128 



JOURNAL OP HOBTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDBNEB. 



[ February 15, 1877. 



TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



W. Heuder & Sou, Vlymonth.— Illustrated Catalogue of Vege 

 table. Flower, and Agricultural Seeds. 



Laird & Sinclair, Dandee. — Catalogue of Seeds, Boots, and 

 Garden Hequisites. 



Andre Leroy ;i Angers (Maine et Loire), France.— PWce Cur- 

 rent of Vegetable, Flower, and Aqricaltural Seeds. 



Harrison & Sons, Leicester. — Catalogue of Choice Seeds for 

 the Garden and Farm. 



B. S. WiUiama, Victoria and Paradise Nursery, Holloway, 

 London. — Catalogue of New Plants. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

 *,* All correspondence ehould be directed either to " The 

 Editors," or to "The Publisher." Letters addressed to 

 Mr. Johnson or Dr. Hogg often remain unopened unavoid- 

 ably. We request that no one will write privately to any 

 of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to un- 

 justifiable trouble and expense. 

 Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions 

 relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee sub- 

 jects, and should never send more than two or three 

 questions at once. All articles intended for insertion 

 should be written on one side of the paper only. We 

 cannot reply to questions through the post. 

 Books (S. FT.).— Cathill's " Market Gardening Round Londou." We know 

 of no work devoted to eeed-growing. 



Red-skinned Flodrball Potato {H. HiU}.— Althongli it does not succeed 

 in your soil and situation it may on others. We are pleased to read that you 

 have established an Amateur Gardeners' Society at Astwood Bank. 



Lawn Mossy {A Constant Subscriber).— From now to the end of March, in 

 mild weather, have the lawn well scratched with a new iron rake so as (o 

 briug up and remove the moss. The more you remove the better ; clear it off. 

 In March give a good dressing of decayed manure or rich compost, spreading it 

 evenly, and not more than half an inch thick. In April rake again well with 

 the iron rake, removing any rough and unsightly portions of the manure and 

 any stones, and with an early prospect of rain sow over it evenly Slbn. Festuca 

 duriuscula, 12 lbs. Cynosurus cristatus, Bibs. Featuca tenuifolia, 8 lbs. Poa 

 nemoraliti sempervircus, 8 lbs. Trifolium repena, and 4 lbs. Trifolium minus, 

 an mixture for 1 acre. If jou are troubled with birds, rake lightly with a 

 wooden rake after sowing; if not, simply roll well ; rolling should also follow 

 the rakiog. Let the grass grow until the middle or end of May, then mow 

 with a scythe, and afterwards keep under with the mowing machine. If the 

 lawn is wet the moss would be subdued by draining. 



Bbiars ( Tyro). — "I do not, of course, know who your correspondent's brother 

 is, but I would recommend him to go into some large nursery, and if he doea 

 not find a very large proportion of the Briars there " ^reen " I will own that 

 I am entirely unfit to advise on any subject connected with Rose-growing. 

 The varieties of Briar are legion; but the younger they are, provided they 

 have aaflflcient stamina and stoutness, the better. Soma Briars brown in 

 ■colour era very good, but my experience proves that the green are the best. 

 A man once brought me a Briar 6 feet hiyh as green in colour aa the 

 grasB. Would " Tyeo's" brother eay that it was only one year oldV— Wyld 

 Savage." 



Barbarossa and Gros Guillaume Grapes IDcvout Reader).— The Groa 

 Guillaume Grape was introduced some years ago under the erroneous name of 

 Barbarossa. and this has adhered to it more or less ever since, but it is being 

 gradually dropped. The true Barbarossa is not in this country, though one 

 Tery similar to it is occasionally met with, called Gromier du Cantal. 



Carpet-bedding Plant (J. Cnrrtcfc).— The only low-growing, dark-foliaged, 

 half-hardy plant that occurs to us as being suitable for your requiremeuts is 

 Oxalis corniculata rubra. Seed may be sown now, and the seedlings be raitied 

 io heat and subsequently hardened-off the same as Lobelias and other tender 

 bedding plants. The Oxalis grows about 8 inches high, and the foliage is of 

 a dark coppery brown colour. The plants grow freely in almost any soil, and 

 are nearly or quite hardy. 



