484 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 1873. 



Notices io CDrr^sp0ubnxts. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should be addressed to 

 the Publishers, and communications for insertion in the 'Gardener' to David 

 Thomson, Drumlanrig Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. It will further 

 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 M'ish it, but for the sake of that mutual confidence 

 which should exist between the Editor and those who address him. We decline 

 noticing ant/ commumcation which is not accomimnied with name and address 

 of writer. 



Amateur. — "We do not approve of cutting the leaves of Strawberries at any 

 season, and do not know of any advantage that can arise from the practice, but, 

 on the contrary, it must weaken the fruit-bearing crowns. Give them plenty 

 of room, but do not cut off the leaves. 



S. M. L. — You will find the information you ask for in our present issue, 

 under the head of "New and Select Florist Flowers." For the other matter 

 you must apply to some horticultural engineer. We never recommend trades- 

 men of any sort. Consult our advertising columns. 



Gardener. — The cracking of Melons is caused by keeping the soil too wet, 

 especially after they are fully swollen. This sunless wet season has also had 

 to do with it, and some varieties are more subject to crack under such condi- 

 tions than others. 



Delta. — Mr Cowan's compensating system of heating does not save so very 

 much of coal ; but it manufactures sufficient lime to pay for the coal, and heats 

 hothouses at the same time. We saw it at work at the great show at Man- 

 chester, and believe it to be all that Mr Cowan represents it to be. 



X. X. We are sorry that you think you have reason to complain. We do 



not expect to please everybody, neither do we intend to abandon our self- 

 respect in attempting to do so. 



A Novice The cause of your Cauliflowers going wrong as you describe, is 



the very great amount of wet you have, in common with many others, expe- 

 rienced the last ten weeks. 



Y. W. Sow the Kales about the end of April in poor soil.' Prick them 



out thinly in beds— in poor soil— when fit to handle. Before transplanting 

 them in autumn cut round each plant with a small spade or trowel, and in a 

 fortnight after remove them, with balls, to the beds. 



T. P. F.— The Duke of Buccleuch Grape does well on its own roots; but our 

 own experience is that the Muscat of Alexandria is the stock for both it and the 

 Golden Champion. It does not follow that because a Vine is very strong grow- 

 ing that it makes a good stock for others. Gros Guillaume, a very strong 

 grower, is the worst of stocks, and it does b^st itself in Muscat roots. We have 

 proved' this beyond a doubt. Black Hamburg, an excellent stock for some 

 Grapes, is not the stock for Gros Guillaume. It does very well on Hamburg 

 roots for about two years, and then goes back ; others have proved this besides 

 ourselves. 



C, S, — We will do our best to meet your case, especially as it may be of use 

 to others besides yourself. 



C. L. C— In dry soils Anemones may be left in the beds for several years. 

 If yours are thick in the beds, you may take them up and renew the soil, or dig 

 it well and replant. 



