August 1, 1878. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. 
93 
in a warm and mellow soil and a genial climate. There are 
forests of twenty thousand trees standing in firm and stately 
lines. A little has been done in the way of exporting dried 
fruits to England and Europe, but judging from her unparal- 
leled yearly riches America might do much more in this 
direction. 
FOSTER & PEARSON'S PATENT SLOT THROTTLE 
VALVE. 
WE direct attention to the above valve, which is adapted to 
all the purposes for which the ordinary throttle valve is now 
used in regulating the flow of water, steam, gas, &c. The 
following are among its advantages :—The working parts of 
the valve can be readily removed and repaired without dis- 
tarbing the body of the valve. The valve seat in which the 
brass wing works forms part of the valve, and has not to be 
removed, thus reducing the size of the joint of the cap or cover 
materially, and lessening the chance of an unsound leaky 
Fig. 15.—Foster & Pearson's Patent Slot Throttle Valve. 
A, Valve socket. 3B, Moveable cap. 0, Indiarubber ring for rendering the 
valve secure. 
joint when refixed. The valve cap or cover is secured by two 
screws in the top of the valve, and can be easily removed in 
any position in which the valve handle can be reached. The 
importance of this will at once be seen in the case of valves 
fixed under the floors of buildings and in other positions where 
it is difficult to get at the sides or bottom of the valve. 
A frequent cause of damage to throttle valves is their being 
turned the wrong way by those who have charge of them. 
This is prevented in the valve under notice by means of a 
small pin working in the collar of the valve spindle, which 
renders it impossible to turn the valve wing past the centre 
when opening it. 
NOTES ON VILLA AND SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
A FORTNIGHT or more of tropical sunshine has afforded every- 
one a chance of destroying the numerous weeds which only a few 
weeks since were a great trouble in every garden, andif the hoe 
has been busily engaged none ought now to be remaining. Within 
the last few days rain has fallen in several localities, which was 
much needed ; the excessive heat was beginning to be felt on 
light soils, while on heavy land the surface had become so baked 
that it was with great difficulty that a spade or a fork could 
break it. 
Fruit trees on walls require going over, and to haye the shoots 
secured to the wall, stopping any foreright or gross shoots. Gross 
wood in Peach or Nectarines is not wanted, and where any growths 
are taking the lead nip the points out, which will not only stop 
their progress, but will disperse the flow of sap regularly through- 
out the weaker-crowing shoots. Water liberally all trees on walls, 
plying the garden engine frequently over the foliage in the even- 
ings after hot days. Thin any crops that are too heavily set, and 
expose the fruit as much as possible to the sun, to gain both 
colour and flavour. Net Morello Cherries, both standards and 
those growing on walls, for the fruit will be useful for many weeks 
tocome. Those trees growing on walls are most easily protected 
from birds ; merely fastening the nets at the sides and ends, and 
placing a few forked short sticks at interyals throughout the 
entire length, will enable the nets to project a sufficient distance 
to puzzle the most artful of birds from getting their bills through 
to peck the fruit. Standard or bush Cherry trees are not so easily 
and effectually netted, and great pains must be taken to make 
every connection secure, or blackbirds and thrushes are almost 
certain to disturb the nets sufficiently to make an entrance. These 
birds are most partial to Cherries. 
Proceed with the budding of Roses as fast as possible, and if the 
weather is dry on light soils it will be necessary to give plenty of 
water and mulchings to assist the buds to take freely. Roses have 
made a very free second growth, which is just now furnishing a 
very fine supply of blooms, and from these shoots any amount of 
buds will be procurable. Roses in pots must be plentifully sup- 
plied with liquid manure to assist them to make firm and strong 
growths early, which is so necessary for next year’s bloom. 
