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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



405 





hiSlvreinmrk that nightingales never "■ breed. 

 JB confinement. So contrary would sueh a thing 

 I^T «r lUtare, that I apprehend no authenticated 



lien 

 that 



of their having done so is on record. 

 the cam, I think we cannot err in saying, 

 vggmng birds which were born " free," under such | 

 "SgBigUnces, naiif be cruel. They rather exist than 

 rpg^rhh "« Their hearts are far,— far away. 



I have before casually noted (whilst treating on Seed 

 Wfds) that soft-billed birds when performing any call 

 ^y a tnr»*- alwavs bolt their tails. And this action proves 

 to be in health — whereas the very converse is the 

 with tttd birds. This makes it needful to attend to 

 dit If the nightingale were not to bolt his tail 

 Certain occasions, it would be an unerring symptom 

 ; and a meal-worm or two should be given him 



ly. If he refuses tluse, he must be bad indeed ! 

 _ Sometimes, in the heat of summer — indeed oftentimes, 

 if oot regularly looked to — the cages of these birds emit 

 * Terr offensive smell. This, as I before remarked, arises 

 fgom the nature of the food they eat. Let me, therefore, 

 igain urgently recommend extreme cleanliness. The 

 bird can then respire freely, and enjoy himself ; and he 

 Kinds a fair chance of keeping in good health. One- 

 half of our birds and domestic animals have their lives 

 ifcortened, and their health injured, by neglect. 

 As a rule, I should say never keep a nightingale, 

 a brancher, or a nestling, more than three years. 

 About this time, oftentimes sooner, you will observe their 

 legs to swell, and to become gouty. Large scales will 

 form, from the upper joint downwards, causing your 



much pain, that they will frequently perch upon 

 leg only, — the other being drawn up for relief. I hart 

 tocceeded in reducing these scales ; but as it is difficult, 

 and attended by danger, I shall give no " instructions." 

 Let us therefore charitably consider that the time is now 

 come to reward our little friend, for the pleasure he has 

 JMod us. We have unmistakeable signs that confine- 

 ment has brought on premature old age. The only 

 remedy for this — the only way to regenerate his system 

 —is, to let him fly. This should be done in the month 

 of July or August, just before he moults. He will then 

 have time to recruit himself before taking his final leave 

 iff September, and acquire renewed s treng th to waft him 

 across the Mediterranean. mu — — 



How long these birds live in a state of freedom, I am 

 not quite prepared to say, — it is supposed about 12 years. 

 This much, however, is certain— the very same bird 

 you liberated will speedily be restored to health, and to 

 youth. The chances, too, are, that he will return to 

 your garden the very next season, and there abide, — 

 until having reared a family, he again revisits his former 

 haunts. These are notorious "facts." Far be it from 

 the nightingale easily to forget the rights of hospitality. 

 Yon have fostered him, and given him liberty, and he 

 will annually reward you with songs of gratitude as long 

 as he lives, and you live to hear him. 



Nightingales, if affectionately tended, moult freely 

 a cage, and get through their troubles in a very few weeks. 

 They should be kept warm, and quiet, but not covered 

 op too close. It is desirable to keep their food varied, 

 and to treat them now and then to a few ants' eggs, raw 

 scraped Carrot, or a meal-worm. Do anything but 



neglect them. This would cause their sensitive hearts 

 to break. 



matter to restore the serenity of one of these * enraged 

 musicians." Even then, his rage smoulders ! 



When autumn visits us, and there is a sudden change 

 of temperature, be sure and keep your birds in a warm 

 cheerful room. Never leave them by any chance in a 

 room without a fire. They are very sensitive, and soon 

 fall sick. Extreme cold inflicts blindness on them, and 

 they cannot see to find their food. Their finely-con- 

 structed lungs require to be studied in the minutest 

 particular. Never therefore let them remain in a 

 smoky room ; and let them be always removed pro tern., 

 when your Abigails have a " domestic rout ; " also 

 when there is a general sweeping of carpets. Attend to 

 these little matters, and you will be rewarded to your 

 heart's content. Wm. Kidd, New-road, Hammersmith* 



in I 



i 



Home Correspondence* 



Rot m Larch. — My opinion as to the cause of Larch 

 rot is quite different from yours. Of course all land to 

 be planted ought to be well drained, but I am not aware 

 that this is more necessary for Larch than for other 

 timber trees. I have cut down unsound Larch on land 

 which I know was dry. I have had sound Larch grow- 

 ing on land that would hardly bear my weight, and 

 I have seen unsound on like land. 1 believe that there 

 are two conditions essential to the growth of sound 

 Larch. The first and principal one is, that the Larch 

 should never be planted mixed with Scotch Firs, or on 

 land that has previously borne a crop of Larch, Scotch, 

 or any other kind of Fir. Second, that it should hav» 

