376 



THE GARDENERS* CHRONICLE. 



[June 8, 





CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 



For the ensuing Wnek. 



I.— HOTHOUSE. CO.NafcKYATORIES, &c. 



Large stoves are difficult to bekept sufficiently moist now that 

 the doors and ventilators are to be kept longer open for ventila- 

 tion. Among the contrivances to keep up more moisture, some 

 growers throw fresh Moss loosely between the pots ; and when 

 this is done neatly, it looks pretty well ; and after the Moss is well 

 damped, it gives out a constant supply of moisture, to the great 

 benefit of the plants. Give the plan's as much room as pos- 

 sible by removing the hardier and less esteemed sorts into 

 vineries, &c. for two or three months. 



Conservatory.— Mr. Wood's plan (see page 355) of planting 

 out Fuchsias, &c. to be taken up in autumn to furnish the con- 

 servatory is an excellent practice, which cannot be too much 

 enforced. This is about the right time to get out such plants. 

 Leonotus leonurus thus treated will produce double the quan- 

 tity of flowers that it would under pot-culture > the Brugmansias 

 also do well in tiiis way. luculia grati-ima delights in this 

 treatment : but about the beginning of July will be time 

 enough to plant it out. Pot Rhododendrons and Azaleas that 

 are not vigorous, or that do not bloom freely, are often brought 

 round to make fine specimens by being turned out in the same 

 way; and lastly, Gardenia florida and radicans improve more 

 under this system than any plants that I know; turn them 

 out about the beginning of July In peat mixed with one-third of 

 leaf-mould ; and they need not be taken up until the ap- 

 pearance of frost in October; then let them be put in a close 

 cold frame for wintering, whence they are brought to the 

 forcing-pits in succession. Watering and training, with atten- 

 tion to shading, are the principal points to attend to now in 

 this house; of course remove all flowering-plants as soon as 



the bloom begins to fade. 



Greenhouse— I do not recollect anything particular under this 



head that should be done in the meantime.— D. B. 



II.— FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. 

 Out-Door Department.— While I am writing the rain is falling 

 beautifully ; and with asouth-west wind, and a falling barometer, 

 I think that our wants in this respect will soon be satisfied. Where 

 the beds in the flower-garden were prepared for planting out, 

 as directed some weeks past, it will be necessary, after the 

 ground is properly moistened, to hoc them over, distribute the 

 soil from the sides over the surface of the bed*, and then regu- 

 late the plants for the season. Make good all failures, and in 

 pegging the plants down, place them as much as possible with 

 their heads pointing to the north, which will cause them to be 

 drawn upright by the sun more effectually than if they were 

 pegged out at random. Insects and caterpillars are becoming 

 very numerous, therefore keep a sharp look-out, and frustrate 

 all their attempts at colonisation. Ammoniacal liquor very 

 much diluted is an excellent specific for most insects, but it re- 

 quires to be used with great caution, or it will destroy the plants 

 also. As the strength of gas water varies very much, it is im- 

 possible to give any proper directions for using it ; but the most 

 sure plan is to make the experiment of its strength on some 

 worthless plant before using it for the general stock. Fresh 

 planted trees will yet occasionally require a drenching of water, 

 and plants on Grass may be watered by placing large flower- 

 pots filled with water around them, with some gravel in the 

 bottom of the pots, to allow the water to percolate slowly through 



it.— IF, P. J. 



III.— FLORISTS' FLOWERS. 

 As soon as the leaves of seedling Tulips become withered, 

 take up the bulbs; great care must be observed not to injure 

 them, as in most cases they push a bulb down several inches 

 into the ground ; let them dry gradually in the shade. Ranun- 

 culuses.— The buds should be frequently examined, as a green 

 caterpillar, scarcely distinguishable from the stalk, often lodges 

 just beneath them. They are also much infested with the 

 Cuckoo-spit (Cicada spumaria), both which are seriously 

 detrimental to the blooms. Where the flowers are suf- 

 ficiently advanced, a light awning may be put over them. 

