oe 
373 
Suppose to be original; but if you will refer to Harri- 
Son’s ‘‘ Floricultural Cabinet” for 1840, p. 264, you will 
find the following : ‘ Not having a house, I am obliged to 
winter my plants in a cold pit, which I have found a dif- 
ficulty in fumigating, until I thought of the following 
plan : Take a piece of touch-paper, and Jay it on a thin 
layer of tobacco ; then roll it up and tie loosely. Light 
One end and place it in a flower-pan in the house or pit. 
I think half-an-ounce used in this way is equal to an 
Ounce with the bellows; and it is not a tithe of the 
trouble, as it does not require any altention when lighted.’’ 
—W. White. [This plan, although similar to that 
referred to by Mr. Beaton, is sufficiently different to 
entitle him to regard the latter as original.]——In th 
Chronicle of last week, Mr. Beaton gives a receipt for a 
New method of fumigating plants, by steeping slips of 
brown paper in a solution of saltpetre, (one table-spoonful 
to one pint of water,) and then rolling up the paper like 
a cigar, but hollow, and filled with tobacco. Now, as I 
took this to be a very ready mode of smoking frames, &c. 
I thought I would try it, and accordingly steeped the 
Paper in the solution as directed; I then rolled it up, 
both lengthwise and the shorter way, and also spirally; 
all these I filled with tobacco, but none of them would 
urn more than a few minutes. I finally soaked the 
tobacco in saltpetre and water considerably stronger than 
the former, and when dry it burnt freely by itself, but 
when rolled in paper it died out like the former. The 
ashes in each instance appeared to prevent its combustion 
Onger. As I may not have applied it properly, perhaps 
Mr. B. will be kind enough to give some additional par- 
ticulars, through the medium of your Paper.— Junius. 
esta di Quaglia—A reader at Dorchester will be 
Much obliged by some information respecting a plant 
indigenous to the Island of Malta, and called by the 
Natives Testa di Quaglia, from the strong resemblance of 
the seed-vessels to a duck or quail’s head. What is the 
true name of this plant ?—what are its habits ?—and how 
Should it be cultivated ? 
Bees.—In answer to the inquiry of “ W. R. M., Dept- 
ford,” in the Chronicle of Saturday last, I beg to state 
that on the Ist of May one of my stocks of Bees in a 
Common straw-hive swarmed, the wind being in the east ; 
and On the 20th, this stock cast. It and the two young 
Ives are at my garden at Walthamstow. Qn the 2d of 
May another stock, also in acommon straw-hive, at my 
Sounds in the Lea Bridge-road, swarmed; on the 14th, 
© cast, and again on the 20th. All of these, as well as 
those at Walthamstow, are strong, and whenever the wea- 
ther is fair work well.—J. Pamplin. 
Visiting Gardens.— Having had the privilege of making 
& Short excursion into the country near me, to look into 
what is going on in the gardening world, I beg to lay before 
the public a few facts which may perhaps be acceptable ; 
and in doing so, Iwould impress upon my brother-gardeners 
the great advantage arising from one gardener visiting 
another for their mutual benefit. Nothing tends so much 
to develop the mind as to witness in one’s neighbour’s 
Proceedings effects produced by the most simple methods, 
While the observer has been perplexing himself for years 
to bring about the same end. Many instances of this 
nature have occurred to me during my short peregrina. 
tions, both as regards the growth of fruit and vegetables 
and plants. On calling at Studley Royal, the seat of 
Mrs, Lawrence, the garden of which is under the able 
Management of Mr. Cuthber on, I found all, where 
€verything is done upon an extensive scale, in the first 
‘der, The Pines are abundant and very luxuriant, and 
Promise well for large fruit and plenty of it. The Vines 
4 Fang fine, and every house full of fruit and bloom, 
mane great luxuriance. The kitchen-garden is filled 
ae Well, although it is perhaps one of the worst naturally. 
