Madame Charles Wood. Mr. Cranston, also, had fine trusses of Louis XIV. ; Mr. Cant, Madame Furtado ; and Mr. Fraacis, General Washington. Class C, No. 14 (Open).— Best six varieties of Roses, single trusses, with stem and foliage as cut from the tree; each truss to be shown singly in a vase. The first prize was awarded to Mr. E. P. Francis, Hertford ; the second to Mr. G. Batley, Rugby; and the third prize to Mi-. Tm-ner. There were many other exhibitors in this class. Class C, No. 15 (Open). — Best design, basket or vase, of Roses and Rose foliage. Mr. R. H. Vertegans, Edgbaston, took the first prize ; second, Mr. R. T. Evans, Severn Lodge, Shrewsbury; and third, Mr. Turner, Slough. There were here some fine masses of bloom, and all deserved notice ; but I did not consider there was anything striking in the vases or the arrangement. Class C, No. 16 (Open). — Best bouquet for the hand made entirely of Roses and Rose foliage. First prize, Mr. J. Cole, Birchfield ; second, Messrs. F. & A. Dickson, Upton, Chester ; third, Mr. Vertegans, Edgbaston. Mr. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, exhibited a fine stand of Verbenas, consisting of forty-eight bunches of five trusses each. Many plants were also contributed by the surround- ing gentry. There were several good plants of Cissus dis- color; a fine Maranta zebrina; some very good Ferns, including a large Acrostic-hum alcicome, Pteris argyraea, and others ; Adiantum affine, brasiliense, and the ever-beautiful cuneatum. There were also varieties of Caladiums and Begonias, Coleus Verschaffelti, and the older Blumei, look- ing rather paJe, and a few Heaths, at sight of which many of our good growers would make an involuntary grimace. These and other plants weire contributed for the purpose of deco- ration and not for competition. They certainly did their part well, affording an agreeable change from the glowing masses of coloiir presented by the Roses. Under the head of Horticultural Implements and Gai-den Ornaments there were many objects exhibited of considerable interest to the gardener. Messrs. Lloyd & Summerfield, Park Glass Works, Birmingham, showed an aquarivmi with fountain. This was surrounded with Ferns and fronted by a plant of Cyperus alternifolius variegatus, a most interest- ing plant. Prom the same firm also came vases for flowers and fruit, some of them filled as if ready for the table, and looking very tempting. A somewhat similar exhibition was made by Mi'. Jackson, of Birmingham. There were also some vases and table ornaments from Messrs. Naylor and Dunn, of London. The silver plate of Messrs. Deny and Jones, Birmingham, comprised some very graceful dinner- table ornaments ; also those by Mr. Spurrier and by Messrs. Gouch & Sylvester, whose flower-vases were exceedingly pretty. Pottery from Mr. J. Jackson, glass of Mr. C. Bryan, and meteorological instruments from Mr. T. Rabone and Messrs. Field & Son, varied the character of the Exhibition as weU as added to its interest. Garden implements were shown by Messrs. Mapplebeok and Lowe ; and, in looking over them, I found many really useful and well-made instruments, and some also made more for show than use. Mr. R. Thomas and Messrs. Pajkes and Co. had also exhibitions of a similar character. Messrs. Mapplebeck and Lowe were also exhibitors in garden seats and ornaments, and wirework. A large wire rosery, ex- hibited by Messrs. G. Baker & Co., stood in the centre, being neatly decorated with plants for the occasion. Messrs. Gilbert Brothers had some very good garden cutlery. Messrs. Bentley & Stone, and also Messrs. Griffiths & Browlett, exhibited the hydropult, which I found easy enough to work, especially that exhibited by Messrs. Pumphrey, which, I think, is as good for conservatory work, and may be bought at a lower price. A number of wire garden-stands, filled with plants, were exhibited by Messrs. Mapplebeck and Lowe. Artificial flowers were there too, showing great skill and delicacy of touch on the part of those who fabricated them. A beautiful case was shown by Mrs. E. P. Howe, of Birmingham; and those of Mrs. James Stoddard were perfection, being modelled out of lice paper, and all looking exceedingly natural. There was also a case of fruit modelled from some that were shown last autumn. They were of immense size, and exact imitations of the natural finiit. Both artificial fruit and flowers were exceedingly weU done, and reflected great credit on those who made them. To do justice to such an Exhibition as that held at Birmingham a thorough inspection must be made, and it is weU worth the time. — F. Chittt. APHIDES AND TWO OF THEER. ENEMIES THIS SEASON. Having noticed in the public papers of last week an un- favourable account from the Hop-growers in consequence of the prevalence of the aphis or green fly, I beg to offer the following brief remarks for theu- encouragement