August 9, 1877. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



123 



pine, and White Swan. Clove Carnations require a little forcing 

 to have the flowers in from May onwards. The beet are Bride 

 (HodgeB), King of Yellows (Abercrombie), Purple Prince, and 

 Sentinel (scarlet} ; add to these the new variety Mrs. Matthews, 

 forcing Pinks Derby Day, Coccinea, Lady Blanche, Lord Lyons, 

 and RubenB. All the above plants are most useful for the 

 greenhouse in winter and early spring. 



FLORIST FLOWERS. 



We have no-w plenty of lateral growth on the Pinks, and shall 

 insert a few more pipings to make up those that have failed. 

 The pipings already rooted will be planted in fine soil out of 

 doors, or perhaps in boxeB, as we do not require a large quan- 

 tity and the boxes are convenient. We have still some fine 

 flowers on the Pink beds from late growths. We have very 

 nearly finished layering the Carnations and Picotees ; the plants 

 having been grown under glass, they were placed out of doors 

 for a few days before laying down the growths. An amateur 

 called at Loxford the other day and said layering was a mystery 

 to him. He was quite delighted to see how easy the operation 

 was performed. We remove the surface soil of the pots and add 

 some fresh light soil, into which the young rootlets enter freely. 

 t Those who have not yet potted their Auriculas should lose no 

 time in doing so. When at Slough the last week in July I found 

 they were making preparation to repot their whole collection. 

 Ours were potted in May, but many small offsets which have 

 grown too much for their pots will now be shifted into others 

 of a larger size. — J. Douglas. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

 %* All correspondence should be directed either to "The 

 Editors," or to " The Publisher." Letters addressed to 

 Mr. Johnson or Dr. Hogg often remain unopened unavoid- 

 ably. We request that no one will write privately to any 

 of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to un- 

 justifiable trouble and expense. 



Me. Addison, Ormiston, Edinburgh, writes to say that he can supply 

 " J. B. J." with the Aquilegias required. 



Seedling Sweet Williams (W. C.).— They are very pretty and varied in 

 colour. 



Eaely Onions (Amateur). — The earliest brown spring Onions which are 

 eent to Covent Garden are grown from transplanted bulbs. Seed is sown very 

 thickly in May in rather poor soil. The plants are not thinned, and they 

 form small bulbs by the end of July. They are tben pulled up and. dried, 

 and are planted in drills very early in the spring. The bulbs when planted, 

 are about the size of hazel nuts. Several acres of Onions are thus grown in 

 the London market gardens, and the crop is a lucrative one. 



Exhibiting Dwarf Ferns (G. S.).— We do not know what is meant by 

 " three British dwarf Ferns, distinct varieties ;" but if you have quoted from 

 the schedule correctly, " small-growing varieties of Lastreas, Athyriunis, and 

 PolyBtiohums " cannot be disqualified. 



Dicksonia Antarctica (C. R.).— It is an exotic Fern. 



Artificial Fertilisers.— Will "J. B. E." oblige "Pacey" by stating in 

 what proportion the superphosphate, potaBh, and nitrate are to be mixed, 

 and how applied in the autumn to dwarf Eoses on the Manetti, and whether 

 applicable at any other sea9on of the year to those and other outdoor plants ? 



Grapes Diseased (A. C.).— They are severely affected with what gardeners 

 call "the spot," and is caused by the roots being not sufficiently active to 

 supply the demands for the upper growth. Removing the soil from above the 

 roots, replacing it by some richer compost, and covering the surface at night 

 and during heavy rain with mulch, and uncovering during sunshine, usually 

 removes the malady. If the roots have descended into wet or ungenial sub- 

 soil they must be brought to the surface in the autumn. 



Dried Horse Droppings for Mushroom Bed (St. Edmund).— The 

 droppings would probably heat were you to sprinkle them lightly with water, 

 better the drainings of a dunghill. If you could add some fresh droppings 

 so much the better, mixing with the old after sprinkling the latter with 

 water or liquid manure. In a week or so after making-up the bad you will be 

 able to ascertain whether the materials are any good or not, by their heating 

 or otherwise. All that is wanted is a gentle heat of about 75°, and if that 

 be secured the material is little inferior if any to fresh; indeed, we have had 

 some good beds formed of similar material. 