Ww Hated gardens in the country so far as regards the soil, 
: ich ig q cold, wet, stiff, barren clay, wholly br 
Do. Productive by manual labour, dun, al 
eee Many laborious plans have to be adopted, such as 
and, obliged to raise all the beds above the natural level, 
adding various light and drying composts to ever 
. othing can be grown without this precaution, 
eli a for Strawberries, whi are generally considered 
me for such situations, it is found necessary to have 
8 in eds, which are in form of a half-cylinder, about 
fille Ches high in the centre and 4 feet across; they are 
o 
mM 
lime th good soil, and the surface is covered with rough 
na cstone, t} ‘ Jin the interstices, by whic 
Method he plants being placedin 8, by which 
and } d they'sueceed to admiration ; the fruit is always fine, 
Colony, 28 80 much exposed, is of the highest flavour and 
hing p78 Well as being always free from soil andinsects : this 
he a be useful to others who may be similarly situated. 
the Night! part of the garden and grounds is all in 
Plants est state of keeping, although the collection of 
® pn ou Such a splendid place does not keep pace with 
sent improved taste in regard to cultivation, My 
all was at Hope Nursery, where I was much gsur- 
© find, in so comparatively isolated a neighbour- 
a Such a place. Hope Nursery is situated in Leeming 
fering ae of the old Roman causeways, and in a very 
ro: suas This is comparatively a new place, the 
and busin having, about ten years ago, removed his stock 
nt, «SS from Pickhill, which is about two miles 
Pits, &e Te has in that time erected numerous houses, 
3000 sat or the growth of plants, to the extent of nearly 
®ppearg tare feet of glass, beneath which everything 
Sollee © grown to admiration, I found genera] 
1 the fashionable plants in present cul- 
Pore 
tivaetons of al 
» Such as Calceolar: Pelargoniums, Pucl 
and 
ion i 
UStralign Sy jas, 
Cape plants, soft-wooded greenhouse 
was a bright pink crimson, very much spotted with 
large black dots. ‘This, I think, ought to be in every col- 
lection, particularly as it is said to be quite hardy. The 
hardy herbaceous collection appears to be very exten- 
sive. Several thousands are grown in pots for the conve- 
nience of being removed at any season, besides a large 
quantity in the open ground. The florist’s department is 
well stocked with Pansies, Pinks, Carnations, &c., in 
large quantities, and of very select varieties. What gave 
me a good deal of pleasure was to find an arboretum 
formed into two divisions ; one containing the dwarf deci- 
duous flowering shrubs, which are all legibly labelled, to 
the number of about 300 species and varieties ;—the next 
is composed of hardy ornamental and forest trees, includ- 
ing most of the new hardy Pinus, &c. ; this division contains 
about 200 species and varieties, and which I under- 
stand there is to be added a separate division of the hardy 
evergreens. When this is completed it will form a very 
valuable and useful appendage, both to purchasers and the 
nursery. The out-ground is occupied as a general nursery, 
and is upwards of 20 acres, as I learn from Mr. May; 
and ina very high state of keeping, as I scarcely saw a 
seed-weed on the ground. Mr. M. says he acts upon 
Mr. Loudon’s principle—the ‘ economic ;’’ that is, by 
allowing no weeds to seed if possible to prevent it— 
Sisal aes 
Asparagus.— Este’’ begs to say that his Asparagus- 
beds were treated with salt at the beginning of March, at 
the rate of 14 Ibs. to all the beds but one, which had 10 
Ibs. The beds are 14 yards long by 1 broad. The pro- 
duce has been greater this year than ever, and finer. The 
beds were manured as usual in November. He will feel 
obliged by being informed if the salt may be used again 
next year at the same time, or deferred till this time next 
year, as it is stated in last week’s Chronicle that this 
is the best season for salting the beds. It has beena 
remarkable season for all seeds; they have lain a long 
time in the ground. The Seakale is improved by salt. 
[When the Asparagus is beginning to grow is the best 
season for applying salt. If used earlier much of it will 
be washed away from the roots by rains. 
Cureulio lineatus.—I have at last ascertained beyond 
doubt that this insect feeds upon the leaf of the Bean. 