Hphagndm for Orchids (E. J. B.) — It should be used in a fresh state 

 though many prefer it dried, as it is theu more readily choppod-up, and the 

 dust or smaller particles can be rejected the more rtadily. 



Seeds from India (J. L.). — Poincianaregia is a stove evergreen shrub or 

 tree, thriving well in turfy loam, with a third of leaf soil or thoroughly de- 

 cayed manure, and a sixth of sand. A little peat may be added if the loam 

 be deficient in fibre. The seeds ehould be sown in a brink bottom heat (Ou'^i, 

 in early March, previously steeping them in water at a temperature of llO-^ 

 lor twenty four hours. Lagerstrieuiia regina; is au evergreen stove shrub- 

 like tree, succeeding iu peat and loam in equal parts with a half part of Itaf 

 soil and a free admixture of sand. The seeds should be sown in a brisk 

 bottom heat early next month. Combretum grandiflurum is a stove shrub, 

 succeeding in a compost of peat and loam. It is uecessarj that the seed bo 

 sown iu brisk heat ia spring, growing the plants in moist heat during the 

 summer, keeping them rather dry in winter. The seedlicga should be potted- 

 off singly when large enough. 



Pruning Chiuonanthus fbaorans (H. O. M.) — Cut it back after fluwcr- 

 ing, and restrict the aummer pruning to the removal of irregular growths. 



Oxalis versicolor not Flowering (Idcjii). — We can only attribute their 

 not flowering to the crowded state of the bulba. Thoy should have at least 

 twice the pot room, and bo given a good Hcaaon of rest, not withholding water 

 nntil the growth ceases, repotting when growth commeucea. A compost of 

 turfy loam and a little peat and leaf soil will grow them perfectly. They 

 ehould have a light airy position in a greenhouse, watering freely during 

 growth, but not making the soil sudden. 



ToDEA sui'ERBA ITudea). — The old fronds usually go off about this time, 

 or when the young fronds are being made. The old fruuda will require to be 

 cut away after the plant has furnished itself with new growth. Continue it 

 in the cool house, in which it will do better than in an intermediate house. 



Plants for Intermediate House (An Old Subscriber]. — The Vines will 

 give you all the shade required during summer; and in winter, from October 

 to March inclusive, no shading whatever is required. Your house will be suit- 

 able for such flowering stove plants as Allamaoda nerifolia, Aphelandra auran- 

 tiaca Roezli, Centropogon Luceana, Conoclinum ianthinum, Balechampia 

 Roezliana rosea, EpiphvUum truncatum vars., Eranthemum pulchellum, 

 Euphorbia splendens, Frauciscea calycina major. Gardenia fiorida, Imanto- 

 phyllum miniatum, Lasiandra macrautha floribunda, Libonia floribonda, 

 Monochiptum ensiferum. Plumbago coccinea superba, Scutellaria Moecini- 

 ana, Rogiera gratissima, and Vinca alba oculata. Variegated or foliage— 

 Cyperus alternifolius variegatua, Draciena stricta, D. reginte, Franciscea con- 

 fertiflora variegata, Fittonia (Gymnostachyum) Pearcei, Pandanus elegan- 

 tiesimus, Pauicum variegatum, Paullinia thalictrifoha, Pavetta borbonica, 

 Sanchezia nobilia variegata, Maranta zebrina, and Tillandsia acaulia zebriua. 



Plants for Labge Conservatory iLeodiemis).—!. Folioge plants.— 

 Beaucarnea recurvata, Chamrerops Fortunei, Dasylirion gracile, Cordyline 

 indivisa, Livistonia australis, Lomatia elegantissima, Dicksonia antarticft 

 and D. squarroaa, Phormium tenas variegatum. Yucca aloifolia variegata, 

 and Y. quadriciilor. 2. Flowering plants— Rhododendron Countess of Had- 

 dington, R. Dalhousianiim, R. Princess Royal, Luculia gratissima, Abutilon 

 vexiilarium marmoratum, Habrothamnus elegans, Clianthus puniceus, 

 Camellias of sorts— viz., Alba plena, Bjnomiana, Fimbriata, imhricata.Matho- 

 tiaua, and Elegans. 



Keeping Late Grapes (S. G).— Alter the fruit is ripe the night tempe- 

 rature should be about 45". It does not injure the Vines much to allow the 

 Grapes to remain, provided they are cut before the sap rises. 



