Febrnary 19, 1674. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



17;5 



descend. Keep the water ffweet, and continue the bits of charcoal, taking 

 care that the water is of the eame temperature as the room. 



Veronica saucifolia Culture (PtnZif).— This is the name of the plant 

 of which you sent us a specimen. It is a half-hardy everpreen elirub, and 

 requireB to be grown in a greeuhonee, though it will succeed very well out- 

 doors in summer. It is increased by cuttings of the growing Bhoots taken 

 off with two joints, and the growing points inserted in sandy soil up to the 

 second joint, the leaves being removed below the lowest joint. Place tho 

 cuttings in a gentle bottom heat. To keep it dwarf and bushy, cut it 

 down in spring, and keep it stopped, so as to induce pide shoots. Tho beat 

 plants are those from cuttings stopped until a good-habited bushy plant is 

 formed ; then allow it to grow for flowering. It will not bloom well if kept 

 very cloeely stopped. 



Continuous Succession of Flowers (Mfm).— Chryeanthemnms from 

 October to January inclusive, Fuchsias from May to October, and Primulas 

 from October to May. These ai'e the times when they are usually in flower ; 

 and though they may bo bloomed at other seasons, it is not desirable, as tho 

 flowering is not satisfactory. 



Vine for Cucumuer House — Orchids (Idem). — We do not consider a 

 Cucumber house suitable for Vines, but the kind that would do best in winter 

 along with the CucnmberK is the Black Hamburgh. Orchids succeed well in 

 n Cucumber house, as At^rides falcatum, odoratum maximum, Lobbi, Angrjp- 

 cura sesquipedale, Catfleya superba, Cypripedium barbatum snperbum, C. liir- 

 sutissimum, C. villoeum. Dendrobium chrysotoxum, !>. densitlornm album, 

 D. Farmeri, D. macrophyllum Dayanum, D. Pierardi, Phahenopsis amabilis, 

 P. grandiflora, P. grandiflora superba. P. Schilleriana, Saccolabium giittatum 

 giganteum, S. retusum, S. Blumei, Dayanum, Vanda gigantea, V. insignia, 

 V. suavis, and V. violacea. 



Camellia Lea%'es Unhealthy (Gardener).— The leaves are probably in 

 this condition from having been exposed to powerful sun when the plants 

 ■were making fresh growth. Slight shade from bright sun is neccssai^ during 

 summer. With this the foliage will, we think, bo all right another seabon ; 

 but we should advise you to sec to the roots, making the drainage good, and 

 potting if required; or remove tho surface soil down to the roots, and top- 

 dret-s with fresh soil. In doing so be careful not to injure the roots. 



Potato Planting (F. E. r.).— Plant early in next month during dry 

 weather. We prefer medium-sized tubers for planting, cutting off the crown 

 or cluster of eyes at the end only. If the tubers are large we prefer cutting 

 them in halves, and leaving two or three eyes in each half. Using small sets 

 is a great mistake. In storing seed Potatoes, it is of no consequence whether 

 the eyes are upwards or downwards. Store in a cold place to prevent the 

 eyes emitting long shoots before planting time. 



Hand-Drill (J. H. L,).— Drilling, as you 

 say, is a difficult operation fur an unskilled 

 amateur. A very simple, and at the same 

 time a very expeditious and effective mode 

 of pUmting small seeds, is to put them in a 

 wine bottle, with a quill inserted in the cork, 

 as shown in the cut. If the seeds are ex- 

 tremely small, and it is necessary to sow 

 them thinly, mix the seed with dry sand 

 before it is put in the bottle. 



Trees Overshadowing (R. H. D.). — The 

 usual course is to give notice to the owner 

 of the trees of the injury they occasion, and 

 ask him to remove the branches overhanging 

 your garden. If he neglects doing so, then 

 usoally you might cut them off ; but there 

 are many facts of which we know nothing, 

 and which may control your right, so you had better consult your solicitor. 



Epacrises and Azaleas Dying (R. 5.).— Probably the plants have gone 

 off from having been in small pots and pot-bound, and then shifted into 

 larger pots, or the soil may have been unsuitable. "Black soil" does not 

 sound well. It may have been bog soil, which does not suit these plants. 

 Sandy fibrous brown peat is necessary, and in shifting from small pots the 

 shift should not be large; the sides of the ball should be loosened with a 

 pointed piece of wood, and the neck or collar of the plants kept high in the 

 centre of the pots, or level with the rim, and the soil should fall gradually, 

 so as to be about half an inch below the rim of the pot. 



