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JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ October 27, 1870. 



frequently used for the purposes for which it is best adapted. 

 These are the covering of such old walls as are becoming un- 

 sightly through decay, or where it is difficult to get any other 

 plant to establish itself, and for planting in the alpine or rock- 

 work garden. In either of these positions it may be most 

 advantageously and easily used, and its trailing branches of 

 Ivy-like foliage thickly set with bluish purple flowers, make it a 

 subject to be admired by most people during the autumn and 

 winter months, when it is most attractive and serviceable. H 



I have sometimes seen this plant growing in little tufts on 

 walls that have deciduous plants trained against them, so that 

 in winter, when the plants have shed their foliage, it very 

 effectually hides their naked stems, and at the same time 

 clothes the bare wall to a great extent. Again, where it is ne- 

 cessary to have elevated rough stone edgings to garden walks, 

 this little British plant will be found one of the best to grow 

 there, and its delicate branches, when trailing over the stones, 

 are sure to please. 



Linaria Cymbalaria reproduces itself very freely from seeds, 

 and where any of them can effect a lodgement it will be sure to 

 germinate when a favourable time arrives. It is difficult to 

 induoe it to establish itself very near walls or smooth surfaces, 

 but where a thimbleful of earth can be deposited, and moisture 

 retained in it, that difficulty passes. In very heavy retentive 

 soils the plant does not thrive so well ; therefore, if it be desired 

 to plant it where such a soil prevails, fully 50 per cent, of old 

 mortar rubbish must be added, and the plants will be found to 

 suoceed well, especially if the position is elevated. — Thos. 

 Record, Hatfield Park. 



PEAS IN 1870. 



With me this has been the moBt extraordinary year on 

 record for heavy crops of Peas, and I believe one of the chief 

 reasons has been the treatment given. Peas, like many other 

 things, require good cultivation, otherwise they tell tales. 



My treatment is as follows : — In January or February I 

 trench the ground to the depth of 3 feet, giviog a liberal dress- 

 ing of manure and quicklime, for I consider it is the deep 

 cultivation which is the great secret of successful Pea-growing. 

 With me the hotter and drier the summer the more luxuriant 

 are the Peas and the heavier the produce, the heat causing 

 the roots to strike further into the ground ; and there being 

 plenty of room for them to run, and plenty of manure to feed 

 on, the crop cannot but do well, and thus success is insured. 

 Up to October there was not the least indication of mildew. 

 Mildew is a sure sign, either of the ground being poor, or there 

 not being depth for the roots; then, owing to there not being 

 many roots, or from these being unable to penetrate into the 

 soil to a sufficient depth, the plants suffer from the sun. De- 

 fective drainage is another cause. I have seen Peas in perfec- 

 tion, and after a week of sudden heat they have been a failure 

 owing to the above reasons. 



I do not sow the first Peas till March, as I find they come 

 in as early as those sown in November, besides bearing a much 

 better crop. The birds and mice always make great havoc 

 among Peas that remain in the ground so long. I give plenty 

 of room — 9 feet from row to row, planting Cauliflowers, Brussels 

 Sprouts, and Winter Greens between ; and I find this tends to 

 prolong the gathering season, the intermediate crops helping 

 to keep the roots cool, and yet not keeping the sun from doing 

 its duty to the tops. I should add my kitchen garden is in 

 first-rate condition, being very rich and well drained. 



I grew this season twelve varieties. The first, Ringleader, 

 was gathered June 18th ; the last, Veitch's Perfection, on Sep- 

 tember 30ih for dishes, and for soups a week later, thus giving 

 a period of fifteen weeks for the use of this delicious vegetable. 

 During the fifteen weeks the gatherings averaged three per 

 week at least. Peas, where practicable, should be grown on 

 different ground every year. 



I will now take the different varieties in the order in which 

 they were gathered -.—First, Sutton's Ringleader, gathered June 

 18th ; this is the earliest and best-flavoured kind with me, is 

 very prolific, and bo h pods and peas are the largest of the first 

 early sorts. This attains the height of 3 feet 6 inches. Next 

 c^mes Carter's First Crop, gathered June 24th. This is a very 

 useful Pea, but smaller than Ringleader, and not so tall by a 

 foot. These are the only two of the first early I intend growing 

 next season. I had both Dillistone's Early Prolific and Sang- 

 ster's No. 1, but they are inferior to the two named. Advancer 

 is a good Pea, comine in a few days later than Carter's First 

 Crop. I also sowed this in the middle of June, and it came in 



very useful in September. Lsxton's Prolific Longpod came in 

 during the first week of July. This is, as it is named, prolific, 

 but when it came to be cooked it was the worst-flavoured Pea 

 of the season. I was never more disappointed. 



