8 
THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 
[JAN. 7%, 
which one would hardly expect to succeed, had stood out of 
doors for several winters, and had this year produced a rich 
show of its gay inflorescence, The collection of Pines contains, 
with the more common ones, most of those which have been 
lately introduced of the establish- 
ment seem to be complete, as there are houses for succulents, 
Orchidaceze, Pelargoniums, Camellias, Oranges, Australian and 
Cape plants, as well asa small stove. The two most remarkable 
specimens seen were Pandanus spiralis and Sabal Blackburniana; 
the former is perfect in form, elegant in appearance, and just 
beginning to show its spiral growth; the latter is also a fine 
specimen. There are several large Rhododendrons, with a fine 
tree of R. arbéreum ; all giving rich promise of bloom for the 
coming season. The climbers within doors werealso remarkably 
beautiful ; Passiflora Loudoni having covered a large portion of 
the roof of the Orchidaceous house, and having produced during 
the season several thousands of flowers ‘ecoma jasminoides 
has also blossomed freely, as well as the s¢arlet Passion-flower 
¢ mosa). The latter was said not to have been a single 
day without flowers for the previous 18 months. Among the 
singular-looking plants; amongst them are large specimens of 
Cactus abnormis, Echinocactus Eyrésii, and erindceus, several 
Opintias, with many old Aloes and Eupbérbias. Among the 
hothouse-plants there is a Bauhinia, received from Dr. Wallich 
as B. piperif6lia, the binate leaves; of which, when in a young 
state, are pink-coloured. Besléria élegans, several species of 
Hibiscus, and amon m H. Cameroni, blooming abundantly 
ina young state, were particularly conspicuous, The bark-pit 
in the stove was occupied by Musas, Hedfchiums, and Palms. 
The handsomest of the Musas was M. dfscolor, the underside of 
its leaves being of a rich brownish purple colour, and contrasting 
well with the light-green foliage of M. rosacea and coccinea, 
Heaths are grown here with some difficulty, in consequence 
of the lowness of the situation rendering them liable to damp 
off; still there were some handsome specimens of E. vestita and 
its varieties, as well as of E. Hartnelli. A great variety of Ca- 
méllias (not less than 150, we were told) are cultivated; all 
looked healthy, and even the small plants were set for bloom. 
he Caméllia-house there was a large Psidium Cattleyanum, 
ich there is an excellent Herbarium of the plants growing in 
the neighbourhood of Canterbury.—R. 
Capesthorne Hall, near Congleton.—At this place a crimson hy- 
brid Rhododendron is now flowering in the open air without 
any protection. The plant has 91 trusses of bloom upon it, and 
it is remarkable, that, if the season is ever so severe, it has inva- 
riably produced its within a week of the same period. 
Several other plants of the same variety will be in bloom in a few 
weeks.—W.P.D. 
WonDERS WILL NEVER Cease! While. our agricultu- 
rists are eagerly discussing the comparative advantages of 
particular soils, and studying the theory of manures as 
propounded by Sprengel and Liebig, a countryman of 
these distinguished professors comes forward to proclaim 
that their labours are vain ; for, if we are to believe him, 
he has discovered the art of growing luxuriant crops on 
the poorest land, and without any manure whatsoever ; 
and the cost of the process is so trifling, that for the acre 
of Wheat or Maize, it does not exceed fivepence sterling ; 
and for Rape, Cabbage, &c., amounts to only about half 
that sum! At first we were disposed to consider such 
extraordinary pretensions as an effusion of quackery, 
and entitled to little or no credit ; but our incredulity has 
been somewhat shaken by the numerous and respectable 
attestations which the author has appended to his pam- 
phlet, and which tend to prove that his method has been 
practised with success, during the last 12 years, in various 
parts of Germany and Holland. Thus the certificates 
from Vienna, dated in 1829 and 1830, declare that Mr. 
