January 20, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



land in a living state, and it is now in full bloom in the garden 

 of Mr. W. Wilson Saunders, at Reigate. 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 

 The Gladiolus Exhibition at the Royal Horticultural 

 Society's Meeting, on the 17th of August, promises well. In- 

 tending subscribers to the fund for prizes should at once de- 

 clare their intention to Mr. Richards, Royal Horticultural 

 Gardens, South Kensington, so that the amount of the prizes 

 may be determined. A prize for the best six English seedlings 

 is intended. The following subscriptions are promised : — 



Mr. Vincent Stnekey, Lang 



port 



Mr. Marshall, Taunton 



MM. Vilmorin-Audrienjr & Co 

 M. Sonchet 



£ s. 



: & Sons 



1 1 



M. Eugene Verdi 



M. Charles Verdier z u 



Messrs. Kelwav & Sons 2 2 



Messrs. Paul & Son 2 2 



Mr. Bunyard 1 



It has been stated in some of the daily papers that a 



legacy of £2000 has been bequeathed to the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society, but we cannot learn that it is known 

 officially. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



The time has now arrived to commence operations in earnest, 

 and one of the first steps is to plan-out every inch of ground, 

 if possible for the whole year. Laths should be written upon 

 and placed at the heads of the quarters, descriptive of the 

 kind of crop, the manuring, and what crop is to follow. It is 

 necessary, also, in order to follow up a systematic rotation of 

 crops, to keep a cropping-book corresponding with the labels. 

 Most persons will have laid-in their stock of seeds for the 

 year. The remaining stock of laBt year should be thoroughly 

 examined, all the seeds deemed safe for the current season 

 reserved, and some mixed with the new samples. A little 

 Cauliflower seed and a pinch of Brown Cos Lettuce should be 

 sown in boxes and placed in a house at work ; also some White 

 Spanish and Portugal Onions, to be transplanted on highly- 

 manured ground. Sow a little Parsley, some eaily d^varf 

 Cabbage of the Vanark or Nonpareil varieties, a little Rjund 

 Spinach, and a pinch of Early Dutch Turnip on a warm slope. 

 A plot of ground should be forthwith appropriated to slopes. 

 It is strange that gardeners do not avail themselves to a larger- 

 extent of the great advantages offered by sloping surfaces. 

 The slopes should, of course, run east and west, and are most 

 convenient when about 3 feet G inches wide. They should, if 

 possible, he near the frame ground, as many of the crops 

 grown upon them, as Radish, Horn Carrots, and early Lettuces, 

 will require occasional covering with litter and frequent 

 attention. Slopes of this kind, after carrying their spring and 

 early summer crops, will be suitable for autumn ones, more 

 especially for Endive and autumn Carrots, or for raising the 

 stock of winter Lettuces. The sooner Asparagus beds are 

 manured and soiled the better. Plant Horseradish, Sea-kale, 

 and Jerusalem Artichokes as soon as possible. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Follow up nailing and pruning except in the case of Fig and 

 Apricot trees ; cover the latter in good time to protect the 

 blossom. When that is to be readily distinguished finish the 

 pruning of these also. Make cuttings of choice Gooseberries, 

 Currants, &c, taking care to pick out the buds at the lower 

 end of the shoot in order to avoid suckers. Let all Apple 

 trees infeBted with insects have a thorough cleaning and wash- 

 ing, either with Gishurst compound or with soap and hot 

 water. Apple and Pear trees may even be syringed with water 

 of the temperature of 160°. A few Strawberries may now be 

 pushed forward, but do not drive them too fast or the blossoms 

 are apt to become blind. During mild weather those in frames 

 for succession should have plenty of air in the day, but at 

 night the lights should be put on in order to secure them 

 against frost, and as soon as the blossom buds of the Apiicot 

 can be distinguished, the eggs of the caterpillar which so much 

 infests it in the leaf should be hunted for and destroyed. Tbey 

 are deposited in circular groups on the branches, are about the 

 size of a Parsnip seed and look somewhat like it, having the 

 appearance of being pasted. 



flower garden. 



Those who have alterations to accomplish this spring in the 

 way of planting and ground work must now lose no time. In 

 planting large shrubs it is an excellent praotice to half fill the 



holes intended for the plant or tree with the rakings of the 

 pleasure grounds, which may be reserved in heaps in back 

 places for that purpose. This imparts to the plants an un- 

 usual degree of luxuriance, and of a most enduring character. 

