520 



JOURNAL OF BOKTICTLTTJEE AND COTTAGE GAJr-DENEK 



-nlu ], lf.6. 



■way would of course need to be carried across the end next the rockwork, and 

 beneath this the hot water could be taken in an open line covered with iron 

 grating forming part of the pathway. You could arrange for a "sloping 

 bank" of rockwork all around the house for Ferns, and take the hst-water 

 pipes in an open Hue with ornamental grating over forming part of the path, " 

 and dispose of the centre a3 a bed or stage for plants, which snould be formed 

 of stone or slate. 



Orchids fob November and December (J. 5. IF.).— Calanthe vestita 

 vara., Zygopetalum Mackayi, Odontoglossum Alexandras, 0. grande, 0. Insleayi 

 Zeopardinum, Dendrobium nobile, D. Wardianum, D. chrysanthum, Ltelia 

 anceps, Lyeaste Skinneri, Cypripedium niveum, and C. in&igne. Nearly all 

 Orchids will, whilst in flower, endure the atmosphere of a conservatory kept at 

 about 50°. 



Gardenia Florida Dying (An Apprentice Gardener). — We should at- 

 tribute the death of the plant to having had all the soil removed, and the 

 consequent loss of fibrous roots. The daily syringings were not likely to 

 mend matters in such a case, as the fresh soil would ba made too wet. 



Propagating Epacrises, Heaths, and Camellias (W.P.).— Epacriseaand 

 Ericas are propagated by cuttings of about \h to 2 inches in length. THe tips 

 of the shoots when of that length are inserted in pots half filled with drainage, 

 some rough peat placed over it, the pot filled to within half an inch of the 

 rim with fine sandy peat, and the remainder with silver sand pressed firmly; 

 water thoroughly, and a few hours alterwards put in the cuttings, and oover 

 them with a bell-glass, placing in a cold pit or frame, shading from sun. 

 Camellias are increased by grafting upon stock of the single kind. Cuttings 

 for stocks require to be of the ripe wood, inserted firmly in sand, kept in a 

 close frame for a month or sir weeks, and then placed in a geniie bottom 

 heat. The planta you name can be bought from the trade growers more 

 cheaply than they o&n be propagated in private gardens. 

 . Repotting Camellias (J. H.). — The potting Bhould not be done until the 

 flowering is very nearly over. "We do not pot ours until the buds are set, 

 generally in August up to early September. 



Dracssna Flowering (G. S.).— Keep the plant in the same temperature, 

 and when it flowers keep the atmosphere dry, and fertilise the flowers. The 

 Fern No. 4 is Cheilanthes lendigera, and No. 6 appears to be Adiantum «on- 

 cinnum latum. 



Petals Palling off Cot Flowers (A Constant Reader).— Drop into the 

 flower, so as to run down to the bases of the petals, very thick gum water. 



Apples (Senex Coryius). — We have no doubt that the names you have 

 attached are correct ; but they are loc^l names, and the varieties are not 

 known out of the cider districts. 



Apple and Pear Sprays [L. I. K.). — They are all attacked by canker. 

 The roots have descended too deep in a clayey soil. The trees should be 

 lifted, and the roots kept near the surface. 



Raising Flower Beds (A Ipha).— Taking up flowers for your purpose at 

 this season will nob iujure them. Cocoa-nut fibre refuse is not a guod 

 manure, and covering the plants with it 2 inches thick would probably iDJure 

 some of them. 



Making an Asparagus Bed (A. (7.1. — This is best done at the end of 

 March or early in April, being the best time also for planting. If the ground 

 is common loam imd well drained, or having a subsoil of gravel or chalk, 

 nothing more is needed than to trench the space intended for the bed, and to 

 mix with the soil as much rich thoroughly decayed dnng as can be worked- 

 in. Have only two rows of plants in each bed, as this enables them to be 

 cultivated anu cut from easily. Set the rows out 2 feet apart, stretching the 

 line, and drawing with a hoe a drill on each side of it sufficiently deep for the 

 roots to be extended on each side of the little ridge which is thus left between 

 the two drills, and on which ridge the plants are placed. Their roots being 

 equally divided on each side, nothing more is required than filling up the 

 drills with a hoe or rake. The plants should be chosen when they have 

 started into growth 2 or 8 inches; they should be forked out carefully, and 

 their roots not allowed to get dry after being taken up. No heads should be 

 Gut the first year after planting, aud very few the second. 



