392 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
[JUNE 10, 
pieces of turf be placed, the grass side downwards. 
Then put on the compost, chopped fine, but not sifted. 
Under this treatment every shoot will send out roots and 
bloom freely.—J. Rogers. 
Rapidity of Vegetation in India.—When Lieut. Eyre, 
the author of the interesting account of the Cabul insur- 
rection, left Meerut for Affghanistan, two years ago, he had 
commenced a Botanical Garden at the Horse Artillery 
mess-house, and had planted a number of choice trees, 
On his return lately to his old quarters, he was astonished 
to find the trees grown so high, that he could sit under 
their shade at noonday, many of them being 20ft. high. 
Agricultural Education.—* Tizy’’ begs to suggest on 
the subject on which ‘‘M.” writes to the Editor of the 
Gardeners’ Chronicle, that the schools which have been 
some time established and are now in full force in the 
neighbourhood of Eastbourne and East Dean, Sussex, 
are believed to carry out the combination of agricultural 
with religious and literary instruction. 
Weagiails.—It is pleasant enough at times to notice the 
situations where birds will take up their abode for a time, 
to rear their young. The Wagtail will sometimes descend 
into a crevice in the side of a coal-pit, where persons are 
ascending and descending daily, and machines working 
above them. A pair this season built theirs in a heap of 
coals, but the coals had to be removed, and the nest was 
shifted from place to place, but the old ones still followed 
the nest, and reared their young. Some years ago, some 
of my children brought home a Wagtail’s nest, with young 
ones in it; like the one already noticed, the nest required 
to be removed, the old birds followed them home, and a 
shelf was fitted up in a pigsty, which was inhabited by a 
pig at the time. The nest was placed upon the shelf, and 
the young ones were brought up by their parents until 
they were able to fly and shift for themselves, and the 
children were well pleased that they had saved the young 
pirds from destruction.—Peter Mackenzie. 
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. 
Ehboe, Aug. 28, 1841.—The town of Eboe is situated on 
the left bank of the Niger, and is approached by a narrow 
stream about a mile in length ; it is one of the great marts 
of African commerce, In the stream we met with many 
canoes, of all sizes, belonging to tribes from different 
parts higher up the river. Many of the people live in 
these canoes upon the water, so that the entrance of the 
town assumes a very lively appearance. Some of the 
larger canoes- are adorned with flags, having the most 
grotesque figures of animals, birds, and implements of 
warfare, worked upon them. During our sojourn at Eboe, 
several of us paid a visit to the palace of King Obie; in 
proceeding to which we had to turn out of the main creek 
into a side one, about two hundred yards long. After 
walking through mud and water up to our knees for a 
quarter of a mile, we arrived at the seat of Royalty, which 
consisted of a quantity of mud-huts huddled together, 
without the least appearance of order. We were ushered 
into a square yard, with an open shed on three sides ; on 
the other was the building which contained the sable beau- 
ties belonging to the mighty monarch of Eboe. Some of 
these dark ladies assumed a modesty that might vie with 
the most accomplished coquette of more civilised countries, 
by peeping from the entrance of their hut with all the curio- 
sity inherent to the female portion of society, and show- 
ing their beautiful white teeth ; darting away, however, 
the instant that they saw our eyes were fixed upon them. 
Others joined us, bringing little curiosities of their own 
manufacture in exchange for cotton, needles, rings, &c., 
which we took with us to barter. The greater part of 
their garments are of Manchester manufacture, obtained 
from merchants who trade to the coast ; one of the prin- 
cipal ornaments of both sexes consists of large ivory rings, 
worn round the arms and legs. Some of the men have 
obtained small bells, which they fasten round the legs, and 
seem to be highly pleased with the tinkling which they 
preduce in walking. During our stay at the palace, some 
of the native musicians attended with their instruments, 
most of which produced a most horrible noise. After 
quitting the royal residence, and bidding farewell to the 
Jadies of the court, we took a survey of the town, which 
covers a large extent of land; the huts lie rather distant 
from each other, and are generally surrounded by a plot 
of ground, in which Cocoa-nuts, Bananas, Plantains, &c., 
are grown. The town is intersected by small streams, 
which at this time were full of water ; so that to get from 
one part to the other, you are obliged to wade up to the 
middle in mud and water. I was informed, however, that 
during hot weather these creeks are dried up. As we 
paraded through the town, a great number of the inha- 
pitants followed us, who were greatly surprised when they 
saw the effects of our fire-arms upon the small birds. 
