152 



JOtJBNAL OP HOBTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 



I Aognrt 19, leos. 



Banked up frames in vbicb Coonmbers and Melons are gro^r- 

 iog, as tbe beat v&s beginniog to decline. In sncb dripping 

 vreatbor, a rongb Bpout of ecme sort in front of a frame is of 

 importance, ati it prevents the wet BoakiDg into and cooling 

 tbe bed. We gave a little beat dnring the wet days to tbe 

 vineries and Fig hou?c?, A-c, so as to keep tbe air in active 

 motion, and prevent ll-.e tempcratnre falling too low. Grapes 

 well ripened in September will keep longer than Iboeo ripened 

 later. Gave a good syringing to tbe first Peach house, and 

 left the li„'bts cff for tbe rains. In orchard house, syringed little 

 where Ibe fiait is lipeniug. Top-dressed tbe pots, as it saves 

 watering, using chiefly rotten dung, with a little soot. Where 

 Pine Apples arc grown, now is a good time for pntting the 

 earliest fruiters for next year into their fruiting pots. 



Looking-glasses for Birds. — In relation to what was stated in 

 a late number as to the;o deterrents for birds from seeds and 

 fruit, a sample of two has been kindly sent us through the 

 Editors from Mr. Peter Selby, ISV, Newhall Hill, Birmingham, 

 and having suspended tb^m over a piece of seeds, we have 

 noticed the birds fly past them, and as yet no scratch appears 

 in or on the ground. We mean to procure a few, and give 

 them a farther trial, as the expense will be small. These 

 small glasses are very neat, having black iron backs, and neat 

 brass-gilt frames in front. The frames and glasses are oval; 

 the greatest length of the frame is nearly t inches, and the 

 greatest width about :!{ inches. The long and short diameters 

 of the looking-glass are about 2{ by Ij inches. Mr. Sulby, 

 who is an old subscriber, and thus noticed our inquiry, offers 

 these mirrors at a very low rate. Where birds aro plentiful 

 and mischievous they well deserve a trial, and we trust they 

 will render the sound of the gun unnecessary. Farther expe- 

 rience will be wanted as to their continued utility in this direc- 

 tion, as birds, animals, and children too, become used to sncb 

 deterrents. Many years ago we used broken pieces of mirrors 

 with good effect ; but the little mirrors above referred to are 

 much more neat and handy, and are easily hung on a string at 

 once. 



OJINAMEKTAI, DEPARTMENT. 



Attended to the routine of mowing, sweeping, and rolling tbe 

 lawns and walks. The rains having softened the lawn, we dug 

 or spudded up a large number of the broad-leaved Plantains, 

 which threatened to occupy some turf put over beds two years 

 ago. The turf was taken from the sides of the lanes and high- 

 ways. On most of such turf, though not a trace of a Plaulain 

 may have been left at turfing time, it will often be years before 

 one gets rid of them, as so many seeds are imbedded in tbe 

 turf, and need free access to air, to germinate. Few things 

 mar tbe appearance of a lawn more, and if let alone, a single 

 strong plant would soon require some feet for itself and its 

 progeny, as tbe side shoots grow rapidly. In compaiison with 

 these, Daisies are a trifle, as unless very thick, tbe grass pretty 

 well overtops them by this time. The Plantain, on the other 

 hand, mars the look of the best-kept lawn. We noticed lately 

 a cloud of Thistle down careering over our lawn, and dread them 

 finding a resting place there. 



As respects the Plantain, and other large succnlent-Ieaved 

 plants, we had a cask of prepared sand sent to us, price about 

 30s. per cwt,, that was to do wonders, kill all the Plantains, 

 Daisies, &c., and invigorate the grass at the same time. It so 

 far answered that it did no harm to the grass, and applied to 

 Plantains, a pinch between the thumb and two fingers to a good- 

 sized plant, it soon shrivelled up the foliage, and seemed to 

 kill the long root for a good distance, and a broom was only 

 required to sweep up the black and shrivelled tops. Now, 

 however, we perceive we are liltlo or nothing the better, as the 

 Plantains are appearing from tbe lower part of the roots again. 

 We considered, therefore, that where time could be given, 

 rooting-up was on the whole the most economical mode of de- 

 Btruction, This requires care, and a strong iron, best with a suit- 

 able handle, as cutting them up, or merely breaking or cutting 

 the root a few inches below the surface, is but a very temporary 

 relief, as in a few weeks you will have two or three shoots or 

 broad Plantain heads instead of one. Care should be taken 

 that the plant should be raised close to, or even with the 

 extremity of the roots. We have measured many of these 

 roots from 12 to 20 inches in length, and we know that if only 

 a few inches next the surface of roots like these be removed, 

 the plants will fom assert room for themselves. 



