318 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CH RONICLE. 
- [Max 16, 
m Mme 
is to get your gardener to tread on them, if you can- 
mot do it yourself, though it is astonishing how soon 
the most squeamish will avail themselves of this sum- 
mary way, if they are troubled by snails in their gardens. 
1 have known persons whose gardens are bounded by 
green fields, throw all slugs and snails over the walls, 
to regale themselves at the expense of their neighbours. 
This is mani‘estly a breach of the golden rule ; besides, 
our objee: should be to lessen the number of injurious 
insects in our country. Ifthe ground of the farmer is 
infested with these creatures, neighbouring gardeners 
will not escape. The walls will be surely, though slowly 
scaled, and the foe will return to the scene of his former 
pleasures.— H. B. 
CONSTRUCTION OF FORCING HOUSES. 
Tr has been a matter-of surprise to me, that amidst 
e for improvement exhibited by all classes of 
CULTURE OF HORSE-RADISH. 
Roast-Bexr being identified with our history as a 
national peculiarity, H lish as an pani 
to it, is likely, as long as we exist as a nation, to be 
largely in demand. The quantities always to be found 
in Covent-garden market is proof of this; but it is also 
proof of something more. It shows that those who 
live by supplying the market find it necessary to culti- 
vate it, and to produce the root in a very different state 
from that usually found in private gardens. Mr. Knight, 
no mean authority on these matters, was fully sensible of 
this when he direeted the attention of the Horticultural 
Society of London to the subject, by a communication 
which appeared in the first volume of their Transactions; 
other papers have subsequently made their appearance 
in different publications. Still we find little progress 
made in regard to the production of a better and more 
useable article. This may in part be attributable to 
ti growth of the root itself, in almost any 
à x 3 
ciety, and certainly not least among h ists, 
ttention should not have been paid to the structure 
oreing houses. The heating of them has had, and 
still holds, a large share of interest ; but very little has 
been said, and less done, for improving their construc- 
tion. 
The only writer, so far as I am aware, who has 
hing to attain this end is Mr. Paxton ; but 
been fora long time silent on this impor- 
ject. Ibeg, therefore, to call attention to the 
advantages derivable from the adoption of the ridge and 
furrow instead of the lean-to roof ; I am not aware, ex- 
cepting in one or two instances, of any place where 
forcing has been attempted in a ridge and furrow house, 
although there are many for the growth of plants; but 
as it has been done with the best results, I have more 
confidence in bringing the subject before your readers, 
nie. 
situation, and gard may have i it beneath 
their notice, as we may fairly presume from the con- 
tinued appearance of little distorted rootlets, quite a 
disgrace to the subject it is meant to garnish, in. 
stead of large succulent and pungent full grown 
stalks. This diserepaney may arise from the fact, 
that it has not attracted the attention of the gardener, 
from some cause or ancther, so much as it has that of 
the cook. Hence, the Horse-radish bed once made, is 
made for ever, The cultivation of it is out of the ques- 
tion. It never entered the head of the gardener that 
such was necessary ; he has always found the root in 
the same spot, perhaps for 20 years; he has seen his 
men burrowing day after day and year after year, an 
have been very injurious to them in so forward a state ; 
they are now in the healthiest condition possible, and 
the bloom perfect, the stand with which | gained “the 
first prize at the Maidstone Horticultural show, being 
greatly superior to any that were shown against it. 
The foliage is mostly very broad and crowded in the bed, 
although the bulbs were planted six inches apart every 
I have several leaves measuring 15 ins. long and 
5 ins. in breadth, of a very healthy green, without any 
appearance of spot or rust, which I noticed to be so 
prevalent in some of the best beds near the metropolis, 
—at Clapham-rise for instance. I am sorry to say that 
there are several collections in this part of the county 
very severely cut ; one bed in particular I have seen is 
lost nearly altogether.— 4n Amateur, Maidstone. 