I had often watched them carefully, as I find them 
reposing amongst the young unfolded leaves; but they 
are so quicksighted and timid, that they run away and 
hide themselves as soon as one approaches near enough 
to see what they are doing. have had presumptive 
evidence of their cutting the edges of the Bean-leaf for 
some time past; but this morning I detected one (a 
female) so busily at work, that I was able with caution 
to take the point of the leaf in my hand, and watch her 
operations for several minutes. Her position was on the 
edge of the leaf, which she embraced with her feet; she 
commenced eating on the edge, by cutting a small scollop ; 
she then drew back the head, and began at the edge again, 
following the curve of the cut, till the head bent down so 
as neatly to touch the abdomen, and so continued till she 
had cut out a scollop of more than a tenth of an inch 
across. I used a powerful pair of spectacles, and am very 
sure I am not mistaken.—Lusor. 
Bees.—Though it appears that my name as an apiarian 
has obtained a pretty extensive circulation, yet, with the 
single exception of the unwea assistance which, for 
several years, I gave my much valued friend, Dr. Bevan, in 
the preparation of the 2d edition of ‘The Honey Bee,’’ 
I have hitherto never addressed a line to any portion of 
the press. Among the many apiarian correspondents of 
the Gardeners’ Chronicle, some of them, if they persevere 
in their apiarian researches, will see cause to modify cer- 
tain premature opinions, There is no one whose general 
views So nearly accord with my own as those of Mr. 
Wighton. In your Chronicle of April 22, Mr. Wighton 
observes upon Mr. Rochet’s observations on the fortifica- 
tions of Bees, a Ja Huber, that, ‘ however plausible this 
may be, I have no hesitation in saying it is founded in 
some mistake.” To convince so ardent an apiarian as 
Mr. Wighton of his error, upon a matter in which, I am 
certain, none would feel more interested than himself, 
provided he could have conclusive evidence of this sin- 
gular trait of his favourite insects, I will refer him to page 
379 of * The Honey Bee,’? where he will find a simple 
detail of facts relative to the point upon which he is 
heterodox. In order to furnish Mr. W. with some internal 
evidence upon the matter at issue, I will add, that, 
receiving my early apiarian education in the school of 
Huist, it is not to be expected that I escaped imbibing 
some of his opinions—perhaps I might have said preju- 
dices. Foremost among these was my ridicule of the 
fortifications of Huber; when, that I might not remain 
faithless but believing,’’ the insta oe, Spiven in ‘' The 
Honey Bee,’ oceurred in my own apiary. Among my 
other apiarian whims was one to have a Polish hive. In 
this I have had combs nearly five feet in length, and in 
oue of the entrances of this, about 24 inches in length, 
was the fortification placed. Not being a conveniently- 
shaped hive to feed the Bees in, the family died, and why 
this is mentioned, is to give another singular fact, viz., 
that during the next spring, other Bees, when cleaning out 
the hive as a preparation for taking possession when 
swarming, actually destroyed the defensive curtain of their 
predecessors. To give Mr. W. an opportunity of atoning 
for his apiarian sin against our common father, Haber, J 
ec 
will ‘suggest that he come on pilgrimage—he may “ boil 
his peas’’—to Hunton, where we will endeavour to render 
his penance as light as is consistent with the heinous- 
ness of his offence. — Robt. Golding, Hunton, near 
Maidstone. 
Scarlet Pelargoniums.—In noticing Mr. Diplock’s 
article on this subject in No. 19, I would not recommend 
him or any other person to adopt any new method, how- 
ever right it may appear, without first proving it on a 
small scale ; but if he will, without prejudice, take six 
plants, and treat them precisely in the manner there laid 
down, and twice that number raised in autumn, and kept 
in sixty-sized pots until turned out, I have not the least 
hesitation in stating that they will cover more space and 
flower in greater profusion. It, perhaps, would be accept- 
able to some to know how to raise good plants from cut- 
tings without bottom-heat and with little trouble. In 
July, a one or two-light frame is placed so as to face the 
north, and three inches of leaf-mould are placed in the 
bottom and watered well; on that is put three inches of 
sand, or sand and leaf-mould ; this is then rendered firm 
and level ; the cuttings are then'planted in rows, and slightly 
watered to settle the soil about them, leaving off the lights 
to allow the leaves to become dry. They require neither 
shading, water, nor attention, farther than taking off any 
dead leaves that may happen to appear; and they will be 
firmly rooted in time to admit of being potted and rooted 
in the new soil, and hardened off before frost sets in. As 
Mr. Diplock never heard before of fresh green turf being 
used in the pot-culture of plants, I may state that I have 
read that the late Mr. Knight grew his large Cockscombs 
in a mixture of green turf and fresh dung; and Mr. Dip- 
lock would do well to turn back to a late Number of the 
Gardeners’ Chronicle, and he will find an article on the 
effects of putrid vegetables on the growth of plants. Its 
beneficial influence is there plainly shown; and, along 
with other experiments, this has thoroughly convinced 
me that decomposing vegetables are more beneficial for 
the growth of plants than those which are decomposed. 