The worst cf taking up large roots at this season is that for 

 a time there will be an empty spot on the grass, and before 

 the grass grows over, that space will be below tbe level of the 

 BUrronnding lawn. To lessen the continuance of this appear- 



ance, when we nproot many Plantains we Matter a tew seeds 

 of White Dutch Clover over the space, and when that is damped 

 with a shower or dew we scatter over the seeds a little finely 

 Fitted soil, so as to make the spaces more level with the lawo, 

 and then when the lawn is dry roll well over. A few fine Bents 

 may be added with the Clover. A green surface ii thus soon 

 attained, and a little of this Clover is very soft. We regret we 

 could not speak more entbnsiastically of thie chemically pre- 

 pared sand, as it would otherwise be very suitable for email 

 lawns, where a little first outlay would be more pleasant than 

 spudding up weeds. Probably if used more freely than wo did, 

 it would be more destructive to all succulent-leaved plantf. 

 We find it did no iojnry to the grass plants even if sown broad- 

 cast—quite the reverse, but it killed the foliage of Daisies and 

 Plantains. 



The rains have washed off so many of the Calceolaria flowers, 

 that we have had to grass over the bed,', nipping tCt pnrtially 

 denuded trusses to give more room and streng'h to those 

 coming on. We have also bad to take away a few leaves from 

 the scarlet Pelargoniums, as they are now quite luxuriant 

 enough. Edgings also needed a little regulating. Grass mice 

 are troublesome in raised beds where Vetbenns are growing. 



Made preparations by collecting fresh soil for propagating, 

 and will commence with all flower-garden plants presently. 

 The less artificial heat they all receive tbe better. Verbenas, 

 Petunias, *o,, we shall piece in a cool pit ; Pelargoniums chiefly 

 in the open air. Much depends on sweet fre?h soil, a Utile 

 light rather than heavy. Cuttings that strike often do badly 

 in winter from using old sour soil fur the pots and boxes. II 

 wo give any manure at all, it is generally a little sweet dnng or 

 leaf mould at the bottom of the pots or boxes. 



Pfickcd-out and petted according to age and eiz?, plants of 

 Primula sinensis; grew on double ones in a pit; potted 

 Coleuses for autumn work, and pnt in cuttings to stand the 

 winter, in little room. Potted Cinerarias, sowed Calceolarias, 

 and cut down more Pelargoniums cf sorts ; the first cut down 

 are now ready for repotting. Most of the soil will be shaken 

 away, the roots trimmed a little, and put carefully in smaller 

 pots, in light Ean<1y soil, and kept sbaJed for a little until 

 the roots are working freely in the frcf-h soil. Put Camellias 

 in a shady place out of doors; Epaciis and winter-flowering 

 Heaths should now be in pits with glass, to defend them from 

 showers, but with air back and front night and day, but fully 

 exposed to the sun to ripen the wood. Sowed Mignonette and 

 some annuals for the winter, proceeded with potting Feme, 

 and all plants requiring that treatment, and moving plante in 

 the flower houses as often as they sbow( ! signs cf distresB, 

 bringiu ; n others to replace them. — Pi. F. 



COVENT GARDEN MARKET,— August 18. 



The market has been very unstendy, ihe chief attendance of bnyWS 

 beioR on Saturday, rendering things of more Talue on ono day than 



another. Supplies are auplc, and foreign importations heary. Shippers 

 from tho Channel Islands are also large senders. 



FRUIT. 



Apples % sieve 



Apricots doz. 



Cherries lb. 



Chestnats bnehel 



Currants >j sieve 



Black do. 



Firs doz. 



FUberta lb. 



Cobs lb. 



Gooseberries ..quart 

 Grapes, Hothouse . lb. 

 Lemons 100 



Artichokes doz. 



Asparagus 100 



Beans, Kidney H sieve 



Beet, Red doz. 



Broccoli bundle 



Urns. Sprouts % sieve 



Cabbage doz. 



Capsicums 100 



Carrots bunch 



Cauliflower doz. 



Celery bundle 



Cucumbers .... each 



Endive doz. 



Fennel tanc-h 



GarUc lb. 



Herbs bunch 



Horseradish ..bundle 



s. d, s. d 



Melons cnoh 2 to 5 



Nectnrinos doj, 6 10 



Oranses 100 10 U 



Pcachoa doz. S 16 



Pejirs (dessert) . , doz, 2 3 



Pine Apples lb. 8 6 



Plums Hsi«v8 8 6 6 



Quinces dor. 



Ilaepberrics lb, 6 1 



Slrnwherrics , . . , lb. 1 2 



tValnnU bnshel 10 16 



do 100 1 



Leeks bnnch 



Lettuce Bcore 



Mushrooms, , , , pottle 

 Mustd.A CroHS,pannet 

 OoioDS, , doz. bunches 



Parsley Bievo 



Parsnips doi. 



Peas quart 



PotatoeB buabel 



Kidney ditto 



Radishes d'oz,bnnche3 



Rhubarb bundle 



Shallots lb. 



Spinach bushel 



Tomatoes doz. 



Turnips bnnch 



Vcgct. Marrows, .doz. 



d. s. 

 4 too 

 2 