I now come to one of the best of Peas, Beck's Prizetaker, 

 which I began gathering in the second week of July. This is 

 undoubtedly one of the best varieties grown ; its flavour is 

 delicious, it is an extraordinary bearer, and it continues long 

 in yield. Champion of England followed the week after ; this 

 well retains its reputation as being the best flavoured of the 

 summer Peas. It is also an excellent cropper, and is a good 

 companion to Beck's Prizetaker. the height of both being about 

 the same, 6 feet. Maclean's Wonderful is excellent, and its 

 height being only 3 feet, it ought to be more grown, for it is a 

 first-class Pea and very prolific. This brings me to the end of 

 July or beginning of August. 



Harrison's Glory came next in rotation, but as it has now 

 only done moderately well for two years, I must discard it. 

 To Ne Plus Ultra I recommend every one to give a trial, for, 

 taking into account its flavour, its productiveness, and the 

 length of time it remains in good bearing, it is unrivalled. 

 This came in at the middle of August. Prince of Wales is well 

 worth growing as a late Pea, though it gives way to the next 

 and last on my list, Veitch's Perfection. I made two sowings 

 of this ; the first came in during the third week in August, the 

 second in tbe first week in September, and I gathered till 

 September 30th. As a fine-flavoured late Pea, there is nothing 

 to equal this. 



In conclusion I will give a list of the varieties which proved 

 best this year. I scarcely know whether for midsummer use 

 Champion of England, Ne Plus Ultra, or Beck's Prizetaker 

 takes the lead, but I rather incline to Ne Plus Ultra. Of the 

 early varieties Ringleader stands by itself ; Maclean's Wonder- 

 ful follows ; then Ne Plus Ultra, Prince of Wales, Advancer, 

 and last of all, and best of the latest, is Veitch's Perfection. 

 This list I am quite aware contains none of the new kinds of 

 which so much is said, and which I hope this next season to 

 grow, but is composed of what may be considered old standards. 

 — Stephen Castle, Bent Hill Gardens, Prestwich. 



THE ECKLINVILLE SEEDLING APPLE. 



We have been informed by Messrs. Dickson & Son, nursery- 

 men, Newtonards, near Belfast, that the Apple we referred to 

 lately as Eckland Vale should be called Ecklinville. It was 

 raised at Ecklinville, near Belfast, by a Scotch gardener named 

 Logan, along with another dessert Apple named Logan's Seed- 

 ling. Both of these Apples are of good quality, and to be found 

 in the nurseries in Ireland. 



We have another communication relative to the same Apple, 

 from Messrs. Imrie& Son, nurserymen and Beedsmen, Ayr. They 

 say — " The Ecklinville Apple is well known in this district, and 

 has been extensively propagated by us for upwards of twenty 

 years. We obtained it of a neighbour, who had it from Mr. 

 McLanachan, gardener at Ecklinville, and its many good qua- 

 lities, especially as a baking Apple, hava made it a general 

 favourite here." 



We have third letter on the same Apple. It is the following — 

 "It is some ten or more years since I received this kind of 

 Apple from Ireland, under the above name. I have it now 

 before me, with Small's Admirable and Stirling Castle Pippin, 

 and have just tasted them. The Ecklinville has tender fleeh, is 

 juicy, and the most acid of the three. Next to this in pleasant 

 acidity is the Stirling Castle. Small's Admirable is not sweet, 

 but more so than the others. As to their appearance, they are 

 so much alike as not to be distinguished even by a good judge. 

 The Ecklinville has numerous small brown specks on its skin ; 

 the other two are quite clear, and are handsomer fruit than it. 

 This may, however, be accidental. They are all three of dwarf 

 habit, and most abundantly fruitful. The Stirling Castle is 

 more upright in growth than the Admirable, and this is a dis- 

 tinguishing point, the only one, in its character." — T. R. 



POTATOES. 

 I was never more forcibly struck by the utter impossibility 

 of laying down any positive statements on the subject of Pota- 

 toes, than by reading the short account of your correspondent 

 " M. H.," October 13th, page 287, concerning the Lapstone. I 

 have ever maintained that in point of flavour and general ex- 

 cellence it is the best of all Potatoes, but I have at the same 



