AE SR 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
893 
1843.] 
appears that Mr. W. imagines that one soil is not of the 
Same quality as the other, only because it is not decom- 
posed; and I think that the one is not decomposed, only 
because it is not of the same quality as that which 1s. 
If Mr. Wood was to examine an alluvial stratum of the 
peat fit for burning in this country, he would find that it 
is composed chiefly of moss, and therefore very strongly 
impregnated with tannin; then let him, by exposing a 
part of it to atmospheric and solar influences, reduce it to 
a mechanical texture fit for the purposes of potting plants, 
and I have no doubt that, instead of finding it as he 
asserts, in quality like heath-mould, he would find it very 
nearly, if not exactly, like rotten tanners’ bark ; whereas, if 
a portion of the peat from Wimbledon-common is sub- 
jected to careful analysis, it will be found to contain the 
ultimate products of various and distinct tribes of plants, 
all of which are there, as the result of that transcendent 
wisdom, exemplified in the progressive economy of nature. 
has rendered antiseptic 
tribes as a iF 
part of their structure, but it is the agent by which the 
composition has been going on during the thousands of 
years that have elapsed since a little Moss began to fill up 
the interstices of a stratum of loose sandy gravel, lying 
upon the sterile bed of London clay, until we find in the 
same spot a large mass of earth so fertile that there is 
scarcely a known shrub that would not luxuriate in it: 
with such facts as these before our eyes—to say nothing 
of practical experience—I think I shall not be alone in 
pleading guilty to the charge of scepticism, when we are 
told that this soil, which probably contains a greater 
variety of organic and inorganic substances than is to be 
found in any other, is in quality the same as that which is 
composed almost entirely of Moss, only not in form. And 
I hope Mr. Wood will pardon me for saying that 1 think, 
until our conceptions are clearer in relation to the manner 
in which a plant is enabled to educe its aliment from the 
reciprocal action of those elements around its absorbing 
organs, the application of his mixture of woody fibre, leaf 
mould, charcoal, and night-soil, as a substitute for heath- 
mould, will be a very doubtful experiment, to say the 
best of it.—WV. Sherwood, Stamford-hill. 
Coverings for Frames.—The remarks in the leading 
article, p. 819, of the Chronicle, respecting materials for 
covering frames, &c., have induced me to direct attention 
to a note on the subject at page 301, from a correspondent 
who signs himself ‘‘Devoniensis.”” At the time when 
that communication appeared I was fitting up a light 
movable covering for shading some Orchidaceous plants, 
and was at a loss to know what sort of composition I 
should apply to it, besides a coating of linseed-oil, that 
would exclude as little light as possible, and at the same 
time render it pliant and impervious to water. No 
sooner had I read the directions given by ‘‘ Devoniensis,”’ 
in the note above referred to, for making a waterproof 
composition, than I determined on giving them a trial. J] 
accordingly procured the materials he recommends in addi- 
tion to linseed-oil, namely, sugar_of Jead and white resin; 
and prepared such a quantity as I thought would be suffi- 
cient for my purpose,—using the same proportions of each 
as specified by ‘‘ Devoniensis,” viz., three pints of old pale 
linseed-oil, one ounce of sugar of lead, and four ounces 
of white resin. The sugar of lead was ground with a 
small quantity of the oil, and added to the remainder, 
The resin was then put in, and the whole mixed up toge- 
ther. Afterwards it was poured into a large iron pot, 
placed over a gentle fire, and stirred until the mixture 
appeared to be thoroughly incorporated. The covering— 
a cheap thin calico—was now stretched out, and tacked 
to the floor of a loft, and the composition, while warm, 
carefully laid over it with a large brush, such as is gene- 
rally used for tarring with. On the following day it was 
attached to a roller and fitted in its place, and has ever 
since given me the greatest satisfaction. Being perfectly 
transparent, it admits an abundance of clear mellow light, 
effectually excludes the scorching rays of the sun, and 
affords an agreeable shade to the plants. IT intend pre- 
paring a similar sort of covering for my Melon frames 
next summer. Perhaps the composition may be inferior 
to that of Mr. Whitney, with which I am perfectly un- 
acquainted ; but as it answers the same purpose, and is 
prepared with very little trouble or expense, T am in- 
clined to think this notice of it may be useful to the 
Amateur and others who have a desire to prepare such 
coverings, either for shade or as a substitute for glass.— 
Digging Shrubberies.—We have received three more 
letters on the subject of Digging Shrubberies, and we 
now state that we cannot insert, further communications 
on this subject unless they contain something new. It is 
probable we may advert to it ourselves on a future 
occasion. “J. H.” states that he entirely agrees 
with what Mr. Ayres has advanced in the Amateur’s 
Garden, No. 46, and calls attention to the state of shrub- 
beries at Elm-grove, Roehampton, which have not been 
dug for four years past. The shrubs there, ‘¢ J. H.’? 
