304 
oer: 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
[May 6, 
h money, to have their expenses 
mals, are stationary ; those of man only are prog . 
But, within their limited range, the inferior animals per- 
form their proper labours with an unwearied industry and 
an unerring precision which call forth our wonder and 
admiration. “Elevated as our minds are in the compara- 
tive scale of nature, we may still take example from the 
diligence, the perseverance, and the cheerfulness, which 
Preside over the architecture of birds. 
42. Bishop Heber mentions, in his Journal, that two 
curious facts were told him in Kemaoon respecting the 
forests and their productions. The one was, that fires 
often took place in the jungles during the dry season, by 
the mere friction of the cane-stalks against each other in 
high winds. A scene of this sort, and arising from this cause, 
is described in “Leyden’s Scenes of Infancy.” The other 
was, that the Boa Constrictor is frequently found, parti- 
cularly in the wood between Bamoury and Dikkalee, under 
the immediate feet of the hills, "These snakes are of 
enormous size, but not much feared by the natives ; since, 
though they have, in their opinion, sufficient strength to 
master a buffalo, they are proportionably unwieldy. Many 
stories were told there of persons stepping on them by 
mistake for fallen trees, and being terrified on finding them 
alive. 
43. Sacred Tree of Hierro.—In“ Glass’s History of the 
Canary Islands’? we have the description of a peculiar 
tree in the island of Hierro, which is the means of sup- 
plying the inhabitants, man as well as inferior animals, 
with water—an island, which, but for this marvellous 
adjunct, would be uninhabitable and abandoned. The 
tree is called Til by the people of the island, and has 
attached to it the epithet garse, or sacred. It is situated 
on the top of a rock terminating the district called Tigu- 
latre, which leads from the shore. A cloud of vapour, 
which scems to rise from the sea, is impelled towards it, 
and being condensed by the foliage of the tree, the rain 
falls into a large tank, from which it is measured out by 
individuals set apart for that purpose by the authorities of 
the island. 
RMebietos. 
A Treatise on the Growth of the Peach. By John Smith. 
London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1843. 
Taurs little work consists of 112 pages, 56 of which are 
occupied with some account of the history and introduc- 
tion of the Peach, and with descriptions of 19 varieties of 
this fruit, and 13 of Nectarines. This part requires little 
notice, beyond the observation that it appears to be a 
compilation chiefly from the ‘* Guide to the Orchard and 
Kitchen Garden,”? which work has evidently afforded the 
basis of most of the descriptions; and in many instances 
slight changes in the phraseology constitute the only dif- 
ference. Then follow some remarks on the modes of 
propagation, and kinds of stocks usually employed. On 
the subject of walls for Peaches, the author states, from 
his own experience, that straight walls are better than 
those built serpentine, or zig-zag ; that the full south 
aspect is the best ; and that the east is more suitable than 
the west. The directions for the formation of borders 
are, so far, very good; but for many subsoils it would 
have been proper to recommend a bottoming of concrete, 
The season of planting is stated to be from the ‘‘ middle 
of October to the middle of March.” Peaches may be 
planted thus late; but to delay beyond February is not to 
be recommended. ‘The trees are also weakened by 
deferring the winter pruning so late as “ from the latter 
end of February until the blossom-buds are nearly ready 
to burst.’’ When the leaves have fallen, the operation of 
pruning cannot be too soon performed. 
