40 



General Notices. 



the bottom rail to the 

 top, they might fasten 

 in another rail within 

 2 in. of the top, leav- 

 ing a space of that 

 width along the top 

 of the lights to be 

 covered with a lid of 

 tin or copper, hung 

 on hinges, to be 

 raised as occasion 

 required for the pur- 

 pose of giving air at night 0%. 20.) 



I am doubtful whether you will be able to understand my meaning ; but 

 I am sure if you should, you will easily make others understand it when 

 you have given them a sketch of it, or perhaps will suggest something 

 better. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — A Lover of Horticulture. Hammersmith, 

 Sept. 28. 1830. 



The Mildew. — Most of the peach and nectarine trees, in a very exten- 

 sive garden, were long since badly infected with the mildew ; and, for the 

 last four or five years, were invariably getting worse, although I was con- 

 stantly trying almost every experiment I had seen recommended, as well as 

 others, on my own judgment. The result was no improvement, and the 

 trees became so bad that Lord Doneraile advised me to throw them out 

 altogether, and replace them with young ones. Being aware that there 

 was nothing amiss with the roots, and that all the evil was above the sur- 

 face, I suggested trying them another year, to which His Lordship assented. 

 In January last I had all the nails carefully drawn, and the trees detached 

 from the wall : the nails and shreds being removed, I then cut back every 

 young shoot I conceived likely to break, to an eye or two. My next 

 object was to get the trees most carefully washed with the composition 

 given below ; making use of a sponge where it could be used with effect, 

 and in all the crevices and joints using a painter's small soft sash-brush. 

 This being performed, I got all the old nail holes stopped, and the walls 

 perfectly cleaned. I then nailed the trees to the wall again, and I have now 

 the satisfaction to find that I have not the slightest appearance of mildew 

 or blight of any kind. The wood is perfectly healthy and well furnished. 

 The trees are from 10 to 12 ft. in height, and equally spread out on every 

 side. They have been planted about fourteen years, and from their present 

 appearance I can have little doubt of a plentiful crop next season. In 

 fact, those who saw them last January can scarcely be persuaded that they 

 are the same trees. 



The following is the composition used : — To four gallons of rain or 

 river water add two pounds soft soap, one pound flowers of sulphur, one 

 pound roll tobacco, one quart fresh slaked lime, and one pint of spirits 

 of turpentine. Mix the whole well together, and boil the mixture slowly 

 for half an hour. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — John Haycroft. Doneraile, Nov. 

 1831. 



Cleaning Wall Nails which have been used, preparatory to their being again 

 used. — My gardener used to spend days, and I may say weeks, in winter, 

 in cleaning up his wall nails ; to save which time, I take any quantity, as 

 accumulated by collecting from time to time, from the shreds, and boil 

 them in a small copper with I a lb. of American potashes to every pailful 

 of water. Two pailfuls will be sufficient to preserve the copper from being 

 burnt. The nails are kept boiling for about two hours, and well stirred up 

 with a stick, and stubbed with a birchen broom. I clean 40 lbs. at a time, 

 and the same water will serve for many lots ; so that I can clean near 1 cwt. 

 in a few hours, and for less than 2s. — E. S. Sittingboum, Feb. 3. 1831. 