 Carnations.— Still persevere in the extermination of the green 

 fly, either by brushing off", or using Scotch snuff — puffngit on 

 the buds by means of a small Indian-rubber bottle, with a tube 

 in the neck. Take off laterals as they appear, and reduce the 

 stems thrown up by strong-growing seedlings to one, so that 

 the energy of the plant may be directed to the proper formation, 

 and for the purpose of strengthening those buds which are left 

 for blooming. Pinks.— If you examine the buds closely, you 

 will find some attacked by a small gray grub, which eats its way 

 through the lower part of the calyx, and devours the inside. 

 We find the ravages of this insect more extensive in our col- 

 lection this year than usual. If the buds are not reduced in 

 number, let it be done immediately. An infusion of sheep 

 manure will prove highly beneficial to the plants, by being 

 poured on the surface of the bed occasionally. Pansies.— Con- 

 tinue to propagate by slips or cuttings, and all seedlings of 

 inferior character, or which are not a decided improvement on 

 the varieties already in cultivation, may Le pulled up as they 

 appear.— J. F. W. 



IV.-PINERIES, VINERIES, &c. 



Pineries.— Where the renewing the beds with tan or leaves, 

 and the repotting the plants, has not already been done, it is 

 now time that it was. It is become a commou practice to 

 repot Pines at any season when they require it 3 and this is 

 far the most rational practice ; but as this is not yet the general 

 plan, owing to the inconvenience of it in large establishments, 

 where a great quantity of plants are grown in one pit, I may 

 observe that in such places as the latter, now is a good time to 

 go through the stock. Shading the newly-potted plants will be 

 necessary. Keep the atmosphere as moist as possible during 

 the day. In renewing the tan, care should be taken not to add 

 too much, lest the heat become too great. 



Vineries.— Where Grapes are ripening, keep a high tempera- 

 ture during the day, but at the same time a free circulation of 

 air,; and to admit of this, it will in dull weather be necessary 

 to have recourse to heating the flues or boiler?. Keep a con- 

 stant look-out for the red spider, which will now begetting 

 numerous if not checked. Thin the Grapes in the late houses. 

 Remove partially the litter from the outside borders. 



Peach house.— The trees from which the crop has been 

 gathered should be well syringed once a-day, and supplied with 

 sufficient water to enable them to complete their growth. The 

 trees in the second house will require to be kept free from in- 

 sects, the shoots regularly tied in, and the borders properly 

 supplied with water till the fruit begins to ripen, when 

 syringing must be left off. 



Fig house.— In the early house the second crop will now be 

 advancing and the trees will require to be well supplied with 

 water, and to be regularly syringed. 



C*errjf-Aot£«e.-Thc trees in pots and boxes, that have done 

 bearing, should now be removed to a sheltered place in the 



£5f«^ ai -T«H ?LI« •* and # an ~ of air to those planted within the 

 house, and keep them free from insect?. 



Melons.- It 'the weather should become dull, renew the 

 linings; and to do this the more readily, there should be some 

 warm litter always in readiness. Sec that the fruit lays upon 

 a dry surface, and keep the shoots thin.— G. F. 



V.-HARDY FRUIT AND KITCIIEN-G^RDEN 

 Filberts.— Remove all suckers from the plants as they appear 

 examine the young fruit, and look after caterpillars, as they are 

 making sad havoc in some places. Currants and Gooseberries. 

 —Shorten and remove the summer's wood in the manner re- 

 commended for fruit-trees lately. Allow the leading shoots to 

 grow a fortnight or three weeks longer before stopping them • 

 the result will be superior fruit, finer swelled and better ripened 

 buds for next season. Peaches and Apricots. — Give the fruit its 

 final thinning, nail the young: shoots close to the wall, leaving 

 no more than can be fully exposed to light, recollecting that 



now and not next spring is the period for removing all supera- 

 bundant shoots. Water and mulch the borders where neces- 

 sary; as, if now allowed to become dry, and a wet autumn 

 should succeed, we may expect gummy and cankered wood 

 next spring. Strawberries.— Water if possible the forward crops, 

 and tie up the fruit-stems to small twigs, which will improve 

 the fruit in size and flavour. 