says, are in a flourishing condition, and, extending 
over the turf, their long branches covered with dark green 
foliage have an interesting effect. By having the borders 
turved, he says farther, that the shrubs do not require 
watering in dry summer weather. This is an advantage, 
as it saves labour at a busy time of the year, besides 
saving that of digging among them in winter. At this 
place, he says, are Portugal Laurels, 16 feet high and 90 
feet in circumference, that have never had their roots 
interfered with since they were planted. A second cor- 
respondent, ‘J. C.,”’ is of a different opinion, and says 
that, although he does not altogether condemn the remarks 
made by Mr. Ayres, yet they are not applicable to many 
situations. In most places, he says, of any note, a shrub- 
bery skirts the lawn near the house ; and in such a situa- 
tion what can be more desirable than to have a border 
planted with a collection of spring flowers, in order that 
they may display their gay colours at an early season, 
when few blossoms appear? This should be bounded by 
an edging, not less than 18 inches or 2 feet wide and half 
an inch deep, on both sides. Such an arrangement he 
considers in unison with the flower-garden and lawn. The 
same correspondent maintains that, where a regular 
system of shallow digging has been performed for years, 
itis not at all injurious, but, on the contrary, beneficial, 
especially in heavy soils, and considers the arboretum 
or park the only suitable place to put in practice Mr. 
Ayres’ ideas, where turving would be in conformity 
with the situation.——A third correspondent, ‘* M. gg 
writes as follows:—It appears to me that some of Mr. 
Ayres’ remarks apply with more propriety to an arbore- 
tum than to a shrubbery: a shrubbery, whether intended 
for ornament or utility, or both, should be planted so that 
in a short time the branches and foliage of the shrubs 
would hide the greater part of the ground. The object 
is not the rearing of single specimens of a beautiful form, 
but the production of a picturesque and harmonious whole. 
If single plants are required, lawns and arboretums are the 
places to produce them. The production of a ‘‘smooth 
velvetty turf ’’ in shrubberies is absolutely impossible, as 
every gardener knows that grass growing under and near 
shrubs is always scanty, and that more time and labour is 
required for mowing and sweeping such a place than 
would suffice for three times the extent of a lawn. The 
shrubs are also very liable to accidents from the scythes, 
&c. Every load of leaves or grass taken from a shrubbery 
diminishes the fertility of the soil, and, consequently, 
lessens the power of the plants to grow vigorously ; and 
as the surface is frequently trodden over, the soil becomes 
hard and tenacious, the free circulation of moisture and 
atmospheric air through it is impeded, and the power of 
the roots to penetrate it is also lessened. Shrubberies in 
a natural state are manured by their own decaying leaves 
and branches; and as the soil is seldom trodden, it is 
always kept porous and friable by the roots ramifying 
through it: in fact, a state of nature is decidedly prefer- 
able tothe mode of turving the surface, if we regard only 
the health of theshrubs. The practice of planting Herba- 
ceous and annual plants in the fronts of shrubberies is a 
paltry and very objectionable one, and can only be tolerated 
in places of very limited extent, as there are plenty of dwarf 
shrubs which would appear far more tasteful and appro- 
priate. The old practice of digging is a cheaper way of 
managing a shrubbery than that recommended by Mr. 
