2512 



JOTRNAL OP HOETICTLTCrEB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



r Slireh 29, 18SS. 



from Mr. Miller. Coombe Abbey, the same variety ripe in 

 August last, and in both instances the Grapes were in ex- 

 cellent condition — another proof how valuable this variety 

 is for late-keeping. Mr. Miller sent in addition a dish of 

 Dwarf Kidney Beans. 



The greatest curiosities, however, were the two plants of 

 the common Aucuba in fruit from Mr. Laing which were 

 noticed last week, and a fruit of Ficus Cooperi ripened in 

 the Society's garden at Chiswick and very ornamental in 

 appearance, being red mottled and speckled with yellowish 

 white, but whether it is edible or not has not as yet been 

 ascertained. 



CHEAP COXSEEVATOEY DECOEATIO^' IN 

 WI^•TEE. 



The sxibject of flowers for the winter decoi-ation of the 

 conservatory having been lately brought forward in your 

 columns, and as it is one well worth following up, I will 

 with your permission briefiy state what I generally find the 

 best for the purpose, and I hope to see many more come 

 forwai-d and do the same. 



Presuming that the Chrysanthemums have lasted till the 

 beginning of December, I generallj- grow a good quantity 

 of Primulas in 32-sized pots, and with a little pushing they 

 always come in about that time, and last a long while; 

 also a good batch of early Camellias, Deutzia gracUis, which 

 I consider to be first-rate, and a nice sprinkling of Epacris ; 

 so that with Primulas for pink or rose colour. Camellias for 

 scarlet and white, Deutzias with their beautiful foathery 

 blooms, and the various shades of Epacris, I generally 

 manage to have flowers till after Christmas. 



For January I always depend upon early-sown Cinerarias, 

 close-potted, and kept near the glass, forced bulbs, of sorts, 

 and Crocuses in particular, also Mignonette, forced Azaleas, 

 Epiphyllums, of sorts ; Polygalas, in small pots ; Primula 

 nivalis, Correas, of sorts. Begonia fuchsioides, in small pots, I the tree will fall. 



and hardened-oif gradually ; forced Eoses, Acacias, ana 

 Cytisuses, earlj'-flowering Heaths, Actus gracilis. Lobelia 

 Paitoniana, first-rate, and small plants of the various 

 bedding Geraniums, forced Rhododendrons, Calceolarias, 

 Salvia patens and fulgens. These with a few stove plants 

 sparingly introduced form the supply for flowers tUl the end 

 of February, after which time there is no lack of material to 

 choose from ; and for foliage I have Araucarias, of sorts. 

 Camellias, and Oranges, with the various Eetinosporas. — 

 BUBNTWOOD, P. D. 



and summer. This will sometimes be indicated by a slight 

 lean on the part of the trees, and more distinctly, perhaps, 

 by the inclination of the tops. In commencing a piece of 

 chopping, the largest and most unmanageable tree shotild 

 be felled first, and if the prevailing wind be from north- 

 west, the tree should, if possible, be made to fall towards 

 the south-east. Then by carefully cutting the rest of the 

 trees witliin reach of this first tree they will all fall with their 

 tops on the first tree felled, the trunks forming various 

 angles with that of the first tree chopped down. As each 

 tree is felled, the branches should be aU cut off so as to 

 form a compact mass. TVhere the cimber is thick these 

 heaps will be nearly, if not quite, close enough to walk over 

 through the entire extent of the fallow. When a tree is 

 bent so as to fall the wrong way, it >vill often reach another 

 row, or if the inclination be not too decisive its course may 

 be directed by the use of a " spring pole," as it is called. 

