April 13, 1876. ) 



JOURNAL OF HOUTICULTUKifl AND COTTAGE GAKDENEK. 



295 



TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 



John H. Ley, Royal Nursery, Lansclowne, Road, Croydon.- 

 Catalogue of Ornament al-foliaged and other Plants, 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

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

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

 Mr. Johnson or Dr. Ho^g often remain unopened nnavoid- 

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

 of onr 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. AU articles intended for insertion 

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

 cannot reply to questions through the post. 

 Garden Plans (J. 2>.).— There are eugraved plans and modes of planting 

 them in " Flower Gardening for the Many." You can have it by post if you 

 enclose five postage stamps with your address. 



Lytk's Herbal (B , Naturalists' CtuD.— U is not the earliest of onr 

 Horbals. Turner's preceded it; and earlifr than that, Anthony Ascham's. 

 This is the earliest pabliwhcd English Heibiil we know; it waH pnblishfd in 

 1550, and is entitled "A Treatise of Astronomy, JecluriuR what horba and all 

 kini^s of meciicine are appropriate," Henry Lyte was born Iq 1529, and Rra- 

 dua'.ed at Oxford abo'it 1540, but at which "colleRe is not known. He died in 

 16LI7, ani was buried in tLe north aisle at Charlton-Mackerel Church in 

 Somersetshire. He had travelled much in foreign countries, and was a good 

 scholar. He wrote " The Light of Brittaine," and presented it to the 

 Queen " when ehee came in royall manner to Paule's Church." It is a brief 

 history of ancient England. But his be&t known volume is his translatic n of 

 Ilembert Dodoen's book on plants, now known as "Lyte's Herbal." He was 

 led to Buch a study by the neighbourhood in which he lived. It is peculiarly 

 beautiful— cultivated hills with rich valleys between. Sumarton is the Saxon 

 name, and pigniliea pleasant. He assigns as hia reason for translating the 

 book, that " a pood thing the more common it is the better." The dedication 

 to y uten Elizabeth is " from my poore house at Ly tescarie, within the coimtie 

 of aomerset, 1st of Januarie, 1578." Lytea Gary is in the parish of Charlton- 

 MacVerell, near Somerton, and had its prefix from the Lyto family, who for 

 centuries had a large mansion here, in which was a chapel, and on the walls 

 of which were depicted their arms — ^^ulea, a ch6\Ton argent between three 

 swans proper. These arms have been assigned both to the Lyte and Gary 

 families. 



Profit from Three Acres {J. N. L.).— No one can answer your query 

 — situation, crops, and skill being unknown to us. 



Garden Gloves (G. if.).— Apply to a maker, not a mere retailer, of leather 

 gloves. 



Lectures at South Kensington {J. H. E.). — Write to " The Secretary, 

 Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington," for the information. 



Asparaous {P. Pullet). — Yoa were right not to out the stems down below 

 the surface. 



Heating Houses with Gas fSiV.48/7fi/).— Yon will, we fear, find the heat- 

 ing with gas very much more costly than your present arrangement. To heat 

 with gas you will require a copper boiler, and every part of its surface eipnped to 

 the direct action of the flame, and must be as 1 foot of boiler surface to 25 feet 

 of radiating surface. A zigzag or other form of gas boiler would answer, 

 having 4 feet of surface exposed to the direct aotion of the llamo and about 

 as much of indirect surface, but we could not say how many burners you 

 would require. For your purpose we consider your houses would be most 

 Gconomically heated by a boiler at the back of a kitchen or other fire if jou 

 have one conveniently situated, or failing that we advise you to c insider the 

 cost of heating 4-inch pipes with gas, and the certainty of your having a 

 supply of gas at all times. Heating with gas is very much more cleanly than 

 any other mode of heating, and where a certainty of supply can be ensured 

 is the most desirable method of heating a small house attended to by an 

 amateur. We advise your keeping to present arrangements. 



CocuMBERs AND ToMATOES Eaten Bi' SNAILS (Tdcm).—T^ot Stating the 

 temperature we cannot say whether it is too high or otherwipe for the plants, 

 but Cucumbers and Tomatoes do fairly well together. Dust the surface of the 

 bed or borders with quicklime about an hour after dark, and scrutinise the 

 ■walls, &c., at night after dark with a lantern, by the one or other of which 

 means you mav clear your house of the snails, which we apprehend have been 

 introduced with the soil. 