 at all stages of its growth, the free and healthy use of 

 all its branches; or, in other words, that it should be 

 planted thin, kept thin, and never primed, except it is 

 absolutely necessary in order to prevent dead knots. 

 In this opinion I think I am confirmed by Loudon's 

 " Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannieum," where this 

 subject is largely discussed, an <1 also by certain passages 

 in Mr. Brown's work. /. H., Liverpool. Your obser- 

 vations on the rot in Larch trees coincide generally 

 with my own experience ; namely, that it is commonly 

 caused by too much water about the roots in winter. 

 Every tree growing naturally in a suitable soil and 

 climate secretes certain peculiar gums and resins of 

 an antiseptic character, which glue together the fibres 

 of which the annular layers are chiefly composed — 

 hardening in time and amalgamating with them. These 

 secretions are sufficient to preserve the tree from pre- 

 mature decay ; but when a mountain tree is planted in 

 a swamp, or one from a hot and dry climate is removed 

 to a situation cold and wet ; those conservative prin- 

 ciples are not sufficiently elaborated to enable the 

 tissue to withstand the undermining agency of the air, 

 water, and inclement weather, of which probably water 

 is the most injurious ; soddening the roots during their 

 period of rest, and in time dissolving that conservative 

 cement which had been previously stored up. This 

 dissolution I have always found to commence at the root; 

 and then fine interstices are left between the concentric 



filaments were running up the vertical tubes the 



wood then affording their proper pabulum. This is 

 commonly called *< dry rot;' but I do not think it in- 

 variably belongs to that much dreaded species— the 

 Oak being subject to several others, even more com- 

 mon — one of them " Fistulina hepatica " among^ the 

 most beautiful of the order. F. J. Qraham, Cranford. 



A Standard ]Veig/d for Pirn-apples at the t rnwick 

 Exhibitions. — As Providence Pines have been produced 

 weighing 14 lbs. ; Envilles, 8 lbs. ; and Queens the 

 same ; would it not be advisable that some standard be 

 named by the Horticultural Society as to what the dif- 

 ferent kinds of Pines must reach in weight to be con- 

 sidered worthy of merit by the judges ? Something 

 like the following might answer : — No Providence Pine 

 to be deemed eligible under 7 lbs. ; no Enville, under 

 54 lbs. ; no Queen, under 5 lbs. ; no Black Antigua, 

 under 4 lbs. ; no Otaheite, under 4 lbs. ; and no Black 

 Jamaica, under 2 lbs. I perceive that the Society's medals 

 have been given for Providence and Queen Pines, in 

 May and June, of very small sizes. C. Bundy, Wadley- 

 house, Berks. 



Song Birds.— It is stated, at page 392, that " the 

 stonechat is a tender summer warbler." This is 

 entirely erroneous. The stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) 

 remains with us the whole year, and braves the severest 

 cold upon open furzy commons, and only leaves these 

 places when a fall of snow prevents it from obtaining 

 food : it then seeks the marshes near the coast, where it 

 may often be seen in considerable numbers. The whin- 

 chat (Saxicola rubetia) is migratory, and seems unable 

 to bear much cold ; but I kept both species in cages in 

 perfect health for several years upon the plan recom- 

 mended by the late Mr. Sweet ; indeed, all the warblers 

 may he easily kept in this way, and a supply of the 

 maggots of the common flesh fly may be preserved 

 through the winter in pots of earth, and upon these the 

 birds will greedily feed. 1 may also observe that there 

 is some confusion about the reed sparrow — the note of 

 the sedge warbler being apparently described as be- 

 longing to this bird. The call-note of the reed sparrow 

 is a simple squalk, and its song, if song it can be called, 

 consists of only two notes, the first being repeated twice, 

 and may be represented by the words " cheep cheep, 

 chee ;" it is more monotonous than that of the y< How- 

 hammer. The bird alluded to as found in Wales 





They are not fashioned like ours ! 