They seemed to fancy that we were possessed with super- 
natural powers, and afterwards paid us the greatest atten- 
tion ; even carrying a seat about after us, so that we might 
rest ourselves at our leisure ; and the day being showery, 
they even held mats over us during the rain. Their 
objects of worship are numerous, nearly each dwelling 
having its ge-ge, or charm ; some of these were the rude 
figure of a man cut out of wood, others are some utensil 
of common use among the people, or the skulls and bones 
of birds and beasts; all of which are protected by a small 
shed erected over them. Among the articles manufac- 
tured by the people are the wooden figures of different 
beasts ; but whether they represent any beasts found about 
that part, or are formed from the imagination, I could 
not ascertain. I think the estimates of the population of 
this city, as formed by recent travellers, are far too high ; 
as the huts lie detached, it is a dificult undertaking, 
during a visit of a few hours only, to give an estimate 
near the truth, Certainly, a great number of individuals 
live in canoes upon the stream, which runs from the 
town to the Niger; but they are chiefly traders from 
various parts of the country, so that they cannot well be 
considered to belong to the population. Polygamy is 
allowed, and a man is considered rich in proportion to 
the number of wives which he possesses ; though slaves 
would be a more appropriate term, as the females do all 
the laborious work—such as cultivating Yams, taking 
them to market, &c. Upon asking one of the traders to 
take us to the vessel lying in the river, he evinced as 
much sagacity in striking a bargain as could be expected 
from a merchant of Europe; and, as a preface, informed 
us that he had traded with the white people at Bonny, a 
place frequented by the Palm-oil merchants. King Obie 
came on board the Wilberforce twice during the time we 
were staying in his territories. He appeared to be about 
60 years of age, though from the early decay of the Afri- 
can constitution itis probable that he might not be so old. 
He seemed very proud of forming an acquaintance with 
the white men. His eldest son is a tall young man, of 
prepossessing appearance, and apparently about 20 yei 
old; he was persuaded to dine on board during one of 
his visits, in which he did not deviate from the custom so 
universal among all the Africans, 7. ¢., of refusing to par- 
take of wine before the person presenting it had previously 
tasted it. Upon the second visit of Obie to the vessels 
he brought with him two of his wives, who, by order of 
the Captain, were each provided with an European dress. 
This scene was very interesting, as after being clothed 
they were each provided with a looking-glass ; their pan- 
tomimics on this occasion were truly ridiculous, as they 
turned about in every direction—first looking in the glass, 
and then upon the dress: Obie himself seemed no less 
pleased than they did. The highest degree of heat 
observed at this place was 85°; the greatest difference 
between the wet and dry bulb of the hygrometer was 78° 
and 83°; the lowest temperature was 76°.—J. A. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 6.—Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart., in the chair. Viscount 
Howick, M.P., Lord Farnham, C. F. Bamford, Esq., W. Purling, 
i were elected 
Esq., H. M 
its nature, it requires to be grown rapidly, 
at the age of a month o: i fe 
soil, abundance of moisture, 
carried occasionally as high as 90° in the day, and regu- 
at night, It is rather impatient of much 
grown to the greatest perfection during 
wards the end of June. A common melon 
he rainy season, to 
frame is recommended to grow it in; and the plants grow from 
a foot to a foot and a half high. The seeds should in 
rather shallow rich earth, and the part of the fermenting mate- 
rials beneath the soil should be in a partially decomposed state, 
s may penetrate into them. The plants may be 
en young at six inches apart, and require a slight 
bright weather. The early part of the year is pre- 
ferred for growing it. ig used as a vegetable in two ways. 
‘ike Spinach, when they 
are considered not inferior to those of any similar plant. 2nd, 
feathery head 
each an oscillating labelium; and the latter has prettily striped 
grandiflora albida; with which there was a coilection of seed- 
lings from the same species, a number of beautiful plants, 
varieties of E. ventricosa, with E. Cavendishiana, and a lovely 
specimen of E. perspicua nana, A certificate was awarded to 
Messrs. Chandler and Sons, of Vauxhall, for a Verbena, named 
atrosanguinea, of a bold strong habit, and with large dark scarlet 
flowers; with another for Lilium e imium, a noble white- 
flowered species, well bloomed in a pot. Messrs, Chandler sent 
besides some flowers of seedling Pelargoniums, and a seedling 
Papaver, between bracteatum and orientale, with handsome 
flowers.. Mr. Errington, gr. to Sir P. G. Egerton, Bart., obtained 
a certificate for a cut specimen of the charming Aerides crispum, 
which bears long branching racemes of whitish blossoms, with 
a crimson lip, and a fragrance equal to that o odoratum. 
With this, there were cut flowers of Dendrobium calceolaria, a 
variety of Cattleya Mossi, Maxillaria tenuifolia, richly mottled, 
From G. 
flowered new species of Sempervivum, like S. arboreum, was sent 
by Mr. Young, of the Milford Nursery, Godalming. C. B. Warner, 
Esq., sent a fine plant of Cattleya Mossize, with thirteen flowers, 
and a good specimen of the beautiful Saccolabium guttatum ; the 
flowers of both were ruined by the negligence of the Railway 
yeople. From Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, there was acollec- 
tion of Azaleas and Rhododendrons, among which a large variety 
of R. maximum, with very numerous and dark spottings, was 
most noticeable. Some good Royal George Peaches and Elruge 
Nectarines were i . Henderson, gr. to Sir G. 
