423 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ November 23, 1877. 



TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



Dick Radclyffe & Co., 129, High Holborn, LondoD. — Catalogues 

 of Vegetable, Floiver, and Garden Seeds, Dutch Flower Roots, 

 Trees, &c, 



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- 

 jastifiahle trouble and expense. 



Aivle-tree Babe Cankered (A. B. G.). — The roots have descended into 

 an UDpemal subsoil ; if so, they should be cut through and manure spread on 

 the surface to induce rooting in that. 



Hector's Widow 'Old Subscriber).— She can take away all the potted 

 plants if first introduced by her husband, and the incoming rector ought not 

 to object to her taking cuttings of the herbaceous plants. 



Celery "Worm-eaten (A. A. M.). — Apply successive waterings of fresh 

 lime water. 



Transplanting Eoses (Idem). — Yon may transplant your Briars budded 

 last August with perfect safety now. 



Rose Moss de Meaux (Idem). — We much fear this charming old 

 favourite is lost, as none of the " Rose" nurserymen name it in their cata- 

 logues now. 



Ceterach officlnabuh (Idem). — This Fern is somewhat difficult to 

 establish in new quarters. Fill a pot half full of drainage and the remainder 

 with a mixture of one-tbird loam aad two-thirds of brokea bricks, make a 

 little mound in the centre, upon which place your plant, water sparingly and 

 carefully for a time, keeping it in a cool frame or under a bell-glass in the 

 coolest part of yonr conservatory. 



Vines foe a Cool Vinery (Bass). — Three of Frankeuthal and one Black 

 Alicante ; and as yon require four white jou cannot do better than plant two 

 Buckland Sweetwater, one Early White Malvasia, and one R'lyal Muscadine. 



Insects on Roses (F. W. T.). — Immerse the infested llosesin pots in a 

 BtroDg decoction of Fowler's insecticide, afterwards washing them wiih pure 

 water. If they are too large for immersion lay them on their sides and 

 syringe them thoroughly with the solution. 



Wintering Gloxinias (Eortus). — Place the pots on a shelf in a vinery at 

 rest or in any place where froat is excluded, and do not let the soil become 

 dust-dry, but give a little water twice or thrice during winter, shake them 

 out, and repot in spring. Notes on Clematises will shortly be published. 



Illustrated Catalogue [Mrs. H. B.).— The leaf yoa sent is fromMe3Srs. 

 Dick Radcljffe & Co.'s Catalogue. There are many other illustrations in it 

 besides those you have sent. 



Portable Arnott's Stoves. — We have many Inquiries for these, and 

 about their cost, fuel consumed, &c Makers would benefit by advertising 

 these particulars. 



Rose Cuttings (A. G). — November is a good month in which to insert the 

 cuttings out of doors of those hardy varieties that a*e usually propagated in 

 that way. We presume yon intend the Briar cuttings to be inserted on which 

 to bud Koees for bedding. We do not think that a good plan. It is best to 

 plant Roses on their own roots for bedding. 



Veitch Memorial Prizes (Belfast). — When arrangements are made as 

 to who will be eligible to compete they will be dulv advertised. 



Rose Devoniensis not Growing (Idem). — It is very liable to be attacked 

 by milder, and this will account for the reddish-brown spots on the wood and 

 leaves. This parasite should be destroyed on its first appearance. If you cut 

 Marechal Niel in as closely as you propose it will not produce nearly so many 

 flowers. If ytu desire a large quantity of flowers you must not cut the young 

 wood back severely, but then the plant will shade the greenhouse too much. 

 Xou can only get rid of the maggot boring the leaves of your Cineraria by 

 bruising them between the finger and thumb. 



Heating Small Pit (A Subscriber). — One brick flue run along the pit 

 within a foot of the front wall wiU give sufficient heat. 



Half-habdy Amaryllis in Pots (A. J.). — When grown in pots these 

 plants do die down daring their period of rest. They should be kept rather 

 dry at the roots during that time. 



Short-stalbed Celery (F. I. Radclyfc). — The length of stalk is deter- 

 mined by the kind and the culture. We should manure more liberally and 

 water abundantly daring dry weather, and give liquid manure twice a-week. 