Ayres; and plants will grow more luxuriantly when 
manured by their own leaves, &c., in a loose and friable 
soil, than in a hard and stiff one which is constantly 
drained of its fertility in the way I have mentioned. 
Colours of Carnations.—In some varieties the colours 
are much firmer than in others. Can any reason be 
assigned for it? Two scarlet Bizarres, Hepworth’s Leader 
and Hoyles’ Duke of Leeds, standing side by side, pre- 
sented a marked difference after the frost; the first had 
become a dull red or brick colour, whilst the second was 
uninjured. Iam inclined to think that Duke of Leeds 
has the finest scarlet, combining brilliance with depth, of 
any Carnation. Twitchett’s Don John, as we see it here, 
Jooks heavy in the scarlet, and wants that orange shade 
which gives life. Walmsley’s William IV. has a fine 
Bizarre colour, and this gives the scarlet a value which, 
when examined separately, it does not possess, being 
somewhat weak. In Gameboy the white appears very 
good; the scarlet js not so strong as it seems at first 
sight, but the white assists it. The sun is trying to Rose 
Flakes, but not so much as to the Scarlet Flakes and 
Bizarres, which it perhaps heightens in colour.—O. 
Chi ysanthemums.—Amateurs are not generally aware 
of the beauty which may be displayed, even at this late 
season of the year, by a liberal introduction of good 
Chrysanthemums into their Flower-Gardens. The beds 
here have been brilliant for the last five weeks by their 
aid alone; and some late sorts, which are at the same 
time of the best, are stillin great beauty and perfection : 
of these latter, Casimir—a large crimson flower and a 
free bloomer—is the best, and as handsome (with a deli- 
cate aromatic smell) as any flower which the Garden pro- 
duces. I will mention a few more purchased last year, 
which have bloomed both in pots and in the open ground 
in perfection :—Campestroni, a good form and crimson, 
but showing a broad disc; Beauty, a late flower, of a deli- 
cate lavender, still in bloom; Marshal Augereau, a flat 
full flower of peculiar growth, a good straw colour ; 
Achmet Bey, a fine maroon, tipped with white; Celestial, 
a fine full white; Formosum, a very fine white; Golden 
Lotus, an old and very handsome yellow 3 Pulcherrimum, 
a very fine lilac; Sulphureum, &c. The red flowers are 
in general dull, such as Theresa, Sanguineam, Duc de 
Colignac, &e.—A Subscriber, Exeter. 
Prince Albert Pea—It would appear that in some 
situations this Pea is no earlier than some of the elder 
varieties. Here the Prince Albert and the New Early 
May were sown on the 28th of January, side by side, on 
a south border, so as their merits might be equally tested ; 
—a dish was gathered from the Prince Albe! 
18th of June, while the Early May was ie ee 
until the 25th of the same month ; thus giving a differ- 
ence of seven days in favcur of the former.-- G. G. Watson. 
Cucumbers.—In the report of the Horticultural So- 
ciety’s Meeting at Regent-street, on the Sth Dee., there 
is a notice of a brace of Cucumbers exhibited by Mr. 
Stewart, of Stradsett Park, and it is stated that, though 
both the same variety, they had a very different appear- 
ance—one being prickly, and the other nearly smooth; 
and the inference drawn is that the manure used was the 
cause of the difference. Now, if I recollect right, it was 
the plant that had been manured with nitrate of soda 
that produced the smooth fruit, and if so, surely there 
must have been some mistake, and the smoothness attri. 
buted to a wrong cause. On March the 7th, as will be 
seen by areference to page 158, Mr. S hibited before 
the Society a leash of fruit of the same (Ringleader), 
which had been watered with a solution of n rate of soda 
—in the proportion of 10 ounces to 3 gallons of water, 
and I perfectly recollect the fruit on that occasion Sere 
not smooth; but, on the contrary, were beautifully 
spined. From those facts, I conclude Mr. ®. is labouring 
under a mistake ; and I suspect the real cause of the 
difference in the appearance of the fruit was the sporting 
of the variety, and not the manure used; at any rate. 
there is @ contradiction in the statements which requires 
some explanation before I can believe manure was the 
cause Of the great difference in the appearance of the fruit. 
