No. 8. 



HortAcuHural Premiums. — Portico Floors. 



259 



fly will furnish the means of multiplying 

 this parasite, so as to give a material check 

 to its own ravages. They cannot, however, 

 by such means be entirely prevented, and 

 the fly will doubtless continue to infest our 

 wheat fields as heretofore; sometimes more, 

 sometimes less, but always in some degree. 

 Whether the practice of early sowing will — 

 taking many years together — cause an ave- 

 rage increase of the devastations of the fly, 

 is a question which I presume is yet to be 

 decided by observation and experiment. My 

 own opinion is, that it will do so; and that 

 our true policy is to return to the practice 

 of late sowing, so as to obstruct the increase 

 of the fly. But further observations are 

 wanting before much confidence can be 

 placed in any judgment we may form in the 

 case; the subject is enveloped in much ob- 

 scurity, and principles may be in operation 

 in relation to it which we do not even sus- 

 pect. VV. Jackson. 



Harmony Grove, Chester co., Pa., 

 March 8th, 1848. 



Horticultural Premiums. 



The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 

 will hold its stated meeting in the Museum 

 building on Ninth and George streets, on the 

 18th of next month, at 8 o'clock, P. M. The 

 following premiums are ofl^ered. 



Pelargoniums. — For the best, ten named 

 varieties, to be exhibited in pots, S5. 



For the second best do. do. do. $3. 



For the third best do. do. do. $2. 



Roses. — For the best ten Everblooming 

 Roses, named varieties in pots, including 

 Bengal, Tea, and Noisettes, $4. 



For the second best do. do. do. do. S3. 



For the third best do. do. do. do. $»2. 



Tulips. — For the best, single, twelve 

 named varieties, $3. 



For the second best do. do. S2. 



For the third best do. do. $1. 



Hyacinths. — For the best, six named va- 

 rieties to be exhibited, S2. 



For the second best do. do. do. $1. 



Pansies. — For the best, six varieties do. 

 m. 



For the second best, do. do. $1. 



Auriculas. — For the best, four varieties 

 .do. !ii;2. 



Polyanthus. — For the best, six do. do. 

 $2. 



Cucumbers. — For the best, two in num- 

 ber, do. .§2. 



For the second best do. do. $1. 



Cauliflowers. — For the best, three heads 

 to be exhibited, $3. 



For the second best do. do. $2. 



Sea Kale. — For the best, six plants do. 

 82. 



For the second best do. do. $1. 



Rhubarb. — For the bo.st,six stalks do. $1. 



Asparagus. — For the best, twenty-four 

 stalks, do. $2. 



For the second best do. do. $1. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 To Preserve Portico Floors. 



In reply to "A Farmer," in your last 

 number, 1 will give my experience on the 

 subject, with some theory added thereto. 



Dry pine planed and grooved, the boards 

 about six inches wide. A coat of paint upon 

 this, a sufficient quantity of sharp clcHn 

 screened sand; when the two firmly unite 

 and dry, another coat, and a third. 



My porticos have been in use three years; 

 there is neither the appearance of wear nor 

 leak. There is nothing I could have done 

 to the floor that would have met my appro- 

 bation, in preference. Stone steps are ob- 

 jectionable, they are very costly and un- 

 yielding to the tread, and not agreeable. 

 Here we have an agreeable substitute. The 

 foundation steps is granite, and as the whole 

 of wood steps and floor was painted light 

 lead colour, it is almost impo.ssible to see the 

 difl^erence, they are so much alike in ap- 

 pearance, rendered more so, by being acci- 

 dentally stained with leaves, «fcc. 



I am of the opinion that the dregs of lin- 

 seed oil will be equally as good as pure, for 

 the first coat. Thickness is desirable to lay 

 the sand upon. I also think that the boards 

 should be entirely free from knots, and not 

 planed. It is indispensable to have the bot- 

 tom step stone for all porticos. Some plan 

 should be adopted to prevent rain falling on 

 the painted sand till dry, — if it runs about, 

 it cannot be so durable, nor look well. 



The thick oil or paint put on a common 

 board as above described, will give you all 

 the knowledge in a few days for a fip. I 

 should be glad to learn the success of the 

 Chester county farmer in the premises, 



E. Lewis. 



Bloomsbiiry, near Havre de Grace, 

 Feb. 26lh, 1848. 



P. S. Since writing the foregoing, I have 

 examined my floor more minutely, and think 

 the width of the plank not material ; but 

 should be well seasoned, and the steps should 

 be one and a half inch, or two inches may 

 not be too thick; one inch is not strong 

 enough ; nor is the grooving essential, but 

 must be grooved or slatted, to prevent the 

 sand and oil passing through. E. L. 



