January 31, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
97 
Cyrtomium falcatum, and Lastreas intermedia, marginalia, and many 
others; Nephrolepis exaltatum and tuberosum; Onychium japonicum, 
Goniophlebium appendiculatum, Pteris argyrea, cretica albo-lineata, tremula, 
and umbrosa; several Polypodiums, and such Selaginellas for margins as 
denticulatum, also Wildenovii and umbrosum. We know also that the 
climbing Fern Lygodium scandens which is generally grown in a stove will 
succeed if planted out in your cool fernery, as also will the beautiful new 
Fern Lomaria discolor bipinnatifida. Those and many others are worthy of 
trial, but as you do not state the number you require we can only give you a 
suggestive list. 
Destroying Woodlice (F. II.). —There are various ways of destroying 
them, the most wholesale plan being to place some pieces of boiled potatoes 
near to the places they infest and cover with a little hay, and in the morning 
pour boiling water over the hay. Another plan is to wrap a boiled potato in 
a little hay very lightly, and place it in a flower pot laid on its side near to 
where the woodlice congregate or commit their depredations, and the 
following morning shake the pests from the hay, in which they will be 
secreted about the bait, into a bucket of boiling water. Repeat for a time, 
and the pests will be reduced so as to do very little injury. Parsnips boiled 
nearly soft, cut into slices, and dressed with arsenic form deadly baits. These, 
if placed where the insects abound, will reduce their numbers considerably. 
It is, of course, necessary to so place the poisonous baits that no accident can 
possibly arise by their misuse. 
“ The Gardeners’ Year Book and Almanack” (B. L., Liverpool). —You 
have made a serious mistake. This almanack is quite correct, and the 29th 
of February is not omitted. The mistake, and it is presumably unique, 
occurs in another work that is not published here, and in which as you say, 
“ Lady day, Michaelmas day, Christmas day, and the year ending on a 
Tuesday instead of on Wednesday are all wrong.” We have referred to 
the work, and find that in consequence of the strange omission indicated 
the calendar is inaccurate from the end of February to the end of the year. 
It is easy to make mistakes, as your letter proves, and we must request that 
you will be more careful in your assertions ; and, further, we must ask you 
to promptly correct any similar misstatements that you may have made 
publicly or privately elsewhere. 
Vines Unhealthy (A Lady). —We are obliged by your letter, which 
clearly describes the condition of your Vines. Their state appears to be 
precisely as we anticipated, They have been seriously overcrowded, no 
doubt overcropped and half-starved by the want of water—in a word, they 
have been grossly mismanaged, and we fear nearly, if not quite, ruined. 
You can find few or no roots in the border, because they have been driven 
downwards, and probably into the subsoil in search of the moisture that 
was denied them near the surface. The support they sought was not found, 
hence the flagging of the foliage. The person in charge on observing this 
applied what he conceived was the proper remedy, but he commenced at the 
wrong end—namely, by limewashing the glass instead of watering the 
border, which you observe is inside the house. He was not a gardener, even 
if he considered himself one, and probably did not read the Journal, or if he 
did, read skimmingly, slightingly, and profitlessly, for such readers we fear 
there are. As to the renovation of the Vines, you cannot do better than 
follow as exactly as possible the practice described by Mr. D. Thomson in 
the last paragraph but one of his very useful article on page 58 last week ; 
but in addition, if we found the soil in the lower portion of the border con¬ 
taining the roots very dry, we should soak it with water, and the dry roots 
would the sooner emit fibres into the fresh soil and manure, which must be 
kept regularly and decidedly moist, and not much water will be needed for 
this provided the surface of the soil is well mulched as directed. The rods 
we presume are pruned now, the laterals being shortened nearly close to the 
main rods, or to the lowest good bud on each lateral. The next process will 
be disbudding. Remove gradually the buds as they start, reserving only 
the stronger and more promising to form shoots from 15 inches to 18 inches 
apart along each side of the rods. Allow these to extend for a length of 
2 feet, then pinch off afterwards all sub-laterals as they form at one leaf— 
that is, as soon as a leaf forms as large as a shilling, nip off the shoot just 
beyond it. By adopting this practice, maintaining a genial atmosphere, 
keeping the foliage clean, and ventilating the house judiciously, especially 
admitting air during the spring and summer very early in the morning, you 
will, we hope, secure stout laterals and well-developed foliage. This 
accomplished, and not till then, can good fruit be expected. Do not force 
the Vines, but allow them to start naturally, as forcing Vines so exhausted 
exhausts them the more. We trust our reply will be useful, and you are 
quite at liberty to write to us again if you need further information either 
now or as the season advances. We may add that the laterals you sent were 
microscopically examined, and contained practically no “ stored-up food,” 
while well-nourished and matured canes are crowded with starch granules. 
Names of Fruits {Fred Scott ).—1, Rymer ; 2, Winter Greening; 3 and 
b, Not known ; 4, Ten Shillings. 