Destruction of Insects.—The following is the result 
of some experiments which 1 have made this year with 
gas-water, as applicable to the destruction or removal 
of many of the noxious animals with which our gar- 
dens are, and have been, so unfortunately infested for 
many months past. I have tried it of various strengths, 
but I have reason to think that unless diluted in six 
times the quantity of pure water, i& cannot be applied 
without injury to vegetation. At this strength it ap- 
pears to be almost instantaneously destructive to snails, 
slugs,and earwigs,and drives away every species of worm, 
including that most destructive species known by the 
name of the-rook-worm. Ants will not remain where 
it has been used, but they only retire just beyond the 
influence of the effluvia. It may be objected that the 
smell is abominable, but this passes off quickly, while 
the effect underground remains; as I have had the 
soil turned up several days after the gas-water had been 
hour at a time, still they have been successful ; they applied, and found the smell nearly as strong as at first. 
In the first place, a more equal diffusion of the sun’s have found something which has passed for Horse-|Iam not as yet aware what influence the water may 
influence may be obtained from the ridge and furrow | radish. The cook has grumbled a hundred times to no | have upon fruit, if touched by it (as, for instance, the 
than any other description of building. My reason is | Purpose; the gardener declares there is plenty ; and of | Strawberry), after it is set.— C. 
this, a house fronting the south, that is, with the ridges 
the kind the bed to be sure yields annually a supply. 
A Good Trap for Wasps.—Open the windows and 
south aud north, inclining apward from front t» back, | It is, besides, the most untidy spot in the whole garden, | doors of your greenhouse (or dwelling) 2 or 3 inches, 
at the usual angle of a lean-to roof, say 28°, the angles 
the rubbish-yard not excepted. 
Why should this be? | and set within a plate of honey or molasses. The scent 
from the ridge to the valley will then be east and west, | There is no occasion for it, if a proper system of culti." will entice wasps to enter, and they will not find their 
thus presenting a surface to the direct ray of the | vation is pursued. The soil most eligible for the pro- way out.—A.—I perceive that you recommend the use of 
morning and evening sun, and at mid.day the rays of duction of Horse-radish in perfection is that which is | insect forceps for the destruction of wasps. This plan, 
the sun will strike the angle obliquely, thus producing light and friable, and of considerable depth, and if any |as you will find by a reference to page 330 of your 
a more equal temperature ; and the benefits arising | Part of the garden is damper than another, that should | volume for 1845, I 
ration of the sun’s influence, thus | be appropriated, but it should not be wet from stagnant | seasons ; and I need now only add, that another year’s 
from the longer dur 
distributed, will, I think, be appreciated by all. 
course of a eonver 
gardener to Lord Vernon, at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire, 
In the 
water. In autumn let the ground be trenched 3 feet 
ing of good farm-yard manure ; let. it lie, rough, and 
s been adopted by me for several 
experience fully confirms the opinion of its efficacy, 
ion lately with Mr. Mitehell, late deep, turning down with the surface-soil a liberal dress- expressed in my former note.—7. G. S. 
Grass under Trees.—In answer to the inquiries on 
who has had the management of erecting and working | exposed to the weather, during winter; in spring, | this subject, I beg to inform your correspondent that, 
houses for early forcing on the ridge and furrow system, | When it should be planted, add a second dress-|by sowing nitrate of soda in small quantities in showery 
he stated, that in two houses alike in situation and | ing . of decomposed manure, turning it in 2 feet | weather under his trees, he will obtain a most beautiful 
aspect, and both shut close, the only difference being 
that the one was a ridge and furrow and the other a 
lean-to, he had observed the thermometer to rise in the 
morning 15° in the ridge and furrow house before it 
moved in the lean-to ; he also stated that Peaches did 
mueh better with less trouble than ever he had them in 
any other deseription of house. He was awarded the 
first prize for Peaches two seasons, at the Gardens of 
the Horticultural Society of London. Indeed, so much 
is he convinced of the superiority of the ridge and 
furrow that he will venture to assert they are better 
and have a far more ornamental appearance than an 
description of house that has come under his notice, 
Thus, my opinion is sufficiently backed up by ex- 
perience. 
deep. The whole of the manure will thus be 
2 feet or nearly so under the surface of the ground. In 
proceeding with the planting, first measure the ground 
into rows 18 inches and 4 feet apart alternately; stretch 
the line at the first row and remove the soil 18 inches 
deep in a narrow cut, and place it beyond the last row. 
