180 



JOtTRNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEK. 



t February 27, 1868. 



at the time the eastle is put together, consequently in spring 

 before stems ofanykincT are sufficiently grown, they must be 

 procured and well dried during the previous summer or autumn. 



As this method involves a difficulty with the top stage of the 

 castle, 18 or 20 inches above which is the ceiling of the rearing 

 room, there must be some preparation there to secure the 

 materials, which is not the case in the broom system, for by 

 that the brooms find support from the ceiling itself. The best 

 \ray would be, when putting the castle together, to nail a 12-foot 

 spline on each side to the tops of the supporting posts, on the 

 inside of these, and .O inches from the ceiling. Across the 

 splines lay sticks, branches, or laths, and on these the spinning 

 materials right up to the ceiling. 



I must notice the invention of Count Delprino, member of 

 the Chamber of Commerce and Arts of Alessandria, who seems 

 to have introduced a novel and advantageous method of pre- 

 paring the spinning materials, and which was to be seen in 

 use at the late Universal Exhibition at Paris, where it appears 

 to have attracted much attention. It is called the cell system, 

 because each worm works by itself in a cell, with only just suf- 

 ficient space to complete the cocoon. As I have not seen it in 

 operation, I can only judge of the arrangement by having read 

 an ingenious work of the Count's on the subject ; but although 

 my idea of it may differ from the reality, still the system is the 

 same. It simply consists in thin boarding being lixed, on each 

 side of which little cells are formed all over, from 1 to li inch 

 square, by gluing laths across, and filling up with thin pieces 

 between. These prepared boards are set up instead of brooms, 

 others being fixed to the under part of the stages. Doubtless, 

 it requires some time to prepare such a series of cells, but the 

 advantages are shown to be various. Each worm having only 

 just sufficient room for itself, the production of double cocoons, 

 the work of two or more worms, is to a great extent prevented. 

 Less silk is wasted in outside work to attach the cocoon in a 

 firm position, greater cleanliness is insured, with, in the end, 

 a saving of expense. The worms lose less time in mounting 

 and fixing on the place where they can spin, whereas in the 

 old broom system they often fall, and either perish or produce 

 defective cocoons. 



This contrivance is easily managed, and put in position by 

 one perFon. It is cleanly in use, expeditious, and will last 

 many years. It effects a saving of from 10 to 25 per cent, of 

 silk, economises work 6 per cent., and is productive of more 

 uniform cocoons. It can be put up in any room without causing 

 dirt or even dust, thus facilitating the rearing of silkworms even 

 by ladies, of whom not a few would dedicate themselves to 

 this amusing and profitable occupation. To facilitate ventila- 

 tion the cells should have holes not larger than peas through 

 the boards, which are not required to be thicker than a quarter 

 of an inch. Very large silkworms require cells at least 1} inch 

 square, while cells 1 inch square will suffice for the small 

 Japanese breed. I confine myself to these few observations, 

 until I shall have myself proved the system practically. — 

 Leonaiid Haesian, jun. 



Birds in Australia. — The stock of birds belonging to Mr. 

 L. Underdown, at the Hindmarsh Hotel (Adelaide), is well 

 worthy of a visit, and forms both a novel and interesting sight. 

 The most prominent are two long cages containing about 

 35,000 pairs of beautiful Shell Parrots, most of them this year's 

 birds. 'The noise and activity amongst them are sometimes won- 

 derful. There are also no less than 1000 pairs of the well-known 

 Cockatoo Parrots, besides small numbers of White Cockatoos, 

 Magpies, and the much-admired Port Lincoln Parrot. A beau- 

 tiful and delicately-marked little bird, of which Mr. Underdown 

 has about 7000 pairs, is the Zebra Finch, so called from the 

 > striped coloured feathers appearing on the breast. We are in- 

 formed that already the proprietor has sold 9000 birds of 

 various kinds for exportation, most of them being purchased by 

 captains of vessels going to England, to whom no doubt the 

 establishment will prove a great convenience, while probably, 

 with care and managsment, it may be made exceedingly profit- 

 able to the enterprising bird-dealer. The total number of 

 birds in the yard would be not far short of 50,000 pairs. — 

 {South Aiislralian liegUter.) 



OUR LETTER BOX. 



SlLVEU- SPANGLED HAMBDRons {W. Chnjne).—Yo\ihRve not been treated 

 liberally; but we canuot interfere. We have repeatedly warned oui" 

 readei-B not lo pay for fowls until they have seen them. A post-cffice 

 order payable ten aays after date enables Ibis to be done. 



Grouto) Oats.—" Mrs. L. P." wishes to know of any place besides 

 Sussex where she can obtain these lor her poultrj'. 



Fowls with Ulcerated Livebs (J. T.).— If all yonr fowls are similarly 

 affected, young and old, the disease must, we suppose, be constitutional, 

 and we should advise change of blood. Many of these diseases are here- 

 ditary. Supply the fowls freely with green food, and if yuu can, let them 

 have gi'ound oats instead of baiieymeal. Oui' cm"e, would, however, be 

 fresh blood. 



Management of Geese (T. M. L.). — Almost all points in Goose 

 management are disputed. To your first question we say, shut them all 

 up together ; second, the most successful Goose-rearer we know always 

 leaves the eggs in the nest. We always leave one or two and take the 

 others. These answers are in accordance with the ideas of the old women 

 who rear Geese in the neighbourhood of largo commons. 



Dorking's Head and Comb TtTRNiNG Black (Idem).— Turge the hen 

 freely with castor oil. It is the only remedy you can adopt. Such cases 

 often occur from poultry drinking snow water for a time. 



