53S 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



I December 21, 1876. 



the hedge galvanised iron netting 2 feet high above the surface, and 6 inches 

 below it. They never borrowed under that. 



Gesnera exoniensis not Flowering {E. L. W.). — "We think the cause 

 of the plants not flowering is due to their not having a sufficiently high tem- 

 perature, or it may arise from their having been started late. To do well they, 

 after September, require a light and moderately airy situation in a stove, and 

 to be duly supplied with wa T er. We afford ours a temperature of 60° at night, 

 and 65° to 70° by day, and they flower very freely. Encodonopses flower less 

 •freely genarally than Gesnera exoniensie, and we think both are grown in too 

 low a temperature, and have not sufficient light, and are probably too dry at 

 the roots. 



Pruning Clematises (E. TT.).— Pruning is be3t doae in February, or so 

 soon after as mild weather permits. In pruning, all the old wood should 

 he thinned out, especially leaving the young shoots of last year at such dis- 

 tances as to cover the bed, ihortening these shoots to firm ripe wood. The 

 early-summer and late kinds require the same treatment. The best time to 

 insert cuttings is in spring when the shoots are 2 or 3 inches Ion?, taking 

 them off with a heel of tbo old wood attached and placing in sand in gentle 

 heat, keeping them rather close, moist, and shaded. 



Liliums in Beds (Idem) — Do not take up and replant, but top-dress with 

 sweetened rich compost 2 orS inches thick. Turfy loam and vegetable refuse 

 in about equal parts is a capital application. 



Heating Apparatus Defectite (-R. F. B.). — From the water being heated 

 in the supply cistern which communicates with the lower or return 4-inch 

 pipe shows that the water aB heated by the boiler flows equally by the return 

 and flow pipes, there bemg, in fact, no circulation. Are you quite sure that the 

 flow pipe in the greenhouse is above the coil pipe of the boiler? The flow 

 gradually rising from the boiler to the air pipe, the bead you allude to in 

 the return pipe ought not to interfere with the circulation unless air lodges 

 at the elbow, which we do not see can take place. It would have been better 

 without the elbow. Satisfy yourself first that the flow pipe from tbe boiler 

 has a gradual rise from it to the air pipe, and that the return pipe from the 

 air pipe falls gradually to the return of the boiler. There can be no air in 

 the pipe in that case, as it will rise to the highest point — the air pipe, and 

 escape. We apprehend your pipes are on the level alongside each other, and 

 there is no circulation because the heated water rises both by the flow and 

 return pipes — boils in the boiler and pipes adjacent. It may be only a case 

 of overheating, for we see nothing in the bend of the return pipe falling 

 from the air pipe to the bend to impede the circulation. The removal of the 

 bend and lowering of the return to meet that of the boiler is proper, but if 

 the flow rise to and the return pipe fall from the air pipe the elbow may 

 remain. The fault is not in it. You will easily know whether it be a case of 

 overheating by feeling the pipes. If not, the watar being driven out at the 

 pipe is a consequence of the water in th« apparatus being heated to an 

 uniform temperature, boiling and blown off because a vacuum is caused by 

 the generation of steam. 



Starting Pines (W. TV.).— The large "lanky" plants are less likely to 

 throw up fruit than the stiff strong plants, but we should nevertheless give 

 tbem a trial; and, if they do not start with the others, continuing iu the 

 higher temperature, and they will probably he little later, if any, than the 

 others. 



Anemone fulgens. — "G. S." pays — "The glowiDg descriptions given of 

 this plant have induced me several times to purchase tubers. Plants I have, 

 cut flowers none. Will any successful grower tell me — 1st, Is it better to 

 leave the tubers all tbe year in the ground, or to dry and replant them, and 

 wben ? 2ndly, Is stiff or light soil the better? Sraly, Sun or Bhafle?" 

 Any of our readers who have cultivated this flower successfully will oblige by 

 sending the information aBked for. 



Clihbin» Plants tor Wall (J. P.).— Passiflora caerulea is very pretty 

 and quite hardy except in very severe winters. Wistaria sinensis would be 

 quite hardy, and would be a noble object on a 16-feet wall. You probably 

 allude to Clematis Jackmanii; the flowers are violet purple, large and fine. 

