

1 96 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



^Tendency to putrefy, and might then be kept been such negligence, then the removal of the shoots 



weeks exposed to the air without their showing any 

 indication of putrefaction. Although the chief 

 agent in producing these remarkable effects is clay, 

 yet it is evident that such filtering beds, if worth 

 making at all, could not be made of clay alone, 

 because, from its close tenacious nature, and the ex- 

 treme slowness with which it allows the percolation 

 of water, it would be evidently unfit for any kind 

 of filter ; and a mixture of clay and sand, such as 

 we find in a good moderately stiff soil, would no 

 doubt b ! far better. Mr. Way's experiments prove 

 that the soil has a power of absorbing potash, soda, 

 magnesia, and phosphoric acid, as well as ammoniaj; 

 and if we add to these one more substance, namely, 

 lime, we have most of the chief elements of manure. 

 As we said a fortnight since, when adverting to 

 these very curious and important experiments, the 

 subject is not yet half investigated, and there appears 

 to be many chemical points not satisfactorily ex- 

 plained ; some of these, as we then suggested, pro- 

 bably depend on mechanical rather than on che- 

 mical causes. Pure white clay, which had been 

 boiled for two hours in strong muriatic acid, and 

 which therefore evidently did not contain any 

 free carbonate of lime, was nevertheless found 

 to decompose a solution of muriate of ammonia 

 which was filtered through it ; a portion of the am- 

 monia was absorbed, while the acid passed through 

 in combination with lime ; though, as may be sup- 

 posed, far less ammonia was absorbed than when a 

 clay containing free carbonate of lime was used as 

 the filter. From this result we learn that such 

 clay, which always contains a small quantity of lime, 

 though it does not give up that lime to the action of 

 a strong chemical solvent (such as boiling muriatic 

 acid), nevertheless, does part with it readily under 

 the influence of the much weaker solvent powers of 

 a solution of muriate of ammonia. Another, and an 

 equally surprising result, was obtained on endea- 

 vouring to ascertain w T hether a given soil would 

 absorb the same relative proportion of ammonia 

 from solutions containing different salts of that sub- 

 stance. An equal weight of soil was employed in 



, and it was found that when a weak solu- 



cach 



tion of pure caustic ammonia was used, and there 

 was therefore no chemical affinity to be neutralised 

 or overcome, every thousand grains of the soil took 

 up about a grain and a half of ammonia ; on 

 the other hand, when a solution of muriate of am- 

 monia was used, in which case the salt had to be 

 decomposed by lime under the influence of the soil, 

 then nearly one-third more, or tw T o grains of am- 

 monia, was absorbed by every thousand grains of the 

 soil. 



We have mentioned the influence of mere mecha- 

 nic;:! conditions in modifying, or even for the time 

 setting aside, the ordinary laws of chemical action ; 

 and we quoted, as an illustration, the action of sul- 

 phate of ammonia on chalk. Another and a very 

 curious example of the same sort of effect is shown 

 in the mutual action of common salt and chalk. It 

 is a well-known fact that a solution of common salt 

 has no chemical action on chalk ; indeed, when solu- 

 tions of muriate of lime and carbonate of soda are 

 mixed together, the salts are both decomposed, a 

 mixture of common salt and chalk is the result, and, 

 however long these two substances are left together, 

 no further change takes place. If, however, a quan- 

 tity of sand is added, and the mixture exposed to 

 the air, but protected from rain, it will be found in 

 a short time that the two substances react on each 

 other, and give rise to the reproduction of those very 

 substances, by the mutual action of which they have 

 themselves been formed. A dry mixture of salt and 

 chalk remains wholly unchanged, and so also does 

 one which is thoroughly wetted ; but if it is divided 

 by the addition of soil or sand, and kept moist, both 

 substances are partially decomposed, and the decom- 

 position which then takes place is directly opposed to 

 the ordinary known laws of chemical combination. It 

 is plain, then, that the action of salt on any soil must 

 in great part, depend upon the mechanical condition 

 of the latter ; and whether the circumstances are 

 such as to favour the decomposition of the salt, and 

 the consequent formation of carbonate of soda'. A 

 little more or less rain may make all the difference, 

 by preventing or assisting in the decomposition of 

 the salt. This fact, which has been known some 

 time, derives additional interest from Mr. Way's 

 experiments. 



should only take place at the moment when the bud is 

 to be inserted ; and even with this precaution, there is 

 a chance of bad success. 



It has long been known that this mode of budding 

 has immense advantages over all others, seeing that, if 

 the buds do not succeed, the stocks are but little dete- 

 riorated by the proceeding ; there is frequently an op 

 portunity of making a second operation 10 or 12 days 

 after the first ; and, as a last resource, these stocks may 

 be budded in the following season by the same mode, 

 or by any other which their size may determine. 



The various kinds of plants which may be budded, by 

 dormant eyes, differ very much as regards the period 

 of the flow of sap, and the length of time it continues ; 

 it is therefore of great importance to watch attentively 

 the growth of each species, in order to seize the most 

 favourable moment for budding with chance of success. 