Clue Root IE. M. P.).— If the gas company will not let you have half a 

 bushel of gaa lime, we do not know where you can purchase it. 



CocuMiiEBS Unhealthy {J. G., Bn'sioZ).— Remove the unhealthy growths, 

 top-dress to induce surface roots, water copiously with tepid water, and raise 

 the temperature of the house, increasing also the atmospheric moisture, and 

 we think your plants will recover. 



Climbing Roses (G. I. H.).— All inquirii^a must be sent to the Editors. 

 Many correspondents would be annoyed by private letters. 



Vine Bleeding (T. E. D.).— Char the bleeding surface again, and deeply; 

 then rub-in a paste made of grease and lime. 



Club ROOT (J. G. M.K— It is caused by a weevil, which deposits its eggs in 

 the bark of the roots. If the roots are dipped into a paste of soot and water 

 at planting time, end soot is sprmkled over the surface of the soil, jou will 

 find the treatment beneficial. 



Protecting Fruit Trees (J. Rogers).— The "heat, " that is tho most 

 eflncient coverings, are frigi domo or canvas, but these must not remain oyer 

 the trees, and a system of rollers becomes necessary for raising and lowering 

 the protection according to the weather. The "cheapest," for remaining 

 over the trees, admitting light and air, and affording protectiou from slight 

 frosts, is stout woolly hexagon netting. 



Fungus on Camellias ( rv. B.I.— There are slight signs of black fungus 

 on tho leaves sent, but the incrustation is principally caused by dust and 

 sooty particles from the atmosphere. Sponee the leaves with a strong warm 

 solution of soft soap, and then syiiuge regularly once or twice a-day through- 

 out the season of growth. The leaves do not appear to be unhealthy, but 

 they must speedily become so unless jou take prompt and efficient i 

 to clean them and keep them clean. 



Names of Fruits (Grej/ori/). —Cockle Pippin. 



POTJLTEY, BEE, AND PiaEOK OHEONIOLE. 



LOWESTOFT POULTRY, &c., SHOW. 



The ninth Exhibition of poultry, Pigeons, and cage birds was 

 held in the Public Hall, Lowestoft, on the 7th and 8th inst. The 

 birds, although not numerous, were very good, more especially 

 the Pigeon classes, scarcely a pen being without a card. The 

 Hon. Sec. (Mr. L. AVren), as usual, was very active and obliging, 

 and the birds were well attended to. 



Dorkings headed the catalogue. A fair class. First a good 

 pen ; second almost as good. Coc/iins.— First and second Lady 

 Gwydyr, both pens exceedingly good ; third very yellow. 

 Brahmas (Dark). — Lady Gwydyr again taking first and second 

 honours, which they deserved. Brahmas (Light).— P. Haines, 

 the woU-known Light Brahma breeder, taking first and second. 

 The first pen grand birds, but slightly out of coudition. Game 

 a poor class, very little to choose between the first, second, or 

 third, all the winners being Brown Rede, but lacked the gipsy 

 face so much desired. Spanish, — First grand birds, the hen 

 having an immense comb and face ; second very fair birds. 

 Uamburghs (Gold or Silver-pencilled).— The third (W. K. Tick- 

 ner) wo preferred to either the first or second, third being placed 

 in a very dark place. Himburghs (Gold-spangled) —As a class 

 poor, but well placed. Hftmburghs (Silver-spangled).— Combs of 

 all the winners much too large. Hamburghs (Black).— A rather 

 better class. Pen 72 too late ; would have stood a good chance 

 of winning. Bantams (Game) a ooor class. Bantams (Black 

 good. Bantams (<ii«y other varietj) a fair class; the winners very) 

 good Sebrights. Bantams (Selling class) —Third (Black Beds) 

 would have won in the open class. Duclis should have been 

 divided into two classes at least. 



Pigeons. — Carriers three classes, exceedingly good. They 

 must have given Jlr. Hutton, who judged them, much trouble 

 in awarding the prizes. Barbs good classes. Dragoons a grand 

 class for a local show. Pen 217 too late ; would have run the 

 winners very close. Tumblers superior. 296 pen first (Yard- 

 ley), a good bird, but unwell; have been, to all appearances, 

 overshown. Pouters a grand class. First and second will in all 



