March 24, 1870 ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



very similar to those of the blow-fly, but smaller. At what 

 time the eggs were deposited, or in what part, cannot be pre- 

 cisely stated, but most likely when the Pear was in blossom, or 

 very soon afterwards, as I have frequently discovered the Iarvre 

 of Lepidoptera in the blossoms of other trees, and bred them 

 until they arrived at the perfect state." 



We think that 2 inches deep of spent tanners' bark, spread 

 over the surface of the soil round each tree, would prevent the 

 parent insects emerging, as it does in the case of the Goose- 

 berry saw-fly. — Eds.] 



GARDENERS' ASSISTANTS.— No. 1. 



MASTIC L'HOMME LEFORT, OR COLD GRAFTING WAX. 



We have in this an exceedingly useful article, its long French 

 unmeaning name operating, however, somewhat against its 

 introduction in this country. It is a grafting wax prepared so 

 that it can be readily used at any time in a cold state without 

 any further preparation, and in this way it is greatly superior 

 to, and much more useful than any other. Common kinds of 

 grafting wax — compositions of tallow and resin, &c. — are pre- 

 pared in various ways, but must |be applied in a warm state; 

 and as this necessitates fire, they become, excepting when a 

 quantity is required, rather inconvenient and expensive. In 

 France grafting wax is much more used than in this country. 

 Here a preparation of clay and dung is principally used, 

 answers exceedingly well for ordinary purposes, and has the 

 merit of costing nothing beyond the labour of making and 

 applying, but even this, where only a few grafts are to be done, 

 becomes pretty considerable. 



This Mastic L'Homme Lefort is always handy, always fit for 

 use, and exceedingly easy of application, being easily spread 

 over the parts with a piece of wood or the blade of a knife 

 like butter on bread. It is a substance resembling half- 

 melted gutta percha, of about the consistency of common white 

 lead, and it will keep good and fit for use for years in the 

 little tin boxes in which it is sold, although when applied and 

 exposed to the air, it soon hardens, and effectually prevents 

 the access of the air to the cuts, which is the office for which 

 it is employed. 



HaviDg now used this substance for several years in grafting 

 all sorts of trees, I am enabled to speak confidently respecting 

 it. I have found its application satisfactory in every instance, 

 but especially so in the grafting of Vines. For this purpose it 

 is far, far superior to any other article that I have used. As 

 considerable moisture is maintained for Vines in their growing 

 state, the use of clay or moss in grafting very frequently excites 

 the emission of roots from the graft itself, which, thus forming 

 roots of its own, does not unite with the stock. By the use of 

 the mastic this danger is avoided, and success is almost cer- 

 tain. For this purpose, therefore; for all the more delicate 

 operations of grafting, such as Roses, Azaleas, &c. ; and for 

 placing over wounds or bruises on plants generally, I venture 

 to recommend it highly. 



It is a substance which should be found in every garden. It 

 will be found useful in a thousand different ways, being always 

 at hand, and always tit for use, so easy of application, and so 

 efficient for its purpose. It is a good assistant. — Archambaud. 



RESURRECTION PLANT. 



The Mesembryanthcmum Tripoliwn, as well as the Anastatica, is 

 known by this name, or at any rate, the seed vessels are so called. 

