318 



JOUENAL OF HOBTICOLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. 



[ AprU 16, 1874. 



Miller & Sievens, 27, Post Street, San Francisco, California. — • 

 Catalogue of Californian and Foreign Seeds, Bulbs, and Plants. 



PROVINCIAL HOETICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 



APRIL. 



Royal norticnltural of Ireland . . 16 



CambridgeHhire 2S 



Manchester Horticultural 28 



Nottingham Horticoltoral 29 



Fermoy 30 



MAY. 



Eoyal Oxfordshire 6 



Gloucester aud Cheltenham 7 



Glasgow 8 and 9 



Bath 13 



Royal Jersey 13 



Royal Horticultural of Ireland .. 21 



Cam bridge shire 21 



Manchester 22 to 29 



Southampton 25 



Devon and Exeter 29 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



*^* It is particularly requested that no communication be ad- 

 dressed privately to either of the Editors of this Journal. 

 All correspondence should be directed either to " The 

 Editors," or to " The Publisher." Great delay often arises 

 when this rule is departed from. 

 "Wo also request that no one will write privately to any of our 

 correspondents, as doing so subjects them to unjustifiable 

 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. All articles intended for insertion 

 should be written on one side of the paper only. 

 Books (F. RoiMa).— There is no book on shrub-culture alone. " The 

 Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary " includes them. 



Flower Stand (IF. E. M.I.— If you send your full address and enclose 

 four postage stampa we will obtain a copy of the number. 



Green's Wrought-ihon Boiler. — Moeers. E. G. Henderson claim, and 

 are entitled to claim, the insertion of the following, but we cannot insert 

 more on the subject: — "In answer to ' N. B.,' at p. 203, there is cast iron 

 and wrought iron where its peculiar quality is most wanted. The front of 

 tliis boiler is of cast iron to avoid scaling or wearing away rapidly. We have 

 for our own experiment three of this boiler, each being set differently, and 

 each working etliciently. The first is without enclosure ; the second is in a 

 recess under cover half exposed; the third, of a smaller size, is fully exposed, 

 thus conserving the whole of the radiated heat. To those who have no 

 opportunity of seeing the working uf this boiler the following additional 

 features may give a tolerable estimate of its construction: — In dispensing 

 with all outer brickwork it stands upon a separate cast-iron foundation con- 

 taining the fire-bars. In one stokehole we have had three upright tubulara 

 in succession, and with these we have had to dig out, and pull down, and 

 rebuild brickwork by reason of being cracked or burnt out of sockets. Cast- 

 iron apparatus are liable to fracture, which is not the case with wrought- iron 

 ones, the latter affording timely indications of wear necessary for required 

 repair, thereby averting sudden contingencies and after-loss. In reply to 

 'N. B.'s' inquiry respecting the removal of the two wrought-iron boilers of 

 three jtais ago, we again remark that thoy were perfectly distinct from the 

 present one in one very important feature — the absence of water-plates, and 

 were solely removed without fracture, strain, or injury, to be replaced by the 

 present improved patent one. As to its durability, like all other apparatus of 

 new construction, it can only be tested by time." 

 AziLEAB {C. H.).— It is usual for them to emit leaves before blooming. 

 Aerial Boots on Vines [T. Lucas). — This is caused by an over-moist at- 

 EQo.'iphere. It is immaterial whether you cut them off or allow them to re- 

 main. They do not injure the Vines. 



Planting a Flower Bed (J. Aloytiuin.). — A square-shaped flower bed that 

 is 9 feet in diameter, and surrounded by dark-coloured paths, would look well 

 with a central clump surrounded by circular bands as you propose. Take 

 Centaurea gymnocarpa for a centre, and follow with two rows of purple Beet, 

 then two rows of Lobelia speciosa, filling the corners with Golden Pyrethrum 

 and continuing it as an edging all round ; or, as you have some Cerastium, 

 yon might impart additional variety and brightness by introducing it for an 

 edging, filling the comers with Lobelia, and putting a broad band of Golden 

 Pyrethrum next the Beet. 



Smoke from Burning Weeds [A Young Gard^-ner). — The occasional 

 burning will not be injurious to the plants in your greenhouse. To prevent 

 the smoke entering in excess, close the greenhouse ventilators during the 

 fcurning. 



