Answers to, Queries, mid Queries. 



483 



Propagating the Balsam by Cuttings. — I beg leave to inform G. H. B., 

 that three years ago I tried the same experiment with success in two sorts 

 of composts ; the one frame soil and sand, the other frame soil, sand, and 

 the siftings of old tan, and found the cuttings make the best roots in the 

 latter compost. Now, Sir, I think there are three advantages to be derived 

 from this method of " propagating the Balsam." First, having the high 

 gratification of seeing those " Carnation-like flowers," during the winter 

 and spring months ; consequently ripening their seeds earlier, and un- 

 doubtedly in greater abundance : secondly, if this method be adopted the 

 natural result will be, a reduction in the price of the seed : and thirdly, the 

 spurious sort of Balsam seed now sold in almost every seed-shop will be 

 nearly, if not entirely extirpated. Should you deem the above worthy a 

 corner in your valuable Magazine, its early insertion will much oblige 



Your sincere well-wisher and constant reader, 

 R - d, April. T ****. 



Barandam Cherry. — Sir, I think the kind of Cherry alluded to by Mr. 

 Blaikie (p. 8.5.) is the Barandam, mentioned by Hitt, an indigenous shrub or 

 low tree, found in swampy ground in Lincolnshire, and in other parts of 

 the kingdom. I have also received it from the Continent. 



January 17. 1827. Hortulanus. 



" I have met with this Cherry (the Barandam) near Sleaford in Lincoln- 

 shire ; it is so named from the place where it grows, on the estate of Mr. 

 Pattison, who told me their number was greatly increased in his time. He 

 is now about sixty years of age, and the same land has been the property 

 of his father and grandfather, both of whom he knew very well, but neither 

 of them was able to give any account of that cherry being planted. It 

 increases by suckers like the black-thorn, and bears on as small bushes. 

 It roots well the first year after laying." Hitt's Treatise on Fruit Trees, 

 3d edition, p. 302.) 



' Treatment of Plants in Pots. — ■ R. A. M. requires very full and simple 

 directions to those lovers of plants in pots, who may not have the advantage 

 of a green-house. Now, sir, I have tried experiments of that nature, and 

 have to observe that a person must be very much in love with plants, who 

 will keep them in the house for any considerable period during the winter, 

 as the trouble will be infinitely greater than the pleasure; particularly 

 when the leaves begin to drop off, and litter the room. I have found that 

 the most eligible plan is to erect a sort of frame against a wall or house, 

 like the one of which 

 I herewith send you 

 a representation. {Jig. 

 151.) Any one could 

 put it up in an hour, 

 and the very refuse 

 of a carpenter's yard 

 would be amply suf- 

 ficient for the wood 

 work. Then get some 

 Russian matting, and 

 nail it across the top 

 to the rafters, leaving 

 the ends hanging down 

 in front, and a mat at each end : in frosty weather, any old carpet, oil 

 cloth, or piece of baize, may be laid over the matting on the top. Then 

 get some dung, and build a dung wall inside the shed, and lay about four 

 inches depth of old dung over the tops of the pots. Should the weather 

 prove very severe, a little of the dung may be taken off the top of the dung 



I I 2 



151 