Take pieces of the roots 6 inches long and place them a 
foot apart in the bottom of the trench. It is quite im- 
material which part of the root is planted, as every part 
grows, and that is sufficient for our purpose ; when this 
is done remove the line to the next row, and take this 
out as before, placing the soil over the first row planted, 
and so continue until the last row, when the soil taken 
out of the first will complete it, During the summer 
keep the ground well forked over and clear of weeds ; 
The next point to which I allude is, the forcing of | 2nd, to strengthen the plants, two or three supplies of 
Vines; and I think the ridge and furrow has decided 
advantages for this purpose. Suppose a house to be 
planted with Black Hamburgh Grapes, it is seldom de- 
sirable to have the fruit all ripe at once; on the con- 
trary, is it not better to have them in perfection as long 
as possible? Now with one Vine under the ridge and 
one under the furrow rafter, throughout the house, 
this object will be attained, as the heat will always be 
greatest in the angles under the ridge, and least under 
the furrow rafter ; consequently, the Grapes under the 
ridge will be considerably earlier than those under the 
furrow ; besides, a better distribution of the sun’s rays 
vill be secured for each Vine than under a plain/surface. 
The same advantage will be gained if the house is 
planted with various sorts, by keeping those requiring 
most heat, such as Museats, Frontignans, &c., under 
the ridges, and Hamburghs, Sweetwaters, &e., under 
the furrows. 
The next point is the economy of heat; it must be 
apparent that when the direct influence of the heat of 
the sun is maintained for a longer period during the 
day, in the same ratio will the demand for artificial 
heat be reduced ; thus a less amount of fuel will be 
necessary to keep up the required temperature, the 
night (if I may use the expression) being shortened. 
I have no doubt the expense of erection will be a 
question with many ; but from the calculation I have 
made, and I think I may claim some knowledge of the 
matter, it will not add more than 8/. to a common 
e 
manure water will be of great service, as the plant de- 
lights in moisture. When liquid manure is applied it 
should be given in sufficient quantities to reach the 
lowest roots. If thesé directions are carried out I have 
no hesitation in stating that in one season an article will 
be produced creditable to any garden. In taking up 
Horse-radish for use, a trench should be opened at one 
end of the double row, as deep as the lower roots, 
so that it may be taken up whole, and that a sufficient 
supply may be dug at one time to last for a month, as it 
may be kept in excellent preservation for a long time 
in sand in the root-room. It is scarcely possible to 
clear the ground entirely of every portion of the root, 
and whatever part is left amongst the soil is sure to 
grow. This, however, will be of no consequence, as 
the same ground may be continually apportioned to its 
culture ; but then the same system which has been here 
detailed must be again pursued, in order to {secure a 
continual supply in the same perfection. When this 
mode of culture is commenced for the first season, 
enough must be planted to last until the second autumn, 
when the succeeding crop will be fit for use.— Cochlearia 
Armoracia. 
Home Correspondence. 
