840 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



flowers, placed on its end at 6 o'clock in the morning, 

 I found in the short interval of 12 hours— viz , at 6 in 

 the evening — that they, the weeds, had become bent at 

 right angles to the soil in which they were rooted, so 

 that the upper portion of their stems had recovered 

 their perpendicular position. The extraordinary pro- 

 ductiveness of a tropical climate is by many considered 

 an inestimable advantage, forgetful of the more than 

 counterbalancing evil arising from the astonishing growth 

 of exhausting and often smothering weeds. The poet 

 may sing of the 



u redundant growth 



Of Vines, and Maize, and bower, and brake, 

 Which Nature, kind to sloth, 

 And scarce solicited by human toil, 

 Pours from the riches of the teeming soil ; n 



1mt the planter knows to his cost that in no part of the 

 earth's surface is more care and industry required than 

 within the tropics to make agriculture profitable. Dr. 

 Davy in the Edin.New Philosophical Journal. 



tropical ve -ration in the rapid manner in which plants convenience no gardener can reasonably he blamed tor 

 right themselves on change of position. Thus in a having too many ripe at one time, and none at others, 

 flower-box in which weeds had taken the place of the It is not by any means desirable to start more plants 



into fruit at this early season than may be absolutely 

 necessary, for they wdl produce finer fruit later in the 

 season than can possibly be obtained from them now ; 

 and where a separate house cannot be commanded for 

 those whch must be subjected to a high temperature, 

 we would advise that the plants selected for fruiting 

 should be placed in the warmest part of the house at 

 command, filling the rest of the house with young stock. 

 The former should he afforded a bottom heat of about 

 85°, and the latter about 10° or 15° lower ; the atmo- 

 sphere should range from 68° to 75° by fire heat, allow- 

 ing it to rise 5° with the assistance of sunshine, keeping 

 the young plants near the glass, and properly supplied 

 with water at the root. This temperature will be con- 

 siderably too high for young stock at this season, but we 

 have seen this system practised with considerable suc- 

 cess ; and although the young plants may get somewhat 

 drawn, they will gain substance as light increases, and 

 the evil will be less than running the risk of startin 



[Dec. 22, 1855, 





Calendar of Operations. 



(For the ensuing week.) 



PLANT DEPARTMENT. 



Conskrvaiory, &c — Although we have many beauti- 

 ful plants which either bloom naturally at this season 



£ at 



this early period of the season the greater portion of the 

 plants that are at command for keeping up the supply 

 throughout the summer. Vineries. — Until the buds 

 are fairly broken the points of the shoots should be kept 

 nearly on a level with the lowest part of the Vine ; and 

 if this should not be found sufficient to induce the buds 

 to start equally throughout the length of the Vine, the 

 rod should be bent so as to bring the most forward buds 



or require but little artificial management to cause them to the lowest level, elevating those that are backward, 

 to do so, a scarcity of flowers is, perhaps, more commonly 





experienced at this than at any other period of the year. 

