342 THE GARDENER. [July 187 



IToticcs fa Corrcsponircnts. 



We are very much obliged to those Correspondents from whom communica- 

 tions have been received, and regret that several of them are again crowded out. 



All business communications should be addressed to the Publishers, and com- 

 munications for insertion in the * Gardener ' to David Thomson, Drumlanrig 

 Gardens, Thornhill, Drunifriesshire. It will farther oblige if all matter intended 

 for publication, and questions to be replied to, be forwarded by the middle of the 

 month, and written on one side of the paper only. It is also requested that 

 writers forward their name and address, not for publication, unless they wish it, 

 but for the sake of that mutual confidence which should exist between the Editor 

 and those who address him. We decline noticing any communication which is 

 not accompanied with name and address of writer. 



Errata. — Page 266, line 15, fo?- " Resuick " read " Keswick." Page 288, line 

 24, after *' Hose Princess Beatrice," read "from Mr W. Paul, of Waltham Cross." 



A. H. Veale. — The effects of charcoal are almost wholly mechanical, and its 

 value consists in keeping retentive soils porous, and in absorbing ammonia from 

 the air and decomposing matter with which it comes in- contact. It has no affi- 

 nity for ammonia, but merely stores it up, and gives it off again to the plants. We 

 use it constantly, especially mixed with composts, for potting plants with, in 

 order to keep the soil open, and as a medium to store up nutriment that is sup- 

 plied in a liquid form. In flower-borders that are adhesive it is an excellent ma- 

 terial to mix in to keep the soil open and porous. It may have the effect of 

 brightening the colour of flowers, but we cannot say from experience that it has. 

 The best way to apply it is to incorporate it thoroughly with the soil. We sus- 

 pect the moral of the narrative to which you refer is the most valuable and reliable 

 part of it. 



A Gardener. — When we tell you that we recollect of its once being asserted 

 in the same journal that hot-water pipes were useless in Pine-pits, and that gar- 

 deners put them in such structures for the sake of the discount they got out of 

 them ! ! you may, like us, think very lightly of any scandal which is poured upon 

 us from the same quarter now. We hope all who are worthy of the name of 

 "Gardener" will survive such libels. We have no intention of entering on a 

 defence in these pages ; it is not necessary. 



J. C. — The reports of weather, &c., you send us are stamped by the post-office 

 officials " Contrary to regulations," and we are charged 2d. for them. Thanks 

 all the same. 



Chateau Yallon. — The young Fern fronds have become quite black and pulpy, 

 and we can just know them as Ferns. Plants to be recognised and named, require 

 to be more carefully sent than in an ordinary note by post. 



