August 8, 1872 ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



121 



Placing Camellias out of Doors {A Subscriber). — Placing Camellias 

 under the drip of trees is bad practice ; in fact, we do not consider it good 

 practice to place them out-doors at all. Keep them, after the buds are set, 

 in a cool well- ventilated house, shaded from the powerful rays of the sun. 

 The best position out of doors is an open one, but shaded from the sun. "We 

 Iseep our plants constantly under glass, never removing them from the house 

 in which they grow and flower. 



Wintering Seedling Tree Cassations {J. W.). — Instead of planting 

 them out we should take them up at the end of August or early in September, 

 place them in pots that will hold the roots without cramping, and winter 

 them in a cold frame, with abundance of air in mild weather, and giving the 

 protection of mats over the lights in severe periods. The strongest you may 

 pot in 5 or 6- inch pots, and remove to your heated house in October; it is 

 likely you will get some blooms from them next spring. The others you may 

 plant out in spring, and they will flower next summer, when you can select 

 ior propagation such as you deem worthy. 



"Faxjxy Kings on Lawn (C. R. <?.). — "A good lawn is in danger of being 

 spoilt by toadstools of recent and rapid growth forming circles in the grass 

 in all directions, this, too, with a gravel subsoil, good drainage, and constant 

 attention." The Eev. M. J. Berkeley says, " A patch of spawn, according to the 

 fashion of many fungi, spreads centrifugally in every direction, and produces 

 a crop at its extreme edge. The soil in the inner part of the disc is exhausted, 

 and the spawn there dies or becomes effete. The crop of fungi meanwhile 

 perishes and supplies a rich manure to the grass, which is in consequence of 

 41 vivid green ; the parts within the ring, in consequence of former exhaustion, 

 looking dry and parched, and those beyond less luxuriant from comparative 

 want of manure. Thus, year after year, the ring increases in diameter till it 

 attains dimensions of many yards across. If any accident happens to the 

 spawn in the first instance, a part only of the circle may be developed. Rings 

 of fungi often occur in woods, but as they grow amongst decayed leaves, the 

 circles are seldom observed by any except professed mycologists. Uarasmius 

 oreades, Agaricus gambosus, and A. arvensis are amongst the most prominent 

 inhabitants of fairy rings." Probably an application of salt would destroy the 

 mycelium of the fungus ; it may be applied at the rate of six bushels per 

 acre, bat we are not quite certain whether it would in that quantity injure 

 the grass, which is affected by salt injuriously more readily than many other 

 plants; but to have any effect on the fungus less salt must not be applied per 

 acre ; besides, the grass will soon grow again. Perhaps it would be well in 

 the first place to give the lawn a good soaking with lime water, made by 

 mixing 12 lbs. of lime in thirty gallons of water; stir well, and when the 

 liquid has stood for two days give the lawn a thorough soaking, making holes, 

 if necessary, to allow of its entering the soil. Tou may in a few days follow 

 with a good watering of salt water, half a pound being dissolved in three 

 .gallons of water, and applied to the parts' of the lawn attacked by the fungus. 

 In such parts make small holes about 3 inches apart and 6 inches deep, and 

 fill them with the lime and salt water. 



Packing Grapes (A. Booty).— H you only want to pack them in an ordinary 

 way, so as to reach "their destination fit for table, we know of no better mode 

 than putting each bunch into a paper bag, tying up its mouth, aud packing 

 them one bunch thick in a hox with dry straw cut very short, or what in 

 stables is called chaff. A good quantity of this over, under, and between 

 ■each bunch, makes as elastic a bed as anything we have tried. We have in 

 this way sent Grapes in excellent condition from Kent to the north of Scot- 

 land. If you want to send them with the bloom intact to a show, both the 

 stalk and tip of the bunch may be fastened to the exhibiting board by a 

 string passing through the board and fastened underneath. The board may 

 then be fixed to some cushion inside a box, and care must be taken to prevent 

 ■the outer box being turned upside down. Thus packed it is possible the 

 Grapes may reach their destination in pretty good order ; but even with all 

 this, there is great uncertainty when such delicate fruit is left to the tender 

 mercies of railway porters, and we would therefore even then venture on 

 covering the Grapes with fine tissue paper, and a few sheets of wadding 

 gently put on the top of this, so as to prevent in some degree the displace- 

 ment of berries by rough treatment. Paper shavings make a good elastic 

 bed, and so does cotton wool; but we do not like bran, it is liable to heat ; 

 sawdust is worse, and moss is dirty. We have found, after trying all these 

 things, that straw chaff, thy and 6weet, is both the cheapest and most con- 

 venient materia! for the ordinary packing of Grapes, Pines, Peaches, Plums, 

 and Pears, taking care to wrap each fruit in soft paper before putting it in. 