Fowls not Laying (Kate). — You cannot eat your cake and have it. 

 You cannot have the chickens for dinner in September and October, and 

 for layers in December and January. Last year you had more pullets 

 and more eggs, and that wa?i as might be expected. It is not the property 

 of any breed to lay in the ^vinter ; it belongs only to pullets. Directly 

 they have passed into the mature state of hens they give up such childish 

 habits, and lay only in the natural season. Nature has made their laying 

 time to come on at that period most favourable for rearing the chickens. 

 Thus, a hen just beginning to lay will be broody in or about April, will 

 hatch out her chickens towards glorious May, when there are long days 

 and short nights, genial air, and lots of insects. The lusty little things 

 gi'ow freely, and are very different from the winter chicks. This is 

 why the hens do not lay. Your yard is badly made up for early eggs. 

 You have thirteen hens and three pullets — " ail this sack to a halfpenny- 

 worth of bread." The laying element is sadly in the minority. Reverse 

 your arrangements nest year, and you will not complain. Have a very 

 little patience now, and all will be well, though rather late. 



Dorking's Eggs {H. C. J.). — The colour of a Doi'king's egg has no 

 more to do with the plumage of the bird it produces than that of a man's 

 hair has with bis height. 



Hackle of Cinnamon Cocftin-Chixa Hen (North Devon Suhacriher).— 

 There was formerly a description of Cinnamon Cochin hen, which was 

 re^juired to have a dark rim at the bottom of a hackle. We have seen 

 none of tbera for years. We know no Cochin hen or pullet in the present 

 day to which it is not ft disadvantage, but it is not a disqualification. 



Spanish Cock's Comb Falling over and Turning Pubple (Black 

 Spanish). — Wc could answer with more certainty if we knew the age of the 

 Spanish cock. If he is young and his comb is still growing, there is little 

 hope of improvement ; if he is an adult, andtbe comb has only lately gone 

 over, it may be only a question of condition. Bathing with vinegnr and cold 

 water, and nourishing diet, will probably bring it up. High bred Spanish 

 fowls are constantly playing pranks in moulting, and throwing white 

 feathers ; sometimes in two moultings, they will tura from black to 

 entirely white, they will then become black again, but will always breed 

 black cbickeus. 



Distinguishing the Sex jn Eggs (Idem). — There is no plan for dis- 

 tinguishing the sex in eges. An old theory was that the cocks came from 

 pointed eggs, and the pullets from round ones. W^e do not believe in it. 

 We have tried one plan, and it answered. We were told the early eggs of 

 a sitting give nearly all cocks, and the late ones pullets. So far as we 

 have tried it we are bound to say we find there is truth in it. 



Brahma Pootras (G. W.). — We never knew the time when Light Brah- 

 mas were required to be vulture-hocked. All the books give the points 

 of the breed, and that appendage is not among them. The production of 

 a Brahma from the cross you name is an accident. The produce took 

 after the father. To prove anything the same result shouM always 

 follow. We were struck, as you were, by the continuous laying. Our 

 correspi u Lt "J. P." will no doubt give lull explanations to bis brother 

 amateurs. 



Space Pigeons Require — "Flooil (Captain). — If yourbirdg fly at large 

 or into an aviary, you may keep twenty-five pairs of Nuns and Trumpeters 

 in a space 11 feet long, 6 feet vdde, and 7 fett high, having plenty of 

 room for their breeding. If constantly conliijed in the hipaoe named, 

 eight pairs will re'juire the room so as to lie kept m good plumage. A 

 wooden floor is preferable for Pigeons. If raised off the ground only 6 or 

 8 inches, and if cleaned every morning as it ought to be, it will always 

 keep drj'. 



Pigeon Hen not Laying— Food (Idcvi). — If the Carrier hen was bred 

 last season she will not likely lay for a mouth or six weeks yet. Young 

 hens do not sometimes lay before the end of April or during Mny. Feed 

 your birds well twice a-day ; give Indian corn, taren, and a few tick beans, 

 and keep a constant supply of old bruised mortar and fresh w iter. The 

 strongest birds never fare better. Clary is an herb related to sage. Give 

 your Pigeons plenty of clean water to wash in. daily if possible, and a 

 little salt mixed with fresh earth from a garden or ti«ld for tbem to peck 

 at. Let the liirds have the food we have named. Give no wheat except 

 during the breeding season, and no barley at any time, as they both 

 cause purging during winter. The harder the food at this season the 

 better. Read our reply to " H. W." in the Journal of the 23rd ult. 



Pigeon Laving Imperfect Eggs (A Yovng Fancier). — The probable 

 cause is tbat she is too " well fed." Less food and more exercise would 

 restore her to health. 



Pigeon Diseased (Amateur).— We fear your bird will die, as the canker 

 is so very bad. Try to remove the diseased piece with a little smooth 

 thin bit of wood, and then rub the part with caustic, doing this thoroughly 

 but carefully. 



Bee Flowers (ITosp).— Sow borage, mignonette, and Nepeta Mussinii. 

 Be assured, however, that fields of clover, saiutfoin, and buckwheat, 

 heaths, lime trees, &c., are the best sources of huney. iA. T.).— To the 

 above answer we can merely add that there is no single flower known 

 that does uot yield honey; ana the bees' harvest depends upon the 

 country witbiu a radius of five miles round their hive. Flowers near the 

 iipiary contribute slightly to their store, but on the country at large de- 

 depeuds their chief store of honey. The seed of Fhacelia tanacetifolia 

 is in the seed lists of some of the chief London seedsmen, and there- 

 fore can be readily obtained. 