 Re-arrange masses of what are known as American plants ; some 

 of the delicate Azaleas, &3., are frequently overgrown and 

 injured by the grosser Rhododendrons. Biennals may be 

 planted in flower borders or beds. Look over bulbous plants ; 

 stir amongst them and protect them if necessary. Grass 

 lawns will now be much benefited by a thorough rolling, as 

 also gravel walks. Examine all belts at the outskirts of the 

 kitchen garden or otherwise. Remove deciduous trees where 

 they injure the best evergreens, and introduce Hollies or trees 

 of a permanent character in blanks ; stake newly-planted trees 

 carefully, the harm done from want of this is immense. Pro- 

 cure Rose stocks, and plant them in lines in highly-manured 

 ground in the kitchen reserve garden. The Boursault is under- 

 stood to be one of the beBt stocks for early Roses. Many col- 

 lections of Tulips are now so forward that unless protected in 

 some of the ways recommended the results will be serious to 

 the embryo blooms, which, though below the surface, will 

 certainly be more or less injured by the action of the weather. 

 Ranunculus beds may be thrown up in ridges of about 4 inches, 

 so that the lower part of the bed may be allowed to remain 

 undisturbed. By this means advantage can be taken of a fine 

 day, should the weather prove fickle about the 14th of Fe- 

 bruary, as when suffered to lie in this state the surface soil 

 becomes sooner dry, and by simply raking level is immediately 

 ready for putting in the roots. Polyanthus seed may now 

 be sown in pans. Some florists start them in a slight heat, 

 and when up gradually harden them. Look well after Car- 

 nations in pots; those on beds will require protection in 

 exposed situations. Attend to preserving cleanliness, water- 

 ing, &c. 



greenhouse and conservatory. 

 Liquid manures are great fertilisers if they are used in a 

 perfectly clear state. Everyone, therefore, who is desirous of 

 carrying out high cultivation should not only provide a stock 

 immediately, but adopt a plan by which it can always be 

 obtained with ease and comfort. Soot water is, no doubt, of 

 considerable value when clarified, and when mixed with urine 

 and guano water will furnish all that can be desired in this 

 respect. Use it in a perfectly clear state and weak ; by the 

 latter is meant clear water merely tinged in colour. Used 

 beyond a certain strength, it will assuredly paralyse the action 

 of 'the root it was intended to invigorate; used in a turbid 

 state, it will close the soil against the atmosphere, for which it 

 becomes a very poor compensation. All manual operations in 

 the conservatory should, of course, be performed as early in 

 the morning as possible, in order that the family may enjoy 

 their rambles amongst the plants without obstruction, in a 

 sweet atmosphere and on very clean floors. Orange trees in 

 tubs are liable to a black fungus on the leaves, having the ap- 

 pearance of soot ; this should be thoroughly cleared away at all 

 times, more especially now. Some soapsuds, warm, applied 

 with a sponge are very good, and a little sulphur may be mixed 

 with them. Decaying flowers or unsightly plants should be 

 instantly removed and their places filled with superior articles 

 brought from other departments. This structure, where proper 

 means are allowed, should now be in the highest perfection, 

 and the hybrid Rhododendrons, Camellias, See., should make 

 a fine display. Large plants of the above that have been 

 some time in their pots or tubs will require much water— more 

 than people commonly imagine. Use tepid liquid manure. 

 A few of the most forward Azaleas intended for blooming early 

 may now be placed where they can have a temperature of from 

 50° to 53°. Water carefully when necessary, and in mild 

 weather ventilate freely. Cinerarias require careful attention 

 as regards watering. Do not place them so closely together as 

 to touch one another, and be sure to keep them secure from 

 frost. Chinese Primroses in bloom should be introduced into 

 the conservatory, and others brought on as their beauty fades. 

 The bright yellow Primrose-like blossoms of the hardy Jas- 

 minum nudiflorum have such a cheerful aspect at this time, 

 when flowers are scarce, tbat a few plants of it Bhould be kept 

 in pots for in-door decoration : when intermixed with green- 

 leaved plants they have a fine effect. Specimen Pelargoniums 

 intended for flowering in May should be placed as near the 

 glass as possible ; let the temperature at night be about 50 . 

 Solanum capsicastmm, together with S. pseudo-Capsicum, and 

 other sorts bearing small, round, bright-coloured fruit, are 

 very useful at this season for decorative purposes. See, there- 