Disease in Tulips.—The foliowing is some account 
of my Tulips, which are the admiration of everybody 
who has seen them. I planted the bulbs on the 13th 
Nov., 1845, the ground then being in a very moist state, 
Ii di ut on my irons, netting, and water- 
lean-to that would cost 1007. and I am d th 
advantages gained will far more than compensate for 
this difference, 
In conclusion, I may add that I have frequently, in 
looking at a range of forcing houses, been struck with 
the sameness of their appearance, for however varied 
the height or angles of the roofs, still there is the flat 
surface throughout ; now, by introducing a part, if not 
the whole, on the ridge and furrow style, the houses 
i tion to the 
proof covering, which with careful management kept the 
bed perfectly dry, until the plants appearedabove ground, 
when I perceived that about a dozen were cankered in 
a slight degree, which I believe has been very general 
this spring. I carefully cut away the diseased parts 
(even to the quick), and eventually arrested its pro- 
gress, exposing them to the full action of the sun and 
air. After they were a. little above the bed—say two 
inch d before the foliage began to expand, I gave 
would not only be improved in their adap 
purposes of foreing, but would have an ornamental 
pearance, a point which should not be lost sight of.— 
“mes Gray, Chelsea, 
the bed a thorough saturating with rain water, repeat- 
ing it again when the buds were above the foliage, ¢are- 
fully excluding the frost, which though not severe would 
verdure, Ihave used it under the Beech-trees in my 
grounds, and the Grass always looks green. Having 
succeeded so well on a small scale, I have now sown 
nitrate of soda amongst the long Grass in the planta- 
tions, which the cattle never would eat; I now find 
that the herbage is preferred to the other parts of the 
field, which have been marled, and is a very good pas- 
ture.—A Subscriber, Daneham. Your correspondent 
* M. M." seems to imagine that the leaves of the Larch 
furnish a manure for Grass, and this opinion is main- 
tained by the Scotch. It is true, that under Larches 
Grass grows, and that under the Scotch Fir it does 
not. But the reason of this is two-fold: Ist, the Larch 
being deciduous allows some sun to shine upon the 
Grass, which the Fir does not. 2d, the Larch throws 
its roots more horizontally, and thereby serves as a 
drain to the Grass, and lifts the sward up out of the 
wet gubsoil.—H. D. A. Inreply to * M. M." p. 304, 
who says his Grass “remains obstinately coarse," 
I would advise him, as a better remedy than Larch 
needles, to remove his turf, and then to place upon the 
surface from 2 to 4 inches in depth of gravel or sand, 
replacing the turf, which will look neat, and in the end 
be cheaper than digging it up and sowing afresh ; the 
turf will, in the course of a few months, become quite 
fine. His soil, I imagine, is too good to have fine turf. 
>H. H. 
Polmaise Heating.—In your Number of the 2d May 
there is an article on Polmaise heating signed “J. H. 
H. B. B—k,” making a comparison between that system 
and hot water pipes, in which it is stated that the “fire 
in the Polmaise stove is fed from the air of the house, 
which has already been warmed, and that this is partly 
essential to the success of the Polmaise system." Ag 
this assertion is contrary to fact, and may mislead Some 
of your readers, it is necessary to contradict it, In the 
Polmaise or Hayden's stove there is no communication 
between the fire-box and the air of the house ; the sup- 
ply of air to the fire-box is from the external air directly 
to itself, therefore any reasoning founded on such an 
assertion must fall to the ground, and the ingenious 
contrivance furnished by “J. H. H,” is unnecessary. 
The simplicity of the Polmaise system is one of its great 
advantages, rendering unnecessary flues or hot-water 
pipes, which are in other houses the medium used to 
heat the air ; in the Polmaise system the hot air is in- 
troduced at once to the house, a circulation being caused 
by opening the drain from the house to the hot air 
chamber at its lowest point, but in order to give a con- 
stant change of hot air, a supply is brought into the 
lowest part of the hot air chamber (from the external 
air), heated in the chamber, and then passes into the 
house, not direct but through the hot air chamber, and 
at such a temperature as the gardener wishes. In 
short, itis like the hot air blast iniron furnaces in place 
of the cold air as formerly used.— W. M., Stirling. 
[The mistake has been rectified by “J. H. H.” himself. 
See last week’s Number, p. 285.] 