By perusing my article again, he will also find that the 
plants are first placed in very poor soil, and kept there until 
a sufficient number of spongioles is formed to absorb the 
nutriment contained therein. So confident am I in the 
belief that it is superior to turf laid up in heaps for any 
length of time, that I never use such when I can get it in 
afresh state. Not only do Scarlet Pelargoniums grow 
luxuriantly in it, but any other plants with succulent 
roots wilido the same. I have at present a Cineraria 
Waterhousiana this treated, that in March was in a 
sixty-sized pot, now one foot and a half high and two feet 
in diameter, branching out in every direction, and not yet 
in flower. It does not require a single stake to support 
it. Various other plants in a like state of luxuriance 
are growing in green turf and dung, and that, too, on 
the one-shift system.— Robert P. Drummond. 
The efficient but tedious and expensive method of rais- 
ing Scarlet Pelargoniums prescribed by Mr. Drummond 
having elicited from others an account of their practice, 
none of which for economy can equal that of Mr. Halli- 
day, Iam likewise induced to send you my plan, which I 
first saw while ser in the gardens of the late Earl of 
Hardwicke, and have practised for nearly 20 years with 
success, without seeing any reason to change. I put the 
cuttings into small pots at once, which obviates any 
check they would receive when removing them, either 
from cutting-pots or the open ground. I do not much 
like the cuttings taken from the open border; they are 
generally too spongy, and as I am not in want of a great 
number, I make beds of mixed varieties, chiefly the old 
Grayeolens, Fair Helen, Lady Essex, Emily, and Moore’s 
Victory, which flower freely all the summer, and though 
not so gaudy as some, have a more delightful fragrance. 
A dozen or twenty pots which I reserve supply me with 
all T require. About the end of July, having removed all 
my Pelargoniums to the back of a north wall, I commence 
cutting them down, arranging the prunings, as I cut them 
off, as nearly as I can alphabetically, for the convenience 
of finding the sorts. When cut, I remove them into a 
shed ; on the following morning I commence making them 
into cuttings. The searlet ones I put into 60 or small 
48 pots and place ona flue, which runs along the front 
of a Vinery, where they require no shading except what 
18 inches of wall affords, and very little water, until they 
are struck, when I remove them to a cold frame, where I 
can give them plenty of air, and keep them there till the 
beginning of November, when I stow them away in a 
Vinery, which I intend to force about the beginning of 
February. At that time, or earlier if the weather will 
not admit of out-door work, I repot them, and place 
them in another Vinery to be forced. By turning-out time, 
they are nice plants, The cuttings of my other sorts I 
putin smaller pots and plunge in sawdust on a gentle 
hotbed made of leaves, covered by a frame : I give a little 
water to settle the mould about the cutting. They 
require very little after, as their greatest enemy is damp. 
I frequently give a little air. They require scarcely any 
shading, unless the sun is very hot. After they are 
struck, they receive the same treatment as the scarlet 
ones, unless I sometimes give them a larger pot in the 
end of September or beginning of October,—J, Afurdoeh. 
Agricultural Labourers,—] nave on several oceasions 
been highly gratified by your observations on the subject 
of employment for the poor, and would gladly lend my 
feeble aid to any effort that may be made in such a right- 
eous cause. T fear, however, that the tenant-farmer, and 
a pevially the man who holds a strong clay farm, will not 
able to Carry out such plans of improvement as you—— 
except the prospect before him should greatly improve— 
have often st ested ; although it is quite certain that 
his own interests would be promoted by such a course. 
The real fact is, that such a person as I am here speaking 
