AuRUSt 8, 1805. 1 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



115 



rRnp,u;ATiNr. Wi-l(n:i.A it.wKA AND IvY {J. H. H.).-TnUo cntt nRS of 

 tho liiUt-ripcned »lu.nts of tUo WciKulii, thoBO tlmt iiro flrin jinil brown ; 

 cut tbcm bclnw tho li.wost joint trnnsvcrscly ; rcmovo llm l.nivoH from 

 thiit nml tho joint above ; lonvo two joints, or at most tlnvc, iibovn tliom. 

 with the loaves onliro, anil insert tho outtinRs, in a col.l friuno, n]. to 

 tho lowest pair of leaves, about ii inches apart every way, usini,' li«ia 

 loam mixed witli about one-half sand. Put on tlio lights after wuteriut', 

 and do not open tb,-ni for tlie next month except to uivo water, sprmlilint,' 

 tliem slit'litlv with water every morninR in briKht weather, an.l KeopniK 

 shaded from' briulit sun. In six weelis they will lie lit tor potting, and 

 should lie kept in a frame iluriuK tho winter ; or they may remain where 

 inserted, and be planted in spring either in pots or open borders. II it 

 is the comm.in Ivv vou wish to propagate, cuttings may now bo placed in 

 a moist shadv border, selecting those cuttings that are shm-t, and have 

 a few roots alre.idv in eourso of fiu-mation upiui tliem ; but it variegatcH 

 thev should be iiiieiled in a eolrt frame, and he kept eloso imd shaded as 

 lor 'the Weigela cuttings. The cuttings should bo slipped oir, and bo 

 insorled about half way in the soil. 



Raising BElinKKls Darwinii kroji Seed (rfirm).— Place tho hemes in 

 Invers in dry sand, in a box, with sand between each, and sow them next 

 March in light sandy soil, with a littlo peat or loaf mould intermixed. 

 Distribute the seeds in rows. 3 inches apart, or broadcast, and cover with 

 half an inch of light soil. Water copiously diuing dry weather. 



Potato Scau (.7. r. B.).— Wo can give you no information as to tho 

 cause bevond what was stated in last week's and previous Numbers. In 

 your case, from the limed portion being scabbed, and the tubers in the 

 nnlimed ground sound, tho disease is no doubt attributable to the use of 

 lime, especially as tho ground is hght and sandy. 



Forming a Croquet Ground (L. /. B.).— The gi-eatest fault of all 

 croquet grounds that wo have seen is that thoy are too small— not too 

 small, perhaps, for the game to be properly played, but too small to allow 

 of a change of ground ; tho eonsoqucneo is, that when the ground is 

 much used, it is soon worn bare, and too short of gi-ass for playing 

 tho game well. Tho smallest we linvo seen was 12 yards square ; this 

 was too small for anything, ami a mere mimicry of a croquet ground. We 

 have seen lawns for croquet of all sizes, from tho eighth of an acre to 

 an acre in extent ; but. from what we know of tho game, we should 

 not think of having one of less than a quarter of an acre or 35 or 

 86 yards s(|uare— certainly not less than SO yards every way ; and wo 

 would not have it larger unless we expected large parties, and the gi-ound 

 to bo in constant use ; for with such an area we could change the starting 

 and ending posts. For instance, if the sticks were north and south, we 

 would change them, when the grass began to be worn, to east and west, 

 and thus give it a chance to gi-ow by the time the other piece became 

 worn. If the gi'ouud permitted, wo would have the croquet lawn sunk 

 about a foot or ;I3 juches, and form a terrace all round, with a slope of 

 2 feel to the croquet ground. This terr.a'cc to he 36 feet wide : 15 feet of 

 gi-ass from the slope, then a six-foot waUi, and 15 feet of gi-ass on tho other 

 .side, and bounded by a Yew hedge. On the teiTaeewe would plant ilifferent 

 kinds of close-growing shrubs, anil iipiight-growing Coniferjc, exactly in 

 the centre, on each side, and along tlie ends. Steps of stone at each end, 

 or on all four sides, should lead to the terrace walks ; and on tho terrace, 

 at these points, we would have vases on each side of the walk, and either 

 vases or statuai-y on hiill-teiTnces at all the corners, the latter being 

 rounded for thnt'purposo, and also at the corners of the outside, or on both 

 sides of the waUss. wliero the walks crossed at right angles. Between the 

 shrubs there would bo beds of circular form for bedding and other plants. 

 This might be carried out either on a lal-ge or small scale. In forming 

 the gi-ound. make it level, and allow it to settle and become firm before 

 turflng. When there are many depressions to fill up, and heights to take 

 down, hollows are apt to be formed, in consequence of tho soil sinking. 

 II the subsoil is of a strong tenacious nature, tho turf should bo laid on 

 an inch or so of ashes, which will help to render it drier in damp weather. 

