402 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ November 20, IS71. 



you sent a section is only tho wood becoming deeper-coloured with age. The 

 soil resting on red sandstone needs no draining. There is no gai-dener's diary 

 published. 



Oil of Vitriol for Weeding (An Irish Suhscyibcr), — Do not add any 

 water. Two or three drops of the strongest are effectual. 



Scale on Vines {C. R.]. — Brush spirit of turpentine over the insects twice, 

 with the interval of a day iietweeu the applications. Avoid dropping any of 

 the spLi-it on the foliage of tlie plants. 



JIoviNG PoLVANTHLTSE^ (H. Good-nouph). — Seedling Polyanthuses of this 

 year's raising should be planted-out in the spring. They ought to have been 

 priuked-out a month ago, ami if kept in frames during winter you may prick 

 them into pans or Itixes now. Old roots should be divided in August and 

 September, and in February an 1 JIarob. 



Is THERE A Netting Machine ?—" Can you tell me if there is such *a 

 thing to be found as a netting machine, something handy, iuexpL-nsive, and 

 lit for garden work ? I pass some portion of my evenings in netting ; but if 

 I were to net a hank a-week I could not keep pace with the birds. Last 

 winter I turned out about 10 yards of Strawberry netting, and with this at 

 one end of a bed and a cat at the other I did pretty well ; but it was grievous 

 to sec the unprotected line fruit further on pecked and mauled long before 

 six o'clock. — S. B." 



[ff any of oui- readers know such a machine we shall be ohli^'od by their 

 informing us. We have found that purchasing the old fishing nets, which 

 are both supplied by nurserymen and at various shops, is very far cheaper than 

 home-manufacturing.] 



Roses on Trellis {Yomig Gardener). — No good Rosea wQl do as climbers 

 twined along wires in an exposed situation, though some of the old hardy 

 Bummer-bloomiug climbers may, as Bennett's Seedling (Thoresbyana), Dnndee 

 Rambler, Qneeu of the Belgians, Ruga, Splendens, Madame d'Arblay, P'/Ucite 

 Perpetuclle, Laura Davoust, Amadis or Crimson Boursault, Blush fioursaulfc, 

 Inermis. None of the above are first-class Roses. If the situation is not 

 too exposed then some of the better Roses may be used, though not strictly 

 climbers, as Gloirede Dijon, Aimi-c Vibert, Ci-liue Forestier, Felleuberg.Jauno 

 Despiez, La Bichc, Lamarque, Solfaterre, Climbiug 3>evoniensis ; aho some 

 of the stronger-growing Hybrid Pei-petuals, as Ginrral Jacqueminot, Madame 

 Cltmence Joigneaux, John Hopper, Edward MoiTen, Charles Lefcbvre, Mart-- 

 chal Vaillant. Do not, however, expect to succeed well with the better class 

 of Roses trained to wii'es in exposed positions. Roses do not like wind. 



Forcing Pottkd Bosii:s (r,'/.s). — Roses for forcing in pots are none the 

 worse for having bloomed this season, and the dried buds and seed-pods will 

 not burt them ; it only proves that the wood is most probably well matured. 

 If ibcre is much mildew the plants will not be bkely to succeed well. It is 

 difficult to decide without seeing the plants. They ought to be well cut back 

 and repotted if the pots arc small, if not top-dressed previous to bringing 

 them in for forcing. Do not force too rapidly. 



Name of Oak {W. V/. Laiiifj]. — The leaf enclosed is of Quercus coccinea 

 or Scarlet Oak, a native of North America. 



Cuttings for New Zealand (Good rtmp/ar).— They can only be con- 

 veyed thither with cortaiuty iu a case. Strip off the foliage, put them in 

 alternate layers with dry sand in a tin-lined box, and solder the tin thoroughly 

 before screwing down the box. A 2-feet-cube box would hold many cuttings. 



Tenant Leaving Cahbage Crop (Hc/n/ffM).— He has no right to leave 

 it gi'owing, nor can he compel the incoming tenant to pay for it. 



Mushrooms in Vinery Fit (Anxioufi Inquiirr). — The pit is too deep by 

 more than half for the gi'owth of Mushrooms, but you can lessen Its depth by 

 putting iu rubble, bringing it up to within 18 inches of the top of the pit, 

 and placing about 3 inches of liner materials, such as gravel, on the top. This 

 will keep down the heat from the pipes, and yet be sufficient for the Mush- 

 rooms. The bed would have been quite as well, if not better, without the 

 hot-water pipes, as it is likely they will dry the bed too much. To the 

 materials you collected add one-fourth of dry, light, turfy loam chopped-up 

 rather small. Put in the dioppings in layers 13 inches deep, and beat each 

 very firm, adding layers to give lb inches depth of bed. Spawn the bed when 

 the temperature is steady, at 70^ to 70-, which will be iu a week or ten days, 

 but care is needed so that the bed be not spawned when it is risiug iu tem- 

 perature, for it may probably rise to 80'^ or 85", or more; therefore, see tliat 

 tho heat has attained its maximum before inserting the spawn. Put in the 

 spawn in pieces about 2 inches square, at 9 inches apart, and so as to be 

 covered an inch deep. The bed in a day or two, or when the temperature is 

 steady at 70^, should be covered with 2 inches of rather stiff fibi-ous loam, 

 and beaten very fii-m and smooth with the back of a spade. In six weeks 

 after sjiawuing you may commence watering the bed, but do so very lightly. 