Cdttings of Rhododendrons and Laurels {C. B. P.). — Rhododendron 

 cuttings may be inserted in peat covered with silver sand — the cuttings 

 being of the young wood when the ha-^e next the old wood is getting a little 

 firm— in a cold framti until a callus is formed, and then placed in gentle 

 bottom heat until well rooted, gradually hardeuiug off. Portugal and com- 

 mon Laurel cuttings may be put in at the end of September, the current 

 year's growth with a heel about an inch of the two-year-old wood, insciting 

 two-thirds the lL-u2th of the cuttings in the soil, and mnking the soil fu-m 

 about them. In the autumn following they will be fit to transplant. 



Grafting Rhododendrons {David Turtle). — It is best done in late 

 August or early September. Side-grafting is most eligible, the plants after 

 grafting being placed in a close-shaded frame until the grafts have taken, as 

 they will in about six weeks, after which harden-off by admitting air gradu- 

 ally at first until the plants can endure full exposure. 



Bad Seeds [Disappointedi. — VCe fear that the harvest for Peas was las^ 

 year very unfavourable, and to ensure full tows it is well to sow thicker than 

 usual. Some of the seedsmen recommend this course, and they have, no 

 doubt, substantial reasons for doing so. 



Sewage for Vines and Plants {Lindum). — We do not consider this the 

 beat manure to apply to Vines and plants. It contains manurial properties, 

 and it may be applied to Vines without being diluted, and to certain strong- 

 growing plants with an equal quantity of water. 

 Red Spider on Peach Trees {Bcv. C. Bury),— As soon as the fruit was 



gathered last year the trees ought to have been cleansed from this pest by 

 syringing. You ought also to have mixed some sulphur and a portion of soft 

 soap with tho water for win tor- dressing the trees. Had this been done the 

 spider would not have appeared. Fumigating with tobacco paper will not 

 destroy it. By the time this appears in print the blossoms will be set, when 

 tho trees may be thoroughly syringed twice daily in fine weather. Tho water 

 muet hi; appli(^d with coDsidcrable force. Nothing more will be required to 

 kc'p the spider in bubjcction. 



Management op Young Vines {C. B.).— It would be better not to cut 

 till! canos over so late as this ; but as stton as the buds have started rub off all 

 except two or tlu-eo of those nearest the rut)t. 



GLiSS Coping for Fruit Trees fJ.).— No coping ought to remain upon 

 the walls when the danger from frost is over. It prevents the rain and dews 

 from falling upon the leaves ; and any insect pests would be more comfurt- 

 able under its protection than if exposed. 



White Camellia (A/. H.). — It is not unusual (or a white flower to be pro- 

 duced on a pink-tlowored Camellia. 



Weeds on Lawn (T. E. C.).— It is one of the RannnctUae genus. A 

 woman with a knife will boat eradicate it. 



Seeds from the Roval Horticultdbal Society {B. Bidu-cU).—We do 

 not think that was an undertaking to do the same annually, but they aro 

 now to be had ou application. 



Sowing Primula and Gloxinia Reed (B. S.). — Drain tho pots well 

 and over the drainage place an inch of the sittings of the following compost ;^ 

 Three pirtsof light fibrous loam, and one part each of leaf soil and sandy 

 peat, with one part of silver sand, filling to within half an inch of the lim 

 with tho sifted soil for the Primula, and to within an eighth of an inch for tha 

 Gloxinia seed, the soil to be made rather firm and even at the surface. The 

 seeds to be scattered evenly, and covered, as regards the Primula, with suil 

 an eighth of an inch deep, the Gloxinia seed beiog lightly sprinkled over with 

 very fine soil or silver sand, it being well in the case of the pot for the 

 Gloxinia to water before sowing the seed. They bhould both be placed in a 

 hotbed and kept moist, avoiding making sodden, or on the other hand of 

 becoming too dry. In a fortnight to three weeks the plants will be well up. 

 A Cucumber or other frame hotbed will answer admirably for raising the 

 plants. 



Bambusa metake Flowering (M. D.).— It is unusual for this plant to 

 flower from its not having a suthciently favourable position. The flowering 

 is due to your having it in a conservatory planted-out favourable to its free 

 growth and ripening. It will no doubt give you a quantity of seeds. 