 Some say the gi-ass conies finer, but the reverse is often the case on dry 

 subsoils. Form the ground so as to lay the turf by the beginning of 

 October, and, when laid evenly, gently beat as the w-ork proceeds ; 

 sprinkle a little soil on the turf « Iter laying, but not much ; audit tho 

 soil is at all poor give a t o.id dressing of leaf mould and well-rotted 

 manure in the following Marcli. Let the grass grow up to May, or 

 even June, before mowing, in order that it may form good roots, and 

 then mow and roll regularlv to bring it into order. It wiU require a year 

 to do this, even if good turf be laid. Use it very carefully the first year, 

 for if it become bare nt the commencement it will show the etfects 

 for a long time. If grass seeds are to be sown the ground may be pre- 

 pared during the w-iuter, and the seed sown in .^pril ; let the gi-ass grow 

 until July, then mow, and mow regularly every fortnight afterwards, and 

 manure, "if necessary, in order to obtain a good turf earlier ; this you 

 will do in a year by sowing seed, and the same year by laying turf ; hut 

 you must not expect to use tlie ground the same year, for gi-ass requires 

 time to make a bottom. Of course if it be merely taking up and relaying 

 a lawn that has been some time under the scythe or machine, then the 

 tnrf may be used in the following year, if laid in autumn, or in the 

 same season, if laid in spring; still it will not endm-e dry weather so well 

 as a lawn with the roots deep. The main points are — to make the ground 

 large enough, to level a good depth of soil beneath the tm-f, have a good 

 sward before using it much, and then not to play too long on one 

 place. 



Heating a Cuccmber Pit '(J. L. Slackhou^f). — Your Cucumber pit 

 will answer very well. You will have enough of heating if you sun-ound 

 the bottom-heat pipes with pebbles. It would be well to place a layer of 

 clean-washed gravel over all. and that will always give a nice bottom for 

 the soil, and prevent any tendency of the roots to go down to the pipes. 

 It will also be advisableto have a few upright drain-tiles communicating 

 \vith the rubble round the pipes, through which you can pour water to 

 give a moist bottom heat. The three-feet bed will do for the Cucumbers, 

 but we would have made path and bed of equal width. Such a house, to 

 have Cucumbers in January-, should have a bottom heat ranging from 75* 

 to 80-', and the top heat without sun should range from GO to 65" for short 

 kinds, and a little more, say from 65 ' to 70 \ for very long Idnds. In dull 

 weather more fire will be necessary so as to permit of air to keep all 

 sweet. Evaporating-pans would be useful on one of the top pipes. 

 Strawberries will swell very well in such a house, after they are set. You 

 must have a cooler place to bring them on in, until the fruit is set. The 

 shelf against the back wall should be from 16 to 18 inches from the glass, 

 according to the size of the pot and the thickness of the turf used. 



Propaoatino Cerastiom tomentokcm, Pinkh, and Carnationk 

 (A. A. .V.).— Tho Ccrastium will live out of doors, it is perfectly hardy, 

 Put in at once all the cuttings of it you can take off. in a sandy soil on a 

 shady border. Early in the spring propagate from these agnin. In thin 

 wav from a few plants you may obtain a large stoiOl by next year. I inks 

 and Carnations are perfectly hardy ; they iiro best luopagatod by layers. 

 To do this make a slit in the bottom side of tho pilling, at n couvoiiient 

 distance from the plant, so that you may bo able t.) bend tho shoot dowu 

 to the ground without breakiug, taslt^n it with n small hook firmly into 

 the ground just above whcri^ thrslit pas been made; then Bpriiikle a littlo 

 sand around the layers and scriipc a little soil about them, and if all go on 

 well thev win havo'taken root by tho cud of October, when thoy should 

 bo taken frcmi the parent plants and planted in beds of rich soil ratlier 

 elevated. Let them remain in this position till tho spring, when they 

 should bo placed in their hlooming-beds. Tho soil for them should bo 

 good, having a liberal supply of woll-decoinposed cow manure m it. 



Destroying Ants (.1. ii.).— Wo can only repeat what wo have already 

 stated in answer to other inquirers. To kill ants smear the inside of ii 

 flower-pot with honey ; invert this over their nests, and when tho POt >» 

 crowded with thoui plunge it in boiling water. Repeat this until tho 

 colony is destroved. Another mode consists in placing a 24-sizcd flower- 

 pot over tho nest ; the ants work no into it, and may bo removed with 

 a shovel, and thrown into a bucket of boiling water. The hole m tho 

 pot should be stopped up. Coiling water poured on tho nests 18 a third 

 mode ; and the fourth is to mix arseiib: with honey, or sugar and water, 

 and place in saucers, covering with an inverted one or slate, and placing 

 a stone on the top, and two thin pieces of wood between the saucers or 

 shite, to admit tho ants to the repast, which they will sometimes devour 

 greedily, and at others not touch. To drive away ants pour strong hmo 

 water into their nests several times, and freely. Guano sprmlded over 

 the nest largely, and the appUcation repeated, will also sometimes drive 

 them away; and so will a strong decoction of bruised Laurel leaves 

 poured over tho nest at night. Sometimes a decoction of Elder loaves 

 will answer the same purpose. A line of gas tar near tho base of the 

 wall, and on the stem of the trees, prevents their ascending. Wool they 

 will seldom cross, more especially when it is dipped in oil; oil, especially 

 train oil, and tmiientine, they greotly dislike. 