 The sprinklings given tn the Mnes will be suiiicient. The bed, however, will 

 need to be kept moist, but not very wet. 



Forcing Dwarf Kidney Beans (Idem). — Two parts turfy loam of medium 

 texture, and one part leaf soil or old dry manure, well mixed and made tine 

 will grow them well. The temperature at night should be 55* to GO'" until 

 the plants show for dower, and then 60- to 05- ; by day it may be 70° to To"^, 

 and on clear days 10" higher. Admit air freely after the temperature reaches 

 70'. Water abundantly after the plants show flower. 



Rhododendron Cuttings (A Young Gardnicr). — Take the gi'owths of 

 the current year when they are firm or partly ripened at the base, which is 

 usually the case at the end of June or early in Jidy, and cut them over below 

 a joint. Remove the leaves from about two-thirds the length of the cutting, 

 and insert it iu sandy peat covered with an inch tliick of sand. Put on hand- 

 glasses, and keep close, shaded, and moist, admitting air when struck. The 

 cuttings may bo inserted in pans, placed iu a cold frame, kept shaded and 

 moist until they have formed a callus, and then may bo placed in a gentle 

 bottom heat, which will insmo more speedy rooting. 



AucuBA Propagating (Idim). — They strike freely iu September from 

 cuttings, which should be of |the wood of the current year, either with or 

 without a portion of old wood^ Put in the cuttings in a frame iu l.tam and 

 leaf soil surfaced with sand. Insert tbom about half their length iu tlio soil, 

 and firm it about them. Keep them rather close, moir>t, and bbaded fiom 

 bright sun for about six weeks, and then admit air, drawing the lights off iu 

 mild weather, but in severe weather protect with mats. They will be ^\oll 

 rooted by the following autumn. 



Transplanting Roses (Ideiii).~This is the proper time to lift your 

 standards planted iu light poor soil, and afford them a stiffer and riclier soil. 

 Do not keep tbem out longer than can be avoided, and shield the roots from 

 the drying influence of the atmosphere, either by covering with soil or mats. 

 Now is also a good time to move those budded last August, but we should 

 prefer to let them stand a year and then transplant. 



I Trees not Eaten by Sheep (Arboriculturist).— Siheop -will eat as girat 

 a variety of trees and shrubs as almost hares and rabbits. We fear forest 

 trees will have a poor chance on hilly ground near the sea. Beech succeeds, 

 so does Elm ; but the best thing we find for withstanding the sea brce^^e and at 

 the same time ornamental, is the common Sycamore. Corsican and Austrian 

 Pine do well, Mumtain Ash also thrives, and gets-up where sheep arc free. 

 For shelter near the sea the common Elder is probably without an cqial. As 

 to what sheep will not eat, wo have proof of their making bare every shoot 

 they can reach iu an extensive ornamental covert to which they had access. 

 What escaped was beyond their reach. 



Primula japonica Winter Culture— Pkach Thee in Greenhouse 

 (.(. E. A'.).— The Primula should be kept rather dry during the winter in a 

 cool bouse or pit, but do not allow the soil to become dust-dry. That from 

 which you have brokeu-off the flowering-stem you may expect to see again iu 

 spring. The Peach tree should be kept moderately dry at the roots during 

 the winter, bat the soil must not be allowed to become very much dried and 

 cracked, as that i^ a freq'iout cause of the buds falling. Water in February, 

 and afterwards, keeping the hous-? a"? cool as you can up to that time. All 

 you need for the setting of the flowers is to keep the atmosphere dry, well 

 ventilated, and when the pollen in the anthers becomes yellow shako each 

 branch gently, which will cause tho pollen to be distributed, or you may 

 apply it to the stigma with a camel's-hair brush. Hyacinths grown this 

 year in pots are not suitable a second time for the same purpose. They are 

 best planted out of doors after being hardened-off, iu light, rich, well-drained 

 soil, and a sheltered position, covering the bulbs about 2 inches deep. They 

 will flower tolerably well out of doors. Those in glasses are of no use for 

 pots. Plant them out. 



Improving Clayey Soil (W. 0. W.). — Your burning, as we have oftan re- 

 commended, is the be^t mode of rendering a very heavy soil m*re friable. We 

 are glad it has satisfied your employers as well as yoarself, but you need only 

 pare off the top 9 inches and bui-a the other 6 inches. All crops flourish on a. 

 soil so treated. 



