JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AM) COTTAGE GARDENER. 



f March 24, 1&70. 



is self-coloured all over except tho tail, so much the better; itiflBeldom 

 the caee ; the hackle, saddle, and wings are frequently darker and brighter 

 in colour. The plumage of the hen should be pencilled all over, except 

 the hackle. All that is imperative is that the markings should be accu- 

 rate pencillings, and not mosses or patches of colour. 



Hens Picking the Cock's Comb (H. T.).— The hen first pecks the 

 coca's comb, cither because ho asks her to do so, or because there is a 

 spot or Bpeck that attracts her attention. When she has torn it off it 

 Meeds, and then she has tasted blood find likes it, and noes on pecking 

 and eating. The remarkable part nf the affair i". that the cock appears 

 to like the operation and will stand to bo eaten. While the fit Is on them 

 the hens will disfigure every cock. Let them he without one for a time, 

 Bay for ten days. Feed on cooling food during that time ; plenty of fresh 

 earth, grass, and lettuce if you have any. If they show any disposition 

 to peck the cock let him be removed, and only turned with them fora 

 short time at a spell, and watched all the time. It is often a good plan in 

 these cases to rub the comb with the bitterest ointment that can be 

 made up. 



Brahma's Wing Feathers Projecting (Mtoa D.).— The cock has what 

 is called a twisted flight. It is not verv uncommon in large yards. It is 

 anything but desirable. In common with all defects, it is more frequently 

 transmitted than a virtue or good quality. It does not affect the purity 

 of his breed. We should not breed from him if we had another. If 

 obliged to keep him, we should cut the peccant feathers off close to the 

 Wing. 



Brahma Pullets not Laying (E. H. S.)<— It is probable your pullets 

 were and are egg-bound. Catch them carefully, take out a stiff tail or a 

 wing feather, saturate it thoroughly with sweet oil, and pass it up the 

 egg-passage. If there be an egg there it will sonn be laid; if not, there is 

 probably permanent injury done in laying the last egg, an 1 the'hen will 

 have to be killed. Do not'resort to the last without due trial of remedies, 

 and be patient. Lubricate the passages in the way wo have mentioned 

 till they reek with oil, and then put the hen iu a small basket filled with 

 Soft hay. Let the bird remain there, fed on soft fond only ; repeat the 

 process of oi'ing every six houra during the day, and try the bird each 

 time to see if there is any improvement. 



Weighing Poultry (A Constant Reader}.— The acknowledged way of 

 ascertaining the weight of live poultry is one that causes neither pain nor 

 inconvenience. Take any basket— mat, wicker, or rush— that will hold 

 the bird it is intended to weigh, and ascertain its weight. Put the bird 

 in it, fasten it by tying two or three place*, or by running a skewer 

 through. Put the bird in, weigh the whole, and deduct the weight of the 

 basket. 



Spanish Fowls (C. C.).— Spanish are not fowls judged by weight. Size 

 is desirable, but not essential. The principal points are :— Faultless black 

 plumage, perfectly white faces, blue legs, upright carri;icre, with slope 

 from shoulders to insertion of tail. They are one of the few breeds that 

 improve by being confined for some time before they are shown. They 

 do well by being shut in a small place in semi-darknes=, and there are 

 those who believe that being fed on white peas helps to produce the white 

 face that is so desirable. 



Spanish or Golden-jpangled HAsreuRGns for Profit (F. T.). — We 



' a droll 



prefer the Spanish to the Spangled Hum burghs as layers, 

 idea that the eggs of one sell for as much as the other, it is known to 

 all who are interested in the question that four Spanish eggs weigh and 

 contain more than six Hamburghs' eccrs. It may be said, " An egg's an 

 egg for a' that." We must agree to diff.r. No Hamburgh is so hardy as 

 a Spanish, and few fowls eat so little as the Spanish. If it were our case 

 we should retain the Spanish, and if you do not you will one day wish 

 you had. 



Lame Goose (J. H.).— We fear you have allowed too long a time to 

 elapse without applying a remedy, to make a perfect cure. The leg is out 

 of joint. The treatment is to foment the leg for a long time with very 

 hot water, and then to pull sharply in opposite directions, when the bone 

 fipriDgs, as it were, into its socket. If let alone it forms a new socket, 

 which is seldom of any use. If you have reduced the dislocation you 

 must for some days keep the bird in a email basket filled with s ft hay, 

 and he sure before she is fastened down that she sits in a natural position, 

 with her legs bent and doubled under her. It will bo at least a fortnight 

 after the setting before she may be trusted out even for a little exercise. 

