136 
"THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 
[Fes. 28, 
punches, which require shoulder tying ; this is a mat- 
ter which requires very careful handling. Allow a 
brisk heat on sunny afternoons ; but be moderate at 
night; let 65° at that period be your maximum. Fol- 
low up in due order the principles applied to the early 
house with those in succession. Keep up a liberal 
amount of moisture independent of the syringe. Peach 
Houses.—As before observed, suffer no gross shoots to 
ramble above five or six eyes, without stopping ; this 
will do more to equalise the sap than any mode of winter 
pruning. If they are properly attended to in these 
respects there will be little left for the knife. When 
the fruit is as large as marbles, commence thinning only 
afew ata time. Air freely at all other times of the 
day, and syringe liberally with much force in the 
afternoon. Figs, Cherries, &c.—As soon as the Fig- 
shoots. are four or five joints long, commence stop- 
ping them ; squeeze them flat between the finger and 
thumb ; this is one of the principal secrets of success in 
Fig management. Ensure a steady degree of moisture 
at the roots; Figs are very impatient of drought—a 
very short period of neglect in this respect may prove 
fatal to the crop.  Cherries.—Advance the heat on 
bright days, falling back to a low pitch at night, with 
bund: air and pherie moisture. Cucum- 
bers, Melons, Kidney Beans, &c.—Follow up former 
ireetions — regularly stopping and often sprinkling 
lightly with water round the frame. Pot off Melons into 
single pots ; stop them, and get them strong for suc- 
cession frames. Kidney Beans as before ; giving plenty 
ofliquid manure. 
KITCHEN GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 
Attend to due preparation of the ground to be used for 
the main crops of Carrots, Parsnips, Onions, &c.; endea- 
vour to provide charred materials, half-burnt weeds, or 
leaves. Plant Seakale forthwith, salting and manuring 
heavily. Give all Asparagus beds a slight salting ; this 
should be done after soiling ; the rains will carry it down 
in a progressive way. Onions may be sown as soon as 
possible : choose a piece of ground that had been mannred 
for a previous crop, adding no fresh manure ; throw it 
into high beds. Sow when dry, cover thinly, and roll 
as hard as possible ; the last advice will, perhaps, not 
apply so well to clayey soils. Orcharding and Fruit trees. 
—Bring pruning to a close immediately ; root prune 
over-luxuriant trees, allowing about a foot to every 
inch of diameter at the base of the trunk, that is to say, 
for a tree of 4 inches diameter, open a trench 4 feet off, 
and so on. Get Apricots and Peaches covered forth- 
with. Uncover Figs, but do not prune until they begin 
to swell, Prune and mail Vines without delay, stopping 
the fresh cuts with a patch of white lead. 
LOWER-GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. 
All Grass lawns should now have a thorough rolling, 
and all turfing repairs completed forthwith. Where it 
is absolutely necessary to edge lines of walks, let it be 
one now ; and a5 soon as accomplished, run the heavy 
roller several times up aud down the edge, to soften 
the cut line. All edgings should, if possible, have a 
slight inclination towards the walk, and they should 
only be fresh eut in consequence of irregularities in the 
line. High kept lawns should have a single mowing on 
the heels of the roller. The covering must be removed 
forthwith from all half hardy plants, climbers, Roses, 
&c., also all coverings of sawdust and heavy mulchings 
from Fuchsias and other tender things ; do not remove 
the latter entirely—leave a little to protect the half 
blanched buds. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas.—It was stated last week that if these plants 
were not already top-d d, it should i diately 
done ; care, however, must be observed in the operation 
not to injure the surface roots when removing the soil. 
Though an operation with which most florists are con- 
versant, still to the amateur (for whom these observa- 
tions are particularly made) a short description may be 
acceptable. With a blunt stick carefully loosen the 
soil to about the depth of $ of an inch, avoiding any 
injury to the collar of the plant ; having removed this, 
replace it with some compost of perfectly decomposed 
eow-manure or horse-manure, mixed with leaf soil. 
s 
moreover, the price is very remuneratingat present. In 
the room of these, Carrots, Parsnips, Mangold Wurzel, or 
Swedes, may be grown, which will either exchange with 
the farmer, or realise a small sum with which to purchase 
Potatoes next October. Slopesof Horn Carrots may be 
got in still, soaking the seed in warm water for a few 
hours, to gain time ; these will make way in August for 
winter greens. The Horn Carrot is a safer crop in 
respect to the grub than the larger kinds, and ripening 
so early, gives a chance for another crop, a most im- 
portant thing with the cottager. Sow Onions (see 
Kitchen Garden Calendar), load the Sea-kale crowns 
with soil, or ashes ; also place garden pots or chimney 
pots over the Rhubarb required early. 
The sooner all planting affairs are “wound up” the 
better ; little safety is there in late spring planting. 
Finish all seed sowing, and get all hedging finished. 
Follow up any thinning in ornamental plantations with 
the introduction of Hollies, Thorns, Laurels, Rhododen- 
drons, &c., as undergrowth; some of the Berberis 
would answer this purpose well. Large shoots of com- 
mon Laurel may be half cut through, and sunk to the 
ground, laying a few spadefuls of soil on them; they make 
ne masses. Get dead fences up where wanted without 
delay. Thin out Larch plantations if not done, dressin 
up the stems to the live wood of those which remain ; 
15 to 20 feet is considered a proper distance at the 
final thinning. 