 And where the display is, to a large extent, dependant 

 upon what we term forced plants considerable foresight 

 and attention will be necessary for some time, in order 

 to maintain a regular supply, tor plants are not so easily 

 excited into bloom in the dead of winter as in spring, 

 and in selecting plants for forcing every possible care 

 should be exercised to choose such as are not likely to 

 prove failures, for of things which are suitable for 

 forcing many will bloom but poorly if they are subjected 

 to a high temperature without having been allowed a 

 sufficient time to recruit their energies after making 

 their growth. Next to Camellias, Azaleas are perhaps 

 the most showy plants that can be had in bloom at his 

 season, and where there is a good stock of these to draw 

 upon, some of the most forward plants of the commoner 

 varieties should be placed in heat at once, moistening 

 them overhead two or three times a day. But unless 

 plants can be selected which made their growth and 

 set their buds early in the season, they need hardly be 

 expected to flower so finely as under more natural cir- 

 cumstances in spring, and unless the buds are plump 

 there will be some danger of the plants starting into 

 growth instead of flowering. Dutch bulbs should be 

 largely used for present forcing, and where hardy shrubs 

 are forced for the decoration of this house, these should 

 he got into flower as soon as circumstances admit, for 

 although many of these are very showy when well 

 bloomed, and acceptable enough when had in flower in 

 winter, they hardly seem in place under glass in spring, 

 after the weather becomes fine, and when more choice 

 plants in bloom should be plentiful. Do not forget to 

 introduce into gentle heat a good batch of Roses, 

 choosing the most promising plants of Teas, 

 Bourbons, and Hybrid Perpetuals, which are the 

 best kinds for winter flowering ; a gentle bottom- 

 heat will be ii great service to these as also to 

 most other plants subjt cted to heat in order to get them 

 into flower as quickly as possible, and a moist state of 

 the atmosphere must be secured, admitting a little air 

 freely on every favourable opportunity. Greenhouse. 

 Damp or insects soon do irreparable damage among 

 ©oft- wooded plants at this season, and these must be 

 very carefully attended to if they are to be carried 

 over the winter in first-rate condition. Pelargoniums 

 should be kept rather cool and dry, giving whatever 

 water may be necessary on the mornings of fine days, 

 60 that the superfluous moisture may be dispelled before 

 evening, avoiding the use of fire-heat save when neces- 

 sary to prevent the temperature falling below 40°, or to 

 dispel damp when this cannot safely be done by giving 

 air. Keep the shoots thin, rubbing off such as can be 

 spared, and if green fly is perceived upon any of the 

 plants, apply tobacco smoke at once. Calceolarias require 

 very similar treatment to the above, except that they are 

 very subject to the attacks of thrips unless afforded a 

 moist atmosphere, and they must be narrowly watched 

 for this enemy and smoked lightly on two or three suc- 

 cessive evenings if this pest makes its appearance, keep- 

 ing the atmosphere moist and giving air on every 

 favourable opportunity to prevent the foliage flagging. 

 ^Cinerarias for late blooming must also be kept cool and 

 '■airy, and should not be allowed to suffer for want of 

 pot room ; but these should not be trusted in cold pits 

 after this season, for they are exceedingly impatient 

 of frost. Forward plants of these, intended for 

 flowering early, should be encouraged with a gentle 

 heat, keeping them near the glass, and admitting air on 

 every favourable opportunity. 



Pineries. 



FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



If circumstances should render it neces- 

 sary to subject a portion of the « fruiters" to a brisk 

 temperature at once to induce them to start, the most 

 promising plants for fruiting should be very care- 

 fully selected, and placed in a small house or pit by 

 themselves; and, where anything like a regnlar supply of 

 ripe fruit is required, several houses, or separately heated 



compartments, should be at command ; and without this 



Maintain a thoroughly moist atmosphere by frequently 

 sprinkling the floor and passages, &c. ; and syringe the 

 Vines lightly at least twice a day until the leaves begin 

 to appear, when the amount of moisture must be mode- 

 rated. Give every attention towards securing a gentle 

 warmth for the roots ; turning the litter, and adding 

 fresh as may be requisite, and keeping it well protected 

 from the effects of heavy rains and severe weather. Be 

 satisfied with a moderate night temperature, until the 

 buds begin to push, when it may be gradually raised to 

 60°, by the time that the leaves fairly begin to open. 

 Peaches. — Until the trees are fairly on the move do not 

 keep the night temperature higher than from 40° to 45° 

 by means of fire-heat ; but an advance of 10° early in 

 the day, with plenty of moisture in the atmosphere, 

 should be secured. Syringe the trees frequently, and 

 secure a thoroughly moist atmosphere. Also see that 

 the inside border is in a moist healthy state, and if this 

 is not the case, two or three applications of tepid water 

 shovld be given. It is becoming very much the order 

 of the day to have Peach trees and most other things 

 which are wanted for very early forcing, in pots ; and 

 this plan offers the advantage of being able to afford the 

 roots a mild regular bo* torn- heat, which is of the greatest 

 importance in early forcing, and excellent crops are also 

 obtained. But the trees must be prepared for this pur- 

 pose by having been grown some time in pots ; and where 

 these are not on hand, unless they can be purchased 

 from the nurserymen who prepare them, nothing can be 

 done this season except to procure and pot the trees, and 

 prepare them for next year. 



FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. 



Where the tenderer varieties of Hoses are found to 

 require protection, this should be applied at once, if not 

 already none, otherwise it may soon be too late to save 

 the plants. Also get in the stock of Briers for budding 

 upon next year without delay, for unless these are 

 planted before spring they seldom furnish strong shoots 

 for early budding. Many persons object strongly to 

 planting shrubs or trees in winter, believing that the 

 roots if hurt at this season are liable to rot, and cer- 

 tainly early in autumn is a very preferable season ; but 

 with favourable weather we would not delay such work 

 a single day, and if the soil is properly prepared by 

 draining, &c, where necessary, as should always be 

 done before planting, there will probably be fewer 

 failures from planting now than if the work were delayed 

 until March. But where the ground to be planted 

 is of a clayey nature, and in an unkind state at present, 

 it will undoubtedly be better to defer planting until 

 spring, meantime using every means to improve the 

 state of the ground; and soils of this nature should 

 always be dug or trenched some considerable time before 

 planting, as neither draining nor anything but exposure 

 to the action of the atmosphere will bring them into a 

 fit state for planting. But while we would not hesitate 

 to plant small stuff generally at present, things which 

 are at all tender had better be left until the chance of 

 severe frost is past, and the transplanting of large 

 evergreens which has unfortunately been delayed until 

 now should be put off until the weather becomes mild in 

 spring, especially things which are known not to be per- 

 fectly hardy. Roll walks and lawns after frost, to keep 

 them firm and smooth. There will be comparatively 

 little to be done in the flower garden at present and 

 any spare time will be well spent in going over the 

 stock of plants in pits for next season's use, removing 

 every decaying leaf, and where the surface soil has got 

 green removing this and top-dressing with sandy loam. 

 There is nothing so unfavourable to these plants at this 

 season as damp, therefore take every opportunity of 

 admitting fresh air. 



, HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN. 



It is always desirable to get as much of the pruning 

 and nailing done before the approach of spring as pm 

 sible, therefore lose no favourable opportunity for 

 forwarding these operations; for besides the advantage 



*he garden will present a much neater appearance aft* 

 the wall trees are nailed, and the borders made trim 

 and the small fruit, bushes pruned, and the Erou i 

 among them turned over. See that standard tree* 

 which have been recently moved or root-pruned ar# 

 firmly secured against being injured by wind, and a!™ 

 get ny root-pruning or transplanting remaining to U 

 done this season executed as soon as possible. Ende 

 vour, as far as circumstances will permit, to havea»ood 

 supply of Parsley under safe protection, for there jg 

 generally a large demand for this, and in the event 

 of such a winter as last it will be impossible 

 to Bave it by the ordinary protection of hoops and 

 mats. Lettuce, Cauliflower, &c, being wintered in 

 frames, must be freely exposed to the air on every 



See to maintaining a regular 

 supply of Seakale, Rhubarb, and any other forced 

 vegetables which may be in demand, and let the supply 

 be also as liberal as circumstances will admit, for it 

 often happens with an irregular or limited supply that 

 something is particularly wanted when it cannot be 

 furnished. Look over the stores of roots occasionally 

 to see that all are keeping sound, and be particularly 

 careful of any Broccoli that may be fit for use or 



Take advantage of frosty weather to get 

 manure wheeled upon spare ground where it is wanted 

 and see to keeping a good supply well rotted and fit for 

 use when wanted. 



favourable occasion. 



turrimg m. 



STATE OF THE WEATHER AT CH1SWICK, NEAR LONDON. 

 For the weekending Dec. "20. IShd, aa observed at the Horticultural Garden, 



Dec. 