 If the bone slips into the socket and out again, the feathers and down 

 must be picked off clean, and the bone secured in its place by adhesive 

 plaidter. 



High-flttng Ttjmblers (Edwin).— When both cock and hen tumble 

 well mate them, but if not, mate the hen that tumbles well with the cock 

 that does not, rather than the cock that tumbles well with the hen that 

 does not. It is a good strain when the hen tumbles well. Most probably 

 articles on the management of high-flying Tumblers will appear in our 

 columns. The Indian corn Bhould not be ground. 



White Pigeons from Malta (Charles Watkins). — Soul birds are doubt- 

 less Runts. We have seen similar from Egypt. 



Pigeons for the Table (Agriculture).— Common Runts, not the prize 

 Bort, would suit you best. The nest must be according to the size of the 

 bird. Such birds if at liberty would pick up a good deal. Pigeons eat 

 about half a pint per pair each day. 



Egyptian Swtft Pigeon (W. M.).~ The Swift Pigeon is doubtless more 

 valued as a novelty than for its utility. It is quite unlike any other 

 variety of Pigeon whatever, and from the remarkable shortness of its 

 legs, combined with the extraordinary development of wing, the body 

 bears a striking resemblance in Bhape to the Tern or Sea Swallow. In size 

 it ia somewhat less than a Dragoon, but its great length makes it appear 

 smaller in girth than it really proves to be if taken in hand, for the flight 

 leathers are from 18 to 14 inches long. This causes the bird to be seen to 

 a very great disadvantage unless shown in a cage much larger than our 

 common exhibition pen for Pigeons. Although the tail feathers are as 

 long as those of the generality of Pigeons, when the wings are closed the 

 tips project some 2 or 2$ inches beyond the tail. It is stated that when 

 in full flight the speed of these birds is remarkably great, and the wings 

 make a very shrill Bound, but when traversing short distances they cer- 

 tainly fly very light, and the wings are moved as noiselessly as those of 

 a barn Owl. The formation of the head would not by any means indicate 

 superior intelligence, or an aptitude for homing qualities ; bnt as they have 

 never in the midland countieBbeen permitted to enjoy unlimited freedom, 



the absolute result in this respect has not been proved. Tito head is in shape 

 somewhat like that of the English Owl Pigeon, but not a vestige of frill 

 on the crop is shown ; the eyes are remarkably small and red, very slightly 

 "lashed" round as in tho Antwerp ; but while the latter are so notable 

 for intelligence and fire, the Swift, at least when cng-d, appears to be a 

 dull and inactive bird. The colour of the pair exhibited at the Birming- 

 ham Philoperisteron Society's Show was most unique, but striking and 

 pleasing, tho birds being of different shades of bronze throughout, and of 

 perfect metallic lustre, but it seems they vary sometimes to a very clear 

 slate-colour, and even to black mottles. The bronze-coloured ones have 

 bred truly to colour, and appear to be good nurses; they have 

 already taken two silver cups in the variety class, and no Pigeon fancier 

 could see them for tho first time without surprise and approval. They 

 were imported, with many other scarce varieties of Pigeons, by Mr. Noy,of 

 Hagley Koad, Birmingham. 



Antwerp Pigeons. — Mr. Noyc writes to say that the alteration in the 

 throat of the bird is not " ideal," but according to the original. Ho also 

 says that Mr. Gradley did not breed the standard bird, nor ever pDSsesscd 

 its father. Mr. Noye did speak a3 alleged of Mr. Bradley'9 Glasgow ex- 

 hibited Pigeons, but only as " flying birds." We have had letters from 

 other gentlemen confirming Mr. Nova's statements. No further notice of 

 this subject can be taken by us. (F. Mills).— Tho English standard may 

 not be like the Pigeons bred at Brussels, but that is of no consequence. 

 Fanciers may adopt whatever characteristics thty please. 