Bickes’s process, which would seem to consist in some 
preparation of the seed, ‘‘ renders all dunging unneces- 
sary, is applicable to the poorest soils, and to all sorts of 
plants, and imparts to them a wonderful degree of vege- 
tation and fulness ;’’ and they give the results of the cx- 
periments in the Imperial Garden of the Chateau, from 
which it appears that Wheat raised from seed sown by 
Mr. B. had larger ears and more grains than that pro- 
duced from unprepared seed; that the Barley showed 
ears with four rows and a larger number of grains, while 
that from unprepared seed had only two rows and a 
smaller proportion of grains on each stalk; and the In- 
dian Corn exhibited a larger number of much stronger 
and 
dressed, and in the midst of tall weeds! The trials of 
this method in Holland, made in the summer of 1834, 
were attended with results not less astonishing : prepared 
Wheat and Rye, though sown thick, gave from 50 to 60, 
and even 80 stalks from one grain ; and a plant of Barley 
bore eight large ears. Buck-Wheat rose to 4} and 5 feet ; 
Flax had 4 and 5 stems from one seed, and Indian Corn 
grew from 9 to 10 feet in height with 4 or 5 stems, and 
4 to 5 heads froma single corn, The green crops were 
equally luxuriant.. Red and White Clover and Lucerne 
grew 3feet high ; from two Tobacco-plants, 541 seed 
capsples and 200 large and small leaves were cut ; and a 
second blossoming yielded 742 fresh capsules, and of 
larger size ; the seed from the whole weighing 2 hecto- 
grams, or upwards of 6 ozs. At the date of the report 
(Oct. 30), these plants were budding anew; and all this, 
if we read the description aright, was effected in the shift- 
ing sand (Flugsande) of the downs of Holland! 
The method of preparing the seed is a secret. | 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS for the ensuing week. 
I,—KITCHEN-GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 
In-door Department. 
Pinery.—If the tan was in a good working condition when the 
fruiting plants were plunged for the winter, it should now give a steady 
bottom-heat of from 80° to 90°. If it even gives 75° at the bottom 
of the pots it is quite enough at this dull season. The mean bottom- 
heat provided by Nature to the roots of i 
adhere to it to insure success in the cultivation of this fruit. While 
the thermometer out-of-doors keeps above 18° or 20°, that in the 
fruiting-house may range up to 70°, and as the weather gets colder 
let it fall gradually to ‘The roots of the succession-plants, being 
younger and more active hose of the fruiters, are therefore 
more easily stimulated, and on that account should be kept from 5° 
to 10° lower. humid atmosphere is at all times essential to these 
plants, but especially in the early stages of their growth. 
‘ g forcing my earliest Vinery on the Ist of last 
month, in the good old-fashioned way, by introducing as much fresh 
horse-dung as we could find room for in the house, having first re- 
moyed all plants in leaf, to save them from the ammoniacal vapour 
of the dung. Not to lose the benefit of such a powerful agent in the 
destruction of insect life, I ordered all the Fig, Peach, an ricot 
rees in pots to be removed into this house, with all other plants that 
down on purpose to undergo tI 
shall not fail to tell you. This is the first time that this house has been 
forced, therefore the artificial heat has not yet exceeded 60°. Plants 
that have been already accustomed to this early forcing may now be 
kept at 65°, with all the moisture that can be applied to them. 
Giving air is of less consequence at this stage; just enough to keep 
down the sun-heat to 70° is sufficient. The borders inside the house 
were thoroughly watered with tepid water, and the outside border has 
been covered a yard deep with one-half leaves and one-half fresh 
dung in a state of fermentation. 
PEACH -HOUSE.— My earliest Peach-house is divided from the 
above Vinery by a glass partition, and is heated by the same boiler— 
one of Ro; ers’s best conical ones. I began to force it on the same 
day as the Vinery; # er was so favourable during the last 
month, that little or no artificial heat was applied, the house being 
closed up early i noon. T hav now about 50° in the 
day, and about 40° at night; the flower-buds are already much 
8 e trees were treated in the manner described in Mr. 
Errington’s paper in vol, i., p. 7. ie borders inside were well 
atere ith tepid water, that on the outside being protected by 
rv of not so hot as that over the Vine-roots. 
No air will be admitted bythe front lights in either house when 
ala, 
as those of the horse elsewhere. 
have the temperature as nearly 75° as possible in the mornings; to 
get all the leaves dry once every day; and to admit as much fresh 
air at all times as circumstances will permit. . 