Names of Plants (A Subscriber). — 1, Staphylea pinnata; 2, Leycesteria 

 formosa ; 3, Hypericum calycinum ; 4, Lychnis fulgens ; 6, Collomia coccinca. 

 (G-rasmere). — Galeopsis Tetrahit. {Foxglove). — Verbaseum Thapsus. {Mrs. 

 H.).—l, Campanula latifolia (?) ; 2, C latifolia ; 3 and 4, Campanulas, not 

 nameable from specimens sent ; 5, Meconopsis cambrica ; 6, Geranium pra- 

 iense; 7, Indeterminable ; 8, Phytonm* orDiculare; 9, Mjosotis palustris; 

 10, CEnothera, perhaps OS. fruticosa; 11, Orobus vermis. {J. P.). — Origanum 

 Dictamnus. (Young Journeyman). — 1, Pelhea hastata; 2, P. rotundifolia ; 

 3, Blechnum occidentale ; 4, Adiantum hispidulum ; 7, A. diaphanum ; 7, Aspi- 

 dium angulare; 8, A. falcatum ; 6, Nephrodium decompositum; 9, Atnyrium 

 Filix-fcemina cristatum. {R. N.). — 1, Lastrea Sieboldii; 2, Pteris ai'guta; 

 3, Asplenium obtusatum ; 4, A. flaccidum; 5, Doodia caudata ; 6, Blechnum 

 occidentale ; 7, Goniophlebium appendiculatum. (E. Martin). — Your Fern 

 cannot be positively determined without fructification. It seems a young 

 state of Lastrea dilatata. {G. F.). — Erigeron canadensis. {A. Brunning).— 

 1, Melilotus officinalis ; 2, A Cyperaceous plant, but indeterminable from 

 specimen sent. {Miss M. S. Green). — We do not recognise your plant from 

 the single young leaf sent. {Flora). — Inula Conyza. We know of no element- 

 ary publication for the subjects named. Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, Huddersfield, 

 advertises a new and cheap handbook of Mosses. (B. F.). — Yes; not un- 

 usual. 



POTJLTEY, BEE, AJJD PIGEON CHEOMCLE. 



POTJLTBY INJUBED BY RAILWAY OFFICIALS. 

 I had two pens of poultry at Spalding Show, and on receiving 

 them at Bradford found that some person or persons had wilfully 

 cut halfway through a cock's comb. Luckily I opened the 

 hamper while in the parcel office, and saw the bird in the con- 

 dition stated. He was the cock bird of the third Spanish prize 

 pen at Spalding. The Secretary of Spalding Show informed me 

 that the bird was all right when delivered to the railway company, 



and I found on inquiry that the birds arrived iu Bradford by the 

 2.50 a.m. train, on the 28th of July, and also that the night 

 watchman, guard, and another person exhibiting in the same 

 class had ray birds out of the hampers examining them. I have 

 written to the railway company claiming damages. Do you 

 think they are liable in this case ? — John Powell. 



[If you can establish by evidence what you state, we consider 

 that the company are liable. But you must also prove the 

 amount of damage. — Eds.] 



LIGHT BBAHMAS. 



Allow me to reply to Mr. J. Long's correction of my adver- 

 tisement. I would not occupy your space, or note his remarks, 

 but for two reasons — viz., the probability of the depreciation in 

 the estimation of the birds by the gentleman who bought them, 

 and the attack he makes on a lady who never advertised or ex- 

 hibited a pen of Light Brahmas. 



At the late Plymouth Show Mr. J. Long made the following 

 statement in the presence of one of the Committee and myself 

 before the awards were known, that his Crystal Palace cockerel 

 and Young Sampson were there, and that he was sure of first 

 and second prizes — there were no birds to compete with tb em, 

 but his birds were not noticed. I do not deem it any honour or 

 feel any particular pleasure in beating " Young Sampson," con- 

 sidering how seldom he has figured in the prize list since taking 

 the cup at Plymouth in 1870, and at which Show Mr. Long 

 claimed him, and since which Mr. Long has talked a great deal 

 but performed very little. At the late Exeter Show Mr. Long's 

 two pens were respectively highly commended and commended, 

 and my only pen shown second prize. Will he deny that "Young 

 Sampson " was not there ? 



In conclusion, if the gentleman who bought my birds is at all 

 dissatisfied with them, I shall be very pleased to take them back 

 on his paying carriage both ways, and making good all losses, if 

 any. — F. Seccombe, Totnes, Devon. 



LUTON POULTBY SHOW. 

 This was held on the 25th July in connection with the Bed- 

 fordshire Agricultural Society's Show. The following are the 

 awards : — 



Dorkings.— 1, T. C. Burnell. 2, J. L. Loundes. c, M. Leno. 



Cochins.— Bitff.—l, Lady Gwydyr. 2, H. Llovd,jun. he, M. Leno ; J. Blood- 

 worth. Any other Var iety.— Cup, 1 and 2, R. *S. S. Woodgate (White), he, H. 