Sow Cape and Grange's Broccoli, and any other sorts ; Cab 

 bage, Savoys, Scotch Kale, &c, for succession ; Marrow Peas 

 and garden Beans for about the last time, and a good breadth 

 of Cauliflower for late autumn use. Water the ground after 

 sowing, and cover with hurdles cr mats. Routine.— Keep the 

 water barrel in exercise, stir the soil among all growing crops, 

 and keep the borders and walks ne*t and clean.— -R. F. 



VI.— ARBORICULTURE. 



Old Woods.— After the bark season is over and the woods are 

 cleared of the timber, loose branches, &c. there will be little to 

 do for some time. 



Coppice.— When these are cleared of all the stuff cut during 

 the winter and spring, and the fences put in good repair, they 

 should be gone over occasionally for the purpose of summer 

 pruning, training, and regulating the young shoots of the 

 present and previous year's growth. 



Young Plantations.— GkbI attention should still be paid to 

 those planted during the last season ; keep alive as many as 

 possible, by cutting them in or heading them down; water and 

 shade all that can be done conveniently. 



Nursery Work.— Watchfulness and care are still necessary 

 during the present dry parching weather; shade, water, &c. 

 or great losses will be sustained; do not omit the summer 

 training and regulation of the young strong shoots; pinch 

 off a part of some, and rub others off by the finger and thumb ; 

 gather Elm seed as it ripens.— W.D. 



State of tli 



ie Weat* 



er near London forthe week ending June 6, 1844 



I,aa 



1 



observed at the Horticultural Garden, Chiswick. 



> 





May 



Mood's 



A^e. 



| BAftOMXrKR. 



1 ill KMOMKTHR. 



Wind- 



Rain 



1 Max. 



Min. 



(0.001 



.Max. 

 61 



Min. 

 42 



Mean. 

 51.5 





Frid. 3! 



O 



E. 





Sat., June 1 



15 



29 99a 



29 -94 V 



72 



44 



58.0 



N.E. 





Sun. a 



10 



29.971 



89.9S3 



61 41 



51.0 



N E. 





Mod. 3 



17 



30.1- 



30.057 



69 



41 



55.0 



E. 





Tue* 4 



18 



30. 147 



30.057 



79 



40 



59.5 



S. \V. 





Wed. 5 



19 



29.976 



2!' 2 J 



7» 



53 



66.0 



S.W. 



.06 



Thun. 6 



80 29.U3-1 29 7)4 



70 



53 



61.5 



s.w. 



•OS 



Average | 



I 30 012 1 29 930 j 



701 



44.9 



57.5 





.08 



May 31 Overcast and cold; dusky white clouds and dry air; evening suffi- 

 ciently clear for the moon being seen eclipsed* 

 June 1 Clear; fine, with light clouds; clear at ni^ht. 



— 2 Overcast and cold ; slightly clouded and hne. 



— 3 Light clouds and dry air; fine; overcast. 



— 4 Wind changed to S.W. ; very fine; clear and mild; rain at night. 



— 5 Lightly overcast and fine; cloudy. 



— 6 Slight rain; showery; cloudy and mild. 



Mean temperature of the week, Jdeg. below the average. 



State of the Weather at Chiswick during the last 18 years, for the ensuing 



Week ending June 15, 1844, 



June 



Sun. 9 



Mon. 10 



Tues. 11 



Wed. 12 



Thur. 13 

 Fri. 14 



Sat. 15 



Aver. Aver. 

 Temp. Temp. . Ie,np 





71.4 



48-7 



72.5 



49.6 



71.7 



51.0 



72.1 



50.5 



73.2 



50.2 



74.0 



51.2 



73.7 



51.0 



60.1 

 61.0 

 61.3 

 61.3 



61.7 

 62.6 



62.3 



No. of 

 Years in 



which it 

 Rained. 



Greatest 



quantity 

 of Rain. 



7 

 8 

 7 

 8 



7 

 7 

 8 



0.60 in. 

 034 



0.47 

 060 

 0.56 

 0.20 

 0.30 



Frevailintf Winds- 



1 

 1 

 1 



* 



W 





CO 



— — 



— 



— _ 



^^p^^ 



3 



1 



1 



3 



4 



_ 



1 



2 



5 



1 



1 



3 



5 



1 



1 



5 



2 



3 



— 



2 



1 



2 



1 



3 



3 



1 



1 



4 



/. 