Twenty-four Best Roses (flf. G.). — Mart'chal Niel, Baroness Roth8:;hild, 

 Charles Lefebvro, Alfred Colomb, La France, Gloire de Dijon, Marie Banmann, 

 John Hopper, Senateur Vaisse, Dr. Andry, Countess of Oxford, Duke of 

 Edinbnrgli, Etienne Levet, Marquise de Castellane, Louis Van Houtte, 

 Dupuy-Jamain, Emitie Hausbnrg, Mdlle. Marie Rady. Annie Wood. Mar- 

 guerite de St. Amaud, Cidine Forestier, Pierre Nottiug, Xavier Olibo, Maurice 

 Bernardin. The above twenty-four as nearly the best. We have omitted 

 Teas. If Teas are wanted, add Souvenir d'un Ami, Madame Willermoz, 

 Sombreuil, Madame Bravy, CatherUae Mermet, La Boule d'Or, Souvenir 

 d'Elise, Adam, Alba rosea, Belle Lyonnaise, Louise de Savoie, ClimbinR 

 Devoniensis. We recommend " M. G." to look at the list of Roses returned 

 in December, 1872. 



HE4TING A GUEENtrOUSE BETWEEN TWO ViNERIES (J. W. L.). — As yOU 



mention the existence of a flue, we presume yon mean to heat by it ; other- 

 wise, if your vineries be heated by hot water, a few pipes attaclied to thoso 

 doing duty at one or other of the vineries, would heat your giecnhouse in 

 the most convenient way, as they can be made to ascend or descend to suit 

 doorway and other obstructions. As you are on the point of making alter- 

 ations, and may not be able to introduce hot water, we may soy that we 

 have two plant houses, each larger tlian yours, heated by flues composed 

 partly of ordinary brick and partly of Portland cement pipes 12 inches in 

 diameter; they have done dutyiu a satisfactory way for sixteen years, and 

 seem likely to last as long as the structure. There is a dip and rise at one 

 door in each house, yet the fire acts very well ; only, be it obseiwed, tho dip is 

 not a euddon descent, but an incline, say of 15- or thereabouts, and as your 

 house has three doors, the Hue will have to descend twice. We would there- 

 fore advise your having a shelf, say 2^ or 3 feet wide, along each end of the 

 house, and also in the front, where the space is not wanted by the porch ; 

 and expecting the fireplace to be low enough at the back, the flue would 

 enter underneath one doorway at the end of the house, and rising as high as 

 it could conveuieutly under the shelf, it would descend again, after turning 

 the corner, so as to meet the front doorway, and after passing underneath 

 that would rise tu the next corner. Another dip would have to be made ab 

 the next doorw;iy, after which it might pass underneath the stage once or 

 more, and eventually end iu an upright chimney; the higher the latter is the 

 better the draught. The pathway which joins both the viuery doors and runs 

 along the front may be 3 feet wide ; and as '2\ feet or more has been allowed 

 for the outside shelf, all the remainder may be devoted to the main stage, 

 which may consist of two returned shelves, the lower one 2 feet from the 

 floor, and the second having a rise of 8 inches, and a similar rise of 8 inches 

 may terminate in a platform that may be 3 feet wide if necessary. Tliis will 

 be useful for standing all tall plants on, as Fuchsias, Camellias, Azaleas, 

 and the like, which can easily be arranged; but if small plants only be 

 wanted, more 8h*dves may be added, with a less space than 8 inches rise to 

 each. If you determine on using earthenware pipes for your flue, first 

 ascertain if they wiU endure fire ; and even if you ai-e assui'ed on that point, 

 it is better to have at least G feet of brick flue nearest the fireplace. Be 

 careful also in fixing it to arrange places for cleaning it out hereafter, and if 

 a plain whe be left in the flue it will be useful when it has to be cleared 

 out. We aie not sure that glazed pipes aie any better than unglazed ones, 

 certainly not so good to make joints with. It is best, when first fighting a 

 flue fire after it has not been used for a long time, to li','ht it in the day with 

 the door and ventilators open. There will then be a little smoke or oflensive 

 smell in spits of the most seciu-e joints, but when the flue gets warm this 

 goes off. BemTc means buttery, but not all Peais to which this prefix is 

 applied are so in fact. 



Vines and other Fruit Trees for a House (C. A. C.).— As you do 

 not contemplate heating much your house 30 feet long by 10 feet wide, you 

 ought only to plant such kinds as ripen well with little heat. As you do not 

 mention whether the front wall is on arches or not, we conclude it is not ; 

 and as it is advisable to utilise the house as eai-ly as possible, we would 

 advice planting Viues botli inside and outside, say eight or ten in all. They 

 might consist of three Black Hambnrghs, and one each of Foster's White 

 Seedling, Gros Colman, Buckland Sweetwater, Alicante, and West's St. 

 Peter's, and the two old Sweetwatcrs you have. Wo would plant five Vines 

 inside, and the same number outside. The former may consist of two Black 

 Ilamburghs, and one each of Buckland Sweetwater, Alicante, aud Gros 

 Colman. The outside Vines may be introduced through the front wall, aud 

 as thoso planted inside increase iu growth, the others may be taken away, or 

 partly taken away from both. Of coiu-se, care should bo taken in planting 

 that they are not opposite each other. If all go on well they ought to reach 

 the top of the house the first season, so that it is not of much use planting 

 anything against the back wall ; or, if you do so, another Vine or two might 

 be useful. Should you prefer Peaches, try Eai'ly York, Royal George, and 