 I confess that that this requires some practice. Our 

 experienced budders judge that it is time to perform 

 the operation when three-fourths at least of the shoots 

 of each stock have ceased to push ; in this state the 

 bark of every tree is mature, and yet can be easily 

 detached [from the woody substance which it covers, 

 and the sap being more stationary, we no longer dread 

 its impetuous superabundance, which always proves 

 detrimental to the success of the buds, frequently causing 

 many of them to perish from plethora ; in this case we 

 say the sap has drowned them. If, however, circum- 

 stances render it necessary to bud before this excessive 

 flow of sap is over, which will be indicated by the great 

 number of shoots still forming, it will be necessary to 

 cut back all their herbaceous tops as soon as the bud is 

 inserted. 



All that relates to the operation of this mode of budding 

 is referable to that which has been stated concerning 

 the preceding. With regard to the ligature, it is best 

 to remove it at the fall of the leaf, in order to avoid the 

 stagnant moisture which it retains about the bud, and 

 which is prejudicial to the latter during winter. The 

 heads of the stocks thus budded should be cut back in 

 the following spring ; for we must not be in too great 

 haste to perform this operation, more especially on some 

 delicate species having gummy sap. 



Where propagation is carried on in a small but care- 

 ful way, they cut back the stock to within £ of an inch 

 above the bud. The principles of this operation ought 

 to be based on those detailed in treating of pruning near 

 a terminal bud [sloping behind the bud, more or less, 

 according to the thickness of the stock]. In extensive 

 operations, the cutting back is done roughly at 3 or 4 

 inches above the bud, in order that the stump may serve 

 as a support to the shoot produced by the bud, which is 

 temporarily fastened to it ; and then the stump is not 

 cut back till May or later, when many of the shoots 

 require taller supports. 



Budding with the shield removed without 

 Alburnum: fig. 19. (Greffe en icusson dinuie de bois.) 

 — This mode, \ somewhat more complicated than the 

 preceding, is employed for propagating delicate trees 

 and shrubs with slender wood, and thin, tender bark. 

 The shield is usually raised as follows : we trace its 

 form with the blade of the grafting knife, cutting 

 completely through the bark, and having removed a 

 portion of that adjoining, fig. 19, we then press the shield 

 between the fingers, and wrench it, in order to detach 



it from its posi- 



ing ; unite the partsTanTs^elhT 

 which should commence below the 

 This mode of buddin<* 



[Mar. 2 < 



hole by a 



eye. 



%M^ 



propagating the good species and 



g « preferable to all otf^ ^ 



» trees iritTL 

 \f&Albret. 



va «et»e« „r 



and Olives and all other tender tree^ST " °^ 

 Tra nslated from the French of B'A JW 0***}^; 



BRITISH SONG BIRDS 



(Cage Bihds, No. 7 > 



No. XXIII — Never put up a pair nf t. , 



or tufted birds, to breed from The off ""^-^^l 



pair would most probably be born bald ; Jr'S **» 



partially so | besides being in other rnlZl j . "*"*. 



Also, be careful never to buy vour bTrdf ^^ 



I will tell you why . *»+m 







boys in the streets, 

 viduals — a large number 



m 



of the London bird-dealers, who sell them for * x * 

 their refuse stock. They never, by anv ch^**^ 

 possessed of a bird of the slightest value fthe rtl? 

 consisting of old hens, and other unsaleable t~ k 

 song bird they know nothing about ; thev never *L A 

 their possession such a rarity. If my readers \*T * 

 they will treasure up this knowledge. ~ 

 truth of my remark. " 1 



Ariother caution I must here put forth. The i ^ 

 bird-dealers are aware, that the public have a n^ 

 fancy for what are called " German canaries » 

 latter, be it known, are imported in very small w»k» 

 cribs, allowing the birds scarce space sufficient totS 

 round. They are then permitted to see each 

 every possible direction. ' """ 



I vouch for 4 



The* 



Bull, 



Fig. 19. 



Fig. 20. 



A 



rV 



GRAFTING. 



No. XIII. Budding with Dormant eves. (Greffe en 

 Samon a ml dormant)— Some time previous to per- 

 foiTmng this operation, we ought to select the place on 

 «*ch stock which the bud should occupy, and remove all 

 dio< hkelytodepnve the latter of the free contact of air 

 If this proceeding has been so far neglected as to be put 

 in execution only a few days before budding, it is likelv 

 to occasion an interruption of the sap, and consequent 

 adherence of the bark to the alburnum. If there has 



tion, accompanied 

 with the small 

 fleshy body under 

 the eye ; for, if by 

 mischance it be 

 found bruised, or 

 if it remain at- 

 tached to the al- 

 burnum, the shield 

 must be destroyed, 

 and another sub- 

 stituted. The fre- 

 quent occurrence 

 of this inconve- 

 nience has given 

 rise to an infallible 

 means of avoid- 

 ing it. 