especially, as well as of hortieidturists and agriculturists in general ; — Up to the present time, in this locality at least, the aphis has proved exceedingly injurious both to Gooseberiy and Currant bushes, and, indeed, to trees and shrubs generally ; but it is gratifying to be able to state that the larvae of ovsr old fi-iend the lady-bird (CoccineUa) and the larvae of the hovering fly (species of the Scteva genus) — and especially the latter — are busily engaged in devouring all the various species of aphis ; and I have no doubt, in a week or two, they wOl make such a clearance of these pests that there will afterwards be little or no cause of complaint. These little friends of ours, but enemies to the aphis, have made their appeai-ance much later than usual this season, in consequence, no doubt, of the cold spring we have had. For the information of those who may not be aware of the utility and importance of these little fellows, I will give a brief description of one of them. The lady-bird is generally well known. Its larvs will rai-ely be noticed except by close observers, for it is in that state generally amongst its prey, exceedingly ugly, rough, and of a dark brown colour. The perfect insect feeds very little in comparison to the lai-vae. The hovering fly, or perfect insect of the Scaeva genus, is two-winged, the most usual species being a little larger than the common house fly, thicker, and with longer wings and body. They are distinctly marked round the body with stripes of black and buff. They are mostly seen in fine warm weather steadily hovering amongst plants, then dart- ing right and left. There are several species, some very small, but they are all valuable. The larva; of those mostly seen are something like leaches in miniatui-e, very soft and flat, of a buff colour slightly variegated, and about the size of the maggot of the flesh fly. After feeding, the chrysalis is generally formed amongst the leaves and plants on which the insect feeds. — Joshua Major, Knosthorpe, near Leeds. ON COTTAGE GARDENS. The advantages of the allotment system, or division of land into gardens of the size required by cottagers, are now so generally recognised, that it is scarcely necessary to advo- cate its adoption. While, however, nearly all are agreed respecting the beneflts the system confers on the poorer classes of the community, its influence for good on the more affluent has, I think, been in a great measure overlooked. The farmers, for instance, who at one time were much opposed to its introduction in our country parishes, on the supposition that the possession of gardens would render the labourer too independent of his employer, have, for the most part, discovered that the independence it has created is of a kind with which they are not disposed to find fault — inde- pendence from relief obtained through the poor-rates. We have not indeed quite gone back to those happy times — if 54 JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ Jaly 21, 1863. ever they existed elsewhere than in the realms of poeti-y — when " every rood of ground maintained its man ;" but. if cottage gai'dens continue to multiply thi-oughout the land, we shall soon reivch a state of tilings where every rood of ground maintaining its pig will contribute greatly to the maintenance of the pig's oivner and family. But if the distribution of small portions of land among the labouring classes of agricultural districts proves a benefit to the large land-owners and the farmers, it is especially bene- ficial to one individual in eveiy parish, whose influence for good over those among whom he is placed it is most desirable to extend — I mean the incumbent or the minister appointed as his substitute. The experience of the writer of this ai-tlcle may perhaps be admitted as an illustration of the fact. _ About eleven years ago it was his lot to be appointed to the incumbency of a somewhat populous parish, situated in one of the most agricultural districts of the midland coun- ties. There are now, he most sincerely trusts, few parishes in England in so neglected a state as that in which he foimd the village of . There was no trace of any previous incumbent having resided there; and, indeed, it had no house for him to reside in. The land was almost entirely in the hands of large absentee proprietors; Dissent almost universally prevaUed; and the place was notorious throughout the country for dissipation and deeds of violence. To be instrumentid in eftecting a change in the moral aspect of the place was, of coiirse, the earnest wish .and endeavom- of the writer; and though, even at the present time, he is painfully conscious that much stUl remains to be done, he thankfully acknowledges that a large amount of good has been effected, and for this good he "is in a great measure indebted to the allotment system. It will perhaps conduce