86 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
[Fzs. 11, 
‘any particular from those in other parts of the country, 
are so hardy as to make it a matter of no import- 
ance whether the pond in which they are preserved 
be covered with ice for four-and-twenty hours or four- 
and-twenty days ; and it is equally unimportant whether, 
during that time the ice be broken once a day or twice a 
day, or whether it be broken at all.— 2. Marnock, Royal 
Botanic Garden, Regent’s Park. 
Tansy as a Manure. —The perusal of Professor 
Sprengel’s paper, at p. 52, forcibly brought to my mind 
a circumstance which attracted my attention 15 years 
Since, when I took a small residence, the property of an 
old gentleman who cultivated Tansy as a cure for some 
‘of the “ ills that flesh is heir to.’’ One of the first opera- 
tions on the premises was to turn under an extensive and 
well-defined bed of Tansy ; the east side of the bed was 
covered over with fine turf, forming the half in width of 
anew approach to the lawn. The turf over this portion 
of the Tansy-bed always presented a most luxuriant ap- 
pearance during my occupation; in fact, it was an eye- 
sore—the lawn and approaches requiring in genial wea- 
ther to be cut only every other day, whilst the small 
portion over the Tansy bed onght to have been cut dail 
Upon the other portion of the said bed and land adjoin- 
ing I sowed Cos Lettuce seed, where the boundary line of 
the old Tansy-bed was so conspicuous that any one 
viewing the Lettuces previously to being pricked 
out must certainly have mistaken them for two 
successive crops. The soil was a strong heavy clay. 
Forsyth, in his * Italy,’’ points to the value of Tansy as 
@ green manure, so far back as 1802, but without seeming 
‘to have drawn the attention of our own agriculturists to 
the benefit to be derived from such a course. In a dis- 
trict where manure appears to be scarce, where the far- 
mer is obliged to resort to the distant sewers of the city, 
where ** they send poor men and asses to pick up dung 
pon the roads, and at certain resting-places on the high- 
way they spread litter for the cattle that pass to stall for 
their benefit, ’’ necessity seems to have been the mother 
of the invention, if 1 may be allowed the expression, to 
keep the land perpetually in heart ;- for, says he, the 
**rich plain of the Val d’Arno yields usually two harvests 
a year; the first of Wheat, the second of some green crop; 
which last is ploughed up [in] and left to rot on the field 
: 8, 
as manure for the next.”—/. kK. §, 
Worms and Corrosive Sublinate.—I tried an experi- 
ment with one ounce of this mineral in 40 gallons of 
Water on a portion of my lawn, and nothing could suc- 
ceed better, There were gathered up from this quantity 
worms which filled at Jeast two inches of depth in a 
stuble-bucket.— Agger. [Capital manure these gentry 
would make.] 
Spirits of Tar.—In your volume of last year, at p. 
821, Ludded my testimony to the utility of Spirits of Tar 
as a preventive to wire-worm in Carrots. No doubt 
there are other natural enemies with which we have to 
contend ; yet how numerous soever they may be, J am 
inclined to believe that the substance which causes the 
destruction or expulsion of the one would produce the 
same effect upon the other. Spirits of Tar, as before 
stated, are useful in more ways than one in the Horticul- 
tural world; yet in whatever respect your correspondent 
“C. M‘In”’ finds (or thiriks) that it will be beneficial, 
it is ouly by experiment that he can prove the results. For 
my part, J can only speak from experience, when I say 
that Spirits of Tar will destroy the Elater obscurus, or 
wire-worm. Ite advises me to dig Spirits of Tar into the 
ground in Autumn, and to repeat the dose in Spring (as I 
belore purposed) ; this, I think, would be expense incur. 
red to no purpos In my former account I have stated 
that each ridge is thrown up, so that the frost can freely 
penetrate it ; consequently, if frost destroys these pests, 
Spirits of Tar are of no benefit in the Autumn prepara- 
tion of land. If; however, we were to apply Spirits of 
Tar in Autumn (and supposing that they are not volatile), 
does your correspondent mean us to apply at both seasons 
the quantity nientioned by him, or the one half in Autumn 
and the other in Spring? and if Spirits of Tar are not 
volatile, why must the dose be repeated each succeeding 
season (see p. 53, of 1841)? If C. M‘In’s coat smells 
as strongly at the end of six months as it did 
when first besmeared, how is it that one application will 
not suffice for two crops? I am afraid that when the re- 
medy is applied to its cold earthy bed, the result would, 
in less than six months, prove otherwise. The third ap- 
plication of Spirits of Tar as a top-dressing to Carrot 
ground, convinces me that those who follow the rules laid 
down by me in a late Number will derive advantage from 
it. In conclusion, may I ask your correspondent to 
favour me, through your columns, with his opinion as to 
the manner in which these Carrot pests increase ?—A 
Rossshire Gardener. 