Forcing One-year-old Sea-kale (Bus).— The seed should be sown in 

 March, or, if the ground is then wet and cold, early in April, in drills a foot 

 apart and an inch deep, placing the seeds about an inch from each other in 

 the drills, and covering with fine soil. The plants should be thinned so that 

 they may stand 6 Inches apart, and be kept clear of weeds. They will by 

 autumn be nice plants, and should be taken up when the leaves have fallen, 

 and be placed in pots or boxes to be removed to a dark place where there i.s 

 gentle heat. If you wish to force on the ground it will be necessary to sow 

 iu holes about an inch deep, and in a circle about 4 inches across, putting in 

 the seeds about an inch apart. Four of the best plants may be left to form 

 a stool. The stools should be 18 inches apart and 2 feet from each other in 

 the row, allowing twice the latter distance between every two rows, so as to 

 /orce two rows at a time. 



KoSR Pruning (7ff<'»i)-— Tour Roses will have their young growths cut by 

 the recent frosts. Cut them back now to within three or four eyes of their 

 base, or to eyes that have not started into growth. Any strong shoots may 

 be left a little longer, and weak shoots should be cut-in to one or two eyes. 



Annuals for Croquet Ground (Petite). — You could not improve on the 

 pink and white varieties of Saponaria calabrica, the seed being sown in 

 March or early in April amongst the bulbs, which will not be injured by the 

 Saponaria, but the latter may siiffer if the bulbs cover the ground densely. 

 The leaves and stems of the bulbs should be removed as they die off. For 

 the boxes annuals will answer, and they are less expensive than plants. 

 Sweet Alyssnm, white; Abronia umbellata, rosy lilac ; Gypsophila muralis, 

 pink; Sanvitalia procumbenK flore-pleno, yellow; Lobelia speciosa, blue ; and 

 Mignonette. For covering the sides, Mauraudya Barclayana, purple, and its 

 wliite variety, are good, and may be raised from seed ; but all the annuals 

 named will hang over, and so cover the sides of the boxes. A few hardy 

 plants for the garden are Achillea umbellata, Alyssum saxatile, Aubrietia 

 Campbelli, Campanula floribunda, Delpliinium Borlowii, Draba Aizoon, Helle- 

 borus niger, Hemerocallis Kwanso tiore-pleno, Hepatica angulosa, Iberis 

 Bemperflcrens, Lythrum grandiflomm, Wyosotis dissitifiora, Gilnothera macro- 

 corpa, Papaver nudicanle. Phlox vema, Potentilla Menziesii. Saxifraga longi- 

 folia, Spir.Ta japonica, S. palmsta, Statice latifolia, and Veronica taurica. 



Bedding Plants for Tricolor Flag (Alpha). — The best representation 

 wo have seen was Scarlet Geranium, Payne's Perpetual ; white, Centaurea 

 ragusina compacta; and blue. Lobelia speciosa. 



Ferns for Greenhouse— Double Red and White Geraniums (L. A.).— 

 A few Ferns are Acrophorus hispidus, Anemidictyon phyllitidis, Adiantum, 

 Capillus- Veneris, A. wthiopicum, A. cuneatum, A. setulosum, Asplooium bul- 

 biferum, A. dimorphum, Blechnum occidentale, Cheilanthea elegans, Davallia 

 canariensis, D. disHecta, Lastrea acuminata, L. glabella, Lomaria gibba, 

 L. L'rierminieri, Nephrodium raolle and var. corymbiferum, Nephrolepis ex- 

 altata, Onychium japonicum, Platjcerium alcicorne, P. rotundifolium, Ptcria 

 cretica albo-Iineata, P. serrulata and var. cristata, P. tremula, and P. umbrosa. 

 Of Lycopods : Seiagiuella denticulata, (ormosa, and Wildenovi. Full par- 

 ticulars of treatment are given in " The Greenhouse," which you may have 

 free by post from our office for lOJ. Double red Geraniums are Incendie de 

 Fontenay, Victor Lemoine, Goliath, Wilhelm Pfitzer, Gambetta, and Princess 

 Teck. Aviiite doubles are Album plenum, Alice Crou^ise (this has a salmon 

 centre), and Aline Sialey. The double-flowered are more durable for cut 

 flowers than single. 



Blue Titmouse Eating Peas {J. W, L.). — There is no means of prevent- 

 ing these birds from taking Peas but to destroy them, which is a great pity» 

 as for the greater part of the year they live on insects, and it is only a short 

 time they do harm, generally when they have young. Peas for a succession, 

 areSangster's No. 1 for present sowing, and at the same time Alpha, then 

 at fortnightly or three-week^^ intervals Maclean's Dwarf Prolific, Wonderful, 

 Veitch's Perfection, and Premier up to Jane, and in that month two sowings 

 of Ne Plus Ultra and Premier. Snow's Winter Broccoli, to come in during 

 November, should have the seed sown early in March. 