Beaumont, Bart., and a basket of fine Black Hamburgh Grapes, 
each bunch weighi from 13 to 2 lbs., by Mr. Atlee, gr. to 
H. Beaufoy, Esq., South Lambeth. ‘The plants from the gardens 
of the Society were Oncidium flexuosum, Wentworthianum, and 
leucochilum, Epidendrum radiatum, specimens, of the interesting 
little Echeveria secunda, a very fine Campanula grandis, the 
elegant Pernéttya angustifolia, the sweet-scented Aquilegia 
fragrans, Begonia Dregii, dwarf and pretty, Manettia cordifolia, 
and Pelargonium tricolor in a handsome state, Gloxinia 
caulescens, and a curious Orchidaceous plant, Serapias longi- 
petala. C. B. Warner, Esq., exhibited an ornamental wire 
basket, made of iron, and coated with zinc py the electro process. 
The object is to avoid paint, which soon peels off in hothouses 
and topreyent rust. The cost of zincing is said to be about equal 
to four coats of paint. Specimens of the Horn Slug, of which 
a notice will be found in another page, wi 
Tt was stated that the next meeting of this Society would 
June \.—Mr. E. Solly in his concluding lecture commenced by 
adverting to the facility with which nitrogen in the nascent 
next proceeded to consider the nature of humus an 
He professed his reception of the doctrine of the English 
did not consider 
humic acid has anything to do with the nutrition of plants. 
i i of thi ical 
Potato, he proceeded to the consideration of its organic matter, 
and observed that the value of a plant for food was no’ bi 
judged of by the quantity of its solid organic contents ; for Horse 
Radish contains 29 45-5 while the Kidney Bean contains zo0e03 
directly assi- 
case where a Bean had retained its health in an atmosphere 
containing so large a proportion as ,35 of sulphuretted 
hydrogen. The innocence of this gaseous compound had already 
peen indicated by the luxuriant vegetation described by Humboldt 
rounding the fetid lakes of South America, and was now, 
and other experiments, placed beyond all doubt, 
Governor, and 34 gentlemen Members of the Society. Mr. Read 
attended the Council for the purpose of explaining the construc- 
tion and adaptation of his pipe-tiles, and of laying before the 
meeting the following letter on the same subject, addressed to him 
by Mr. T. Hammond, of Penshurst, in Kent :—** As you wish to 
be informed of the expenses of draining with cylindrical tiles, and 
my opinion of their effects, I have troubled you with this letter. 
Porous soils, the drains 3 feet deep, placed at the distance of two 
yods in parallel lines up the field, and afterwards subsoil-ploughed, 
will be completely drained at the following expense per acre :— 
1350 tiles, at 21s. perthousand . C 5 . £1 8s. 6d 
Cutting drains, and laying the tiles, at 4d.perrod 1 6 8 
62/158 12 
I have not included the expense of fetching the tiles, as that 
depends on the distance; but they are made so light that we can 
carry off 7,000 with a single waggon. Iam at this time draining 
on a stiff clay soil, the drains 2 feet deep, with 24 feet betwee™ 
the drains; expense as follows :— 
1850 tiles, at 21s, per thousand . ew 1 163. 90 
Cutting drains, and laying tiles, at 3d, per rod. Ju: 7 ape 
and am quite satisfied they act better than any others yet made, 
as they are not liable to be disturbed by moles, or any other vel 
min (which the other sort admit), and can be laid with greater 
nicety in the drains than tiles of any other 5! 0" 
had 20 years’ experience of the effects of draining, and am quite 
satisfied that no expenditure on the land will make so good ® 
return, ‘The soil being, by its means, relieved of stagnant water 
iately admi into its 
res, and accordingly what was before inert at once become’ 
active soil; allowing the roots of plants to penetrate it, and tht 
were made by order for me, being smaller than any the manufac~ 
turers had made before.” ied 
‘An interesting communication was read on bone-dust applic 
as a manure on different kinds of soil and compared with gone 
with indications of iderabl ical imp ts in # 
use and more economical expenditure of bones. The f 
for soiling cattle; and of the Winter and Chevalier Bar! 
into ear. Mr. H. Gibbs stated, that since the Winter Barl 
much, and wish to know whether 
had been fed regularly with it, but while only in the bI to ty 
such effect had appeared. Professor Sewell undertook 
some of the horses under his care with similar green ~ pro- 
which Mr. Gibbs would supply. ‘The Siberian Cow Parsmif fo 
take it readily. Professor Sewell reported that he hat ict’ 
pleasure sent direct replies to al rs of the Sock ih 
whose cases of epidemic among their stock hat 
him by the Council. He regretted that the nature of tl 
form of the disorder was such as to preclud e 
redominant symptoms at any given. stage 0! ies, & 
being the only guide to a safe administration oie coving 
general prescription of great penefit in one case per cEthe ‘animal 
fatal in another, according to the peculiar condition. stat 
and the nature of the attack. as, howevers 4 “PEhe know- 
that pupils of the Veterinary College, well tes af the horser 
were now sent out 
district in the kingdom, but 
‘America, as well as to Berlin and other parts 
Mr. Shaw gave notice that see Owe 
Council, on the 7th of June, ‘‘ that a si 
funds of the Society in aid of the funds of the Cowfold, Agricult 