Native Guano.—In reply to your Stirling Correspon- 
dent, p.51, 1 would remark that I have been told that 
ist year the deposit of the Solan Goose, taken from 
Ailsa Craig, was tried against Guano, and the result was 
that the Guano was immensely superior. I am not pre- 
pared to say to how great an extent, as my informant 
had forgotten the exact particulars, but I believe I am 
Correct in saying that 1 cwt. of Guano was at least equal 
to 10 ewt. of the deposit of the Solan Goose. The ex- 
periment was made, I think, in the neighbourhood of 
Paisley. “I have been told that Sir G. Warrender is to 
institute several experiments this season with the deposit 
of the Solan Goose taken from the Bass Rock. —J. N.V. 
Belgian Carrots. At p73, you have given some ad- 
vice as to the cultivation of white Belgian Carrots, with 
which I differ from you-as to the distance of the rows. 
They should not be more than 12 inches apart, and the 
Plants in the rows should be left from six to 9 inches 
apart, according to the productive quality of the soil. If 
the plants are thin, they split and grow bunchy headed, 
and are more apt to rot upon being stored. Forking the 
land, as I have described at p. 869, of vol. ii., is the best 
plen of preparing the soil; and in fact for almost all 
gardening and farming purposes the fork is superior to 
the spade, which I hope will generally be abandoned. In 
consequence of the note referred to above, I have had 
many applications for these forks from various parts of 
the Kingdom. I add the following. proof that thick 
plants bring a good crop. The field was forked 14 inches 
deep and the seed sown broadcast, having been previously 
mixed and well divided by sand.—One rod produced 628 
Carrots, wieighing 521 lbs., being 4 ewt. 2 qrs. 17 Ibs., or 
at the rate of 37 tons, 4 cwt. 52 lbs. per acre. In another 
part of the field, where the plants were not quite so thic 
the weight was 3 tons per acre less. The field belongs 
to Mr. Beadle of this place; and the greatest accuracy 
was observed on the occasion of taking them up, as it 
was to determine a bet of Carrots versus Swedes, The 
former won.—Henry Dixon, Witham, 
Drainage Bill.—Why should not neighbouring proprie- 
tors who suffer from a Mill, be entitled to purchase it, the 
value to be ascertained in the same manner as land taken 
under a Railway Bill? I know an estate seriously in- 
jured by a mill-dam not worth 302. per annum, which be- 
longs to a neighbour, but who will not sell it, and thereby 
prevents the drainage of a large district.—J. N. V, 
Wells.—lf your correspondent (p. 70) will throw a 
bushel of charcoal, thoroughly crushed, into his well, 
which is in a bad state from the circumstance of hay 
having been inconsiderately made use of in its congtruc- 
tion, I think it will remedy the evils of which he com- 
plains. Should it fail of success, it can do no harm, and 
the expense incurred will be trifling —R. £. K. 
Potuto Paint.—Take llb. of potatoes, skinned and 
well baked, bruise them in three or four times their 
weight of boiling water, and then pass them throngh a 
hair sieve, Add 2ibs. of chalk in fine powder, previously 
mixed in double the weight of water, and stir the whole 
well together. This mixture will form a glue, to which 
any colouring powder may be added, even charcoal, brick, 
or soot, for painting gate-posts, &c., which are exposed to 
the action of the air, his receipt is taken from Bell’s 
Weekly Messenger of the 30th ult. ; can you recommend 
it?—H.B. [We never before heard of this mixture, but 
we should doubt its being durable. Perhaps some one 
can tell us about it.] 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIE1Y. 