With regard to pruning and training, however, the 
system is good in principle, but is not so distinctly 
explained as could be wished. It has to be gathered 
from amongst details of various other systems, instead of 
being propounded in regular order, from the time of 
planting the tree till it is brought to its full and perfect 
form. e description of other systems occupies too 
prominent a position in the work, whilst the one recom- 
mended is mentioned incidentally. It partakes of those 
of Mr. Seymour and Mr. Errington. Like the former, 
it requires that one upright shoot be trained in summer 
and cut back in winter to furnish side branches ; but 
instead of bearing-shoots being allowed to grow only on 
the upper side of these lateral branches, as in Seymour’s 
plan, such are encouraged both on the upper and under 
sides, and consequently a greater distance must be allowed 
between the principal branches ; and as the lower branches 
are apt to become weak, partly owing to their horizontal 
position, the ends of these are curved upwards, in order 
to induce a greater flow of sap, after Mr. Errington’s 
plan, but to a less extent. 
a 
don. Itisnotan 
tosend ‘ up’ part of 
On taking a first prize; as, in their opinion, nothing in its way can 
be more perfect than their plants or fruit, as the case may be. 
is Were hardly thought worthy of being mentioned in the 
ts of the day, I have had the good fortune to be present at 
such occasions paid by m: 1 
ly employers, and I can safely affirm 
il ee more at these exhibitions than I have done 
by. all my hich > uinking put together, and I know of no 
paid would be a powerful inducement for them to make still 
n-door Department. 
Prves.—Continue to give liberal supplies of water to plants 
swelling their fruit, and keep up a moist atmosphere by a free use 
fruit, assist it by divesting it of its suckers, and by liquid manure. 
ae oe stock will require constant shading in the middle 
12) ‘Yy. 
INERY.—In all the stages of the Vine till the Grapes begin to 
turn colour, a free use of the syringe is of much service when the 
weather is hot and dry. 1 uutine now is thinning the fruit, 
and tying up the advancing shoots. hatever mode of 
is followed, the shoots should always be kept thin, to 
better way by which gentlemen ‘can improve the appearance of 
their plants, than by allowing their Sardeners to visit at least one 
of the three exhibitions in cach season; ana as gardeners are 
it and air to pass freely among them, 
PrACHES AND Cuerrtes.—Abundance of air all day is essential 
to give a good flayour to these, and the houses should not now 
be quite closed up at night ; no fruit is sooner affected by aclose 
Fi¢s.—Continue the directions given for the last week or two. 
MELons ann CucumpErs.—To have Melons in the best per- 
fection that our climate will allow, this is the best time of the 
Having the best part of the season before them, if the shoots are 
kept thin and only a light crop aimed at, the fruit will come in 
under all the advantages that can be expected from our climate, 
and will be more wholesome than if planted earlier or later in 
n, 
every other watering ; the last forced crop 
ought always to be in finer condition than the first few dishes 
from the open ground—not however where room is scarce, 
'DNEY BeAns.—Of all our forced crops these are the most 
Wholesome, and also the most troublesome about this time, if 
they are kept long in the houses. 
follow each other rapidly, and as soo: 
t. 
What a pity that dry weather should ever do any harm, says 
e iil do harm, and that toa very serious 
extent, to late-transplanted trees, to recently-laid turf, and per- 
aps to some crops in the flower-garden, unless they are regularly 
watered, 
ANEMONES AND RANUNCULUSES are amongst the first of your 
flowers that will pant for rain; but it isno use naming * this, 
that, or the other,” we must see that all are done justice to, 
according to our own notions of their worth; then, whatever 
our favourites, they will come in for the best share of attention, 
—D. Beaton, Shrubland Purk Gardens. 
Week ending May 4, 1843, as 
Chiswick 
State of the Weather near London for 
obser Garden 
t 
dat the Horticultural 
age Wind, /Rain 
Friday 28 iat x 
Saturday 29 
Sunday 0 
M 
Mean, 
04 
i clear and dry at night. 
} clear and fine. 
slight shower; very fine ; cloudy ; rainn 
fine ; very fine with hot sun ; y 
‘Mean temperature of the week 143°. 
State of the Weather at Chiswick dur 
Week ending May 13, 1843, 
t 
ai 
ra 
No. of | « Ba 
| Mean] Years in| Greatest ; 
Aver. | Aver. | 
Highest) Lowest |, it | Quantity |, [5 
Temp. | Temp. |" h dt ot Rainy [2 
May. 
‘emp| wh 
|v alt 
| 
| ou [N.W.! 