5 

 5 

 3 

 4 



4 



5 



3 



2 

 3 

 5 



1 

 4 

 4 

 1 



2 

 2 



1 



2 

 I 



4 



V 



The highest temperature during the above period occurred on the 12th 

 and 13 III, 1842— therm. 90°; and the lowest on the 9th, 1838— therm. 35°. 



Notices to Correspondents. 



Books.— Killovgh.— If you want to know how to conduct 

 chemical analyses in agriculture, you had better procure 

 Johnson's " Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry." 



Cuttings. — Know Nothing. — We cannot go into a long story 

 about the way to strike cuttings in general. From time to 

 time you get special information upon the subject, and to that 

 we must refer you, or to the "Theory of Horticulture." At 

 the same time, we may perhaps promise hereafter to say 

 something on the subject, useful to " Know Nothing." Full 

 information about the management of Pelargoniums will be 

 found in our volume for 1811, and we shall almost imme- 

 diately publish the French way of managing such plants. Do 

 not shift your Pelargoniums now. It will be quite time 

 enough before they begin to grow next year. They ought to 

 have been turned out by this time, if they are to flower in the 

 borders during autumn. If you give them too much water 

 you will be very likely to get the " spot." It is a bad plan 

 to fill their pans with water, unless they have to grow for 

 some time in the hot sunshine. 



Gardens. — A Constant Reader.— As far as we can judge of your 

 case, a geometrical garden would be suitable. If this sort of 

 arrangement is well managed, nothing is prettier j but it re- 

 quires much taste in the design and the greatest neatness in 

 keeping it. It should, moreover, be assisted by vases, sta- 

 tues, or some such objects, in order to produce the best 

 possible effect. All such gardens should be surrounded with 



shrubs and trees, which give the requisite finish to their 

 boundary. 



Heating.— An Inquirer.— A Stephenson's boiler will do, and 

 if you burn coke you will make little smoke. For price, &c. 

 you must apply to the vendors. If your Salisburia doe's not 

 grow, the soil must be in fault j give its roots a little fresh 

 loam, without manure. 



Insects.— Bernard Saunders.— I cannot discover the least ves- 

 tige of an aphis, or any other insect, upon vour leaves ; and, 

 being unacquainted with the disease, I am unable to help 



you. The punctures look like those of a Curculio. R. 



, "~Y our bees arc a species of Halictus, possibly the fe- 

 males of H. flavipes; but the specimens are discoloured by 

 grease secreted in their bodies, which prevents me deciding 

 with certainty Such bees form their cells in the earth : and 

 the history of all the species is admirably given in Kirby's 



" Monograph* Apum Anglic" R. Atpha.-Yom insects 



a n«, ! 6 8 £.f s of A1 . e y r ode9 Phillyreee of Curtis's Guide Gen., 

 1041. 1. Thescorpion-hke animal is a Chelifer, which lives 

 uponmitesand minute insects. R. 



Liability.- A Pcor Widow.-The widow who takes the goods 

 of her deceased husband is liable to pay his funeral exnensps 

 and debts to theejtentof i the value oft&w^SS^W. 



MoRFHOLOcv.-J >. D -Your Cent ,urea offers an excellent 

 illustration of this snbject. All the scales that form its invo- 

 lucrum are leaves capable of producing buds in their axils: 

 but in general they do not produce them. Here, however 

 the natural tendency is resumed, and young branches have 

 sprouted from the axils of many of the scales. The " Hen 

 and Chickens" Daisy is an analogous case, but is not so 

 striking as this of yours. 



Names of Plants.— Zephyrus.-Is&iis tinctoria. IF— Some 



Gypsophila, and apparently G. repens. r^y^.-Tourretia 



lappacea. We find Humphreys's Compound so strong that the 



less of it which is applied appears to be the better J S W 



—Some Plectranthus \ but who shall say which, from such a 

 fragment ? Gardenia tetrasperma is a dwarf Indian olant 

 with greenish-white flowers. This is all we know about it — 

 —Henry CottreU.— The chapter on Nomenclature and Ter 

 minology, in Lindley's " Introduction to Botany " will rive 



you the information you desire. B. T. S.-Gcranium 



dtsectum, and Columbinum. A. tf.-Orchis latifolia and 



militaris are perfectly distinct species. We know nothine of 

 Cypripedium bulbosum. A. S.—Some say that the Sham 



the Wood-Sorrel is the plant intended, and we thTnW 

 What you have sent is neither one nor the other but tv-! 0. 