Feb. 7.—J. Bateman, F'sq.,in the chair. Mrs. Alfred Hill, J. Gray, 
and R. C. Griffith, Esqrs,, were elected Fellows. Sir G. Staunton, 
Bart., exhibited portions of the stem of the Sugar Cane, from plants 
grown in a stove at Leigh Park, where many of them attained to 
more than 20 feet in height; the specimens appeared to contain a 
full proportion of sugar, and to be as fine as those grown in their 
native coun From 3oode, gr, to Mrs. Lawrence, a collec- 
tion of Orchidaceons plants, containing imen of the 
pretty Dendrébium Wallichii, differing but little trom D. ndbile; 
Phalenopsis amabilis, the beautiful Butterfly plant, pare white, 
and of an elegant form; Huntleya violdcea, a rare plaut, bearing 
a very curiously-shaped flower of a deep violet colour; a hand- 
some dark variety of Cyrtochilum macnlatum; Zygopétalum cri- 
nitum, having the raised violet markings of the labellum studded 
with glandular hairs of the same colour; and a species of Epiden- 
drum, with brown and white.flowers, commonly called the ‘ Bot- 
tle. bulb,” from the resemblance of that portion of the plant to a 
Florence flask: a Knightian medal was awarded for the Dendré- 
bium, Phalenopsis, and Huntleya. From Mr.Bcck, of Isleworth, a 
collection of plants in slate pots, consisting of three seedling Epa- 
crises, a seedling Frica, Coronilla glauca, and several Hyacinths: 
the vigorous appearance of these plants, the former so difficult to 
preserve in healthat. thi: on of the year, clearly proves how 
erroneous were the asse) tions formerly made,that plants would not 
grow in any material which was not porous. The seedling Erica was 
a pretty variety, not unlike E. transparens nova, and, as well asthe 
three Epdcrises, was raised by Mr. Storey; one of the latter was 
of a delicate flesh-colour when fully expanded, the unopened buds 
being tipped with dark rose. Mr. Beck also exhibited slate boxes 
of different s 
a 
placed, From W. H y, Esq., aw 
sebana, covered with light-green droopin 
bly darker than when exhibited at a prev) 
not improbable that as the plauts acquire more strength, the blos. 
soms also will become of a deeper tint. Veitch also exhi- 
bited a plant of Stenorbynchus australis, a terrestrial Orchidaceous 
plant, bearing spikes of singular light brick red flowers, From 
r. Lee, of Bradmore, Hammersmith, well-bloomed specimens of 
gonium colleyanum, and album multiflorum; the latter a 
ariety of no excellence as a florist’s flower, but without doubt the 
best kind for early forcing: a certificate was awarded for it, 
From Messrs. Chandler, a large collection of cut Caméllia 
flowers, comprising most of the best varieties in cultivation ; the 
blooms of C. althzeiflora, imbricata, fimbriata, Hume’s Blush, 
Varatah and Donckelarri were very beautiful, From Mr. Gaines, 
Several seedling Correas, 3 Cinerdrias, called true blue, alba, and 
Lady of the Lake, a seedling Caméllia, and a well-bloomed speci 
men of Caméllia tricolor: a certificate was awarded for the latter, 
rom Mr, J. Cuthill, a seedling Caméllia with red flowers, said to 
have been raised from seed obtained at Canton, From Mr. W. 
Appleby, gr. to J. Dobinson, Esq., a seedling Cineraria. A. 