, for the week endin g Feb. 26, 1846, as 
State of the Weather near Lond 
ultura) Garden, Chiswic. 
observedat the Hor! 
Wed. 25 
Thurs. 26 9 | 29.800 
571| 4Rl| 49.6 EG 
Avere | [29896 | 29.708. 
Feb. 20—Cloudy, overcast throughout 
21—Overcast; exceedingly fine densely clouded 
ig d ight 
st and mild; cloudy ; rai 
id very mild : overcast 
Rain with brisk wind; partially overcast and mild 
95— Henvy clouds; mild and fine 
36— Cloudy ; clear and exceedingly fine, with bright sun; slight rain. 
Mean temperature of the week 103 deg. above the average. 
State of the Weather at Chiswick during the last 20 years, for the 
ensuing Week ending Mar. 7, 1846. 
Prevailing winae- 
Aver. | Aver. lhe an Nerf, | Greatest 
Mar. | Highest. Lowest emp whioh ie | quantity |; |i 
ELS Tae P Mi on | of Rain. |^ 
Sun. 1| 476 | 36.9 | 49.9 9 0,62 in. 
Mon, 2| 489 88.8 | 49.9 8 0.46 
Tues 3| 497 | 856 | 426] 10 0.28 
Wed. 4| 492 890 | 41.1 8 0.48 
Thur. 5| 483 | 326 | 404 5 0.32 
Fri. 6 47.3 | 32.6 89.9. 8 0.25 
Sat 7 48.9 33.4 41.1 8 10 
The highest temperature during the above period occurred on the 7th, 
1834—therm, 60°; and the lowest on the 5th, 1845—therm, 13% 
Notices to Correspondents. 
To our ConnEsPONDENTS— We have every wish to oblige you by 
answering all questions relating to the subjects treated of in 
this Journal ; but we must intreat you to be reasonable. We 
have now before us a letter containing 17 questions, upon as 
many different subjects, every one of which have been either 
answered repeatedly, or can be determined by a very cursory 
glance at our columns for the last mon we regret to 
say we have many such cases. To spare time or space for 
answering these demands is impossible ; it is not fair either 
to ourselves or our readers. Correspondents should, in com- 
mon fairness, only apply to us for information upon points 
which they have previously taken reasonable pains to ex- 
amine for themselves in documents accessible to every body. 
The Reprint of Mr. PAXTON'S COTTAGERS' CALENDAR 
is rice 3d. each copy. index has been 
added to this presentedition, Parties wishing to have copies 
for distribution among their tenantry can have them at the 
rate of 25 for 5s. 
Brrs—J—We should be obliged by short extracts from your 
journal: long ones would overwhelm us. 
Ooks—Z C—We have not seen the “ Abridgment of the 
Biblical Cyclopedia,” but although the work would certainly 
bear abridgment, yet the original is not at all too long. It 
is an excellent work. 
CEwENTS—G R C—Employ some chemical lutes,or a washer of 
Mackintosh, and a flange with screws. Half-inch pipes are 
unfit for gardening purposes ; 3-inch pipes are as small as it 
is fit to employ. You overwhelm us with questions: one or 
i) two at a time ifyou p) lease. 
* Dianth 
w 
I would avoid anything too. highly sti g o 
soil must be allowed to drop between the leaves. After 
having filled the pots the required height, give them a 
slight watering, to settle the soil, and place them in their 
situation for blooming. Tulips.—Attend to last week’s 
directions, and cover the beds with large meshed nets ; 
when too small the plants are apt to be drawn, which 
should be avoided. Pansies.—Beds are best made in 
the autumn ; but where plants have been kept in pots 
during the winter months, they may now be planted 
with their balls entire on richly-prepared beds, Pinks. 
—These ought now to be carefully gone over, the sur- 
face soil slightly forked over, and a top-dressing similar 
in its composition to that above recommended for Auri- 
culas should be put over the bed to the depth of å an inch. 
Carnations, $c. — Planting time is now rapidly approach- 
ing ; give all attention to the proper looking and manage- 
Ro of the soil, as much of after success depends on 
is, 
COTTAGERS GARDENS., 
Curled Kale, Brussels Sprouts, or other varieties of 
the Cabbage tribe, may now be removed to a special 
corner for seed ; as, however, any two will corrupt each 
other, cottagers would do well to have a mutual arrange- 
ment in this respect, and exchange produce. Let the 
early Peas be carefully sticked, and take care to have 
a good plot of spring Cabbages planted. I would 
advise cottagers to plant so many Potatoes this 
spring as usual ; they will, I am afraid, be a great risk, 
and if they fail the cottager’s summer will be half gone; 
E. doubt your soil is in fault, The black 
spots are caused by want of good drainage. 