Creosote for Nets (G. £.).—" We obtain our creosote from Churchill 

 and Williams. Tonbridge Wells, but it can be obtained in any large town, 

 bearing in mind it must be the thin creosote. We merely draw the net 

 through it, the excess being strained off by pressure. We also use the cloth 

 of which the hop pockets are made, 5d. per squareyard. This when creosoted 

 lasts many years, and is very good for protecting wall-fruit trees. The pro- 

 tection by means of paper is an idea of Mr. Brehaut. When used in the 

 way I stated in the Journal it forms a very efficient and economical protec- 

 tion for various kinds of spring vegetables. The net should be so formed 

 as to allow the meshes to lie parallel to one another when stretched out. — 

 Observer." 



Gathering Everlasting Flowers (Mrs. 2*.).— If you gather the flowers 

 before they are fully expanded they will not break off in the manner of which 

 you complain. 



Pruning Tea Eoses (A Constant Subscriber).— They should be pruned in 

 spring when the buds are swelling, early in April being a good time. 



LrLiUM lancifolium (Idem). — We have bulbs producing more than twelve 

 flowers. We have grown them for several years, the newly-formed bulbs 

 becoming larger annually. They ought not to be kept quite dry at any time; 

 the soil should be perceptibly moist even during the winter. 



Carnations and Picotees for Exhibition (P., Tulse Sill). — "You will 

 find in another column a selection by Mr. Douglas of the best varieties in 

 their respective classes 



Trop^olum speciosum (M. P.). — It is a hardy and very beautiful climber, 

 and produces a brilliant effect on walls in Scotland. It does not appear to 

 be easy to establish in England, but Mr. G. F. Wilson has exhibited flowering 

 sprays from his garden at Wey bridge. A cool moist situation should be selected 

 for the plant in England; in Scotland it appears to flourish in any aspect. 



Abnormal Growth of Potato (E. G.).—It is unusual for tubers to form 

 in the axils of the leaves, and generally results from some check having been 

 received in the early stages of growth. We have seen similar instances of 

 aerial tubers. Last year a Potato was exhibited at South Kensington which 

 had been grafted on the Tomato, and tubers much larger than the one you 

 have sent to us formed freely in the axils of the leaves. 



Mar£chal Niel Eose Unhealthy (L. M. N.). — The leaf eent suggests that 

 it does not receive sufficient nourishment. Eemove the surface soil andreplace 

 with manure, apply also liquid manure during dry weather. 



Seedling Petunia (J. Hood).— The specimen sent is one of the finest of 

 its colour we have seen, and is well worthy of being cultivated as a named 

 variety. The fringe is not peculiar, as it is found in other varieties of con- 

 tinental origin. 



Weed in Meadow (G. S. D.).—It is the Rest-harrow or Cammock (Ononis 

 arvensis). Can any of our readers inform us how it oan be cheaply 

 exterminated ? 



Insects on Roses and Pelargoniums (J. B. B.).— The foliage has been 

 much infested with aphis and is now mildewed. Remove the worst leaves, 

 and sponge and syringe the remainder with soft-soap water or a solution of 

 GiBhurst compound, made by dissolving 2ozs. of either soft soap or Gis- 

 hurst in a gallon of water. Eemove the shanked Grapes as soon as you can 

 perceive they are affected. There is no advantage in breaking off the shoots 

 of your wall trees ; cutting is quite as effectual and more* neat. 



Caterpillar on American Willow.— The insect sent has nothing to do 

 with the Potato, nor is it ever known under the name of the " Potato dog " 

 (a name unknown to collectors). It is the caterpillar of the common puss 

 moth (Cerura vimula), and is not likely to be injurious to plants.— I. O.W. 



Names of Plants (St, Vincent).— Spirrea sorbifolia. (John Davies). — 

 Hedge MuBtard (Sisymbrium officinale). (J. R.). — Specimen insufficient, per- 

 hapB an Eucalyptus. (J. Slie&rer). — 1, Cuckoo-flower (Cardamine pratensia) ; 



2, Wood Crane's-bill (Geranium sylvaticum); 3, Red Rattle (Pedicularis palus- 

 tris) ; 4, Cotton Grass (Eriophorum angUBtifolium). {E. Pickard). — Leyces- 

 teria formosa; specimen insufficient. (J. Dunlop). — The Marvel of Peru 

 (MirpbiliB Jalapa). (J. H.). — 1, Oenothera sp. ; 2, Calamintha grandiflora ; 



3, Nepeta angustifolia; 4, Helichrysum arenarium. (J. A.). — Sisyrinchium 

 striatum. (A. E. S.). — Stanhopea zebrina. (A Suffolk Subscriber). — Catalpa 

 syringfefolia. (Devonian). — 1, A variety of Polystichum aculeatum; 2, It is 

 an AcroBtichum, but the specimen is insufficient. 



POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON 0BE0NI0LE. 



GBEAT HORTON SHOW OF POULTRY, &c. 



The eighth annual Show was held at Great Horton on the 

 4th inBt. This was by far the best ever held by the Society, 

 the entries being good in every department, the poultry and 

 Pigeons being unusually well represented. Turner's pens were 

 used in the open air, and the weather was fine and hot. 



Game headed the list, some of the best birds of the day being 

 shown, but many otherwise good were very bad in moult. Spanish, 

 Cochins, and Brahmas were not numerous but uncommonly good, 

 and the Hamburghs also a very choice lot. In Bantams the 

 Variety class Bhowed up in finest plumage. Most of the Game, 

 though good, were quite out of feather. Of Babbits with three 

 classes there were some grand animals, notably in the Variety 

 class, where several extra prizes were awarded. First a Dutch, 

 second Silver-Grey, extra second an Angora, third Silver Fawn, 

 and extra third Belgian Hare. 



Bigeons a capital entry, and the classes generally good. 

 Pouters were — first a Blue cock, second Bed, and third a Blue. 

 Carriers, first a Dun, an easy winner in a good class; second and 

 third Blacks. In Dragoons the winners were good but the rest 

 poor. English Owls were a really good lot and mostly BlueB. 

 Turbits, first and second Blue, and third Yellow. In Short- 

 faced Tumblers, first and cup for the best in all classes a capital 

 Almond hen, second Almond cock, and third Yellow Mottle. 

 Antwerps produced a good entry, and there was, as may be 

 thought, keen competition, the young class proving specially 

 good. In the Variety class first was a White African Owl, 

 second Magpie, and third Fairy Swallow. 



POULTRY.— Game— Brown Red.— Code— 1, W. & A. F. Fenwick. 2, W 

 Rudd. Black Med.— Cock.— 1, W. Rudd. 2, J. C. Dixen. vhc, J. Waddington* 

 Any other variety.— Cock.— 1, H. Walton. 2, W. Rudd. Ren.— I, R. Walker. 2' 

 W. Rudd. Black or Brown Bed.— Ben— I, W. Scholefield. 2, A. S. Sugden- 

 Chickens.— 1, H. Walton. 2. E. LuDd. Spanish.— Black.— 1, J. Thresh. 2, J" 

 Powell. Cochin-China.— 1. R. P. Percival. 2, C. Sedgwick. Brahma Pootra* 

 — 1, H. Beldon. 2, J. Rawnsley. vhc, W. Scnolefield. Any other Variety 

 except Hamburghs and Game.— Chickens.— 1, J. Powell. 2, C. Sedgwick, vhc, 

 H. A. Barclay, R. P. Percival. Hamburghs.— Silver-spangled.— I, H. Beldon, 



2, Fawcett & Anderton. Silver-pencilled.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, J. Rawnsley 

 Golden-spangled.— 1, J. Rawnsley. 2, H. Beldon. Golden-pencilled.— 1, H. 

 Beldon. 2, J. RawnBley. Black— 1, C. Sedgwick. 2, Hobaou & Robinson. 

 Chickens.— 1, C. Sedgwick. 2, J. Sharp. Polands.— 1 and vhc, H. Beldon. 2, 

 J. Rawnsley. Any other Variety.— 1, G. Furness. 2, H. Beldon. Bantams. 

 —Game— 1, E. Walton. 2, W. F. Entwistle. Cock.— 1. J. Blamires. 2, W. F. 

 Entwistle. Chickens.— I, W. F. Entwistle. 2, E. Walton. Any other variety. 

 — 1, E. Walton. 2, J. F. Crowther. Ducks.— Aylesbury.— 1, J. Newton. 2, K. 

 Craven. Eonen.—l, J. Newton. 2, H. Hanson. Any other variety.— 1, H. 

 Beldon. 2. J. R. Pollard. 



PIGEONS.— Pouters— Cock or Hen.—l, J. E. Crofts. 2 and S, E. Horner. 

 Cabriers.— Cock or Hen.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, E. Horner. 3, Mrs. Belk. vhc, J. 

 E. Crofts, J. Tomlinson. Dragoons.— Cock or Hen.— 1,R. Woods. 2, J.Booth. 



3, E. Homer, vhc, E. Mawson. Owls.— English.— Cock or Hen.—l and 2, 

 Ward & Rhodes. 3, R. Woods, vhc J. Thresh. (2). Turbits.— Cock or Hen.— 