 Boses will not succeed in London. 



Shrubs for Smoky Districts (Idem). — Aucuba japonica, in variety; 

 Arbutus, in variety ; Phillyrea media ; Holly, in variety; Berberis Darwinii, 

 Japan Privet, tall-growing Bos, Lanrus nobilis, Cerasus laurocerasus (com- 

 mon Laurel), Mahonia, in variety. All the above are evergreen. The follow- 

 ing deciduous species will be suitable — Amygdalus communis (the Almond), 

 "Cratsegus, in variety ; the Flowering Currant, in variety; Spinas, in variety; 

 Syringa. in different species and varieties, including the lilac; Weigela 

 rosea. It will improve stiff clay to mix sand with it. 



Arrangements tor a Heating Apparatus (ff. T. Frampton). — Cat th 

 existing supply pipe bet veen the boiler and greenhouse for a junction with two 

 valves — one to control the greenhouse pipes, and the other those in the new 

 houses. From this junction carry a flow-pipe straight to the nearest point 

 of the new house*, continuing it along outside so far as the partition, branch- 

 ing off into hotb houses at aoy convenient point, and having valves fised iu 

 both these branches so a? te enible you to shut off the heat from either com- 

 partment at will. The return-pipe could, of course, be connected with that 

 of the greenhouse. For such small houseB an extra amount of piping is ad- 

 visable. A single 4-inch pipe will, however, be quite sufficient for the cool 

 house if it is carried all round it. and a couole of the same-sized pipes run- 

 ning all round the hothouse will render forcing an eisy matter, even in tbe 

 coldest weather. Rings of vulcanised iudiarubber are preferable to cement, 

 as from their pliant nature they yield to the expansion and contraction of the 

 pipes; only make sure that your joints are rendered quite watertight in the 

 first instance, and you need fear no subsequent failure. The elevated position 

 of the new range points to a little future trouble in regulating the valves, it 

 being quite clear that checking the flow to the higher level sufficient heat 

 could always be thrown into the greenhouse. The connections between the 

 old and new piping may be of 2- inch pipes. 



Propagating Chrysanthemums (IF. P.).— Select the stout, short-jointed, 

 young shoots and treat tbem as detailed in our pages by Mr. Hall, Mr. Hard- 

 ing, and others. The name of the shrub is Cotoneaster microphylla. 



Forcing Lily of the Valley (Old Subscriber).— We can only advise 

 you to plunge the pots in leaves or cocoa-nut fibre refuse, covering the 

 crowns 3 or 4 inches, and keeping in the temperature jou name, or slightly 

 increasing it, and if growth is not perceived in three weeks you may conclude 

 that the crowns are dead in consequence of their long detention at Rotterdam^ 



Stock for Peach Trees (M. C). — For open-air culture, or for under 

 class, the Muscle Plum. They are never budded or grafted on the Quince. 

 You do not seem to be aware that a bud or graft will not unite to a stock not 

 in some degree related to it. 



Sutton's Magnum Bonum Potato (D. D. W.).~ The greatest weight of 

 this variety from 1 lb. of seed which we remember to have noticed was 

 267 lbs., exhibited at Reading by Major Thoyte. 



Small-leayed Ivies (N. C). — The following have variegated leaves: — 

 Hedera marginata grandis, H. marginata rubra, H. marginata major, H. minor 

 maculata, H. chrysophylla, H. argentea, H. aurea, and H. elegantissima. 

 Cultural remarks may hs found iu another column. 



Destroying Weeds on Walk3 (Q. F.).— Mr. W. Sowerby of the Royal 

 Botanie Gardens, Regent's Park, reports that for killing vegetation, and pre- 

 venting its growth on gravel walks, he found that carbolic acid in very dilute 

 solutions (No. 5 quality in one hundred parts water), was the best, retaining 

 its effect longer than any other. 



Names of Fruits (E. M. Stone).— 217, Josephine de Malines; 169, Nou- 

 veau Poiteau; 203 and 108, Vicar of Winkfield; 95, Josephine de Malines; 

 54 and 55, Susette de Bavay. 