SPARAGUS.—This is the easiest of all plants to force ; yet unless 
strong, healthy roots are to be had at this early period, success need 
not be expected. i 
had better be forced in go 
STRAWBERRIE: ‘The 
the first crop of these, C 
we imperatiyely called for, should be deferfed till rainy or stormy 
fs * 
MusnRrooms, — Lose’ no opportunity of separating the horse- 
droppings from the litter, as it is received from the stables, and place 
them in some dry shed till wanted. 
MISCELLANEOUS.—The Carrots sown on a warm border Jast 
August, to come into use before the spring-forced ones are ready, 
will now require a slight protection. e active preparations for 
sowing Radishes, Carrots, and other light crops requiring slight hot- 
beds. The dung cannot be too well prepared and sweetened for this 
purpose. A stock of dry soils of different textures should always be 
at tes jn open sheds ready for use. brickwork about 
and thicker heads. At Offenbach, in d 
light sandy soil, the prepared Wheat produced 10—15 
Stems from a single grain, with larger and fuller ears ; 
Rye and Barley presented the same vigorous growth, and 
Flax had stronger stems, with heavier and more numerous 
capsules, and was of a dark green colour ; while the plants 
from unprepared seed had' become yellow. Potatoes had 
seldom fewer than ten shoots from a single “tuber, and 
some as many as 12, 15, and even 17 strong stems ; while 
the green crops, viz. Grass, Clover, Beet, White Cabbage, 
Savoys, &c. were equal, if not superior, to those raised in 
gardens, At Bitdingen, again, some plants of the Sun- 
flower, treated according to Mr. B.’s method, grew to the 
height of 10 to 11 feet, with woody stems of 84 to 9 
inches in circumference. Ten or twelve Potato-plants, of 
a large yellow sort, called Marburger, yielded each, on the 
average, 30 good-sized tubers, with stem. and branches 
seven feet long; and Maize, which grew pattly singly and 
partly in rows, had from two to five, in ‘wowe in: 
Stances, as many as eight and nine heads. These crops 
were obtained in the garden of Count Isenburg; and we 
are farther assured by the certificate, to which are at- 
tached the signatures of two burgomasters, the Court 
Serdener, a grand-ducal councillor, and other official per- 
Somges, that they were raised in ground but partially 
1 should be protected from frost with as much 
care as half-hardy plants. pumps and water-pipes that are 
in the least exposed should also be covered with litter. 
and Lettuces will all 
blanched Celery might be ré 
sand put round their roots. 
same Ir 
ve 
Ox l roots into growth. Care must be taken of 
Onions, Carrots, Beet, &c. , perhaps they have also been deceived 
by the season. Manuring, digging, and trenching should now be 
pushed forward with all speed.” 
ORcHARD. — newly-planted trees and bushes should be 
mulched with the lightest portion of rotten dung or spent linings, 
Unnail the Fig-trees on the walls, and gather their branches 
together in the centre; and after tying them together fasten a few 
of the strongest to the wall, and thatch the whole over with straw. 
After pruning see that all the trees are divested of Lichen, Moss, 
rough dead bark, &c. Ttis a capital pla erthe stems 
and main branches with a paint of fresh slacked lime and a little soot. 
IL—FLOWER-GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
In-door Department. 
Sroyn.—Let the temperature here be kept very steady at this 
earlier growth, and come into flower three weeks sooner next winter 
This treatment applies with equal effect to Justicia speciosa and the 
old Justicia, now Hranthemum pulchellum, and no doubt to all our 
inter-flowering pl The ci heir not being allowed. 
to exhaust themselves by flowering this season will enable them to 
do so with increased vigour next year. Look at the Gloxinias and 
Gesneras on the dry shelves, and set a few roots of each into growth, 
to create a succession of flowers. As soon as the Dendrébiums and 
others of this tribe, that have been kept dry lately, show signs of 
growth, give them a little moisture. If you have at command suf- 
insects are fond of them, particularly woodlice, and the smaller 
shell-snails ; these must be constantly watched and destroyed. 
AN. — e liberty I have taken 
above in introducing my own practice in the Vinery and Peat-house 
will be acceptable to the reader, I shall in future speak of these two 
houses separately ; in practice I treat them very differently. Our 
greenhouses here are constantly ventilated day and night, except 
during frost. The conservatory, on the contrary, gets only a little 
air in the middle of fine days, from,September to May ; and the 
temperature averages from 40° to 50° during the dullest weather. 
