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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Nijvetnbcr 20, 1373. 



quise de Castellane is omitted in my list. This was entirely 

 an oversight, as I cousider it fully entitled to rank in the hest 

 half dozen. Of President Thiers last year I expressed my 

 douht, and another year has confirmed my opinion that it will 

 never rank as a first-class flower; I must, therefore, depose 

 the President in favour of the Miniuise. — Benjamin R. Cant. 



DESTROYING WASPS AND OTHER OFFENDING 

 INSECTS. 

 A cosnrcNicATioN signed " C. P. P." suggests, Has anyone 

 tried a weak solution of cyanide of potassium on plants ? I 

 cannot say that I have, but I have been trying the effect of 

 placing a plant affected with blight, also one with mealy bug 

 and Ihrips, under a bell-glass, and with them a lump of the 

 cyanide with most certain effect. But I have not yet attained 

 all I desire, for the fumes are apt to damage the plants also, 

 those most affected being Adiantum farleyense, an Asplenium, 

 and Torenia asiatica. I purpose continuing the experiment 

 to ascertain the shortest time that it takes to kill these 

 " varmints," when I will let you know the result. — William 

 FiAYNEK, Surgeon, Uj:bridf/e. 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 



Can any of our readers inform us where the Double Cowslip 

 is to be procured, and also the white Hose-in-Hoke Poly- 

 anthus ? 



Since the Messrs. Salter were compelled by the railways 



to give up their nurseries, there is no oue on whom their 

 mantle has specially fallen, but some of the London nursery- 

 men have this year acknowledged the value of the Chrtsanthe- 

 MUJi as an autumn decorative flower by holding special shows 

 of the different varieties. Thus Messrs. Yeitch, of Chelsea, 

 and Messrs. Cutbush, of Higbgate, have each an excellent 

 show of it. Messrs. Dixon, of Moorgate Street, and Amhurst 

 Nurseries, Hackney, and Mr. Forsyth, of the Brunswick 

 Nursery, Stoke Newington, have likewise large and well-grown 

 collections now in great beauty. It will be remembered that 

 all the above-named were successful exhibitors at Kensington 

 last week. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



kitchen gakden. 

 As long as the present wet weather continues I would 

 strongly recommend all digging and trenching to be deferred 

 until a more favourable time. When the heads of Brussels 

 Sprouts are cut the dead leaves should be removed, but none 

 of the green ones, as they protect the young side sprouts ; the 

 same may be said of the Scotch Kale and other Winter Greens. 

 When a favourable opportunity occurs take advantage of it to 

 earth-up the autumn plantations of Cahhages ; it not only 

 invigorates them, but preveuts them from being loosened by 

 the wiud. Never neglect giving air to Cauliflou'ers under 

 hand-lights and in frames daily, unless during severe frost ; if 

 the plants are now drawn by an insufficiency of air they will be 

 very liable to button-off. I purposely say but little on the 

 winter treatment of Caeuuiber plants growing in frames, as 

 there are few persons who go to the trouble and expense of this 

 mode of cultivation who have the convenience of a stove, as 

 they may there be cultivated with much greater certainty. Any 

 Endive thiit may have been planted in frames should have air 

 freely admitted to it to prevent its rotting. Mushroom beds out 

 of doors should have a thick covering of straw, over which 

 should be placed mats to protect them from wet and frost ; when 

 the straw is wet it should be replaced with dry. As most 

 families require a large supply of Pursleij, frames should be 

 placed over a portion to protect it from frost; some roots should 

 also be potted and placed in one of the houses where it will be 

 protected from frost, and when wanted it can bo removed to a 

 house where forcing is going on. lindislirs, as soon as they 

 come up in the frames, give air at every favourable opportunity 

 to prevent their drawing. 



PRUIT GARDEN. 