Names of Plants (P. G. Hi).—We have repeatedly stated that we do not 
undertake to name more than six plants at one time. 1, Ceanothus rigidus ; 
9, Berberis Darwini; 10, Garrya elliptica ; 11, Veronica speciosa ; 12, Thu- 
jopsis dolabrata ; 13, Ligustrum jap >nicum. Some of the others were not in 
suitable condition for naming. (.Y.)—Unrecognisable, the flower being quite 
dried up in the cotton wool. 
Erratum.—In the article on “ Plant-forcing ” in the last issue of the 
Journal (page 66), for “hotbed of loam and stable litter” read “leaves 
and stable litter.” 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 30th. 
Trade keeps quiet, Grapes scarcely maintaining their value. Cucumbers lower. 
Kent Cobs stagnant. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples .. 
i 
6 
to 5 
0 
Nectarines .. .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
»» • • 
.. per barrel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges. 
.. 100 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Apricots 
.. .. box 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chestnuts 
.. .. bushel 10 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Figs 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Filberts.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English 
.. n>. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cobs 
1 
S 
1 
4 
Plums and Damsons 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes .. 
1 
6 
5 
0 
Strawberries.. 
.. Ih. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemon .. 
. # , ,. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
..each 
3 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes .. . 
. dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Mushrooms .. . 
punnet 
l 
0 
to 1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
100 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, lied .. . 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions . 
bushel 
2 
6 
8 
3 
Broccoli. 
. bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Brussels Sprouts . 
. 4 sieve 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. . 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums .. . 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„ Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carjpts. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsaty. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. 
bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale. 
basket 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers 
. each 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Shallots. 
.. tt>. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Herbs . 
. bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. lb. 
0 
3 
0 
10 
Leeks . 
. bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
0 
Lettuce. 
. dozen 
1 
0 
6 
THE WELSH BLEED OF CATTLE. 
(Continuedfrom page 76.) 
Although the cattle are reared as natives in many parts of 
Wales in mountainous districts, yet it is affirmed that their docility is 
remarkable. A stranger may walk safely into a herd of cows, but it 
is not safe to do so where there is a bull unless accompanied by some 
person acquainted with its habits. Bulls after they are one year old 
should always be kept in the house, not only avoiding accidents, but 
enabling the farmer to regulate the times of calving. The best 
quarters for a bull is that which we fully explained a short time ago 
in this Journal when writing on the impi'oved dairy cattle in 
November last, when the advantages to the farmer and his safety, 
together with the benefit of the bull were fully explained. The 
Welsh cows are so gentle that they stand well to be milked in the 
yard or in house, and with their large, full eyes and quiet expression 
look the very picture of docility. They are, as it is stated by Mr. G-. 
T. Bowden of Gomeral, near Derby, a celebrated breeder of these 
cattle that never ties up any of his cattle excepting those which he 
milks and finishes off for the butcher. The calves when reared on 
their dam’s milk at one year old are as big, with better hair and 
coats than those reared by hand at two years old. Other calves 
reared by Mr. Bowden live on skim milk, Simpson’s calf meal, and a 
little dissolved oilcake. For feeding purposes it is considered best 
to buy barren heifers and bullocks turned three years old. These 
points prove at once that these cattle are not behind the best stock of 
this country when treated in a generous way. 
With the view of fairly representing the worth of the Welsh breeds 
we will now give what is stated in the Journal of the Royal Agricul¬ 
tural Society by Mr. Algernon Clarke. He says that according to 
Mr. Morgan Evan, one of the best authorities on the subject, “ The 
colour of the Pembrokeshire or ‘ Castlemartin ’ is black; the horns are 
of great length, yellowish white tipped with black, wide spreading 
and curving upwards ; the head is of medium length, longer than 
the West Highlands, but somewhat longer than the Devons, 
approaching the Herefords or the improved Sussex in form. The 
nose is small and the neck fine, with little tendency to “ throati¬ 
ness ” in some breeds ; the eyes are prominent, but without the 
untameable gleam of the West Highland or Chillingham cattle, 
domestication having removed any special traits of wildness and of 
ferocity ; the coat is long, not straight like the Highland cattle, but 
wavy, or sometimes curly ; the forehead is broad. Several writers 
have remarked on the colour of the skin as being of an orange- 
yellow, and the coat on the barest part of the body as being of a 
brownish hue. Some of the best breeders in Pembrokeshire arc 
careful to maintain this characteristic in their herds. This, along 
with a yellow horn and a wavy coat, almost invariably indicates a 
beast that will feed well either on grass or in the stall. A short, 
crisp, coal-black coat is not to be compared with one that is long 
and wavy. The meat produced by these cattle is excellent, and not 
to be surpassed in texture and quality. The milking properties of the 
cows are certaiidy equal, if not superior, to those of most modern 
improved breeds.’' 
Mr. Evans also says, “ Welsh black cows are on the average equal 
to any class of cows in milk-producing capabilities. 'Taking into 
account the climate, soil, and average homestead accommodation in 
the county, the Pembrokeshire cattle can be bred to feed cheaper than 
Shorthorns or Herefords. Attempts to improve the breed by crossing 
have not been attended by success, though the Devons amalgamated 
best.” Again we find it recorded that “ the Anglesea cattle are very 
