February 3, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. 



101 



April is only a question of strength, on account of the weight of 

 the ball, and tho difficulty of reducing it by reason of the number 

 and tenacity of the roots. Nine out of ten Pampas Grass 

 plants in the three kingdoms which are oyer three years old from 

 the planting-out, stand now very much in need of transplanting, 

 in order to give free scope and fair pasturage to the roots. Every 

 large Pampas Grass plant that is to be removed in April — say 

 • the middle of the month, ought to receive three thorough 

 gs during the three weeks preceding the operation, and 

 !f*thoro^h*watering t0 a full-grown Pampas Grass means from 



A^SJB gallons of clear soft pond water. 



TheTnSle for a large Pampas Grass plant should be 1 foot 

 wider than tho well-moistened ball to be inserted in it, and 

 should be fiiled-iu with the richest and most permanent compost 

 that can be made. 



The best Pampas Grass we have seen had forty gallons a-week 

 of strong liquid manure from the first appearance of tho flower- 

 stems till all the flowers were at their full prime. From that 

 plant, and from what passed under our own eyes, this notice is 

 written.] 



JUNLPEE HEDGE. 



I AM courteously reminded by a correspondent from Ireland 

 ihat in the list of plants given, some time ago, as suitable for 

 hedges, the Juniper was omitted. I hope to hear of other cases 

 where plants not named in my list are found to make either 

 useful or ornamental hedges, and I feel more obliged than other- 

 wise to those who can correct any imperfection in my com- 

 munication. 



That the common upright Juniper, as our correspondent 

 says, makes both a pretty-looking and a useful hedge, I verily 

 believe. I have seen the Italian Juniper somewhere planted in 

 a row, and looking remarkably well ; but I do not remember 

 seeing the common Juniper so treated. 



I believe the kind alluded to by Mr. Beckett, the gardener 

 to Lord Lismorc, Shanbally Castle, Ireland, to be one of the im- 

 proved varieties of the common kind growing wild on dry, hilly 

 places, where the Heath, Furze, and Savin are found; but it 

 is much less commonly met with than they are, and seems to 

 recede more quickly before cultivation than many plants I have 

 no doubt, however, but with the advantage of a better soil it 

 grows freely as a hedge plant. 



Perhaps Mr. Beckett will be kind enough to inform us how 

 Pinuses do in general in the more humid climate of Ireland. I 

 should expect the Silver Fir section, as Picea Webbiana, and 

 others might, perhaps, do well there; with us they are less 

 satisfactory. The Taxodiums are also likely to grow well in 

 Ireland. Communication from the sister island is at all times 

 acceptable, and I hope we may often be favoured with notices 

 of plants which are either in an unusual condition of luxuriance 

 or the contrary, for both are equally interesting and instructive, 

 as well as all other information on horticulture and its kindred 

 arts. — J. Bobson. 



SUCCESSION OF PEAS. 



If " D." of Deal will sow his succession Peas throughout 

 the summer, of Sangster's No. 1, he may enjoy that Pea both as 

 au early and late variety. He must be aware that Daniel 

 O'Rourke is the same variety as Sangster's No. 1. — W. &., The 

 Gardens, Cubyean Castle. 



[We think this is not the information " D." of Deal needs, for 

 no one would like to have a continued repetition of Sangster's 

 No. 1. It is a very good early Pea, but its flavour will not bear 

 comparison with that of later varieties. " D." of Deal we think 

 would like to know when to sow the better-flavoured varieties, 

 such as Champion of England, Ne Plus Ultra, &c, so as to 

 have an uninterrupted succession. — Eds. J. or H.] 



INFLUENCE OF A LIMEKILN ON GKOWING 

 POTATOES. 



Do you consider the proximity of limekilns to a field of 

 Potatoes would be likely to have an injurious effect upon the 

 crop ? 



Persons in the neighbourhood have observed that those grow- 

 ing near the kilns have been healthier and finer than others at a 



distance under precisely similar cultivation ; and feeling interested 

 in the question from the probability of some kilns being erected 

 near my ground, I should feel gratelul for your opinion on the 

 subject. — A Kentish Stjbsceibee. 