 Hum minus. ' fc ir uo- 



ORANOE-TREES.-Cirrtw.— Repot your miserable Orantre tr— 

 in very rich soil, containing one third of charcoal- cut it w II 



in, and give it a smart bottom-heat, if you can. 



Sycamore Tree.— A. P.— Although the old bark of this trm 

 is always dying and cracking, there is plenty of livine bark 

 below it. There is no objection to your scraping off all th« 

 old cracked bark if you think it worth while, provided von 

 only remove that which is loose. It is better not to tear off 

 that which still adheres to the living matter beneath it. \o» 

 is the right time for the operation. ' * 



The Golden Pippin.— W. T. B.— It is too true that the Golden 

 Pippin is becoming extinct, and that very many old trees are 

 perishing, so that from natural causes the perpetuation of 

 this variety by grafting is impracticable. But there is no 

 probability that, by protecting the blossoms from the pro. 

 miscuous inoculation of bees, and the pollen transferred bv 

 hand, the seed so obtained would insure the reproduction of 

 exactly the same variety of Apple. 



Miscellaneous.— 31. H.—U your fruit is at 21, Regent-street 

 by 7 o'clock, p.m. (not later), it will be taken to the gardens 



on the same evening.^ Fidget.— We really do not possess 



the gift of prophecy; and, with due submission, we see no 

 kind of advantage in speculating about what may happen. 

 All such guesses as you would have us make are better 

 indulged in by each man for himself. In our own neighbour, 

 hood there is plenty of fruit, and all such good things, with 

 a fair prospect for everything but Strawberries. Very likely 



your neighbourhood will tell a different tale. Kitty.— By 



means of a Papin's digester, a temperature considerably above 



400° Fahr. has been obtained. G. Plumbley.—W. is not 



necessary to be an exhibitor, in order to gain admission early 

 in the morning to the Chiswick Shows ; but it is necessary to 



be a gardener. Falcon. — We really must beg pardon for 



our tardiness. Your note is waiting to be made the subject 

 of a Leading Article j for the nature of it will not admit of 



its being answered briefly. Cymw.— Mosses, when dried 



between paper, change their colour very little. We do not 

 comprehend what difficulty you can have with them. Cer- 

 tainly no preparation is necessary, beyond that of gathering 

 them when dry. 



SEEDLING FLORISTS' FLOWERS. 



Cactus. — A Constant Reader. — Your seedling is rich in colour, 

 and appears to be a slight improvement upon Jenkinsonii. 

 These are flowers we see under great disadvantages, as they 

 seldom reach us till they have closed, and consequently they 

 are not seen in perfection.* 



Calceolarias.— A Constant Reader. — Your seedling is a clear 

 bright flower, prettily spotted in front; and the stripes inside 

 the throat improve its appearance ; the form is too indented 



at the bottom.* S. H. P. — Your seedlings did not reach 



us in a state to enable us to judge of their merits.* A. B. 



— Your collections of seedlings are very pretty, and very 

 varied in their colour, and in their spots and blotches ; but 

 they differ very little from those we are in the habit of seeing. 



Nos. 1 and 3 are the most distinct.* 1. H. C. — The yellow 



seedling, with blotch in front, is a bold and well-shaped 

 flower. The striped seedling is a very distinct variety, and 

 though not good in form, is the only one we have seen that 

 deserves to be so called; there are a dozen full-blown flowers 

 on the branches sent, every one of which is more or less dis- 

 tinctly striped with bright brown, upon a yellow ground.* 



Fuchsias.— I. N. Y.—A hybrid between F.cordifolia and corym- 

 biflora, and is thus described:— "The plant is nearly five feet 

 high, of vigorous and luxuriant growth, profusely clothed 

 with fine foliage, producing flowers on every branch, about 

 50 in number." The flowers very much resemble those of 

 F. splendens; they are about 2* inches long, and it appears 

 to blossom freely at the ends of the branches; it is impossible 

 to form an opinion of the general appearance of the plant 



without seeing it.* R. F. — The dark seedling is a 



fine showy variety, but it possesses no novelty, and w soliM 

 several that we have, that it is difficult to distinguish them. 

