JOURNAL OF HOUTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



without the salt. If the mildew coutinue, water with tho salt salutioa twice 

 a-week if the weather is dry ; if not, once out of three waterings. We would 

 also forcibly syi'inj^e the plants, and dust them whilst wet with flowers of sul- 

 phur, both on the stems and the under and upper surfaces of the leaves, 

 syringing it off in twenty-four houi's. After this give plenty of air in a Ughfc 

 stnictui'O. 



Spent Hops for Mdxchikg (F.). — Spent hops fi-om a brewery are a good 

 mulching material for Roses and for fruit trees, and, whilst they prevent tho 

 evaporation of moistui-c, they are a good manure, enrichin ;; the ground by the 

 decomposition of vegetable matter. A thickness of 2 or 3 inches is not too 

 much. 



SuMiTER- PINCHING Pe.ui AND APPLE TREES (/(Z-'m). — This should nothe;^m 

 until the shoots have six leaves or joints, theu take out their points. This 

 applies to the leading shoots of the extending branches, but the side shoots of 

 these should be pinched at the third joint, and afterwards to one joint. Their 

 leading shoots may be stopped again at the third joint. This will encourage 

 the development of the spurs, which should not be intex*fered with. 



Stopping Wallflowers (I(Um).—Thei-e is no necessity to take the pomts 

 out of Wallflowers to induce them to become bushy. They will do this natur- 

 ally if they have room. By removing the central shoot you take away the 

 best spike, especially in the case of the double- flowered varieties. 



Pampas Grass CrLXCRE (H. S.). — The old flower-spikes and dead leaves 

 should now be removed, taking care not to interfere with the young growths. 

 We should then lightly fork the ground all round to the distance of a yard, 

 and give a top-dressing of well-rottei manure 2 inches thiijk nest the plant, 

 reducing the depth outwards to 1 inch at 3 feet from the collar. If the ground 

 is diy give a good watering, and every week in dry weather a good soaking of 

 hqnid manure, but not very strong. If you form this artificially 1 oz. of guano 

 to a gallon of rain water will be strong enough. In October give a top-dress- 

 ing of well-rotted manure 3 inches thick, leave the dead grass, and do not 

 remove it until growth commences in spring. 



Begonias after FLOi\-EniNG {Lady King).— Keep the plants rather dry 

 for a time, then cut off all the shoots that have flowered, and encourage the 

 strong young shoots from the base of the plants. We prefer to raise fre.?h 

 plants every year by putting-in cuttings of the strong shoots early in April ; 

 in a brisk heat they strike freely. If their growth is encouraged they may be 

 in 9-inch or even larger pots early in winter, and will flower much more finely 

 than older plants. We throw tlic older plants away after flowering, having 

 made sure of a supply of young plants. 



Wintering MESEJiBRYANTHEiiuM cordifolittm v-iRiEGATim and Eche- 

 teria secunda glauca (A. ^.).~Both will winter safely in a greenhouse 

 ■n-ith Geraniums, keeping them dry, or with no more water than a little 

 occasionally to prevent the leaves from shrivelling. They should have a light 

 airy position. 



Raising Double-flowered Geraniums {J. G. B. L.). — We cannot give 

 you any information. Our correspondent has failed in raising seedlings after 

 trying for two or three years, and would he glad of any information on the 

 B ibject. 



Azaleas Sporting (A. JB.).— We do not know any means of preventing 

 the occurrence of different colours in the flowers of Azaleas. We presume it 

 is one of the kinds that have white flowers, a few red-striped, and occasion- 

 ally some red flowers. We consider them veiy pretty. 



Violet Culture (An Old Subscriber).~The Violet most grown for the 

 London markets is that known as *' The London," or Giant Russian, but all 

 the kinds are very extensively cultivated for that purpose. The Russian and 

 Czar ai-e the eai-liest, and with the Crimean, Devoniensis, and White ai'e 

 single-flowered, the doubles being Neapolitan. Double Russian, Scotch, King 

 of Violets, Odorata pendula, and Queen of Violets. We prefer single and 

 double Russian, Czar (best of all), Neapolitan, Single and Double White, 

 Scotch, and Queen of Violets. The runners should he planted in good rich 

 soil early in May, on a border shaded from the direct midday rays of the sun. 

 Place them a foot apart every way, and let them be well watered after plant- 

 ing, and in dry weather throughout the season. They may be taken up and 

 placed in frames at the end of September, gi\-in^' ail- abundantly in mild weather, 

 and protection in severe frost. They should have a warm sheltered position. 