Pears for Walls (F. 1.).— West aspect— Marie Louise, Van Mons Leon 

 Leclerc, Beurie Die!.* East aspect — Beurre Bose, Winter Nelis, and Grlou 

 Mbrceau. Tea Roses will do well on a low wall with west aspect. 



Covering "Vine Border (J. Thomas). — In wet districts and in wet 

 seasons it is as well to place boards over the Vine border to throw off super- 

 fluous wet, but the covering must be watertight, and some arrangement must 

 be made to drain away the water falling from the boards, else it will only be 

 carrying water from one part of the border to run it on to the other. 



Management of Peach Trees (Young Beginner). — If you want to gather 

 Peaches in April or May, the house must be started at once (see last number, 

 page 495 J. "Sou will not be successful with greenhouse plants in the same 

 house. The Chrysanthemums may be placed in a cold frame, or failing that 

 in a sheltered place out of doors. 



Tank for Bottom Heat (Staines). — Two 4-inch pipes will be sufficient. 

 Plunge the Pines in tan. 



Standard Chrysanthemums (B. E.). — Insert the cuttings now or early in 

 February in a little bottom heat. Grow the plants on without any check, and 

 stop them at the required height. The succeeding growths must be trained 

 into shape by fixing a ring of iron wire the height of the plant and about 

 2 feet in diameter. Cultural directions are given in the present number. 



Lady Downe's Grapes Cracked (L. D,). — What you say in your com- 

 munication is very feasible ; but yon also say that they began cracking imme- 

 diately after heavy rain, therefore there can he no reason to doubt but that 

 the wet border is the cause, and the wet close atmosphere would also aid in 

 the destruction of your crop. 



Vines fop. Late Vinery (Idem). — Lady Downe'e, Gros Colman, Alicante, 

 and Pearson's Golden Queen. The two best Peaches for your purpose are 

 Early York and Royal George. 



Potatoes for Exhibition (J. R.).— Omit King of Potatoes and Mel- 

 bourne Hero, and substitute them with Lapstone. In the class for rounds 

 replace Early HandBworth and King of the Eaclies with Schoolmaster, a 

 splendid sort sent out by Mr. C Turner of Slough. The true Early Hands- 

 worth is one of the earliest, if not the earliest round Potato; but this is a 

 different variety from many of the dishes exhibited at the Alexandra Palace 

 under that name. 



Propagation of Philodendron (One in a Fix). — This plant may be 

 readily propagated by division of the roots, or by cuttings of short voung 



growths. The cuttings should be inserted in sand in a pot and placed under 

 a bell-glass. Io is a stove plant. 



American Blackberries (Inquirer). — The Lawton Blackberry can be 

 bought of the raiser, Mr. William Lawton, New Bochelie, Hew York, U.S.A. j 

 or from Messrs. EJlwanger & Barry, whose advertisement appears in the 

 Journal. — H. S. J. It can also be purchased at Messrs. Veiteh & Sons' nur- 

 series, Coombe Wood. 



St one- coloured Paint (C. Alley). — Mix stiff ground white lead with a 

 little spirit of turpentine into a smooth cream, adding linseed oil and more 

 turpentine until of the desired tnickness ; then thoroughly mix with it a little 

 powdered burnt umber to impart the stone tint. 



Fever Plant (J. R.).— This is one of the popular names of Eucalyptus 

 globulus. 



Rose Bud (An Interested Reader).— T$o one could tell the name from the 

 specimen sent. 



Cucumbers for Frame Culture (E. B.). — Munroe's Duke of Edinburgh. 

 is a very free-boating and fine-flavoured kind. Master's Prolific is also first- 

 rate; both have fruit about a foot in length ; and for size Tender and True 

 is very good. Telegraph is also very desirable, but for general frame culture 

 and everyday use we prefer the first-named variety. We Bhould not sow 

 until the early part of February. 