[The observation you quoto is really an answer to your 

 inquiry. The volumes of gas and vapour given out by chalk in 

 the process of converting it into lime by the limekiln are chiefly 

 steam and carbonic acid, both of which are more likely to prove 

 beneficial than injurious to Potatoes, and, indeed, to any other 

 crop. So far is carbonic acid gas from being injurious to plants, 

 that it has been found to be beneficial though amounting to one- 

 twelfth of the air in which they were growing. In the calmest 

 day the air over a field surrounded by limekilns would not con- 

 tain one-hundredth part of carbonic acid gas. — Eds. J. of H.] 



WOKE FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAEDEN. 



Continue to prepare ground as directed last week. If any part 

 of the garden is not drained, drain it effectually. Make drains 

 3 feet deep and IS feet apart. Use tiles and soles, and place 

 6 inches of brickbats, stones, or rubble over the tiles. Shake a 

 small quantity of litter over the stoneB or other material before 

 filling-in the soil, which will render the drainage more perfect. 

 Cauliflowers, give air freely to the plants in irames or under 

 hand-lights. Mustard and Cress, keep up a regular succession, 

 and sow Bape when such is required for salading. Peas, when 

 the weather will permit draw a little earth to the stems of the 

 early crop, and if cold bleak weather prevails, they will be bene- 

 fited by the shelter of a few spruce fir branches on the windy 

 side. Radishes, those on banks or borders will require strict 

 attention, the coverings to be removed every fine day, and dry 

 soil, charred refuse, or dry wood ashes strewed amongst them 

 for the prevention of damp, mildew, or shanking. Sea-kale and 

 Slmbarb, keep up a succession either by covering with pots 

 and fermenting material, or by planting in pots and placing 

 them under stages in the greenhouse or stove, the latter being 

 the least trouble— a great consideration in the busy time which 

 is approaching. Continue surface-stirring, and watch oppor- 

 tunities for the destruction of slugs, which if not kept under 

 will soon destroy the labour of weeks. Look over previous 

 directions, and endeavour to bring up arrears. Basil and Mar- 

 joram, sow small quantities in heat where such are required 

 green. 



ELOWEE GAEDEN. 



Proceed as rapidly as the weather will permit with the removal 

 and planting of large shrubs. Layering may now be success- 

 fully performed where the plants have become bare and unsightly 

 at the bottom. Finish the planting of Box-edgings, and fill up 

 all gaps in the old ones. For the destruction of worms on lawns 

 the following receipt is recommended :— Take 1 ounce of cor- 

 rosive sublimate, pound it fine, dissolve it in sixteen gallons of 

 water, then with a watering-can and a fine rose water the turf 

 infected, when they will soon appear on the surface and can be 

 gathered-up and removed. Prepare beds for Pinks, Carnations, 

 and Pansies. Look over the Dahlias, and remove all decayed 

 portions from the stems and roots. 



EEUIT GAEDEN. 



Planting in every part both against walls and in the open 

 quarters should be completed without delay. Mulch the newly- 

 planted trees, and stake those requiring it at once. Where 

 Filbert trees are kept dwarf, which is the best method of cul- 

 tivating them, remove all Buokers and fork-in some manure 

 about the roots. Shorten all the shoots of last year's growth, 

 but do not interfere with the small shoots, which are the pro- 

 ductive ones. Thin out the wood if crowded. 



GKEENHOTJSE AND CONSEEYATOEY. 



Established plants in the conservatory should about this time 

 have the mould well stirred in the pots. Every plant to be 

 kept free from decayed foliage and fading blossoms, with frequent 

 movings and removings from the forcing and other structures, 

 in order to manitain health and gaiety. Place suitable trellises 

 to the Tropteolums that are not already furnished, laying a good 

 foundation by furnishing the bottom of the trellis wall. The 

 varieties of Kennedja, Zichya, Hardenbergia, Gompholobmm, 

 &c, should all have suitable trellises and early training. Water 

 Heaths with care ; air freely night and day if the weather 

 is at all favourable. Be cautious with fire heat; even when 

 frost occurs it must be moderate. Stop the Btrong shoots of 