 A portion should be left in the open ground to succeed those pla_-ed in frames. 

 Keep the plants clear of weeds in summer by stiniu^' with the hoe, and 

 sprinkle with soot frequently to keep down red spider. Remove the runners 

 in summer, as they only weaken the plants, and in autumn top-dress with 

 partially decayed leaves. 



Single White Primrose (E. C. S.).— Our correspondent wishes to know 

 where he can purchase it. 



Manure for Light Son. (Sutton). — As you have no farmyard manure, 

 put on a mixture of clayey soil, limey rubbish, and guano. Not knowing any- 

 thing about the condition of the land wo cannot be particulai-. 



Pear-tree Scale (S.). — We have no doubt it is Aspidiotus ostraeformis. 

 Brush over with pai-affin oil the branches affected, taking care not to let it 

 touch the leaves or buds; or, which is a less offensive- smelling remedy, 

 apply in the same way Gishurst compound, 8 ozs. to a gallon of water. 



Height of Garden Walls (An Irish Subscriber).— The height of the 

 wall must in all cases depend on circumstances, but to he of any value for 

 fruit trees it should not be less than 7 feet, and at that height it will be 

 necessary to plant the fruit trees at double the usual distance apart. A 

 south wall is as good for protection at 7 feet as 12 feet high, but the latter 

 height is worth twice as much for training the better kinds of fruits. If a 

 wall is objectionable we would have a glass wall or narrow house; that will 

 give you all the shelter you need from the south, and afford means of gi-owing 

 Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Cherries, and Plums with greater certainty 

 than against walls. 



ArcuBA Seeds not Germinating (Idem).— We think the seeds must 

 he bad. We know of no better plan than to separate the seeds from the 

 pulp when the berries are ripe, and sow in pans of rich light soil, cover- 

 ing the seeds about half an inch deep. Place the pans in a house with a 

 temperature of 45-, and keep the soil moist. They ought to germinate in 

 less than two years if good. Try again, and place them in a mild hotbed. A 

 small-trussed bright scarlet Verbena would answer for a pincushion bed with 

 Cerastium. Melindres splendens is a good kind of Verbena for this purpose. 

 Trop.eolums (M. D.).— Tropreolum pentaphyllum, T. tuberosum, T. Morit- 

 zianum. T. polyphyllum, and T. speciosum are all half-hardy tuberous-rooted 

 climbers, and require support. Neat wire trellises are most suitable. None i 



of them will stand frost; they should, therefore, have south exposiu'es, and 

 if the tubers are left in the ground they shoiild bo planted not less than 

 3 inches deep in light rich soil, well di'ained, and at the foot of a soutlt 

 wall, covering with 3 inches of partially-decayed leaves and Utter in Novem- 

 ber. They are best grown in pots, in the same manner as the gi'eenhouse 

 kiuls, with which you are so successful. They increase as readily as the 

 other sorts you name, and in the same manner. T. speciosum has roots, not 

 tubsrs, and we should give them a chance out of doors if you can command a 

 south wall ; if not, they would be best grown in pots. 



M:)U5E TaiP (E. (7.).— Yours is the same as Mr. Maniell's. 



Diamond-shaped Flower-beds (Cjttap^ Gxrdmer).—We like your pair 

 of diamond p'.anting very much. We do not lite your eight large triangular 

 figures so well. You have neither thoroughly carried out cross nor pair 

 planting. As the CJttage door opens on the paved footway, we think that 

 pair-planting these triangles would be best, and we would take the key note 

 from the diamonds, and have two or more colours in each bed. Thus, taking 

 th3 plants you have mentioned, and beginning at the cottage door, we would 

 plant 10 and 7 with Christine and a broad margin of Flower of Spring. Then- 

 t) aid 11 we would plant with Indian Yellow, and a margin of Bijou ; 5 and 

 12 we would pair with Bayard, bordered with dwarf Ageratum, and marguied 

 with Golden Chain ; 9 and 8 we would centre with Stella, band with Pearl, 

 baud again with Ageratum, and margin with Golden Pyrethrum. We think 

 such a gi'ouping could hardly be surpassed. 



Flower-garden Plan (Etta). — Your planting is very good. Were we to 

 change, it would ba to place the Beet and Iresine in the centre, and the fine- 

 foliaged Geraniiuns round. Nothing could show better the advantage of a 

 httle criticism than this your sesond proposed planting. 