Do not feel surprised if, at the" fall of the year," your 

 birds show unusual excitement, and dash about their 

 cages. They will do so. The same will occur at the 

 spring of the year. It is called "agitation," and is 

 peculiar to all * birds of passage." This is so interesting 

 » subject, that it will form matter for discussion in a 

 tepaiate chapter, hereafter. Nature's laws are truly 

 wonderful 1 Let me, however, remark that although the 

 fcirds' plumage may suffer from this agitation, they will 

 regain their self-possession, and their usual flow of spirits, 

 in about three weeks. Still you will observe occasion al 

 •gns of melancholy throughout the autumn. 



Birds caught immediately on their arrival in England, 

 are of little value the first year. Their song seldom lasts, 

 in a cage, more than three weeks. When, however, use, 

 which is said to be second Nature, reconciles them to 

 their master or mistress, they show great gradual 

 improvement. They break out into song either at 

 Christmas, or early in the following year, and continue 

 m fine song until June. They are then silent until 

 October ; when they « settle down" with the family in a 

 nice snug room, warmed by a bright cheerful fire, and 

 8*fiy lighted for the happy enjoyment of a merry round 

 Party. Then will the mellifluous jug-jug, the soul- 

 enchanting water-bubble, and the thrilling love-chant, be 

 neard throughout the house. Then will the inherent 

 faiences of our noble hero be universally acknow- 

 ledged. Then are our household-gods " complete." 



It is perhaps not so well known as it ought to be, 

 though I have already hinted at it, that the nightingale, 

 w nen in confinement, is a most cruelly-jealous bird, — 

 Jealous not only of his master or mistress noticing any 

 ?J?€r bird than himself,— but jealous of his own tribe. 

 «w motto \s,—A ut Ccesar,aut nullus. He will admit 



l*\vf^ al near the throne - Hen ce, to keep two of these 

 tords in one room would be ridiculous. 



^ The same extraordinary failing prevails in most of our 

 K^^ters." *f ^-done in song, they frequently fail 

 dead," f rom off their perches. Some of these rival 

 Musicians, be it known, do not weigh a quarter of an 

 <*nce ! When, therefore, it is considered desirable to 

 J*P several nightingales, let each occupy a separate 

 •fjartoent By this precaution, not any one of the birds 

 ^"be put down or silenced, and each will sing without 

 wmg his temper ruffled. It is sometimes a hard 



layers, into which, as you observe, a white mycelium 

 penetrates, and no doubt expedites the disintegration of 

 the tissue. What this mycelium is, itYnay be difficult 

 to decide, but it is reasonable to suppose that it 

 belongs to one of those species of fungus to which 

 the tree is most commonly subject. The species 

 usually found on the Larch is " Thelephora san- 

 guinolenta," Eng. Flora, vol. 5 ; and the Mycelium 

 beneath it bears a general resemblance to that found in 

 the decaying trees ; this, however, cannot be much 

 relied upon, that of many species being nearly alike. 

 It appears that old Larch trees are also subject to 

 other species of fungi in their natural habitats. 

 W. Turner, the famous physician and herbalist in Queen 

 Elizabeth's reign, speaks of " the moste precious 

 Agarick " found upon them in Italy and Norway, which 

 was m soulde very dere in Italy, France, Germany, and 

 England." This was probably u Dcedalea sepiaria," 