It consists in 

 employing a fine 

 wire, as indicated 

 at B, and main- 

 taining it in that 

 position, whilst 

 pulling the two 

 ends ; it is made 

 to glide along the 

 alburnum, easily 

 detaching the 



shield with the 

 eye adhering to it. 

 • The bud is placed 



n the same way as directed for those in the preceding 



modes. 



Budding with the Shield placed in an opening 



MADE IN THE FORM OF A T REVERSED (j^) j fi<r. 20. 



(Greffe en tcusson placee dans une plaie faite en forme de 

 T renverse, j.) 



Operation.~Cnt a shield of which the point shall be 

 abo ve the eye ; see A. Raise this shield by means of a 

 wire, as above explained ; make in the stock an opening 

 by the cuts indicated in the figure, and there insert the 

 shield by introducing its point at the base of the open- 



mi - other i 



Hie excitement prodmtf 

 thereby, naturally makes them, for a S ea*<m gtortk 

 song. The German canaries— the real ones I ma/ 

 being expensive, loads of these " German" wickereA 

 like loads of our " fine crusted Old Port," are nuct 

 factured here— in London. Norwich and YorE 

 canaries are then put into them ; and when JaUU 

 " German canaries in full song, just imported * Job 



ull, u hearing them sing," swallows the bait • bun 

 them; and innocently believes them— German ! Thereat, 

 be it observed, very few London dealers in first-rife 

 German canaries ; and to deal with these, you had mi 

 " rise early !" ' Cavendo tutus 9 must be your watchmrf, 

 the moment you enter their doors. 



All birds of a uniform colour, when paired together. 

 produce their exact counterpart. In order, however. 

 to secure an infinite variety of colours, to which, in the 

 canary, there can be no objection— if a male grey i» 

 united to a mealy hen, or vice versd, the issue will be 

 more handsomely marked than their parents. By 

 carrying out this principle, which I cordially reeommeai 

 to all who can give their time to it, results may be pro- 

 duced of a truly interesting character. Birds of every 

 shade, and every tint, may be reared ; in fact, nek 

 combinations are inexhaustible. 



The lizard canary is a beautifully-marked bird, ui 

 forms a striking variety amongst others. It resembh 

 the fancy birds ; inasmuch as it has a clean yellow cap, 

 with the back and breast richly spangled with black id 

 green. It is called "lizard," from its closely resemblof 

 the colour, and, having the marks of that reptile. They 

 may be reared from a pair of very strong fancy birds, pc 

 up in a breeding cage. 



We will now proceed to the subject of "breeding* 

 canaries ; and speak, first, of those bred in a room; At 

 treatment of these, and those bred in a cage, will be 

 found somewhat different. 



As it would hardly be worth while to rear c ^ ar j*J 

 pair or two at a time, it will be desirable to select a god 

 sized room, as nearly square as possible. In fitting t 

 up, many hints may be taken from my earlier direcuo* 

 for the arrangement of an aviary. 



It is indispensable that the aspect be suitable, anc 

 that the morning sun be freely admitted throughtfe 

 windows. This is a comfort, which canaries,, in ptfth 

 cular, highly prize. It keeps them lively, cheerful, & 

 in good health. The windows should be made to open; 

 so as to admit the air, and keep the apartment swe* 

 To prevent the birds escaping, galvanised f^;* 01 ** 

 closely meshed, should be fastened over each winoo . 

 Let the floor be kept thoroughly clean, and nice j 

 gravelled. This is at all times desirable ; but, m 

 breeding-room, it £is more particularly BO-tor mwj 



obvious reasons. m t, u be rf 

 In arranging your nest-boxes, which *ooi ^ 

 mahogany, place them— some moderated • 10 j 

 others in a more elevated position. Many bir ^^ 

 and cautious, when building, and like to be tree 

 observation. Those which are more familiar, y 

 making their nest nearer the centre of the wal . 

 The materials for building are sold, by t W s 

 in nest-bags ; but they are not fit for use until w ; ^ 

 been thoroughly scalded in clean, boiling wate. 

 viously to their being submitted to this operate ^ 

 should be well shaken, to rid them of dry < ^Jl^ fc 

 The main object of the boiling water is, to a »y bTl 

 hosts of vermin which inhabit these nest-bag?, "V^ 

 prescriptive right* No other process win ■«£ 

 them. As birds, like the human race, are^ ^ 

 occasional vagaries, whims, and fancies, le ^ rfltf 

 of your nest-boxes be just double the nu^ ,,„ 

 birds ; and place them in all corners of tbe r i^ 

 to afford a "choice." Some, like a dark 

 others, one opposite t o the ligh^ "TfieT***? 



" Myl £fr~brt anonymous correspondent, on J., ^^ 

 impressed the post-mark of M Overton, Ka y' w ni tbefl g£ 

 forwarding me bar name and address. ean inxtn«2r 



respond to her enquiries, one by one, * n *V™y pM thoroof^ 

 remedy for her grievance. I understand tne e lni ,ti» 



and I sympathise with her most «" ce W" inP tant'§ <****' 

 I Thug$ must be exterminated, and without an 