Toward, gr. to H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester, exhibited a leaf 
ork, much used at Bagshot Park: the tines are made of locust- 
Dn 
2 
wood, shod with iron, which renders it lighter than those wholly 
formed of that metal, now in general use; its size it is also 
capable of lifting a great quantity of leaves at once. From the 
Gardens of the Society, a collection of plants, amongst which 
were a handsome Acacia, called A. rubida, bearing long racemes of 
yellow balls of flowers, and remarkabie for retaining longer than 
any other kinds the two. fold character of its leaves, some being 
simple, others compound, upon the same branch : although not 
of so dwarf a habit as A. vernicifiua, exhibited at the last meet- 
ing, it might nevertheless with judicious pruning be kept within 
lor, preducing a raceme of dingy flowers with singularly twisted 
segments; Spiranthes cernua, one of the terrestrial Orchiddceze 
which abound in Mexico and Guatemala, with curious wax-like 
flowers ; ar 
trees; amongst the Apples were the Cornish Gillifiower, a highly 
flavoured Apple, much grown in Cornwall, but seldom met wi 
elsewhere ; the tree is rather a shy bearer, and it should be ob- 
served in pruning that it bears chiefly upon the extremities of the 
Shoots; Sturmer Pippin, an excellent keeper, and retaining its 
brisk flavour until a late period; New Rock Pippin, a firm, rich, 
pple ; and the Boston Russet, a good American dessert Apple, 
Succeeding better in this climate than the Newtown Pippin, 
LTURAL SOCIETY, 
Feb. 7.—Mr. Manger in the chair. as resolved that a 
perpetual chairman should be chosen for the ensuing year, and 
r. Mauger was elected to fill that office. Mr. Wildman read a 
paper upon the qualifications of the Dahlia. He begar 
adverting to the exhausted subject which he had to deal with; 
and proceeded next to notice the relative value of the three 
general and leading properties, form, colour, and size—a com- 
bination of which must ie wanting in any first-class 
Seedling ; but the two latter, however desirable, might upon 
emergency be dispensed with in collections, to a certain extent, 
Without deteriorating their general appearance, The only flower 
possessing form which often really damages a stand is Nicholas 
Nickleby; but it was rendered more than usually conspicuous by its 
beculiarity and striking defects, In order to show the advances 
Which had been made, both in the flower and in correctuess of opi- 
nion, as to what constituted beauty, he turned to the Horticultural 
and other early publications, in which many loose and misshapen 
flowers had been figured, and described as good, even by some 
readily divide. 
broader than the others, which, by their adhesion trom their 
immer edges, assume a sickle shape, so as to embrace and fit ex- 
actly those of the middle segment, and give the petals a cupped 
central division would be found to be 
form. The sickle shape, however, of the outer sides cannot iong 
be retained alter separation, tor when released from the connexion 
they become nearly straight. Upon the shape of these several 
parts and the manner in which they were naturally joined 
together, the form of the petals, as well as the appearance they 
ultimately assume, mainly depend, as to whether they were too 
much or too little cupped, qu lied or otherwise abruptly indented 
or stumpy: the indentations in the edge, as well as notches, are 
also often thus accounted for. Mr. Wildman then minutely de- 
scribed the parts and their several defects, The faults he had 
alluded to were mostly observed; but there was another to 
which genera] attention had never been sufficiently directed, and 
which was often overlooked, although it occnrred in some of 
the best flowers; he meant a diamond-like Shape, which the 
inner part of the petal was apt to t ausing an angularity 
of appearance throughout the flower; as was the case with Wid- 
nall’s Queen, however good in other respects, Springfield Rival, 
and Several others ; and yet, in all these cases, the outline of the 
petal was good, and it was only the manner in which the inner 
was disposed that caused the defective appearance. 
petals of Windsor Rival and several others were mentioned in 
contradistinction. It was cessary that the petals should be 
proportionate. Pickwick was an example of too small a petal, 
whilst in Andrew Hofer, Unique, Maid of Bath, &c., they are 
Petals like those in Warminster Rival and Countess 
of Pembroke often had a striking appearance, but the flowers in 
which they occurred could never be depended upon; they were 
always thin and deficient in the centre. 
= 
g 
, on the contrary, it work: 
the disk, the under petals will be well depressed, 
and the centre high, 
have a knowledge of the flower; 
ery opposite idea was entertained—and in 
a lecture delivered at the Metropolitan Society a very few ye 
ago, the following remarks occur :—"* The only flower which is 
| 
st 
e 
8 
e 
5 
= 
© 
° 
= 
8 
s 
2 
a 
oS 
a 
> 
rose up to a complete half-circle with all its present beauties? 
Secondly, would it be better if, instead of the present reflection of 
the petals on the underside, they were perfectly square and flat? 
If these points be conceded, our notions of perfection are esta- 
blished ; for certainly in the beauty and accuracy of the petals 
t an improvement, nor conld the compasses of 
wit front.” The lecturer evidently was not at 
that time aware, that the concession of the one point must 
defeat the other. Mr. Wildman agreed that a long petal was 
decidedly bad, but that too short a one was equally so; and he 
had always set down flowers described as having short-cupped 
etals as worthless. They should’not be short—they should be 
proportionate—for if they be short, the centre can never be high, 
but will be generally hard and the flower flat. All flowers var 
So much, according to seasons and localities,{that, however careful 
may have been our observation, there is still some risk in select~ 
ing any particular variety as the best, 
dent of the West was decidedly p' 
worthless, 
not excessive 
ference, 
even there), 
The next point 
