October 21, 1875. ) 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. 



367 



remarkable size gathered from a tree, the average crop of 

 which is very little lees in size to those sent. They are from 

 the common Oak ((Jaercus pedunculata), and measiiro 1 inch 

 and seven-sixteenths long, and I! inches and three-eighths in 

 latitudinal circumference. The aggregate weight of the twelve 

 acorns was over (J ozs. 



We have received from Messrs. James Carter & Co. 



fruits of the Green Uac.e Tomato grown under ordinary culti- 

 vation at their seed farms. The fruits were perfectly ripe, of 

 an orange-yellow colour, and thtir flavour when cooked was 

 excellent. 



■ Messrs. Carter & Co.'s Root Snow is to be held in 



November in the Agricultural Hall, Islington. Turnips, Po- 

 tatoes, and Mangel Wnrzel are included. The prizes are 

 nnmerouB and liberal. 



NOTES ON VILLA and SUBURBAN GARDENING. 



Hyacinths A^D other Bulhs. — Perhaps there is no flower 

 more eonght and made more of in a decorative point of view 

 than the different sorts of bulbs. The easy and inexpensive 

 process in the matter of treatment necessary to bring them to 



Serfection, acd the certainty of flowering them finely, have 

 oubtless been stepping-stones towards the ever-increaBiug sale 

 of enormous quantities yearly. This being so, coupled with the 

 undoubted fact that the number of amateur growers increases 

 yearly, it may be well, now that the season has come round, to 

 devote a few notes to tlieir interest. Of course I assume as 

 being well known that these bulbs can be well grown in glasses, 

 pots, or pans, and in beds in the open ground. In glasses they 

 should have been pat-in some time ago if wanted early, because 

 they will not bear the forcing those grown in pots will ; but for 

 later flowering glasses may yet be used for them. 



Although theEeaeon for potting Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissuses, 

 Crocuses, itc, extends to the end of November, yet it is best to 

 get them in a month earlier if possible, especially if they are to 

 be forced early; for instance, I want some flowers of the sweet 

 little white Roman Hyacinth, and one or two other colours by 

 Christmas. These have been put in some time, while the general 

 lot will be potted in a few days. I do not lay much stress on 

 any particular mixture of soil for them, because I have tried 

 several, and for ordinary purposes I do not see much difference. 

 Rather would I say to new cultivators. Go where you can ob- 

 tain well-ripened weighty bulbs, and let them be put-in at the 

 proper time ; let them have ample time for rooting in the soil 

 before the bulb shows a leaf. This applies to all sorts ; and a 

 soil in which they do as well as any, and which is likely to be 

 obtained easier by our amateur friends, is loam and sand, adding 

 one-third leaf mould to the quantity of loam got together ; drain 

 the pots well, and pot rather firmly, so as to keep the bulb in 

 its place. If the soil is heavy do not pot so firmly ; and if any 

 of the bulbs have started into growth at the top, and are some- 

 ^vhat soft in consequence, append a mark to it, and place the 

 bulb in a little silver sand when potting, and let such as this be 

 the last to take-in for forcing, and it is a question if they ought 

 to be forced at all. 



As well as Hyacinths and Tulips there are Narcissuses, Crocuses, 

 Snowdrops, Jonquils, Scillas, Grape-Hyacinths, Solomon's Seal, 

 and Lilies of the Valley, and some others, may all be potted 

 in the same way and at the same time, and, where there is 

 DO special convenience nor any special object in view, be 

 treated alike — that is, after potting stand them on a bed of 

 ashes, cover between and over the pot with a foot thick of the 

 same material, marking each kind with a long label, so that 

 when a few pots are wanted out there will be no difficulty in 

 finding them. Now in case any fancy baskets or pots, stands 

 or vases, are planted with them, a coal-ash bed will not be the 

 proper place to use, but they may be placed in a cellar on clean 

 boards, and if not in the dark be made so by a covering of some 

 sort. These must be looked to with regard to water, the soil made 

 moist after potting, and the bulbs allowed to become dry before 

 coming up, or it is likely to induce mildew and decay in the 

 bulb. Those outdoors will need no water, as from the dampness 

 of the ashes this will be sufficient. In cultivating bulbs of this 

 kind when they are being grown under glass water is a special 

 need. The roots of most are abundant and fleshy, the spike of 

 bloom generally large, and needs plenty of water, and, after the 

 spike appears, liquid manure twice or thrice a-week will benefit 

 them. 