3 
‘4 § 
6 Q 
3 a] 1 
i aft 
6 fas 
ke Chal ale 
‘The highest temperature during the above period occurred ‘on the 12th in 
1933—thermometer 81°; and the lowest on the llth in 1839 thermometes 279, 
ee eee 
REPORT ON COVENT-GARDEN MARKET, 
For the Week ending May 5, 1843. 
Amone the principal novelties are Early Frame Peas, small 
you used to 
in the 
rning in autumn to gather 
fields. Endeavour then to keep np a regular cool moist atmo. 
sphere in this house for the next three months, and gather your 
crops when they are fit, whether they are wanted or not, 
Out-door Department. 
We seldom have had finer weather at this time of year for all 
ear from several correspondents 
large crop, and appearances 
the same conclusion in regard to the standard fruit. A 
gentleman in Paris reports rather unfavourably of the appear- 
ance of the fruit there. 
he out-door operation: 
f water, and 
before the surface dries throw a little dry soil over the wet parts, 
to prevent the earth caking or cracking. 
CauLirLowErs.—What is more vexing than to see a bed of 
nice young plants of these beginning to crowd each other, and 
the weather too dry to plant them out? You must, nevertheless, 
pull out the largest plants, otherwise the whole will be injured, 
You might try to pot two or three dozen of them in 488, a 
keep them in a shady place, and watered, till they fill the pots 
with roots, and then they may be planted out, if the weather is 
ever so hot. Now, recollect this simple method may be turned 
to account through the season with many other things, as well 
as with Cauliflower plants. 
Succession Crors.—There is more danger that those already 
up and in different stages will now suffer from want of water, or 
thinning, &c. &c. than that the right time of sowing them should 
CeLery AND Lerroce PL 
indeed, any small plants which have lately been transplanted, 
will be now in danger from the dry weather, and must be as 
or other vermin get established on them; and also the young 
shoots must now be wellattended to. Never cut out, or otherwise 
prune, too mach of the summer growth at once; it is much 
better to begin in time, and stop the strongest shoots only at 
first, and so on through the growing season. 
II.—FLOWER-GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
n-door Department. 
Srovs.—A liberal use of the watering-pot and syring2 is the 
reat point to be attended to this fine weather, and no plants 
should yet be shadedif they stand the sun; Orchidacez of course 
excepted. 
GrrENnHOoUSE.—A stranger entering a well-regulated green- 
on an afternoon about the beginning o} might 
imagine the house was a stove: the plants had just been syringed, 
and the house closed np; every leaf and shoot, even the rafters, 
glass and all, were dripping, and you might think the plants 
were all forced for some purpose ; s 
this is the way these things are managed now-a-days at this 
time of the year. 
Consrrvatory.—The tables are turned here now; this house 
was kept much warmer all the winter than an ordinary greenhouse, 
establishment. After all you can do, the atmosphere of this 
house will be too dry for plants in a growing state; yet you 
™must persevere, and pour quantities of water on the paths and 
under the stages early and late, “4 
'S AND FRAmES.—Many of these useful structures will now 
be getting empty, the plants being turned out to sheltered places 
to harden; and as pits cost money, as well as houses, they should 
f growing plants into fine healthy specimens, this is by far the 
easiest and the best; just try it for a year or two against the 
erries, Frame Carrots, young Turnips, Lettuces of tole- 
has apparently been 
planted late in the autumn, and not earthed up. Myatt’s British 
Queen Strawberries occur sparingly, and are exceedingly fine. 