Continue to prune and nail wall trees; but in no case should 

 old shreds be used without boiling, as they generally contain 

 innumerable eggs of insects. It is also an excellent plan to wash 

 wall trees with hot water from a garden engine— it should be 

 boiling when put into the engine. Few things are more annoy- 

 ing than canker to those who delight to see their trees healthy 

 and producing good-flavoured fruit. As this is the season for 

 planting, or preparing for it, considerable attention should bo 

 given to the procuring of hardy as well as good sorts in all 

 cases where the situation is not the most favourable. In addi- 

 tion to examining the lists of kinds suited to different locaUties 

 so often given in answers to correspondents, the planter should 



take the trouble of ascertaining what sorts thrive best in circum- 

 stances similar to his o^n. Canker owes its origin chiefly to these 

 sources — plauting too deep, the result of which is that the roots 

 are supplied with more nourishment, such as it is, than the 

 heat and sxinlight of the place can duly elaborate so as to give 

 ripeness and firmness of texture to the young wood ; or from the 

 roots getting into an unfavourable soil that furnishes the trees 

 with vitiated juices ; or from the climate of the situation being 

 too cold, or the season too damp and sunless, to permit the 

 healthy action of the plant. Where canker exists the diseased 

 parts should be cut out in spring or summer and the wound 

 covered over with clay and cow dung ; but all applications of 

 this nature will be of temporary influence unless attention is 

 paid to the following things: Plant suitable sorts; improve the 

 climate by thorough drainage of tiie soil ; raise the trees on 

 hillocks above the surrounding surface, after laying a substratum 

 of concrete, tiles, slate, &c., at the requisite depth to prevent 

 the downward progress of the roots ; never bury the collar of 

 the tree ; expose and air the soil before planting, and use no 

 manure but as mulching, and you will generally be rewarded — 

 not by astonishing quickness of growth, nor by your Apple and 

 Pear trees towering their heads like forest trees, but by seeing 

 them produce healthy though rather stunted wood covered with 

 fruitful buds : and if you imagine that you must wait a long 

 time for the full occupancy of your ground by such moderate 

 growth, you may increase the number of the trees. 



FLOWER G-VBDEN. 



Examine pillar and trellis Roses, and if the weather is favour- 

 able see if the soil wants renewal, or the kinds changing. For 

 choice sorts roomy holes should be made, capable of containing 

 three or four barrowloads of well-prepared soil ; turfy loam of 

 good quality is the chief material. To this add a portion of rich 

 rotten manure, and, if at hand, a little sandy peat or leaf mould. 

 Crocuses may be planted whenever the weather is favourable. 

 They like a deep, light, rich, sandy soil, but will thrive in any 

 ordinary soil or situation. In plauting, the bulbs should be 

 covered from 2 to 3 inches with fine mould. For edging borders 

 or beds the Crocus is exceedingly useful, and where planted in 

 lines along the margins of walks, or in clumps of three, sis, 

 twelve, or more bulbs in each, and allowed to remain in the 

 ground for several years, the effect of the masses of flowers 

 which they produce is all that can be desired. I have seen a 

 very effective display in a flower garden in March produced by 

 each bed having a broad edging of Crocus, the colours being 

 nicely ai-ranged and contrasted. This may be secured without 

 interfering with either the spring or summer occupants, for the 

 bulbs may be planted close to the outside of the bed, where 

 they will scarcely be in the way either in digging or planting. 

 Unless the bulbs become too numerous, and the leaves spread 

 over more space than it may be desirable to have covered with 

 them, they should not be disturbed, as they bloom more pro- 

 fusely when well established. Care, however, must be taken 

 to protect them from mice, as these are exceedingly partial to 

 Crocuses, especially in winter. For blooming in-doors, either 

 in pots or in any of the various contrivances that are used 

 instead of pots, strong bulbs should be selected, planting them 

 in succession, and keeping the crowns of the bulbs slightly 

 under the surface of the soil. Place them in any dark cool 

 situation for three or four weeks, to allow of their making 

 roots before exciting them into growth. If pots are used — and 

 these are doubtless the best, if not the most ornamental — use 

 good, rich, sandy soil, and secure perfect drainage, for a liberal 

 supply of water is required during the blooming period, and if 

 the drainage is defective the soil is very apt to become sodden 

 by injudicious watering. While the bulbs are kept in a dark 

 place very little water need be given — merely sufficient to keep 

 the soil, moss, or sand from becoming too dry. When the roots 

 have made some progress the crowns will soon make their 

 appearance, and when these are observed remove to the green- 

 house, or, when this is not convenient, a cold frame or pit will 

 answer perfectly ; they will also do exceedingly well in a sitting- 

 room window. All that is requisite is to allow them all the 

 light and air possible in mild days, giving water as it may be 

 necessai'y to keep the soil, &c., in a moist state. Stove plants 

 that are flowering and coming into flower should be placed near 

 the light, and also receive a more plentiful supply of water 

 than other plants. Take every opportunity of destroying insects. 



CONSERVATORY AND GREENHOUSE. 



The leaves of the Citrus tribe should be washed when the 

 weather is unfavourable for out-door work ; all other plants 

 should also be looked over and cleaned where necessary. lu 

 mixed greenhouses see that the young stock of Heliotropes, 

 Pelargoniums, Cyclamens, and all other flowers grown especially 

 for winter have nice light situations and regular attention as 

 regards watering. The forcing pit must provide at the proper 

 season such things as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Persian Lilacs, 

 Sweet Briars, Moss and other Roses, Kalmias, Daphnes, Anno 

 Boleyn Pinks, Dutch bulbs, &c. 



PITS AND FRAMES. 



Every means should be used to prevent young and tender 