Kri.iH> 14 



Satur. 15, 

 Sundaj 16 



Won.. 17 



Tuea. IS 



Wed. 19 



Thurs. i0 





BlBOMBTBB. 



a P 







o«i 







S 



Max. 



Min. 



5 



30.015 



29.900 



6 



ao.£9 



3 .< *S 



) 



3' • 25 1 



30.183 



S 



30.1-86 



3« ' 015 



9 



Ml.. 14 



30.07i 



10 



30.261 



30. 1*0 



11 



iO.OJii 

 30.161 



29.918 





30.047 1 



Trmfkratuhh 



0)1 the Air. 



Ol the Karri 



Max.] Mm. I Mean'M 00t ,2 lm 

 1 deep. deep. 



Wmd, 



49 

 48 



^7 



4* 

 40 



32 



32 



41* 



41 



41* 



42 



42 



42 



41 



W. 



W. 



w. 



rs.E. 



N.E. 



K. 

 E. 



41.5 | '26.7 f 34.1 38.8 41.5 



Ii 



.or 



00 



.« 



.18 

 .00 

 .00 

 D» 



0.(17 



Dec. 14 Overcast; rain ; cloudy at ingot. 



— 15— Overcast; bright sunshine iu forenoon; densely overcast; 



cloudy; fros'V. 



— 16— Slight frost ; fine ; hazy and cold. 

 -» 17— Fotftcy ; cold haze. 



— 18— Cloudy and cod; clear and frosty; very cold wind. 



— 19 — Clear and frosty; piercing c<> id rast wind; very clear at nijit. 



— *»0— £ harp frost ; cold dry air; v«-ry clear; severe frost. 

 Aiean temperature of the week > \ deg. below the average. 



RECORD OF TOE WEATHER AT CHISWICK 

 During toe last 29 years, for the ensuing week, endiiu Ore. 29,1853. 





4J bC 



5f • tx 



83 2* 



* S 



No. of 

 Years in 

 which ii 

 Rained. 



Greatest 

 (Quantity 

 of Rain. 



Priwiilin* Winds 



Dec. 



• 



4 

 3 

 •2 

 1 



4 

 4 

 1 



• 



y. 

 7 



4 



3 



4 

 3 



9 



• 



■ 



QQ 



% Z 1 



1 8 1 * 

 111 1 4 

 2/63 j 



4 8 2 3 



5 6*1 [ 



I f 7i I 



4 5 h 4 



Sunday 23 

 Hon. 24 

 lues, ih 

 IV ed. i'C. 

 Thurs \~ 

 Friday -.s 

 Satur *19 



426 



4 1 \ 

 43.1 

 42.8 

 ,2.4 

 41.4 

 4 -J.'', 1 



32.n 

 32.0 

 2-^.S 



31.7 



28.6 



34.0 J 



- •> 



37.2 



3>.9 



S7«9 



36.2 



35 il 

 1 38.4 



15 

 11 



l'J 



10 



9 



13 



1 .13 in. 



0..6 



1.22 



0. 9 



0.40 



0.16 



17 



- * 



.1 - 



r. 



:< 3 



I 3 



The highest temperature during the abov»» period oee 

 13*7— therm. 53 deg.; and th* towe-st on the 28th, 1853— th 



urre.i on the £>th, 



therm. 8 deg. 



Notices to Correspondents. 



Fruit Trees: A C. The following will suit your purpose :- 

 Apples -Early Harvest, Golden Reinette. Ribston Pippin, 

 Blenheim Pippin, Adams's Pearmain, Court of Wick, 8c«tot 

 Nonpareil, Boston Russet, Wormeley Pippin, Golden Noble, 

 Mere de Menace, Dumelow'a Seedling. Fears— Williams s 

 Bon Chretien, Marie Louise, Louise Bonne (of .Jersey), Beurre 

 Diet, Van Moni Loon le Clerc, Glou Moiveau, Easter Beurrf.j 



Jerusalem Artichoke: W.Antrim. The proper name 0I, J" is 

 plant is :he name it hears. Not find ir in any book on Garden- 

 ing ! We cannot find any modern book on Gardening in which 

 it is not. 