to clearness if, in detailing the means by which that system was can-ied out, and the general mode of its operations, he should now speak in the first person. The mr.st important thing to be done was naturally to build a parsonage, and thus to secure, both for the present time and the futiu-e, the residence of a clergyman in the parish ; the second was to devise some plans for the gradual improvement of the parisliioners. I have said that nearly all the land was in the hands of proprietors who lived at a distance from the source of then- income, and who contri- buted in nothing to the welfare of their numerous tenantry. Among these absentees had hitherto been the former incum- bents, who, as the tithes were commuted for land, were, for the period of then- incumbency, land-owners of some import- ance. The probably pei-manent residence of this land-owner was now at all events secured ; and it appeared to me that the possession of land might be turned to good account for the purpose of assisting in the amelioration of the position of the working classes. Land, even to the extent of a rood, or a quarter of an acre, was scarce among these, and in so great demand, that as much as ^£1 yearlv rent was gladly given for so small a quantity, the rates and other taxes upon it being paid liy the tenant. A suggestion which, shortly after entering the parish, I one day threw out to a labourer— that if a field was divided into cottage gardens, it might prove beneficial to himself and those in a similar sitiiation— was soon repeated; and the news of the possi- bility of sMch an occun-ence spread rapidly over the village, affording for the time a subject for gossip of a less hui-tfiil kmd than that which is too often the established means of entertainment in small communities. Two or three days after I received a petition signed by nearly all the labourers aad working men of the place, which as it may prove a curiosity to some of my readers, I KteraUy transcribe :— '1852. "To the Rev. . ■ Vicker. " We the undersigned poor of this parish do Eai-nestly Request your favour to allott a portion of Land to each of us The undersigned which we shall esteem it a great favour by so Doing at any Reasonable Rent you think will do us any Good By so doing we shall remain yom- obedient Ser- vants." [Here follow the signatures offoHy-nine laboureis a)ul aHi-sans.] The day after a supplement to this petition was sent me, with some ten or twenty morejnames appended to it. However ungrammatical this composition might be, its brief and simple earnestness spoke eloquently to my feelings, and a favourable reply could alone be given by one who was a weU-wisher to the petitioners. There was a field, or close, as it is locally denominated, containing somewhat more than twelve acres of excellent land, conveniently situated for the purpose required, and forming part of the glebe. This field I dirided into forty-seven allotments ; which were distributed by the drawing of lots among those whom I considered the most deserving and the most in want, of those who had signed the petition. My object in having recourse to the method of drawing lots for the distribution of the gardens was to prevent any discontent which might arise from some portions of the field being deemed better than others. The price of each allotment was fixed at 12s. Gd. — the landlord paying all rates and taxes due upon it, and the tenants keeping the hedges and ditches in a proper state of repair. A few short and simple rules were printed and given to each tenant. I do not transcribe the rules, as they are, for the most part, the same as those laid down in similar instances. One deviation, however, from that similarity may be mentioned : no condition is made that holders of gardens should be regular church-attendants — my motive in omitting that usual condition being that, as many of them had been brought up in the principles of dissent from the Church. I did not wish it to be supposed that a premium was held out to them for the performance of a duty, which by other and better means I hoped in time to make them fulfil. Experience has not caused me to regret the absence of such a regulation. Indeed, on the subject of rales in general in connexion with allotments, I would remark that it is my belief, that the less stringent and the less numerous they are, the more efficient as well as the more acceptable they will be found. For their own sakes the tenants will nearly always cultivate the gardens in a proper manner; and, after all, good crops are the best tests of good cultiva- tion. It may farther be stated that the allotments are at the present time occupied by thirty-four agricultural laboorers, four shoemakers, two blacksmiths, two carpenters, two brick- layers, two machinists (workers of steam threshing-machines), and one small shopkeeper. The result of ten years' experience