The hothouse Grapes improve greatly, both in size and colour; 
and Peaches are more numerous but small, and seemingly some- 
what damaged by travelling. There are some good May- 
large Oranges; with some h 
of flowers in pots now includes Hydrangeas, 
po 
hybrid Rhododendrons that have been potted and have a very 
Bay appearance. ‘The Lily of the Valley, now blooming naturally, 
is also of frequent oceurrence. The ca 
and in pots,) and Gentians, which are likewise to be had in both 
conditions, and are very brilliant. 
which haye been dried, have before been noticed ; but there is 
now an addition of a kind of grass, which appears to be a species 
of Briza, and is particularly elegant, 
PRICES, Sarorvar, May"6, 1843.—FRUITS :— 
Pine Apple, per Ib. 6s to 108 Lemons, per 100,4s to 14s 
Grapes, hothouse, per Ib. Gs to 19 — "per dov. Is to 2s 
= Spanish, per Ib. 1s tols6d — |Cucnmbers, per brace, Ia. to 36 fy 
= Portugal, Le to 3s . Walnuts, per bush., 129 to 16s 
Apples, dessert, per bush., 5s to189 Jt Chesnuts, per peck, 4s to si 
— _ Kitchen, 4s to 9s Almonds, perpeck, 6s 
Pears, dessert, per hf. sieve, 20s Sweet Almonds, per pound, &: 
Guawherries, forced, peroz., 6d tols | Filberts,English, per 100 Ibs. 
Gooseberries, small basket, dd tole ad |Ovb Nuts, per 100 tbs., 60s. to 7 
Apri er pottle, 1s Bd to 2s Nats, per bushel — 
‘omegranates, per doz, — — Brazil, 16 
Oranges, per doz., 1s to 3s — Spanish, 188 
= | per 100, 6s to 208 — Barcelona, 248 
— bitter, per 100, 8: to 208 — Cob, 125 to las 
VEGETABL 
Cabbage, Red, per doz. 2s to 6s Shallots, per Ib., ta to 1s6d 
Taree Plants, per doz. 1s Gdtods | Asparagus, 4s to'6s 
Cabbages, per doz., 9d to 1s Gd = —_ Sprue, or Small, 1s Gd to 26 
Cauliflowers, per dozen, 6s Sea-kale, per punnet, 1s to as 
Broccoli, W » per bunch, 2 to4s | Lettuce, Cabb., p. h e. Isto ls 6d 
—__, Purple, 6d to 1s 6d Jos, per score, Od to 26 
Beans,Kidney, forced, p. 100, 1s 6d to 8s Endive, per score, 6d to 1s 
Potatoes, per ton, 40s to 70s Celery, p.bd., (12to 15) 6d to 1s Gd 
= Per cwt. 2s to de Rhubarb Stalks, per bdle, 4d to la 3d 
= Perbushel, Ie Gd to Gd —|Small Salads, per punnet, od todd, 
ash Basil, per bunch, 6d to 9d 
sm. bun. 4d to Gf 
d to ls 
h. 58 Gd to 7s 
nch , 6d to 1s 
; +5 46 6d to be 
Si p- doz. bun. 26 to 4a 
Parsneps, per dozen, 6d to le = — Spanish, per doz, 2s'to 38 
Wotices to Correspondents. 
Fronists’ Frowers.—Now that the season for florists’ 
flowers has arrived, we beg to state that we are ready 
to give our opinion of all novelties that may be sent 
us; not with a view to please the growers, nor for the 
sake of indulging any vanity of our own, but in order 
to satisfy the public. It is alleged that there is but 
one society in London which can be trusted upon this 
subject ; that this society only meets occasionally, and 
then by candle-light, when it is impossible to judge 
correctly of the merits of the flowers that are examined. 
are not of the same opinion; we believe that no 
better decisions than those of the Floricultural Society 
will ever be arrived at, and we wish it to be supported, 
because we know its decisions to be those of honest 
men, and skilful men, Nevertheless, in order to gratify 
those who look to some other tribunal, we take this 
opportunity of announcing that all florists’ flowets that 
are addressed to our Office, 3, Charles-street, postage 
or carriage paid, will be examined, and their qualities 
declared under a separate heading in these ‘‘ Notices to 
Correspondents.” ‘The opinion will be given by a gen- 
tleman entirely unconnected with the trade, thoroughly 