Law Of Tenancy : S M B. When you quit possession your 



Vines are the property of your landlord, and yon cannot claim 

 any compensation ; unless yon are a market gardener 

 there is some special covenant in your lease. But YOUflhou 

 consult your solicitor upon all such questions. 

 Leaves : PB D. We have for some time contemplated doing what 



you suu'irest; and probably shall. 

 Microscopes: & IF. We know nothing of the maker whose 

 advertisement you send. Jt ll evidently a simple nucroscul L 

 that is offered, and not an achromatic one. Soch in ; t J' ime 

 maybe had of all prices, from 2a. 6^/. in the form ot tnecoi 



mouest pocket lens, up to 51. 5$. What we have seeno ^ 

 priced wimple microscopes are dear at any price. 1 ' > ° , Q ^ 

 a Ye ry good unexpens+TO quasi-simple microscope, vou ' fes 



g. :i < Mldington from some good maker, ^tt^ourrera^ ^ 



were devoted to Achromatic microscopes 

 much use in the examination of minute objects 



Dill vim *-■— 



the only kinds 



Names i Frit : J J ShipHm. I, I'mbabty S.^^ 8 ! 

 Ku*..t;5, Ring of the Pippim ; 6, Anise; 7, ^ ' 



Tipp.n; 1U,< omt-pendu Plat The others aiy 1 ke s^eo g 

 or Ku.-h as may be found in an orchard ot i^iuei ^n- _ , 

 T B Brown "2, Autumn Bergamot; 4, Beque.^ £ h^ 

 (stewing); 5, 7, Mane Loui.se; 6, Napoleon.-/ ^ 



much decayed is probably the Beurre BosC ;pV UoUS selet 

 Louise ; 4, Beurre" Kance, and so is probably No l\ o, ^ ^ x 

 de Kheims; 8, Winter Crassane; 9, Passe ^' n,ar ' *; ^ e lsofl 

 Crofton; 13, Mere de Manage; M» is not the Nelson or ^ 

 Gudlfci; it seems to be the Northern »^ eD Sgl of 

 Reinette dn Canada; 18, Wyken Pippi" ; ]»> j Ia £rey; 

 the Pippins; 20, 21, Court of Wick; 23. oolden Hw ^ 

 25, not Clifton Nonsuch, but Bedfordshire *°" lique * 

 Jtw: Your Pear from Fiance appears to be the a« p 

 Bourdeaux || 

 Portable 



c <ri he h 



* ux II fc curb's boi^r 



t Boiler : Sub. We do not know where bra "* bur g b . 

 [iad. Inquire of Messrs. Lawson and Lo.,oi ^ 



We never saw ir. 



String iv 



r saw it. f * a tram 



: A Sub. Don't use salt. What do y™. «P*V|J« a* 



by ii ? Do use soa; I is. Keep the. skin or y Arltwe np 

 clean as your own— if J I can. White A ntirei p f jb bI]r give 



I* bearintr Raspberries will proo* 



U 



and Rivers'* double bearing 

 you all you want. 



you all you want. . jr e ml<x* 



MMBWOOD : / mirer. We should not P lftn f^'n fa lly. A« 

 Spruce Firs or any kind of liver, except e n ;■■ ! fi( . rtlt to stf 

 you do not say iu what county you live, it w ' Ho ihes, 



you 



more than 



Berberis Aqui 



ar you should rely upon J?«m'^ifttf4 

 nrrurin ^quUolium, Hypericum oalycinoin, un 

 and, if vour climate suit them, Evergreen U*w- ^ ut e 



%• As usual, manv communications ££ t*"*^*^ 



__ .i _. . A~*~\ n *A mi thpneceHsarvinquuit^* ^ 



of haTiDg so much work done before the busy season, SSo'f w£5 SmSSS 



and nth- or ^ned till the necessary inqur^^ 



We must also beg the lodnlgence oi '*"££*. 



:^ n Af.iwi.il *mitri buttons is still deiayeu. 