Labyrinth (G. J. S., and E. E., Gloucester). — There should be an opening 

 at the lower right-hand comer of the third hedge, otherwise, as you remark, 

 there would be no access to the two outer walks. 



B3TT0SI Heat Excessive {W. J.). — Yours is not a common case under 

 such circumstances — having too much bottom heat over a fireplace intended 

 to heat a vinery. The remady is obvious ; make the pit larger, or make some 

 holes in the chamber to allow the heat to escape, and plug them up, so that 

 by opening or shutting them you may have the exact heat you want. 



Vise Shoots Shanked {J. R. G.).— The roots are inactive and do not 

 supply sap sufficient to maintain growth. If they are outside, put fermenting 

 dung over them and mulch throughout the summer. If they ai'C inside, water 

 them freely with very weak tepid manure water. 



Seedling Pelargonium [J. H. Curate). — Pretty, but nothing more. 

 There are hosts superior to it. 



Heating with Hot Water (T. L. K.).— In such a case we would have a 

 3A-feet saddle-bci'er, and as it must be placed at one end, we would have 

 T flow and return. We should like two 3-inch pipes on each side beneath the 

 stage, one as a flow and one as a return, but except near the point where the 

 return joins the boiler, we would place flow and return on tho same level, 

 raising them from the point where the flow enters the house to the extreme 

 end about 9 Inches, with on open air-pipe there, feeding the boiler from a 

 cistern near hand. Of course, the water would go along the flow and then the 

 return, when it reached the place where the air-pipe was inserted. The pipes 

 should be placed a few inches above the ground level, and with something 

 firm against the joints. The heat at the farther end will not be too strong, 

 but you can regulate it by divisions, in 170 feet these would be useful. You 

 could open or remove the doors in summer. If you wanted more heat, yo« 

 could have -l-inch pipes, or some day add an additional 3-inch pipe. The two 

 pipes on each side would keep out frost. 



Insects (A Lady in Cheshire, and J. K., Rkug Gardens).— The Uttle scarlet 

 creature is the common mite, Trombidium holosericeum, to be met with in 

 gardens and elsewhere. — I. 0. W. 



Names of Plants (Stockbridge). — The owner is right; it is Honesty or 

 Moonwort, Lunaria biennis. (Alba). — It is the Showy-flowered Gooseberry, 

 Ribes speciosum. It deserves to be in eveiy border of flowering shrubs — its 

 crimson flowers are as showy as those of the Fachsia. It may be propagated 

 by cuttings, but the most certain mode is by pegging down some of the lower 

 shoots, and covering the pegged part with an inch iu depth of the soil. (Young 

 Botanist).— The cork of commerce is the outer bark of an Oak, Quercus Suber. 

 Send us plant specimens numbered, and we will endeavour to name them. 



POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEOX CHRONICLE. 



HOME PRODUCTIOX OF EGGS AND POULTRY. 



Mr. M. Kinnakd B. Edwards, of Sarn Farm, Bridgend, read, 

 the following paper before a recent meeting of the Breconshire 

 Chamber of Agriculture : — 



The subject upon which I have the pleasure of addressing you 

 this afternoon is, " The Home Production of Eggs and Poultry 

 in a Commercial Point of View," and it is my intention to treat 

 this subject as far as possible from the farmer's point of view,, 

 rather than in connection with the breeding and production of 

 prize and fancy fowls by amateurs or exhibitors. Agricultirre 

 in all its branches, like everything else, has made rapid strides 

 during the past twenty years, and I think I may say that no- 

 branch of husbandry has improved more, or risen to greater im- 

 portance, than the various breeding of poultry in this country. 

 The annual poultry shows that we now hold in almost every 

 county in England prove more clearly than anything the ad- 

 vance we have made in this respect, and the tens of thousands 

 that flock to these shows or exhibitions is a proof of the gi'eat 

 pubUc interest that is felt on the subject. Any stranger coming 

 to this country and vdsiting these shows, where every conceiv- 

 able breed of bird is exhibited in its highest state of perfection, 

 both as to size and plumage, would go away with the idea that 

 the poultry of Great Britain was all that could be desired, and 

 that there was really no room for improvement ; but the true 

 state of the case is far otherwise. The fact is, that until quite 

 recent years, the breeds of fowls in this country (a few locaUtiea 



