September 6, 1S64. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



197 



process than digging and forking over and over to discover 

 every bit of its white stringy roots. 



We have not quite the same amount of experience with 

 another trailing, flesh or pink-flowering little Bindweed — the 

 Convolvulus arvensis, which produces long knotted roots ; 

 but from what little we have tried we feel convinced that, too, 

 could be eradicated by constantly cutting off the top as 

 soon as it appears above the ground. This seems to grow 

 more rapidly after cutting than the large-flowering white 

 Convolvulus above referred to, and to delight as much in 

 dry loose soils as the white strong-growing one does in soils 

 that are moist, close, and rich. 



The continuous cutting of this trailing Convolvulus ar- 

 vensis is of all the more importance, as the smaller roots 

 are traced with more difficulty than the larger white roots 

 of Sepium. The latter, though ruinous to a gardener, is a 

 beautiful object with its snow-white blossoms on wild hedges 

 and woodland scenery when in company of the Clematis and 

 Honeysuckle, and some authors say that the roots may be 

 used instead of scaniniony, as a stimulating cathartic. The 

 less we see of such a plant in the garden, however, it will 

 be the better for us. Some years ago we were presented 

 with a hardy kind with white flowers as large as a saucer, 

 and beautiful it looked ; but though placed against a wall, 

 and the root confined to a large pot, the shoots soon layered 

 themselves, made bushels of large roots, larger than Sepium, 

 and threatened to monopolise the whole wall and border, until 

 we saw the necessity of destroying it, or carefully watching it. 



Gathered a nice lot of ripe Tomatoes that had been trained 

 against the back wall of an earth-pit. Ridge Cucumbers 

 and Gherkins were planted in front of them, and after having 

 gathered a number for pickling we were forced to let the 

 leaves of the Cucumbers become like tinder for want of the 

 ability to water them. Most of our Vegetable Marrows are 

 going off from the same cause, though it is no great loss, 

 as, after this month, they are rather cold matters to have 

 much to do with, unless treated something in the way that 

 flint soup must be to make it at all agreeable. Gathered 

 also a lot of ripe Chilis and Capsicums for Cayenne. We 

 used to wonder how Chilis were most in request for that 

 purpose, as, so far as strength is concerned, there seems 

 little difference between them and the generality of Cap- 

 sicums. We think, however, the reason nri(jt be that, bulk 

 for bulk, there is more outside skin in the Chilis than in the 

 generality of Capsicums, and also that on the whole it is 

 firmer. In most private establishments we believe that the 

 Cayenne is made from the skins dried and pounded. We 

 think that the seeds are hotter and stronger than the out- 

 side covering ; but they are seldom used, or other colours of 

 Capsicums except the red, as that would interfere with the 

 red colour of the Cayenne. Why should not all be ground 

 together, or the seeds and their outer integument kept 

 separate ? So long as Cayenne rnust be red there will be 

 adulterations, just as pickles must be green, and, therefore, 

 to a certain extent poisoned. The purchaser in such matters 

 is pretty well as much to blame as the manufacturer, who 

 makes to sell, and therefore must please the tastes and 

 even the prejudices of the buyers. Would some friend tell 

 us if there is any reason, except colour, why the seeds of 

 the Capsicum tribe should not be ground into pepper ? 



Owing to a press of other matters and a scarcity of 

 material, we deferred from day to day, and, therefore, rather 

 long, making up a piece of a Mushroom-bed in our open shed. 

 To make the matter worse, we mixed rather more of fresh 

 droppings with some old dung than we ought to have done 

 when haste was the object, as the mixture heated too much 

 to enable us to spawn it quickly. In all such matters instead 

 of miri ng, it is better when quick work is wanted, to build 

 in separate layers if old and new must be used. A fine heat 

 may be obtained and lasting from using old and new tan 

 in layers ; but an excessive and fiery heat may easily be 

 had from mixing them together, a matter of some import- 

 ance to those who use tan for bottom heat. Owing to the 

 reasons stated above, we were some three weeks without 

 Mushrooms, but as our superintendent of the kitchen had 

 preserved some buttons the want was not much felt. The 

 first piece has now for some weeks been in excellent bearing, 

 and the Mushrooms are firm and fleshy, independently of 

 the heat, which we attribute to the shady place and a free 

 current of air over the bed. The second piece is spawned, 



earthed, beaten down, and a little hay sprinkled over it to 

 prevent its cracking, and we have just put in dung for a 

 small third piece, the droppings being rather fresh and 

 mixed with turfy soil. We have also made a good number 

 of bricks for spawn, as described last season, and set it in 

 an airy place to dry before spawning. The bricks this year 

 are only about li inch thick, as we found such better every 

 way as respects finishing than thicker ones. These we will 

 spawn when dry enough. Previously Mushrooms were such 

 an everyday affair that we made a good deal if not the most 

 of our spawn ; but for a few beds it will always be best to 

 purchase from one of the commercial establishments which 

 pride themselves on sending out a first-rate article. No 

 doubt the spawn is often blamed, and the materials are 

 blamed when the blame ought to rest chiefly on our inatten- 

 tion. Whatever the materials are, it is our part to vary our 

 treatment according as we find them ; and at their earliest 

 stages Mushroom-beds need looking at once or twice a-day 

 to see that all is right. Trial sticks are easily felt, and there 

 should be plenty of them. 



Our Mushroom-house we have had all cleared out, leaving 

 no woodlice if we could help it. Then two days running we 

 burnt sulphur in the house, so that by shutting up every 

 cranny no living thing would have the chance to survive. 

 When the house had stood open a few days to get rid of the 

 fumes of the sulphur, the walls, &c, were all limewashed, to 

 fill up all holes and places of refuge, and when we can obtain 

 some material during the month we will begin making our 

 first bed. We previously stated that we found small beds 

 in succession the best for a continuous supply when the 

 material is at no time abundant. 



Fruit and ornamental department much the same as in 

 previous weeks. — R. F. 



COYEST GARDEN MARKET.— Septembee 5. 



The supply of out-door fruit is very plentiful, but the size is not equal to 

 what it is in ordinary seasons. , Of " rough " Apples and Pears, such as are 

 hawked about the streets, immense quantities come in, and the prices realised 

 are almost nominal. Importations of French Pears are likewise heavy. 

 The best dessert Pears consist of Jargonelle, Williams's Bon Chretien, 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beaire d'Amanlis, and Louise Bonne of Jersey, 

 Of hothouse fruit, Grapes, Peaches, and Prams are abundant, but the 

 supply of Pine Apples is shorter. Tery good Figs are now coming in from 

 Jersey. Kentish Cobs have made their appearance, and bid fair to be of 

 good quality, judging from the samples which have arrived. They bring 

 irom 60s. to 65s. per 100 lbs. Good vegetables are very scarce, owing to 

 the late drought, and realise high prices. The Potato market is heavy, and 

 the quality is good. 



FRUIT. 







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 rghs lb. 





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Mustd. & Cress 



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Onions 



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pickling .. 









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BrusselsSprout 



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Parsley ...doz. 



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...100 



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Radishes doz. 



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pickling ... 



doz. 















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Horseradish .. 



Vegetablellarrows doz. 







TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



Sutton & Sons, Reading. — Autumn Catalogue of Imported 

 Flower Roots, Geraniums, Carnations, FrvM Trees, and, Seeds 

 for Early Souring. 