Erica Cavendishii Pruning (Idcm).~-lt requires no pruning beyond 

 sliortening irregular growths, so as to form an evenly- balanced specimen. 

 This should be immediately after flowering, and the old flowers ought to be 

 removed directly the flowering is over. 



Destroying Ants (Alpha).— ThB best means of destroying them is to 

 place small pieces of beetle poison, about the size of a pea, on a piece of 

 slate in their runs, taking care that no domestic animal partakes of it. 

 Another good plan is to get two pieces of sponge, dry and clean, and on two 

 sides smear them with honey; place those two sides together, and put the 

 pieces in the haunts of the ants, which will pa^is into the sponge, and may be 

 immersed in boiling water. It answers nearly as well to dredge the sponge 

 with powdered loaf sugar. The sponges having been washed clean and dried, 

 may be used agaiu and again. Ants are also fond of ohve oil ; this, placed 

 about 1^ inch deep, in jam pots put iu their nms, will take them in great 

 numbers, and may be left until rancid ; then the pots should be thoroughly 

 cleaned and renewed with oil. The best salad oil should be used. 



Corn Salad (D. L.). — The Broad-leaved Italian is the best variety, and to 

 have it in winter a sowing should be made about the second week in August, 

 and again at the beginning of September. Sow iu light rich soil and iu a 

 sheltered position, watering if the weather be dry. It is best sown in drills 

 about 6 inches apart. Stir the ground frequently between the rows, and if 

 tho plants are too close together thin them out to an inch apart, further 

 thinning as required for use to 4 inches, and these will give a successian of 

 leaves. These should be taken off as for Spinach. In severe weather a pro- 

 tection of mats «r other covering should be put on. 



Stove Plants for July and August (A Three-years Subscriber).— 'Wc* 

 presume the Allamanda has been kept dry. We should now repot it, remov 

 ing most of the old soil, and return it to the same pot or one of a size that 

 will hold the roots properly, placing the plant iu bottom heat if you have it. 

 The shoots should be tied down, so as to induce them to break regularly, and 

 as the pot becomes full of roots shift the plant into one at least 2 inches 

 larger. The shoots should be tied to a trellis, about which you must exercise 

 your own judgment. Water moderately at first, but increase the amount as 

 the plant grows more freely, maintaining a moist atmosphere. The Bougain- 

 villea should have similar treatment to the Allamanda. The Ixora you will 

 need to keep back — rather dry and cool until May, and then you may en- 

 courage growth by a brisk heat and moist atmosphere. Stephanotis flori- 

 bunda you will also need to keep cool and dry until the beginning of June» 

 then place in heat and moisture. The Iioras, if not specimens, may be 

 placed in bottom heat now and growth encouraged, then repot, and after they 

 have made a good growth gradually reduce the meisture ; about the middle 

 of Jmie return to moisture and a brisk heat, and you may have them in 

 flower at the time wished for. 



Gardener Emigrating (A Journeyman Gardener). — We never recom» 

 mend any place for emigration, so much depends on the character, &c., of the 

 emigrant. We know that gardeners who have gone to Victoria are very 

 thriving. 



Names of Fruits {T. V.). — The Apple, Shepherd's Fame, is described in. 

 Hogg's " British Pomology " as a large, obtuse, ovate friiit of a pale straw 

 colour, with broken patches of crimson on the shaded side, streaked with, 

 yellow and crimson on the side next the eun. The flesh is yellowish, soft, 

 and tender, sweet and briskly flavoured. In use from October to March. 



Names of Plants (C. S. TT.).— 1, An Echeveria ; 2, Indeterminable j 

 5, Alyssum maritimum variegatum ; 6, Peziza coccinea. Very bad specimens. 

 (M. S. JT.).— Nicotiana undulata. (J. Huis?)).— Sparmannia africana. (Con- 

 stant Reader).— An Echeveria, but we cannot determine the species. (2*. 

 Turner). — Your Orchid was too shrivelled for determination ; it is probably a 



Plenrothallis or Stelis. ( Name mislaid). — lochroma grandiflora (?) Bot, 



Mag., t. 5301. (fir?.f;).— Aspidium triangulum. (F. W. B.).—l, Gymno- 

 gramma ochracea ; 2, G. L'Herminieri ; 3, Indeterminable. [W. A. E.j. — 

 We cannot name plants from leaves only. 



POULTEY, BEE, AND PIGEON OHEONIOLE. 



OBJECTING TO JUDGES. 



I WBiTE to bring before the fancy a matter which concerns 

 their interests most vitally, and especially now, when the cry 

 arises on all sides for more judges ; the proceedings I wish to 

 expose being directly calculated to render the supply of those 

 we already have deficient, and that in a manner, I think, most 

 despicable. It appears to be the practice of a few individuals 

 " who I have been led to understand act in a certain degree ia 