Destroying Weeds on Gravel Wale (G. Foster).— Dissolve lib. of 

 powdered arsenic io three gallons of cold water, stirring until it boils, then, 

 adl seven gallons of cold water and 2 lbs. of crushed soda. Stir the whole 

 well whilst boiling, and with a rose watering-pot apply to the walks in dry 

 weather from March to May. An inclining board should be placed so as to 

 keep the hot liquid from the grass or Box edgings. The quantity named is 

 sufficient for 25 square yards- Carbolic acid has been reoommended to our 

 correspondent for the purpose. We should be obliged by particulars as to 

 the quantity and mode of application. 



Pompon Chrysanthemums (P. P.). — Perhaps the best white, dark, and 

 yellow rather late varieties are Mdlle. Marthe, Bob, and Golden Circle. 



Names of Fruits <<?. Stone).— The Pears are— 105, Vernlam ; 172, Beurre 

 Clairgeau; 68,Duche9se d'Angouleme ; 150, Catillae; 170, Vicar of Winkfield j 

 97, Susette de Bavay. (James Lessels).— Pears— 1, Glou Morceau; 2, Colmar ; 

 3, Catillae. Apples.— I, Autumn Pearmain; 2, Braddick's Nonpareil; 3-, 

 Sturmer Pippin. (C. £.).— It is possible the Apple is a seedling, but it is not 

 one which is poseessed of merit superior to many others in cultivation. 



Names of Plants (W. P.).— 1, Selagiuella denticulata; 2, Sedum acre 

 (E. B. B.). — Begonia Weltoniensis. It is very pretty from its foliage and. 

 flowers at this season in a warm greenhouse or cool stove. It belongB to 

 the natural order Bignoniacere, and Class 21, Monacia ; 9, Polyandria, Liniu 

 (A Young Gardener). — We cannot name plants either from leaves only, or 

 that are florists' varieties. 



POULTEY, BEE, AM) PIGE0I 0HR0MOLE. 



CAN A POULTRY FARM PAY? 



I must apologise to Miss "Weston for not having answered her 

 letter of November 23rd before this, but my time of late has 

 been so much occupied. ■ Even now 1 can only write very briefly, 

 but will do bo more at length in a week or two. 



In the first place, what I wanted to elicit was the opinions and 

 advice of others, and I am delighted to find the matter taken up 

 by Miss Weston ; and only hope that Mr. B»iley, Mr. F. Wragge, 

 and other large breeders will come to the front and aid in the 

 work. I can assure MiBS "Weston that, so far from wishing to- 

 take her letter in bad part, I am only too glad to find that others 

 are interested in such a work as I propose. 



I would particularly a3k Miss Weston to read again the last 

 three lines of my letter in your impression of November 9th— 

 "Many of these supposed items may not turn out facts; but I 

 think enough ha3 been shown to infer that there is fair ground 

 to expect with due care and supervision there Bhould be a fair 

 profit." 



Now a few words as to the figures. I must make a few cor- 

 rections. On making inquiry as to land I find I can get land 

 very suitable at 10s. per acre; Thus it stood before : Thirty 

 acres at 30s. per annum per acre, £45. Now it stands : Thirty 

 acres at 10s. ditto, £15. Again as to markets. Inquiries pre- 

 liminary to arranging contracts show that I can throughout the 

 year obtain from 8s. to 9s. per 120 eggs. The prices of fowls, 

 chickens, &c, woold be slightly in advance of that stated. As 

 to hatching, I do not expect fifty hens to do all the hatching. 

 The fifty hens are to be kept chiefly on that account ; but as I 

 expect them to lay some eggs as well, so do I expect my other 

 two hundred hens to do some hatching as well as lay eggs. Be- 

 sides this, I can hire temporarily Bitting hens when required. 



Now as to Brahmas and Houdans, which are the breeds I have 

 kept and now intend to use (I have given up Redcaps), I found 

 for many years that I had over five thousand eggs from about 

 forty hens and pullets. During that time I entered every day 

 the number of eggs received during each year, and weight and' 

 number of birds killed during the same period. I cannot just at 

 present obtain this book to give extracts, but will do bo when 

 I can. As to breeding, one of my axioms is that you cannot 

 expect more than eight birds out of a Bitting of twelve eggs. 



After consulting markets, train arrangements, &c, I find Bome 

 figures to alter. Some I have mentioned, others I hope to do in 

 a week or so. Finally I may say that I never expected to see a 

 balance in favour .of the undertaking such as may casually be 

 deduced from the figures. I purposely omitted to draw a balance 