Raphiolkpis ovata {J. B). — The description accords well with that of this 

 plant, which is a fine evergreen shrub, having purple berries in autumn. As 

 for as we have experience, it only succeeds in sheltered positions, and requires 

 a peaty or vegetable soil. Ceanotbus dentatus would only succeed in a warm 

 sheltered position, doing beat against a wall with a south aspect. 



Propagatino Bbddino Plants [A. £.).— The bent method of securing a 

 stock of bedding plants is to obtain a few good plants of the desired kinds 

 now, and at the end of May plant them out in good rich soil, and keep them 

 well supplied with water to encourage free growth. They will by the second or 

 third week of August give you a number of cuttings, which should he inserted 

 iu pots or pans, placed in a close cold frame, shaded, and well hardencd-ofi 

 before winter. Wintered in a greenhouse they will afford a number of cut- 

 tings from February to April. These should be struck in a mild sweet hotbed. 



Forcing Pit and GREENnonsE (/dcm). — V/e should only be deceiving you 

 weie we to hold out any hope of yonr forcing Roses and similar plants, and 

 uwicg the forcing pit at the same time forCuoumbers, and in summer growing 

 these along with Melons. Cucumbers and Melons do not succeed well to- 

 gether, the latter requiring at times a drier atmosphere than is suitable for 

 Cucumbers, stove plants, and Ferns. In the greenhouse you will do better, 

 only the bedding plants must not be allowed to crowd the Camellias, Azaleas, 

 and hardwooded plants. To answer all your questions would fill a number of 

 the Journal. "Keane's In-door Gardening" givea full instructions for the 



year on all the subjects on which you wish for information. It may be had 

 by post from our office for Is. l^d. 



Pelargonium Leaves* Yellow f^Iwa).— We think the leaves turn yellow 

 in consequence of the syringing, which ought not at this time of year to be 

 practised. We presume the plants have a plentiful supply of air before the 

 sun shines powerfully on the leaves, and that they are not exposed to the 

 sun's rays whilst wet from the condensation of moisture during the night. 

 To obnate the injury that often results from this, a little air should be left 

 on at night, increasing the amount early in the morning. We need not 

 remind you that the plants should be kept free of insects. 



Tving Vine Shoots {Idem). — The shoots should be tied to the under 

 side of the wire as soon as it can he done without breaking them, stopping 

 them at the joint beyond the bunch, or, if they do not show fruit, at the sixth 

 leaf. The laterals arc the shoots that proceed from the growth of this year ; 

 we should take them off from all the joints except the lowest two and the 

 uppermost one, stopping thtise at the first leaf, and to one leaf at every fresh 

 growth throughout the season. They will not require tying. 



Laurels, &c. {J. H. B. H.). — You are mistaken. In the "Cottage Gar- 

 deners' Dictionary " the Bay Tree is Laurua nobilis. Common names are 

 not guides. The Cape Gooseberry is not a Ribes. The Laurustinus begins 

 flowering often at the end of summer. 



Cow Cabbage Planting (J. P., of York). — You may now procure plants 

 of a nurseryman and plant them out 2 feet apart every way ; or, if you do not 

 require them until late in autumn, you may now sow the Oiheart in an open 

 situation, and when they have a pair of rough leaves prick out, and plant out 

 when large enough 20 inches apart. Or you may sow this variety at once 

 in drills prepared as for Swedes, hoeuig and thinning the same as for that 

 crop. The crop will be in daring September. Plants from an August sowing 

 are best for late summer use. The only after-treatment consists in keeping 

 clear of weeds and carthing-up when the plants are beginning to cover the 

 ground. This latter is not, however, essential, only it keeps them from being 

 BO much loosened by winds. Three pounds of seed are required for one acre. 



Beetroot (/'/'/«).— The ground should bo well pulverised, drilled, and 

 manured as for Swedes; the seed put-in either by drill or dibble; and the 

 plants hoed and thinned to a foot or 15 inches apart. The seed should be 

 sown early in May. Six to eight pounds are required for an acre. 