 We have seen the plants drawn up a good length by 4-inch drain tiles enclos- 

 ing them, and is not a bad plan in wet soil, the space inside the tiles being 

 filled with sawdust around the Celery, the tiles being raised as occasion may 

 require when earthing. The Celery being good though short indicates that 

 more liberal treatment only is required. 



Camellias Infested with Ttjrips (Cold).— The leaves of the Camellia 

 and the narrow-pointed leaves— certainly not those of Stephanotis, being 

 more like Gardenia intermedia — are infested with thrips, which may be 

 destroyed by fumigation with tobacco, the atmosphere being very much too 

 dry to cause so serious an infection. The smaller leaves have on the under 

 side nextthe midrib some brown scale, which should be cleaned with a sponge 

 and a solution of soft soap. 4 ozs. to the gallon of water. Both the plants 

 would be the better of a thorough cleaning by sponging the soap solution 

 on both surfaces of the leaves. There is no mealy bag or traces thereof. 

 After sponging syringe the plants with clear water. 



Packing Fruit, Flowers, and Vegetables (Young Gardener). — For 

 sending by rail fruit is best packed in boxes made of half to three-quarter- 

 inch deal, and so deep as to bold one la* tr of each kind of fruit only, with 

 sufficient space for a little stuffing below and over the fruit. Grapes. 

 Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pears, and choice Apples are first wrapped 

 in tissue paper, and are then placed in the boxes with a little bran beneath 

 them. The box is filled closely one tier deep and more stoning added so 

 as to fill op the interstices and the box. the chief thing being to have 

 the whole compact sc as to prevent the fruit moving. The lids are seonred 

 with screws. Great care is necessary in handling Peaches, which we wrap in 



cotton wool or wadding in addition to the tissue paper. Strawberries are- 

 packed one layer deep in their own leaves, each fruit in a leaf. Preserving or 

 culinary fruits are best packed in small wicker baskets. Flowers are best 

 packed in tin boxes, which may be 3 or 4 inches deep, or have trays so a3 to 

 accommodate three or more tiers of flowers. A little damp moss is placed at 

 the bottom; the stem of the flower is wrappad around with a little wadding 

 immersed in water and the water squeezed out a* from a sponge, and the 

 flower covered with tissue paper, and in the case of Camellias with wadding- 

 they are then place i rather tightly in the box in layers, the chief point being 

 to have them tight without crushing ; some cotton wool is placed over them, 

 and a tray or the lid is put in or on. Note, the wool must not touch the 

 flowers, but ba kept from them by tissue paper, as it sticks to some flowers 

 and absorbs moisture from those with smooth petals. The flowers should bo 

 cut in the morning, and ought to be dry when packed. Vegetables travel well 

 in hampers, it not being desirable to have them too large. Oars vary in size 

 from one to two bashels ; one midway of those we find most serviceable. 

 Cooking Apples and stewing Pears travel well in hampers with hay or straw 

 around the sides, packed in layers with straw or hay between each. 



Malformed Pear (Dalton). — We have saen similar deformities. The 

 small Pear issuing from the eye of the larger Pear arose from aa extension, 

 of the growing axis called a proliferous growth. 



Rose Culture in Chalk Soil (A. S. M.). — Drain the soil thoroughly, 

 dress it heavily with rich farmyard manure, which take especial care to blend 

 thoroughly with the soil, and you will succeed. We infer that you allude to 

 a soil resting on ohalk, such as is found upon the chalk hills of Kent. Yoti 

 need have no hesitation in planting Roses upon Briars in soil where, as yoa 

 say, Hops and fruit trees appear to thrive splendidly. The common Briar 

 abounds in hedgerows upon the chalk hills, and some years ago we remem- 

 ber budding many hundreds of such, which were very robust, and formefl 

 large bushy heads quickly. 



Removing Shrubs and Trees (T. S. B.). — If your Capre^sus Lawsoni- 

 ana was " well prepared last spring " for removal yoa may safely transplant 

 it now. Decayed leaf soil is very suitable for placing round the roots. See 

 that the roots do not become dried during the process of removal, and secure- 

 the specimen from injory by high winds. The Mulberry may be moved now r 

 placing leaf soil round tha roots as you propose, but it would be mach safer 

 to prepare it now and remove it nest autumn. 



Brixton Show (Inquirer). — Special certificates were awarded to Mr. 