Pirs anp Frames.—Of all our plant-structures these are become 
of late years the most important—they are the omnibuses of our 
gardens: everything, from the finest Heath to the humblest Alpine 
plants, finds a ready asylum here during these hard times. They 
require the utmost attention at the present season, slimy green 
pot, a speck of mouldiness on the surface, or even a decayed leaf, if 
not instantly removed, may be the ruin of the most favourite plant. 
Very little watering will be required here for some time yet ; see that 
ample covering is ready for the long cold nights. 
ut-door Department. 
Mr. Rivers proved last 
winter that good liquid manure is as good for Roses as rotten dung ; 
this is of the greatest advantage, as we are always short of the latter. 
No doubt but other shrubs would be much benefited by a dressing of 
this sort, 
NURSERY AND FOREST DEPARTMENT. 
Forrsr anp Coppice Woops.—It is no use finding fault with the 
State of the ‘Weather near London for the Week ending Jan. 5, 
1843, as observed at the Horticultural Garden, Chiswick, 
Banomerer, 
Dec. “Max, Min. 
riday 30} 30.915 30.161 
Saturday 31] 30.178 30,046 
an. 
Sunday 1 80.257 80.131 
Monday 2| 30.086 30.017 
Tuesday 30.205 80.107 
Wednesday4 | 29.9 29.884 
Thursday 5 | 20.020 | _ 29772 _ 
Average 80.134 30.017 
Dec. 30, Cloudy and fine ; very mild; overcast. 
1. Cloudy and mild; clear, with slight frost at night. 
Jan. 1. Clear and fine throughout ; slight frost at night. 
2, Frosty; clear and cool; sharp frost at night. 
3. Frosty; clear; overcast. 
4. Rain; cold showers; clear, with slight frost at night, 
5. Clear; cold showers; very clear at night. 
Mean temperature of the week 0,1° above the average. 
State of the Weather at Chiswick auring the jast 17 years, for 
the ensuing Weck ending Jan. 14, 1843 
7 
penne a INW, 
The highest temperature during the above period occurred 
the 8th, in 1827—thermometer 53°; and the lowest on, the 8th, 
in 1841—thermometer 6° 
peace 
REPORT ON COVENT GARDEN MARKET, 
__ For the Week ending Jan. 7, 1843. 
[The Half-sieve contains . . . 3 imperial gallons. 
he Sieve . 0. 4 
The Bushel Sieve 
The Bushel Basket . . 
Punnets for Seakale are 
a Radishes . 
> Mushrooms 
8: 
” ” 
10 5, » 
1 imperial bushel. 
7% in, wide and 2 in, deep, 
8 ” 2 os 
7 ” 2» 
” LO foe ie bo hind ” 2 
THE supplies have been well kept up during the past week Dg 
have varied but little, and trade remains much the same. 
Pines are tolerably abundant, from 4s. to 6s. per Ib. The hothouse 
Grapes are of superior quality to those which have been offered for 
Several preceding weeks, Pomegranates appear to be over. A few 
of the dessert, Pears haye made a slight advance in price; the Old 
Colmar fetching 10s.; Nelis d’Hiver, 12s.; Beurré Rance 
Easter Bew 5s.; and P; 
from 6d, to 1s. per doz.; Ribstone Pippin, from 5s. to 7s. per bushel ; 
Golden Pippin, from 8s. to 10s. ; and Nonpareil, from 0 12s, pe 
bushel. The Russet and Wellington, for Kitchen Apples, are excel- 
ent ; former, from 3s, 6d. to 4s.; the latter, from 7 
bushel. Vegetables: ‘The best bun of Asparagus are a trifl 
dearer than in our last Report. jeakale may be obtained of almost 
any quality, and at almost any price, as it ranges from 9d. to 2s. 6d. 
per punnet. The supply of Broccoli, Brussels’ Sprouts, &c., is 
good; White Broccoli fetching from 1s. 6d. to 3s. per bunch; 
the Purple ditto, from 9d. to 1s. 6d. per bunch, A few forced French 
Beans are offered, from 2s. to 3s. per 100. Cabbage Lettuces are 
small, and fetch from 4d. to 8d. per score ; the Cos are much better, 
and are selling from 9d. to 1s. 6d. per score. 