of the working of the system may now briefly be detailed. I shall begin by ob- serving that though the payment of rent is required but once a-year — about three or four weeks after harvest (Sep- tember 2oth), a time when nearly ail the crops have been removed from the field — I have almost invariably received the whole rent on the day appointed, and in no case have I ever lost any portion of it. I have, indeed, frequently encouraged the deserving and assisted those in need by returning to them a smaU part of the payment; in one case only have I remitted the whole, and that was one of great necessity ; but every remission of rent has been granted of my own accord and without any solicitation from the tenants. Last year, with these deductions, the receipts for the forty- seven gardens were .£27 14s. 6d., instead of ,£29 7s. 6(J., the fuU amount. In the year 1857, a year in which there had been some tlistress among the agricultural labourers, it was X26 7s. 6(J., the smallest annual payment since the establish- ment of these g.arden3. But it must be added that the rent previously paid by the farmer who had occupied the field before its division into cottage gardens, was only .£15 ; or, taking into consideration that he paid the rates and taxes upon it, about d£17. The cidtivation of the garden has, on the whole, been very satisfactory ; it may even safely be asserted that the produce of the field is more than double what it was when it formed part of a somewhat large farm. The profit made upon each garden varies of course with the degree of culti- vation, and is in every case difficult of estimation ; but that a fair profit is made is evident from the circumstance that only two gardens have as yet been voluntarily given up, while there are ten or twelve applicants for the first vacancy which may occur. The best result of the system has apparently been the habits of economy which it has tended to create. Money, which too often before found its way to the ale-house, is now expended in the purchase of a pig or in seed and manure — more manure being generally required for each garden than can be produced in the pigsty. I may hero July 21, 1863. ] JOTJENAIi OF HOETICXJLTURE AND COTTAGK GAEDENEK. 55 mention one curious consequence of the cottagers m this vUlage having neai-ly all a garden— a consequence which certainly was not anticipated when the aUotment-scheme was introduced. Owing to the large quantity of cattle and horses kept by the fanners, hundreds of cartloads ot farm- yard manure are carted-out along the highways dunng the winter season. Traces of the passage of the carts used to be disagreeably manifest to the wayfayer, and much that mio-ht have contributed to the fertilisation of the sod was converted into a public nuisance. At present the value of the fertiliser is too well appreciated for even a few shovel- fuls to be left upon the road ; a pleasing sight may almost daily be witnessed of small children, with theii- mmute spades and wheelbaiTOws, gathering up the Htherto-wasted fragments for the increase of the muck-heaps in their gar- dens. Indeed, a more efficient band of little scavengers than that which the allotment-system has called into esist- ence could not easily be found. Enough has perhaps been said to show that m the parish of ."at least, garden allotments have proved a powerful auxiliary in ameUorating the condition of the agricultural poor ; and the temporal improvement of that class of the community is intimately connected v/ith their spintual ad- vancement. Indeed, whatever tends to raise the condition of the poor, places them in a favom-able position to be influenced by the teaching and example of those whom Providence has placed in a superior station of life, and who deshre to make use of the advantages that station gives them, to further the well-being, both temporal and spiritual, of their feUow-creatm-es in the lower gi-ades of society. _ The poor man must be persuaded that the rich man is a friend, before he will listen to him as a counsellor. For the pui'pose of showing that others have derived the same benefit as myself ft-om the allotment system, I quote the words of a writer who has evidently had much expe- rience on the subject, and who has published the results of that experience in an interesting little work, to which I would refer those who desu-e further infonnation respecting it It is entitled " Sketches of Country Life and Country Manners, by one of the Old School : London ; Eivingtons : 1840." " Should the labourer," he writes, " unfortunately be unable to obtain any employment from the farmer, he will, at aU events, have sufficient in the produce of his httle plot of ground to keep himself and family from absolute destitution, without applying to the parish for assista,nce until a new demand for his services occui-s. And, should a more favourable state of things take place, and the labourer be fully occupied mth work during the whole year, the little gains of his allotment wfll proi-ide him with a few comforts, or become a little store to which he may look in a season of distress or sickness." While cordially approving of these and many other remarks in the work fi.