Examining- Bees Without Danger (E. M. Jf.). — Arm yourself with a 

 lighted cigar, or fumigator, or a roll of smouldering linen rag3, and blow 

 sufficient smoke into the entrance to cause the bees to retire; then raise 

 the hive slightly from its floor-board and puff a few whiffa of smoke under 

 it all round. About half a minute afterwards boldly lift the hive, invert- 

 ing it at the same time, and examine it as much as you please. All this 

 could readily be affected by an adept without any protection whatever, 

 but a novice had better wear a bee-veil and gloves. 



Stocking a Hive (Apis).— The simplest mode of stocking your frame 

 hive is to permit the stock to swarm naturally, and then induct the new 

 colony into it in the usual wav. If, however, it be desired to transfer the 

 stock, combs and all, without swarming, it mny be done in the manner 

 described by Mr. Woodbury in our number of tho 22nd of July last, as 

 soon as the weather becomes warm, and the hive well filled with bees. 

 It certainly appears rather a formidable undertaking for a beginner, bnt 

 we see no reason why a lady properly protected by a bee-veil and Indian- 

 rubber gloves, such as are used by photographers, should not accsniplish 

 it with the assistance of her gardener. 



Beet-root for Cattle- feeding (B. P. J.).— We have not had much 

 experience with this, having always considered Mangold Wurtzel more 

 profitable. As the continental mode of crushing Bett, and extracting the 

 sugar, giving the pulp to cattle, would seem to require too great an outlay 

 in the shape of machinery and other arrangements, it is not likely to 

 answer unless on a large scale, and then it is uncertain, as the dull 

 summer which we have in this country, as compared to what they 

 have abroad, does not furnish the root with the necessary amount of 

 saccharine matter to pay the cost of extracting it. You might, however, 

 try a quantity of the White Silesian Beet, which is the best for your 

 purpose, and treat it the same as Mangold Wurtzel, by sowing at the end 

 of April. At the same time we would recommend your trying some 

 Mangold as well, by way of comparison. A deep light soil suits both 

 if it be a showery summer, but in a dry one a stifler and moister soil 

 produces better roots. Whatever manure is given ought to he buried 

 rather deeply. 



COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— March 28. 



Our last w \t k'a quotations fire fullv maintained, and some advance has 

 been made in the price of choice goods, which have been moro in inquiry 

 from the large provincial towns than in London, where theduluess of the 

 Court season seems to react upon every class of the community. Good 

 hothouse Grapes of late varieties are still to be had, and new Grapes 

 from Guernsey and Jersey, as well as from our home growers. Potatoes 

 are plentiful, none but good samples keeping their price. 



FRUIT. 



I Apples J sieve 3 



Apri ' 



ots. 



. doz. © 



Cherries lb. 



v.: lie:. Hints bushel 19 



GsrxantB... * sieve 



Black do. 



Figs doz. 



Filberts lb. 



Cobs lb. 



Gooseberries quart 



Grapes, Hothouse lb. 8 



Leniuns V10Q 6 



Melons each 



Mulberries quart to 



Peaches doz. 



Pears, kitchen doz. 4 



des9ert dos. 4 



Pine Apples lb. 8 



Plums i sieve 



Quinces doz. 



Raspberries lb. 



Strawberries oz. 4 



Walnuts bushel 19 



do iy 100 1 e 



Artichokes doz. 



Asparagrus y 100 



Beans. Kidney do. 



Broad bushel 



Beet, Red doz. 



Broccoli handle 



Brussels Sprouts. . J s" 



Carrots bunch 



Cauliflower doz. 8 



Celery bundle 1 



C^leworts. .doz. bunches 3 



Cucumbers each 1 



pickling doz. 



Endive doz. 2 



Fennel bunch 



VEGETABLES. 



I. e. d S. d. 



to 6 Leefes hunch 4 t< 



) 13 Lettuce doz. 1 



1 Mushrooms pottle 2 



) Mustard i Cress.. punnet 2 



) S Onions bushel 3 6 



[I 16 pickling quart 4 



D Parsley sieve 3 6 



2 Parsnips doz. 9 



D Peas quart 



i 8 Potatoes bushel 2 



D 6 Kidney do. 3 6 



6 2 Radishes .. doz. bunches 1 



6 Rhubarb bundle 1 



2 6 Savoys doz. 1 6 



Sea-kale bflBket 2 



Shallots lb. C 



3 Spinach bushel 3 



8 Tomatoes doz. 



3 Turnips bunch 4 



C I VegetablcAIarrows..doz. 