Names of Plants (A. Boyle). — It is a Begonia, and we think it is B. coc- 

 cinea ( but the flowers were smashed. (W. W.). — Escallonia rubra. 



POULTKY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 



BIRMINGHAM POULTRY SHOW. 



It is the twenty-eighth Birmingham Show, so the catalogue 

 announces. The schedule has been much altered and modernised, 

 not entirely for the hetter. The general arrangement, we 

 regret to say, has not been altered. The old pens are becoming 

 so dilapidated that several serious accidsnts have occurred from 

 birds breaking and fighting through their patched sides. A large 

 numher of birds including French and Hamburghs are shown 

 in zinc pens suitable for Bantams, but so small that their in- 

 mates cannot possibly show their size or carriage. The tempe- 

 rature in the Pigeon gallery is towards evening unsupportabls 

 from the heat from the gas, and the whole poultry annex un- 

 pleasant from its constant escape. From the single-bird system 

 having been adopted there is this year an increase in the entries, 

 though a considerable decrease in the aggregate number of birds 

 shown, as well as a decline in their quality. The changes for the 

 better, which we are pleased to recognise, are the divisions of the 

 adult and young birds in the Polish and Hamburghs. Iu the 

 case of Polish, in which full development of the prime feature — 

 viz., crest, is impossible in the first year, this classification is a 

 great boon. In the case of Hamburghs we can see no use in it ; 

 they do not improve by age, neither is Bize a desideratum in 

 them, consequently young and old birds can at this time of year 

 compete on perfect equality. There are some excellent classes 

 in the Show, notably so the Cochins. Probably this is from the 

 endurance of the breed under painful circumstances, but taken 

 all round the Show is a very moderate one, not to be compared 

 with the Crystal Palace generally, or with Oxford in the display 

 of Pigeons and chickens of the year. It is a pity that with all 

 its prestige Birmingham should have descended into the rank of 

 second-rate shows. We have before now written in its favour, 

 but to do so further while it remains as it is would be to desert 

 the cause of humanity towards birds. 



Brahmas. — The first class were adult Dark Brahma cocks 

 (twenty-nine entries). This was a very good class. The first 

 was a large grand-shaped bird, with good legs and feet, well 

 feathered and beautiful in colour. The silver cup value £10 for 

 the best Dark Brahma in the Show was awarded to this bird. 

 The second, a very rich black-breasted bird with beautiful broad 

 green-black bars, was in excellent condition. Third the same 

 that was third at Bristol; he has a good head, breast slightly 

 ticked with white, and rather long in the back. Fourih a 

 very good bird, but out of condition. Several other birds were 

 noticed in this class. Dark Brahma cockerels had forty-five 

 entries. The class, with the exception of the first-prize bird, 

 was far behind those exhibited last year in quality. The first 

 was Mr. Lingwood's beautiful-headed bird that wun first at both 

 Crystal Palace and Bristol. He was very far ahead of any other 

 bird in the class, and ran hard for the £10 cup. The second 

 slightly ticked in the breast, otherwise a good bird. Third 

 evidently a very young bird, and rather weak iu legs, large, good 

 in colour, and likely to make a grand bird. Fourth another late- 

 hatched bird, beautiful in colour and neat comb, bat at present 

 looks rather leggy. Fifth a grand bird that has won at several 

 shows, now getting a little loose in condition, especially in his 

 wings. Dirk Brahma hens, thirty-seven entries. The first is 

 beautifully pencilled throughout, but slightly twisted in hackle ; 

 her ground colour for a hen is very clear and beautiful. Second 

 a far better shaped bird and well pencilled, but not so even in 

 marking as the Srst or so good in ground colour. Third large 

 bird, good in shape. Fourth beautiful iu marking and shape, 

 but red in ground and ratoer hocked. Several other good hens 

 received notice ; Messrs. Newnham & Mauby had a beauty, but 

 8he was too high in the hack. Dark Brahma pullets were a large 

 class of fifty-fmr entries. The first was tbe Oxford, Crystal 

 Palace, and Bristol first-priz-) bird; iu beauty and evenness of 

 pencilling she is grand, and her ground colour is exceedingly 

 clear. She i* also well feathered, and her pencilling all alike, 

 from her neck to the tail, and from her throat to the end of her 