 This is a light, tough pole, about 25 feet long, with a strong 

 sharp spike in the small end, protected from splitting by a 

 ferule. When used, it is placed on the side of tlie tree oppo- 

 site to that towards which the tree should fall, the spite 

 thrust into the tree about 20 feet from the ground, and the 

 bottom end jerked toward the stump of the tree. A small 

 rope maybe attached about half way up the pole and fastened 

 round the stump below the place where it is being cut off. By 

 doing this tightly, the pole will bend, and aU its elasticity 

 be made to contribute toward forcing the tree to fall in the 

 desired direction. The use of the "spring-pole" requires 

 much judgment and caution. A tree will usually fall on that 

 side of the stump which is cut the lowest. If it be desired to 

 throw a tree in a given direction, let it be first cut on that 

 side 3 or 4 inches lower down than on the other side, 

 and it will surely fall as intended, unless the wind is con- 

 trai-y, or the tree leans. These circumstances must always 

 be taken into account at the outset to prevent mistakes and 

 avoid accident. The direction in which the chips fly and the 

 line they form as they lie on the ground will indicate where 

 Care must be taken and judgment 



THE AET OF CHOPPING. 



Chopping is an art, and one that is not to be acquired in 

 a day. Those who have handled the axe from earliest child- 

 hood, and become familiar with its management, have little 

 idea of the awki7ardness felt by those who make their first 

 attempt at chopping, after having arrived at mature years. 

 However, with a little perseverance, the art may soon be 

 acquired by parties who have been accustomed to handle 

 tools of a very different description. There is, however, a 

 great difference in the facility and effectiveness with which 

 people handle the aie. One man wUl chop much faster and 

 more neatly than another. Xor is it merely a question of 

 moecular strength. Skill has far more to do with it. A 

 small man, possessing apparently but little strength, will 

 often chop twice as much as a burly, powerful fellow, who 

 " hasn't got the hang of it." as backswood-men would say. 

 It is difficult to preaciibe rules for handling the axe properly. 

 An easy swing obtained by utraightening the back at every 

 stroke, and throwing the axe well up into the air ; a straight 

 aim ; firm grasp of the handle hilt in one hand, and quick, 

 free motion with the other; perfect elasticity in the arms; 

 and the avoidance of all stiff, rigid movements ; — these are 

 the chief requirements. But, after all, there is a certain 

 knack which only intuitive perception and intelligent prac- 

 tice can give. We are not sure but the true chopper, like 

 the true poet, is " bom, not made." 



Much labour is avoided by making a careful examination 

 of the ground and timber before beginning, and especially 

 ascertaining the direction of the prevailing winds in spring 



exercised in felling trees to prevent mishaps. Accidents 



* occur through ignorance or carelessness, and there are few 



cases in which injury is done by the falling of branches, or 



the tree going in the wrong direction, that the chopper is 



not to blame. Many act very recklessly, especially when 



the tree gets lodged in an adjacent tree. In such a case 



j great caution should be used, no risks run, and no hasty 



I measure attempted. Better take a little more time than 



! hazard life or limb. 



I Before closing these remarks about chopping, it may be 

 useful to say something about the axe, and the mode of 

 "hanging" it, as it is called. The annexed figure repre- 

 sents an axe ready for use : — a is the poll, 

 which is often made of steel ; B is the 

 edge; c the steel; d the outside comer r 

 E the inside corner ; f the eye through 

 which the helve or handle passes, and into- 

 which it is wedged ; g is the helve or 

 handle. H is the hilt of the helve or 

 handle. The dotted lines represent the 

 angle of the axe and helve, and show how 

 the axe should be hung. Axes are made 

 of difl'erent sizes and weights, choppers are- 

 not agreed as to whether a light or heavy 

 axe is the more eftisctive. Perhaps it de- 

 pends somewhat on the workman. A slow 

 chopper can use to advantage a heavier 

 axe than a man who is quick in his move- 

 ments, while the latter will make up in the 

 number of his blows for the lightness of 

 the tool he works with. A good helve or 

 handle is very necessary in order to be plea- 

 sant and effective for work. In many cases 

 it so happens that the chopper must 

 make his own helve. This is not an easy 

 task. Slany a good mechanic cannot 

 make a helviS fit to chop with. Our space 

 "^ '' will but admit of a suggestion or two in 



reference to this point. In the first place, 

 the helve must be flat or rather oval, as a round helve will 

 turn in the hand, and is neither pleasant nor safe to work 

 with. The shape will be better understood by the help of 