 The plant is, I believe, a native of South Africa, and the Bpecific 

 name Tripolium does not refer to its being a native of Tripoli, but to 

 its leaves resembling those of the Sea Starwort Tripolium. The seed 

 vessels are occasionally sold in this country, and they are most beau- 

 tiful examples of special contrivances for special ends. "When dry 

 they seem to be nothing more than a round button, three-quarters of 

 an inch in diameter, at the top of a smooth stalk ; but there are a 

 number of lines radiating from the centre, indicating the divisions of 

 the capsule. If this dry seed vessel be dipped in water about as warm 

 as the finger can bear, it will almost immediately begin to open, and 

 gradually each follicle, of which the seed vessel is formed, will rise up 

 and slowly turn back, until it becomes a many-rayed star. Then 

 there will be seen at the base of each follicle an opening through 

 which the seeds can escape. As it dries, the follicles shut themselves 

 np again, and once more assume the form of a button. The experi- 

 ment may bo repeated over and over again. The explanation of this 

 phenomenon is that the seeds, in order to germinate, require to be 

 sown whilst it is actually raining ; so the seed vessel remains firmly 

 closed during dry weather, but as soon as there is sutneient moisture 

 it spreads out its rays and scatters a few seeds. If the weather should 



become too dry it will again close up, and keep the remainder of the 

 seeds, if all should not be sown, until another rainy day. — Kobert 

 Holland. 



FLOWER-GATHERERS. 

 Many forms of these have been invented, and although the 

 questions may be asked, " Is not this one of the imaginary 

 wants of the rich?" and 

 " What did people do long 

 ago to gather flowers ?" yet 

 few will, I think, doubt their 

 convenience. In a conser- 

 vatory or greenhouse they 

 prevent the necessity of 

 reaching over to pull off 

 the flowers, and out of doors 

 save them from falling down 

 upon the ground and get- 

 ting soiled. Of all the 

 flower-gatherers whioh I 

 have seen, one which has 

 lately been brought out 

 under the name of the Selby 

 Flower and Fruit-Gatherer 

 is the neatest and best. It 

 is patented by Mr. Blyde, 

 and introduced by Messrs. 

 Dick Radcljffe&Co., seeds- 

 men, &a., 129, High Hol- 

 born, London. There is a 

 spring shield attached to 

 the cutting blade, and when 

 the flower is cut it is firmly 

 retained at the pleasure of 

 the gatherer. For ladies, 

 especially, it is well adapted, 

 and as it is neat in its ap- 

 pearance it will no doubt 

 come into general use when 

 better known ; for if one has good flowers it is not too much to 

 wish to be able to gather them without injury. The accompa- 

 nying representation of the scissors will give a better idea of 

 them than any description. — D., Deal. 



FIELD MICE. 

 No animals are more easily caught than these. Having onco 

 suffered very much from them, I quickly cleared them off in 

 the following manner, which I had seen recommended in some 

 work. Trample the ground firmly, then make holes, say 8 inches 

 square by about the same deep. Carefully make the sides slope 

 so that the bottom of the hole may be wider than the top, put 

 in a little oatmeal and a bit of toasted cheese. The mice will 

 jump in without hesitation, and cannot get out. I made a 

 large number of such holes in a field, and tho first morning or 

 two found a number of mice caught, but some animal found 

 the traps, and regularly cleared them every night afterwards ; 

 but there were soon no mice left to do mischief. — J. R. Pear- 

 son, Chilxcell. , 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN OAKDEN. 



Be sure to salt all Asparagus and Sea-kale beds; little and 

 often is the maxim. The time is approaching for planting 

 Asparagus ; it should not be planted until 6 or 8 inches high. 

 A sowing of the late spring Broccolis may now be made ; they 

 will, however, be sufficiently forward for general purposes if 

 sown a fortnight later. Prick out on a slight hotbed Cauliflower 

 plants raised in heat ; the gentle bottom heat will greatly assist 

 in pushing them on without making them weakly and drawn, 

 as when they are grown under glass. Also prick out Celery 

 on a gentle bottom heat, and protect it with a frame or hand- 

 glass until it become well-established ; likewise sow seed for 

 the main crop. See to Early Horn Carrots; the slugs will 

 devour them if not protected by liming and sprinkling with 

 coarse sand. Nothing is better, that we are aware of, than 

 cinder ashes riddled extremely fine, and the mere dust taken 

 out ; these sown thickly over the ground present such a sharp 

 macadamised kind of surface that the snails and slugs are at 

 the last point of starvation before they will venture on them. 

 If not already done, put in the main crop of Carrots the first 