Hollies with Naked Leaders {Q. P.).— The cause of long "naked" 

 leaders is the free growth— healthfulness of the plants, due in a measure to 

 good soil. If yon wish more side branches shorten the leaders to half their 

 length; but this will destroy the leads, and others will rise, which will give 

 yon a [denser habit; or you may, without cutting back the leaders, shorten 

 the side shoots, which will induce to a denser habit. 



Pruning and Transplanting Shrubs {Jiicm).- Now is a good time to 

 plant evergreen shrubs, especially Hollies. Early autumn or lato summer, 

 especially if moist, is also a very favourable time ; but we have teen equally 

 successful with spring planting, it being done when, or a httle before, the 

 shrubs are starting into growth. In transplanting no addition of fresh soil 

 is necessary, that of the ground being good, but if unsuitable an addition of 

 good loamy soil moderately rich is desirable. Pruning is best done early in 

 the present month, but may be practised a month hence. Just before or 

 when new growth is being made is the proper time to prune. 



Lawn Weedy (li. A. P.).— The weed of which you sent us a specimen we 

 do not recognise, it being much dried, having the appearance of a Lichen. 

 It is now too lata to top-dress, especially as you may not have material at 

 hand. We should continue the guano sprinkling in moist weather. It 

 assists the growth of the grass, and as this grows the growth of the weed 

 will be diminished. We should mis in autumn one-sixth of lime with any 

 vegetable refuse you may have at hand, or good rich soil, throwing it into a 

 ridge-like heap, and in about six weeks turn it over, applying it to the lawn in 

 February, and so as to just cover the surface. At the close of llarch rake 

 thoroughly with an iron rake, and early in April remove by the same means 

 any rough part of the compost, picking-off any stones, and roll thoroughly. 



Rose Mildewed (B. B.).— Syringe the plant with a solution of soft soap, 

 2 ozs. to the gallon of water, and whilst wet dust the infested parts with 

 flowers of sulphur. It is due to the dull and moist weather we have until 

 recently experienced. Brighter weather and more air will no doubt free you 

 of the mischief. 



Gravel Path "Washed by Biver (E. L. C.).— The best thing would be 

 to have the path remade, forming it of asphalte, which is made as follows: — 

 Take two parts of very dry lime rubbish and one part coal ashes, also very 

 dry, and both sifted fine. In a dry place on a dry day mix them, and leave a 

 hole in the middle of the heap, as bricklayers do when making mortar. Into 

 this pour boiling hot coal tar; mix, and when as stiff as mortar put it down 

 a inches thick to form tho walk. The ground should be dry and beaten 

 smooth, in your case removing the gravel to that depth, or if not too high 

 placing it npon it. Sprinkle over it finely-sifted gravel, and when cold and 

 stiffened so as to bear a roller p:'-8S a light one over it, by which the gravel 

 will be embedded in the asphalte. In a few days the walk will be solid and 

 waterproof, no weeds growicg upon it. 



Grates Spotted (J. T.l.- Tho berries are affected with the spot, an ul- 

 ceration usually caused by a deficient supply of sap. Place some thoroughly 

 decayed dung over the roots, water regularly with tepid water, and cut out 

 the spotted berries. 



Ants in Camellia Pots (J. H. JT.).— Sprinkle Scotch snuff thickly over 

 the surface of the soil every day until they disappear. 



Fdngus on Cucumber Plant (K. B.).— It is a fungus frequent on decayed 

 wood, and was imparted to the plant from the soil. If a layer of sand about 

 an inch deep is placed over the surface it prevents snch inconveniences. 



Pampas Grass Transplanting (An Irish Subscriber).— Yon may divide 

 the plant and transplant the sections now. 



Insects in Borders (R. H.).— The insects found in yonr border, manured 

 and fed with slop^i, are the pupce of some two-wiuged fly, which it is im- 

 possible to determine in their present state. The specimens were smashed. 

 If you wish for more precise information please send more better packed, and 

 we will endeavour to rear them to the perfect state.— I. O. W. 



Names of Plants {J. fi.).— The Ferns were too dried-np and faulty to be 

 identified. (C. B. G.).— It is Myosotis dissitiflora. We compared it with a 