-om which I ha,ve borrowed these words, I would not be understood as coin- ciding with the author in all his opinions on the subject of country life and country manners. Let me also refer my readers to another short treatise, published likewise by Ei-vingtons, under the following title — " Some account of a system of Gai-den Labour-, acted upon in the parish of Springfield, Essex ; by the Eev. Arthur Pearson, Eector of Springfield." The reader will there find an estimate of the nett value or clear gains to the cultivator of one-eighth of an acre ; tliis the author puts down at £\ 183. 2d., or X2 16s. id. for a rood. Such an estimate, how- ever, I consider to be higher than the average clear gains in this part of the country, where— as it is one of the most favoured agricultural districts in England— the labourer, it 13 probable, is more constantly employed than in most others, and has less time to spend upon his own garden. The clear profit here, I have said, it is difficult exactly to estimate ; but I believe that it may be fairly stated as not under 3os. or ,£2 the rood. From an article in the QimHerly Review (vol Ixxiii., p. 477), we borrow the following statement, written in the year 1844. " Of all immediate remedies for pauperism, the allot- ment system offers the most cheering prospects ; the expe- rience of almost every one who has travelled in Great Britain will have afforded examples of the benefit resulting wherever land is appropriated to garden culture by the labourer in such small proportions as interfere not with his ordinary duties as a servant to the farmer. I have now briefly given the result of my personal expe- rience of the advantages arising from the mode, which is yearly becoming more prevalent in England, of distributing to the poorer classes of the community small portions of laud at a reasonable rent, and under regulations neither too numerous nor stringent, and have endeavoured to cor- roborate my testimony of its utility by the evidence of others, who have had a similar experience with myself. My motive in doing so has been chiefly to gratify a wish, often indulged in. to throw into the balance of public opinion the weight, trifling though it be, of a country clergyman's practical appreciation of the good resulting from the mea- sures I have endeavoured to describe. I would, in conclu- sion, most earnestly urge its adoption on all land-owners, and even on large tenant-farmers, who might, for such a purpose, doubtless readily obtain the sanction of their landlords. But most especially would I advocate a fair trial of it to the beneficed clergy in country parishes, most of whom have more or less land at their disposal. I am very far from asserting that it is the first or the most important improve- ment to be introduced by a new-comer in a rural district where the temporal and spiritual wants of the inhabitants have been hitherto neglected ; but it is my full conviction that it will be found a most valuable auxiliai-y to aU other means of improvement. Indeed, in one respect, it has a prominent advantage over most other modes of benefiting the poor ; an advantage which the minister of the parish — who has often a great portion of his income to spend in objects of charity— will duly appreciate. It will be found as profitable to himself as it is to others ; and, while obtaining a higher rent for his land, he will also, for the most part, have a more thankful and contented class of tenants than if he had let it out in larger quantities to two or three farmers. Like mercy — to use the well-known words of our oreat national poet— the allotment system proves itself ° t-svice blessed," for "it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes." * — {Macmillan' s Magaziiie.) WOEK FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN GAEDEN. Eeadicate all seed-weeds before they shed then- seed; pull them up by hand, as cutting them up with the hoe, and allowing them to remain on the ground, is nearly as bad as letting them stand; for although the seed may not be ripe at the time, the sun will soon matui-e it. We allude particularly toGroundsel, Shepherd's Pui'se and Sow Thistle. Broccoli, finish planting-out these and Winter Greens as speedily as ground can be obtained; for unless the autumn should provl very favourable those planted after this oime will not attain much size. Cauliflowers, the mam crop for autumn to be planted on a rich piece of ground Itns vegetable, when planted at this season, becomes useM after the Peas are over. Celery, pay strict attention to the ear