Let Mr. S. take a cutting from the smooth kind, and 
treat it as he does his prickly ones, and then if the fruit it 
produces becomes prickly, I will believe that manure caused 
the difference.— Veritas. = 
Orange Trees.—In the Calendar lately Mr. Beaton 
asked for an article on the management of Orange trees 
and as their culture is daily becoming of more interest, 
I trust some of your correspondents will offer a few 
remarks on this subject.— A Subscriber, Southampton, 
Preserving Strawberry Plants for Forcing.—Mr. 
Beaton asks, in a late Number of the Chronicle, for an 
account of the best means of keeping Strawberry plants 
during winter. The plan I practise is very simple. I lay 
a row of pots down on their sides on the border of a nortia 
wall. I then put some mould to the bottom of the pots 
and also over the whole of the pot as far as the rim 
when this is done I put another row of pots on the top of 
these, and cover again in the same manner, and so on for 
four or five rows. Then I beat the mould on the bottom 
of the pots, and also that on the top of the last row, firm) 
with the spade, in order that rain may run off. ar this 
way I proceed until the lot is finished : in frosty weather 
I cover the whole with fern or straw. This is a better 
way, in my opinion, than leaving them exposed to rain 
and severe frosts.” If acceptable to you, 1 will at a future 
period Jet you know my plan of forcing them.— The 
Knave of Spades. {We shall be glad to receive this. ] 
Planting Shrubs.—1 beg to offer a few remarks re- 
Specting a method which I have proved to be advanta- 
geous in planting shrubs under or near ornamental and 
Forest-trees. Instead of digging holes, as is the common 
practice, I take as much soil as may be required to the 
spot I intend to plant; I then place the shrubs on the 
surface of the ground without disturbing it, and cover 
over their roots with this soil. By this method I find 
shrubs to succeed well, and it obviates the labour of dig- 
ging holes or pits among the roots of trees. The principal 
advantage gained by this, however, is, that the newly- 
planted shrubs establish themselves before the réots of 
the trees deprive the fresh soil of the nourishment that 
the shrubs require 5 and when once they are established 
there is no great davger of their success. I have ete | 
the above method preferable to trenching near large grow- 
ing trees. —C. H. N. a 
Dutch Clover-—As *R.” has appealed pointedly to 
me respecting the causes which have produced the con- 
siderable accession of Dutch Clover which has been 
observed in Australia, I will reply to him in the best way 
that I can. I am inclined to think that the increased 
produce of this valuable pasturage has rather been coin- 
cident than correlative to the introduction of Honey-bees 
to the colony, and that it has arisen from some improve- 
ment in the culture of the land, as a change of culture is 
very well kuown to be capable of producing such an effect. 
Dress a pasture-field with soap-maker’s waste, or with a 
compost well imbued with lime, or with lime alone, and 
you will insure a crop of Dutch Clover where it had 
never appeared, or but scantily appeared, before. Some 
physiologists attribute this consequence to your placing 
the land ina favourable state for the growth of Clover, 
the seeds of which had lain dormant in the ground, and 
only awaited the revivifying influence referred to to cause 
those seeds to germinate. Others, again, regard it as a 
parallel instance to that which has been afforded by the 
celebrated Mr. Cross, who by means of electricity has 
caused the birth of insects previously unknown, and both 
these phenomena have been viewed by the latter physio- 
logists as militating against the doctrine of ‘*Omnia ab 
ova.’ Jt is a knotty point which I shall not presume to 
decide; but I hope the remarks [have made will call 
forth others from some of your intelligent correspondents, 
—E. Bevan, Esgair Evan, Newtown, Montyomeryshire 
Pine-Apples.—1 planted out several pits of Pines with- 
out pots in June last, and it is astonishing the progres 
they have since made. J am co satisfied with the ex 
lence of the plan, that I intend planting out all our Pines 
in spring in the same way.—C. Ewing, Bedorgan Hall. 
Pine-apples.—1 do not consider that it requires three 
years to bring a Queen or Montserrat Pine to 5 or 6lbs. 
weight, which, according to Mr. Pope’s calculation at p. 
86], is the case with the large ones lately mentioned in 