Pinks, Picotees, and Carnations ought now to be layered if it 
is desired to increase the stock of these long-cherished and old- 
fashioned flowers. Begin by thinning-out any weakly growths, 
then remove just a few of the leaves near the base of those re- 
maining, and with a thin-bladed knife split the stem about half 
an inch below a joint where the leaves were removed. Place 
some light soil around the plant or stool, and peg out each layer 
regularly with a wooden or metallic peg. Give a good watering 
from a rose watering can and the iayers will soon emit roots, 
when they may be taken off and finally transplanted to their 
blooming stations. Pick off all flowers from Campanulas as they 
wither ; these if kept constantly gathered without being left to 
swell their seed pods will throw out a second supply of flowers, 
which will add to the beauty of the herbaceous border later on im 
the season, Stake Dahlias, Hollyhocks, and Gladiolus before 
there is any danger of their being blown about and broken off by 
the winds. Increase spring-flowering bedding plants. Pansies 
will increase most readily now by inserting cuttings thickly under 
a handlight, the blue and yellow selfs are most suitable for 
masses in beds or for lines on borders. 
Sow the various kinds of Silenes, Myosotis, Nemophila insignis, 
Saponaria calabrica, and Limnanthuses Douglasii and grandi- 
florus in an open piece of ground, and water frequently if dry 
weather continues. If sown at once they wiil make strong plants 
for lifting and transferring to the flower beds on removal of the 
summer occupants. Daisies and Polyanthuses that were laid in 
temporarily in the reserve garden. at the time when the summer 
bedding plants were planted should be increased by division and 
receive bountiful supplies of water. These are amongst the 
earliest of spring-blooming plants, and ought to be used more ex- 
tensively than they are. 
The beauty of the flower garden has been greatly enhanced by 
the recent warm weather. Geraniums, &c., are now blooming 
well, and the plants used in carpet bedding have not only grown 
well but the colours are fairly good. Most of these high-coloured- 
foliage plants improve by frequent waterings overhead, and where 
the soil is of a dry and gravelly nature we give it a slight cover- 
ing of cocoa-nut fibre, which not only removes the unsightliness of 
the soil, but brightens and better defines the separate colours. 
Coleus, Pyrethrums, and many other such-like foliage plants 
require pinching and clipping to keep all the colours at a uniform 
height and distance, and have the edges of the beds frequently 
clipped. Attend often and regularly to all these little require- 
ments, for the summer months are fast fading away, and before 
long the flower garden will be again shorn of its beauty. 
Under glass there is a breathing time. Vines are finishing the 
swelling of their crops, and Peaches and Nectarines are fast 
approaching to:maturity. The conservatory is gay with many 
stove plants, and the hardwooded greenhouse plants which have 
done flowering will be benefited by being placed out of doors on 
a partially shaded border, the night dews and refreshing rains 
being highly beneficial to their growth. Itis the only season of 
the year when greenhouses may be made empty with ease, and 
this affords an excellent opportunity for cleaning the plants, for 
repairs, painting, and other requisites. Pelargoniums that have 
been placed out of doors to ripen should be cut-in, the tops being 
made into cuttings and inserted for an increased next year’s supply, 
the plants, after having made a little fresh growth, being shaken 
out and repotted into smaller pots. 
Cucumbers and Melons in frames require regulating and fre- 
quently watering overhead before closing on warm days. Cu- 
cumbers if planted now on a fresh bed of manure will furnish a. 
late supply of fruits. 
Sow herbaceous Calceolarias at once, and shift-on Cinerarias 
and Primulas as their pots become filled with roots. Calceolarias 
and Cinerarias thrive best in a cool temperature. A frame turned 
to the north instead of facing the south is a suitable place for 
them. Keep the plants somewhat shaded and close during the day, 
but the lights may be drawn fully off at night, and the plants will 
be benefited by the heavy dews. Pot Cyclamens, and shade them 
from bright sunshine until new growths are made. Sow Inter- 
mediate Stocks for flowering in pots and planting-out next spring. 
Geraniums that have recently been potted for winter blooming 
should have liberal treatment, and all blooms picked off until the 
end of September; other plants may be cut back at once, when. 
they will break and be useful later on. Chrysanthemums should 