 Lloyd, jun. 



Game.— Black-breasted and other Reds.—l and 2, R. Hall. Any other Variety, 

 —1 and 2, R. Hall. 



Spanish— 1, Nicholls Bros. 2, "W. R. Bull, he, R. Wright. 



Ham-bubghs.— Gold or Silver-pencilled.— 1, W. Speakman. 2, W. K. Tickner. 

 he, M. Leuo. Gold or Silver-spangled. — 1, L.Wren. 2,M. Leno- he, T. Love. 



Brabmas.— Dark.— 1, R. B. Wood. 2, Lady Gwydyr. he, W. Ewer, c, H. 

 Yardley. Light— I, SI. Leno. 2, J. Bloodworth. he, Mrs. T. Turner; Rev. R. 

 M. Ridley, c, Mrs. T. Turner ; J. Atkins. 



Bantams.— Sebright.— 1 and 2, M. Leno. he, U. Speary (2). Any other Variety. 

 — 1, Rev. E. Tiddeman. 2. C. Bloodworth. 



Creve-Cce l'RS— 1, R. B. Wood. 2, J. J. Maiden, he, A. E. Deane ; W. Bring ; 

 J. K. Fowler, c, C. A. Barnes. 



French.— Any Variety.— 1, Rev. M. Ridley. 2, J. K. Fowler, he, R,B. Wood. 



Polands. — 1 and 2, M. Leno. 



Any other Variety.— 1, R. S. S. Woodgate (White;Silkies). 2. Rev. R. M. Ridley 

 (Malays), he, Lady Gwydyr (Silkies), c, J. K. Fowler (White Leghorns). 



Selling Class.— 1, Lady Gwydyr (Buff Cochins). 2, R. Hall (Game), he, G. 

 Shrimpton (White Cochin); J. Cockrell (Golden-spangled Hamburgh); R. Tread- 

 well (Durkings); T. C. Burnell (Dorkings); J. Bloodworth (Buff Cochins); C. 

 Reed (Chinese Bantam) ; J. K. Fowler ; Rev. E. S. Tiddeman (Light Brahma) ; 

 T. Chambers, jun. (Game); T. Sear (Dark Brahma). c,M. Leno (Light Brahma) ; 

 E. Latour (Houdan). 



Turkeys.— 1, E. Arnold. 2, G. Oakley. 



Guinea Fowls — 1, T. Conder, jun. 2, M. Leno. 



Ducks. — Aylesbury. — 1 and he, J. K. Fowler. 2, J. Hedges. Rouen. — 1, C. A. 

 Barnes. 2. J. K. Fowler, he, A. Page, jun. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, T. T. 

 Maiden, he, M. Leno. 



Geese.— 1 and 2, J. K. Fowler, he, J- Hern, c, T. gingsley. 

 PIGEONS. 



Carriers.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, T. Chambers, jun. he, G. C. Mann, c, J. H. 

 Watkins. 



Pouters. — 1, R. Ashton. 2, H. Yardley. 



Jacobins. — 1, W. Minson. 2, H. Yardley. 



Tumblers.— 1 and he, J. M. Braid. 2, H. Yardley. 



Fantails.— 1, J. F. LoverBidge. 2, H. Yardley. c, R. S. S. Woodgate. 



Antwerps.— 1, C. F. Copeman. 2 and he, H. Yardley. c, W. Bull. 



Any other Variety.— 1, J. H. Watkins (Black Carriers). 2, J. S. Price 

 (Silver Runts), he, R. Ashton (Black Carriers); W. Ewer (Trumpeters); T. 

 Homes (Blue Turbits) ; W. Minson (Swallows) ; W. Not t age (Black Swallows); 

 A. Saddington (Archangels), c, E.T. Dexter (Blue Dragoons); R.Hall (Barbs). 



Rabbits.— Lop-ear.— 1, G. Johnson. 2. T. E. & H. Lord, he and c, F. Ivory 

 Angora.— I, W. G. Hancock. 2, Adams & Russell. Himalayan.— 1, Adams and 

 Russell. 2, H. E. Gilbert, he, E. Robinson. Silver-Greys.—2, Miss A. Cran- 

 stone. Selling Class.— 1, G. Johnson. 2, Adams & Russell. 



RABBITS. 

 Though the Rabbits at Luton were not so numerous as we 

 had hoped, yet there was every reason to feel satisfied. We feel 

 no hesitation in asserting, that with an attractive piize list 

 arranged with due regard to the requirements of fanciers as re- 

 gards a proportionate entrance fee as compared with the prizes, 

 and the entries to be for single Rabbits, there would be no reason 

 why this should not in every respect be an excellent Show for 

 Rabbits. We are certain that the Committee are willing to 

 profit by their experience, and so arrange for the future that even 

 greater success than that recently achieved will be their reward. 