Preventing Ants and Earwigs attacking Apricots {B. B.).— For 

 driving aw.av and destroying ants, see reply to " A. R." in the present 

 Number, anil Mr. Fish's remarks last week. Earwigs are best trapped ; 

 tho tr.aps may be had of any seedsman. Broad Bean-stalks cut into 

 six-inch lengths, tho stems of Sunflowers, Jerusalem Artichokes, and of 

 the Giant Cow-parsnips, or Heracleum giganteum, are good for the pur- 

 pose of trapping them. These hollow stems should be placed horizontally 

 in different parts of the trees, and examined every day or every other day, 

 and the earwigs blown or shaken out into scalding water. A bttle drv 

 moss placed at" the bottom of a small flower-pot, and stuck on a stick or 

 spin- of the tree, will induce many to congregate in the moss, they may 

 then be shaken out into scalding water or otherwise destroyed, the pois 

 being frequently examined for that pni-pose. 



Vine Leaves and Grapes shrivelled (fi. A. M.).— Tho most likely 

 cause of tho leaves turning brown and shrivelling up before the Grapes 

 are ripe, is red spider. Another probable cause is not giving air early; 

 moisture is consequently deposited on the leaves, and the sun acting 

 powerfully upon the cb-ops scorches tho leaves. It may also proceed 

 from the 'bad quality of the glass, some glass burning the loaves very 

 much. The Grapes 'shrivel through shanking, and it is caused by a de- 

 fective root-actiou at the second swelling of the berries. The house not 

 being shaded has nothing to do with it. It is not customary to shade 

 vineries. 



Daisies and Dandelions on Lawn (Mem).— Grub up the Daisies by 

 the root and the Dandelions also, with as much of the thick tap root as 

 possible, dropping a littlo salt into the hole. It is best done in showery 

 weather. Fill the holes with fresh soil, and slightly scratch the bare 

 places, or level them if necessary with fresh soil, and sow lawn grass seed 

 from now up to the middle of September during showery weather. RoU 

 well after sowing, but not when the soil is so wet as to adhere to the 

 roller. It is best sown a short time before rain, 



FcNGi DESTROYING Ferns {M. IK.).— We imagine that your rockery is 

 constructed of roots and stumps of trees, or that there is a quantity of 

 wood in the compost, which c.iuses tho fungus. In that case your only 

 method of getting rid of the fungus would be to remove the pieces ot 

 wood, to reconstruct the rockery of stone only, and to replant the Ferns 

 in compost free from sticks aud pieces of wood. Tho present, however, 

 is not a proper time to do this kind of work, the best time is spring; 

 besides it may be impracticable from the absence of stone, and we may 

 be altogether' wrong in judging your rockery to he of stumps and roots of 

 trees. We have always found that fungi were caused by wood either m 

 the soil or in close proximity to the roots of tho Ferns. Stir the soil, 

 remove that where the fungus most abounds, and dust fresh limo wher- 

 ever tho fungus e:dsts, replacing the soil removed with fresh compost. 

 Whenever the fungus re-appears stir tho soil frequently, and sprinkle with 

 fresh lime, which is disliked by all fungi, and the only effectual mode ot 

 keeping them in cheek without seriously injm-ing the plants. 



Beech Le.ites of different kinds on the same Tree {E. S.)-— The 

 cut leaves are those of Fagus svlvatica heterophylla, which are sometimes 

 in narrow shreds and at other times broader. This variety is very apt to 

 return to its normal form, the common Beech, as in the present instance 

 —hence the supposed Oak and Beech leaves on the same tree. 



Colouring Brickwork (B. 11'. C.).— The best plan you can adopt with 

 your flue that is so exposed, is to colour it in tho usual way with lime 

 wash, and then place a wire guard along the exposed side to keep it froni 

 the clothes of visitors. This wlU be better than colourmg that will not 

 rub off. 



Fuchsia blooms prematurely falling ( , NoHhaVeHo7i).—We 



founil no trace of insects on yom- Fuchsia blooms. We behove that the loll- 

 ing of the bloom is owing to one of two causes— the heart of the ball "' oanu 

 isdrv, notwithstanding your regular watering— and, if you suspect this, 

 make holes with wires, or set tho pot in a tub ot water- or the hecs^ have 

 access to your flowers and fecundate them, aud then tho bloss^om drops. 

 Many are obliged to use gnuze coverings over the open ventilators to 

 keep bees from Fuchsias. From this cause we have seen hundreds or 

 blooms drop on a morning. Let us know what you think. Vie are 

 obli"ed for the information about the Chrysanthemums and the Lonicera. 