 The sepals are disproportionately long in both varieties, ana 

 do not appear to expand freely. The light variety js the best, 

 as it is the largest of its colour we have yet seen.* 



Pansies.— LB.— None of your seedlings are worth P re f c ™ n &\ 



A Constant Reader. -Yonx seedling is a we ll-forrnea 



flower, with good eve ; the colour at the edge of the top pe- 

 tals is a defect, as it appears like a stain ; and these petais 

 also are rather too high : it is a good flower, but not equal w 



the best now to be seen in stands.* Boreu Us.-Ebor is a 



fine seedling: good form, and firm in texture; eyenDc, 

 ground pure, and colours brilliant. The marginal colour is 



xourwnue variety is inferior to many — -- . 



wants substance. 2 is intensely dark, and quite ot a t «™ 1 ' 

 character ; it would have been an improvement nau tne si 

 petals extended a little higher. It is, however, a %ery nnc 



self.* jo. D._Having examined your seedlings we nna 



them deficient in the qualities of show-flowers, as they - w«tu 

 size, texture, substance, and marking; the best in the coil e 

 tionare a white self. No. 2. and a Primrose-self marked o, 

 these are worth trying again. They appear to have m 

 substance than light selfs generally possess.*—^" 1 

 -Josephine is the most desirable flower ; it is a rid ong 

 yellow self, good in form, and of fair substance ho.h 6 

 purple flower, of velvety texture, the defect of which is 

 weakness of the ground colour in the si de petals, ana 

 want of the blotch in each of these petals to g»e detisi 

 the eye. The notch in the bottom .petal of Nc ,.2 is a * 

 defect : in other respects, it must be considered a la; W ^ 



and bold flower.* Borealis. -Ebor agrees witt i the dew.F 



tion previously given. Aurora is a P easing novei , 

 ground, large dark blue eye, with decided blotchy Mtn ^.f 

 petals, of a light blue purple. No. 3 is a flow ^* of th e 

 liancv, but the form is not good, nor are the e «, 



petals sufficiently smooth.* 1. H. C.-Your seedling, 



and pretty as it is, wants form and size.* all 



Pelargoniums.- T. H.-The petals of jour flower w 

 loose : it appears to be a large, showy flower , ver. ^ ^ 

 resembling Garth's Witch, and is worth keeping. ks . 



-The petals of your flowers were shaken from tnei ^^ 

 and from their shape, Marianne mus want form > Jvor 

 both the upper and lower petals being too long, rior . fl 



is a very pretty seedling, and « very superior to tn . § 



form, colour, and substance.* 

 common in colour a 



i iK-Yoar seedling 



substance.' J. l y - YO Jt have m anf 



nd general appearance; jeha^ ^ 



in the same way larger and better.*— J. ^; f V ce: ?, too 

 mon in colour, and wanting in form and subs anC ter: 

 veiny, and no improvement upon sort jsr rndarm CD 

 3, deficient in form and substance and common 

 4 pure white, with plum- coloured spot; yo« ^ bes d yia 

 but deficient in form, and not equal to the wn Ites ai ^. 

 cultivation: 5. deficient in form an d substa nee. 6, v ejr ^ 

 7 , good top Petals lower narrow and long ; W ' of n0 



second-rate flowers.* E. T.— Inc * eld .y* nor substance.* 



value whatever; it possesses neither Torm, size nor su very 



Petunias.- E. J. L.- Your seedling he £ om jy rctt y in 

 common flower.*— J. ^.-Youi •seedling NoJ t P ^ m 

 colour and good in form, without its having anj 

 ticularly attractive about it.* 



Cypripedium bulbosum. A. S.—Some say that the Sham' ' ' a "flz *." 



rock is White Clover; but the more probable opinion is that ERRATCM.-Page 356, line 48, col. b, for " fig. V reaa 6 * 