Ants Destroying Wall Fruit (S. W.). — Within our experience we have 

 not noticed them take the young fruit of Plums and Peaches. Sprinkle guano 

 at the foot of the wall occasionally, and syringe the trees on a mild and calm 

 evening with quassia water, made by boilmg a pound of quassia chips in four 

 gallons of soft water for ten minutes, and dissolving in it whilst hot 1 lb. of 

 soft soap. When cooled to UU- strain, and apply to the trees, wetting every 

 part. 



Ln.Y OF THE Valley not Flowering (Lily). — You cannot do any more 

 than yon propose—namely, to water them with guano water at the rate of 

 1 oz. to the gallon, but it need only be given in dry weather. It would not 

 improve the flowering for this year except in the size of the flowers, but would 

 assist in perfecting the crowns for another year. The Roses we should not 

 water until they are in good foliage, and then in dry weather with guano 

 water. 



Ten-week Stock Culture {R. F. B.). — The plants you have in pots, with 

 four leaves, and very thick, ought to be pricked-out in boxes about an inch 

 apart, not putting them in deeper than the seed leaves, and shading for a few 

 days until establiohcJ. If left in the pots as they are, it is likely that the 

 majority of them will die-off at the neck. Harden well off, and plant out after 

 the middle of May. 



Cucumbers Stopping {B. jP.).— Take the leaders np to within a foot of the 

 height of trelUs, and then stop them. The side shoots should be stopped one 

 joint beyond the fruit. 



Repotting Hoya carnosa, Azaleas, and Camellias (F. P. A. C). — 

 Although the Hoya is flowering, repot it, as it will be making fresh growths, 

 but do not remove more of the old soil than comes away freely from the roots. 

 The Azaleas and Camellias now out of flower should be at once repotted, 

 using for the former a compost of three parts sandy peat, with one part turfy 

 sandy loam aud a sixth part of silver sand. The sides of the baU should be 

 loosened with a pointed piece of wood. In potting the Camellias be careful 

 of the roots, not removing more of the ball than any loose soil that can be 

 taken away without breaking them. Employ a compost of equal parts of 

 turfy light luam and sandy peat, with a sixth part of silver saud. Good 

 drainage is needful for all, especially the Hoya. 



Labour Required in Garden (F. J.). — For the glass you will require a 

 man and boy in addition to the gardener, one man for the kitchen garden, 

 and one for the lawn and flower garden, but a great deal must be allowed for 

 the extent of the flower garden, which you do not state. If no more is taken 

 up in beds and giavel than a fourth of the lawn, one hand will be sulhcient. 

 You will require, therefore, two under-gardeners, a labourer, and a boy, along 

 with a head working gardener. The diifference of a man rests entirely on the 

 order in which the whole is required to be kept. We have taken for granted 

 everything is to be kept neat aud the subjects well cultivated. If not par- 

 ticular as to neatness, a man less will do. 



Ramps of Raised Beds {Bob). — Those in the London parks are formed 

 of cow dung, horse dung, and loam worked-up into a thick mortar, and 

 fashioned into the required shape with a trowel. 



Heating a Greenhouse. — Seeing a letter in your Journal of April 2nd 

 from a Preston correspondent on heating a greenhouse with gas, I should ha 

 glad to communicate with him on the subject, by sending his name and 

 address to— E. L. 0., Sunny Bank Cottage, Over Danven. 



Preserving Wood by Creosote {C. S.).— We sent your inquiry io a gentle- 

 man who has had experience in the process. He ropUes as follows: — "The 

 mode I adopt to preserve timber, and give it a brown colour is to place it in 

 a wooden trough with stones or some other contrivance to keep the wood 

 under the creosote. I then ladle the boiling creosote from a small iron boiler 

 on to the timber, where it remains until it in nearly cold. I then aUow the 

 creosote to run out of the trough into the bjiler, where it is again boiled. It 

 is ladled on again, and allowed to remain half an hour, when it is drawn off 

 again into the boiler. The wood is then taken out and bet upright; it is dry 

 in a few hours, aud fit for use the following; day. The last hothouse I con- 

 structed was 51) feet by 15 ; the expense of lat)our, creosote, and fuel was 10s." 

 Training Wire (A. D.). — It is quite immaterial whether you use copper or 

 galvanised iron wire inside your greenhouse, as there would be in your case 

 no difference in the price. 



Stove rou Greenhouse (T. W. C.).— Apply to Messrs. Swan Nash, & Co., 

 4, Newgate Street. 