 Stephenson, gardener to F. Peek, Esq., Roby House, Sydenham Hill, for 

 Black Hamburgh and Black Alicante Grapes. 



Grafting Vines (J. W. Lever). — The Sheffield correspondent has left hi© 

 residence, and we cannot obtain his address. 



Cutting Holly Hedges. — lt An Observer" writes that he finds the 

 spring the best season for the operation, and we consider that that season is- 

 to be preferred. 



Draining Peat Soils (T. V.M.). — The best directions we know are in the 

 second volume of the Royal Agricultural Society's Transactions. 



Glazing without Putty. — " E. W. it." and others wish to know if any 

 of our readers have adapted this mode of glazing and have found it successful, 



Melons for Early Fruiting (Novice). — The best green-flesh for your 

 purpose is Gilbert's Improved Victory of Bath, and the best scarlet-flesh. 

 Tomer's Scarlet Gem. You mast sow the seeds early ia January and main- 

 tain a temperature of 65 a ; the fruit will if other circumstances are favourable 

 ripen in the end of May. What are usually called " inch bones " are better 

 for a Vine border than dissolved bones, being much more lasting. 



Select Large-flowered and Anemone Chrysanthemums (G. C). — 

 Large-Jiowered. — Aurea Multiflora, Barbarea, Empress of India, Eve, General 

 Bainbrig ge, Golden Beverley, Hero of Stoke Newington, Jardin des Plantes, 

 Lady Hardioge, Her Majesty, Mrs. Geo. Bundle, George Glenny, Prince Alfred, 

 Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, Venus. Mrs. Dixon, Princess of Teck, and 

 White Venus. Anemone-Jlowered. — Acquisition, Georges Sands, Empress* 

 Prince of Anemones, Gluck, Qaeen Margaret, Mrs. Pether3, Lady Margaret, 

 Princess Louise, Sunflower, King of Anemones, Fleur de Marie, and Louis 

 Bon amy. 



Phylloxera on Vine (G.).— The root has all the appearance of having: 

 been attacked by this insect. There are tracas of the insect, but that is all. 

 Did you not observe peculiar excrescences upon the under sides of the leavea- 

 as well ? 



Pruning Vine (A New Subscriber). — Yoa do not say what sort of wood 

 the Vine has made; but you would do well to leave the young wood in placea 

 where there is space for lateral development, and when lateral growtbi ara 

 formed cut back to a good eye. Read ''Seasonable Notes on Vines " oa 

 page 412. Look out also for directions in " Doings of the Last Week." 



Names of Fruits (L. R. Lucas). — I, Aston Town; 2, Swan's Egg. (J. M.% 

 —Martin Sec. (R. P. J.).— Name not known. (Col. R T. C.).— Trum- 

 pington. (S. IF.).— Eldon Pippin. lEeymerf. — 1, Northern Spy ; 2, Beauty of 

 Kent; 3, not known; 4, Claygate P ear main ; 5, Hollandbury ; 6, Kingston 

 Black. (J. Woodlije).—!, Pinner Seedling; 2, Pomme de Neige. The PeM 

 is Ne Plus Meoris. (W. Taylor i.— I, Ashmead's Kernel; 2, Sturmer Pippin; 

 3, Golden Rus3et ; 4, not known. ( W. P. B.).—l, Beurre Diel ; 2, Nouveau 

 Poiteau. The Apple is Court of Wick. 



Names of Plants (if. Ambleside). — The specimen imperfect. It seems* 

 to be Linumtrigynum, Three-stylei Flax. (Stirling). — We have not seen the* 

 spesimen to which you refer. Send again when the plant is in flower. 



POULTBY, BEE, AND PIGEON 0HR0NI0LE. 



BABBIT TBOUGHS. 



The question of Rabbit troughs occupies a far more important 

 place in the economy of Rabbit-keeping than is generally 

 assigned to it. Daring the last few years important improve- 

 ments have been made in the construction of hutohes and other 

 matters of detail, but in a few noteworthy exceptions the ordi- 

 nary Rabbit trough has scarcely undergone the slightest alter- 

 ation. It is strange that so little interest should be taken in 

 such a subject, seeing that as a rule Rabbits waste rather more 

 food tban they eat ; but this loss could easily be avoided by the 