We now come to the bedding system of growing Hyacinths, 

 Ttilips, &c., for which purpose there are distinct sorts cheap 

 and good. The beds should be prepared for them as soon as it 

 is convenient for the bedding plants to come off, and the bulbs 

 planted before severe frosts come on. They will do well if the 

 ordinary soil of the bed is dug or trenched deep, adding 4 inches 

 or so of rotten manure, placing it about a foot under the sur- 

 face, the bulbs planted in rows ; and it will be no harm, but 

 likely do good, if a little sand is distributed in the bottom 



of the hole or drill. Make each bulb firm, and cover over care- 

 fully. They may need some protection in winter; but I should 

 like to see more town gardens planted with bulbs, also the 

 windows of streets more frequently decorated with them. The 

 balcony boxes should be planted with two or three colours, also 

 room vases of the more substantial kind, in which these things 

 thrive amazingly ; but as a rule the eingle Hyacinths do best 

 both for early forcing as well as outdoor culture. Uunamed 

 bedding sorts can be bought in mixture, as so also can Tulips, 

 &c., and I think a little cheaper than others, which, though they 

 are not to be depended upon in securing accurate placing of the 

 colours like named sorts, they are most useful for a fnir display 

 of bloom and for cutting purposes. Any respectable nursery- 

 man's catalogue will afford information as to colours named or 

 unnamed. — Thomas Record. 



DOINGS OF THE LAST AND WORK FOR 



THE PRESENT WEEK. 



We much regret to hear that Mr. Douglas is too unwell to 

 contribute his notes this week. 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 



Secretaries wUl oblige us by informing us of the dates on 

 which exhibitions are to be held. 



Jersey.— ChryBanlhemums Novemtier 10th. Major Howell, Spring Grove, 



St. Lawrence, Hon. Sec. 

 LoDGHBOEODGH. — November 15th and 16th. Mr. W. Pallett, 55, Baxtergate, 

 Sec. 



TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



Thomas S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. — Cata- 

 logue of Florists' Flowers, lioses, and Climbing Plants. 



Sonntag & Co., Seed Merchants, 614, Merchant Street, San 

 Francisco, CEilifornia. — Catalogue of Shrub and Evergreen 

 Tree Seeds. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

 ",' All correspondence should be directed either to "The 

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

 Mr. Johnson or Dr. Hogg often remain unopened unavoid- 

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

 of our 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. All articles intended for insertion 

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

 cannot reply to questions through the post. 

 Gbass Terraces (J. P. of I'oil-).— The wall ought to be ntxt the gravel 

 terrace if jon have a wall at all appearing above ground, hence we suggested 

 your having a sunk fence or a rail fence as the boundary line at the base of 

 the sltpe. The plan ehowu in your ebetch would have a good effect looking 

 from the house; but whether the outer wall as the boundary of the third or 

 second grass terrace would be an objectionable object when looking towards 

 the house when approaching it from a distance, is a matter which you alone 

 can determine. If it will not be an eyesore we see no objection to your plan 

 bting carried out, and we should not hesitate to carry it out, especially as 

 you by present arrangements are debarred views of the valley or scenery 

 around. The middle or first grass terrace may he twice the width of the 

 others. 



Hedge of Rosemary and La\'ender {Edward Liddcll). — Slips or large 

 pieces slipped cff from whence they proceed may be inserted two-thirds their 

 length in ihe ground and firmly at 9 inches distance apart. It may he done 

 now, or preferably in March or early April. Light taudy loam is the most 

 suitable soil ; and if you have not plants by you we should sow seed early in 

 April in rows a foot distance apart, and the seeds about an inch distance 

 apart, thinning to 9 inches. The seeds should be covered about three-quarters 

 inch deep. You wiU need to protect from rabbits. 



Forming Gravel Walks foe Kitchen Gaeden (.Iciii-j;).— You will need 

 to form a foundation for the walks 6 inches deep of any rough material you 

 may have at hand, as brickbats, stone, or large gravel, and this should have 

 the surface covered with liner rubble, or at least all irregularities should 

 be fiUed-up, forming the surface roughly, and then covering it with finer 

 material. We presume yon can obtain ashes, and these in a dry state should 

 be formed into a mortar-like consistence by mixing with boiling coal tar, 

 and this should be laid on the walks about 3 inches thick evenly, and to the 

 required surface, and sprinkle over it the sm.all granite chippiugs. and when 

 it is cool and will bear a roller roll thoroughly, by which the granite will 

 become part of the walk, and will wear capitally. The walks thus made will 

 last many years, and no weeds will grow on the walks. You will need a tile, 

 or preferably a stone, edging to the walks. 



Plants for Winter Bedding (Mary, Dublin). — You could not have any- 

 thiig better than Wallflowers, variegated Arabis. Violets, variegated Kale, 

 crimson-leaved Beet, Golden Feather Pyrethrum, Daisies, the Aucuba-leaved 

 being very fine ; and Primroses in variety. 



Strawberries (H. B.). — For general purposes there is no better Strawberry 

 than Vicomtesse Hcricart de Thory. As to whether the plants planted oufc 

 in February will hear fruit the same year or not, that will depend on their 

 strength and the soih If good plants they will produce some fruit. 