GrAss—Llandovery—PFlate glass does not concern the objects of 
our Journal and we cannot help you. Nor do we believe 
that any one else can at present. Foreign plateis soinferior 
to English, that there is no chance or reason in getting up 
an opposition. Itis not to be done. Let your young seed- 
ings alone, and have nothing to do with the pruning knife at 
planting time. Plant4 feet apart, and thin plentifully and 
skilfully. 
Vi are better with open laps, 
‘unless some more efficient mode of ventilating them than has 
yet been thought of can be devised. 
H&ATING—J W—Rooms heated by gas are unfit for plants, be- 
cause of the dryness of the air, &c. It is the worst of all 
agents. 
Insrcts—M D— The ant is called Myrmica domestica. Take 
some vials, put a little brown sugar in one, and smear the 
inside of others with a little treacle or honey, with crumbs of 
bread, and lay them down in the haunts of the ants. They 
will congregate in the vials, an e number is great, 
cork up the vials and dip them in very hot water, and the 
ants will soon die, after which take out the corks, and re- 
place the traps ; the dead ants will not prevent others from 
entering. Please to tell us how the plan succeeds.R——E 
— No. 1 is the larva of a small Bibio, (vide the Gard. Chron., 
vol. iv. p. 765); No, 2 is a worm which I find in the contents 
of cesspools. It will not change to any insect. R—— Justus 
Tenaz—Y our Centipedes appear to be the Geophilus carpo- 
I] 
phagus; we know nothing of its history beyond its living 
under the bark of trees. Can you give us any information 
regarding its economy ?——B Chilo—It is the male of Cock- 
and others, itis soft and whitish, but it attains ate pun 
Sub—Lime-water 
into which they will creep. The traps should be daily exa- 
mined, and their contents destroyed. By this means these 
pests may be thinned very much.f 
Mn. Gonpon—A packet of Cucumber seed having been for- 
warded twice to Mr., Gordon, of Castle Rimsbottom, and 
each time returned, if this should meet the eye of the said 
gentleman, I should feel obliged by his favouring me with 
the name of the county and nearest post town, when the 
order will be executed forthwith. £. Tiley. 
Mrtons—W W—The best of Melons is the Beechwood, for all 
ordinary purposes. § sons, who like red Melons, pre- 
fer the Scarlet Rock Cantilupe and the Windsor Scarlet 
Fleshed ; but we 
donot agree with 
them. ^ These 
may be had of all 
eut. iron 
hurdles have but 
ault—they 
are expensive. 
Names or Fruits 
—J € P—Your 
Apples appear to 
be the Court o: 
Wick.|| 
Names or PLANTS 
—T E B—Yes; 
it is allied to 
them. It is a 
bleached state 
of Peltidea ca- 
nina; but its 
medicinal value 
is small. It is 
probably purga- 
ive. — H H— 
tive. 
Olianthus puni- 
OLD SEEDS —Z— 
Mix a little fresh 
lime with th 
Prvarconina—The Captain—Full and most valuable prac- 
tical directions for cultivation will be found in our vol, for 
1841, pp. 83.and 100. We really have nothing to add, 
PoTATOES—M M M—To the eye, your Potatoes are sound ; but 
when sliced they become dark-coloured in so short a time 
after having been exposed to the air, that, in the present 
state of our fears, we hesitate to say that they can certainly 
be trusted, ay. Pray make no apology ; the 
ubject is too important to be treated lightly. 
STRAWBERRIES—Fragaria—We cannot judge of your case from 
your description. If a gardener cannot force Strawberries 
the simplest course is to—exchange him. It is the easiest of 
all processes——Constant Reader—They cannot be too near 
the light ; if the rim of the pot touches the glass and you have 
fruit trees as well 
as others, can be easily transplanted if you will go to the 
expense. e whole operation depends for its success exclu- 
sively upon preserving the old roots entire. Transplant as 
soon as you ean ; you are already late. Ifyou cannot do it now, 
, wait till next November if you v e sure of success. 
VERBENAS—ÆE N M—You must be surely mistaken ; no person 
calling himself a gardener would believe that draining a 
border kills, during winter, the Verbenas, or anything else 
that is planted on it. No, no; the person who says that is a 
garden-labourer, not a gardener. 
VINE BORDER— W Jones—Y ou have made your Vine border well ; 
and your neighbour knew nothing about the matter. 
Misc—N N—If you will consult the indices of our volumes for 
1842-3 and 4, you will find that much has been written on the 
treatment of Calceolarias. In last year's volume also, some 
good advice has been given on the subject. Nokind of shrub 
will grow under trees except the common Privet, Box, and 
Holly. G J T— With the convenience of a good frame you 
may grow successfully Indian aleas and Cape Heaths, 
without the aid of artificial heat. They will require, how- 
weather.j—— 
z 
ed 
E 
& 
1t likes a deep, rich, loamy soil, and should be sown in drills 
about the beginning of May. Seed may be obtained from 
any respectable seedsman; it would be unfair to name 
dealers.f-—-Z— i 
page 740, you will find that your question has been answered. 
pis in 
*,* Asusual, many communications have been received too late, 
andoth i i i iri 
the necessary inquiries 
can be made, We must also beg for the indulgence of those 
numerous correspondents, the insertion of whose interesting 
contributions is still delayed, 