 Eng. Flora — " Agaricns boletiformis," Sowerby ; but 

 it does not grow I believe in this country, except on 

 foreign timber. It should be observed, however, that the 

 Larch is not a solitary instance of the particular state of 

 decline to which you have called the attention of your 

 correspondents. The Birch tree frequently fails under 

 similar circumstances. I have examined trunks, in 

 which all tenacity between the concentric layers was 

 lost, so that they might be separated very easily ; and a 

 white mycelium occupied the interstices. This was suc- 

 ceeded by a small sessile Polyphorus, with a buff pileus 

 and greyish hymenium, which I do not find described by 

 authors — and by " Dsedalea betulina." As to the excep- 

 tional cases to which you advert, I have myself seen not 

 a few trees, which, I believe, were absolutely starved on 

 dry heaths, for want \ of water enough; and it is 

 not unusual to see large trees die where deep 

 drainage has deprived them of their due supply. I 

 think it very probable that most plants contain, while 

 living, the spores of those fungi which prey upon them 

 in decay ; but that they have not the power to act upon 

 those conservative substances which they contain when 

 perfectly organised. If, however, these secretions are 

 dissolved, the spores soon vegetate and penetrate the 

 softened mass, with their creeping mycelium, to a great 

 extent, without being able at all times to reach the 

 surface and fructify. I have examined Oak staves 

 ! which might be snapped easily between the thumb and 

 finger, from lying in a damp place ; yet these did not 

 contain a trace of spawn ; in others, however, the white 





* Replies to a number of questions, asked of the Editor of 

 the Gardeners' Chronicle, will be found among the "No ices to 

 Correspondents." 



undoubtedly the common redstart. Henry Doubleday, 



Bppiag. 



Forcing Peaches.— In the Number for February 22, 

 of this year, is an article on this subject by " J. M.," 

 in which it* is asserted that, when the fruit begins to 

 stone, and till its completion, " the syringe and watering- 

 pot must be sparingly used, or the fruit will drop off." 

 I am aware that this is a maxim handed down to us by 

 our forefathers ; but have the growers of the present 

 day investigated the matter ? If moisture is the prime 

 mover of the evil, in what way does it act to cause the 

 fruit to drop ? Perhaps * J. M." will oblige by giving 

 his opinion on the subject, probably having experienced 

 the effect, and made some observations on the cause. 

 Curiosus. [Did ■ J. M." ever try the effect of warm 

 water, say at 70° ?] 



Drying Plants. — If your correspondent " Botanicus m 

 would take his plants out of the paper they had been 

 partially dried in, that is to say, after two or three 

 days, and the most tender and delicate plants after 

 about 24 hours, and placing them in dry paper (a couple 

 of quires under and one sheet over), proceed to iron 

 them with a common smoothing iron, moderately hot, he 

 would find the colours preserved in a much greater 

 degree than by the common method. I have a large 

 collection made in Italy and the south of France, mostly 

 dried in this manner, and many dried thus in 1835, are 

 still perfect in their colours ; even the common Broom 

 (Cytisus scoparius), which usually turns black (both 

 blossom and leaf), and the flower of the blue Cam- 

 panula, which becomes white, perfectly retain their 

 colour when dried in this manner. Care is required to 

 have the iron sometimes less hot, and sometimes more 

 so, according to the different sorts of plants to be acted 

 on ; but this must be learned by experience. This 

 process of drying prevents the necessity of dipping 

 plants, such as Heaths, which have a tendency to cast 

 their leaves in the drying, into scalding water, or any 

 other mixture, as the hot iron effectually destroys the 

 vitality at once. It has been found useful to lay silver 

 paper, dipped in a strong solution of alum, on the 

 specimens. /. R. 0., near Dublin. [The specimens 

 accompanying this letter were well dried. The point to 

 be observed in drying plants is to do it quickly at a 

 moderate temperature ; that is all.] 



Composition for Iron Hurdles. — I have tried, more 

 than once, Mr. Fleming's mixture of Stockholm and 

 gas tars heated, on wood and iron fences, and have 

 not succeeded with it. It was shortly washed off, and 

 taking the cost of the materials, the iron barrow, and 

 two men (a boy cannot move the barrow), it was expen- 

 sive. I have, however, used for many years, and 

 found it to succeed perfectly for wood, as well as iron 

 work, a mineral gas tar, prepared by Messrs. Cassall, 

 Mill-wall, Poplar, London, and sold in casks containing 

 from 270 to 300 lbs., and costing about 12s. or 14s. each. 

 ZZ., Shrewsbury . 



Yellow Roses at the Chiswick Exhibition. — I would 

 advise Messrs. Lane to keep more correct data of their 

 grievances. In 1849 Messrs. Lane and Francis were 

 awarded first and second prizes for 6 yellow Roses in 

 pots I In 1 850 the rules stated, that " pale cream 

 colours were inadmissible ;" on that ground we were 

 both disqualified, and the prize was given to six cu 



