JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 13, 1881. ] 
29 
some time since a description of the variety in the words of the 
raiser. 
-We have previously referred to the enormous importations 
of American Apples, and it appears that the Apple Trade in 
Canada is annually assuming greater proportions, which may be 
gleaned from the fact that up to the 13th ult. 126,633 barrels had 
been shipped from the port of Montreal alone to this country. 
This number exceeds last year’s exports for the same period by 
76,849 barrels, besides heavy shipments via Boston and New 
York. 
- The weather is now very winterly near Liverpool ; 
sharp frosts have prevailed since Thursday last, varying from 
8° to 14° below freezing. The trees are densely covered with 
white rime, and look most beautiful. The sun has not made its 
appearance during these days of frost, and forcing operations 
have to be conducted with much care. 
- Referring to Pettigrew’s Cardiff Castle Cucum¬ 
ber “Amateur” writes—“In several trade catalogues I find a 
Cucumber bearing this name offered as being ‘ one of the best in 
cultivation.’ As it is new to me, I should be glad to know what 
are its chief recommendations, and in what way it differs from 
Telegraph or any other well-known leading kind ? Is it a dis¬ 
tinct cross, or is it only one of our old varieties under another 
name ?” 
-We learn that Her Majesty’s Office of Works has entrusted 
Mr. Anthony Waterer of Knap Hill Nursery, Woking, with the 
providing and planting of a large number of Rhododendrons 
and Azaleas in Hyde Park during the approaching season. 
The plants are well set with bloom buds, and with fair weather 
it is believed they will make a fine display in Rotten Row. 
- On the 8th inst. the Rev. H. H. Higgins of Rainhill 
delivered an excellent Lecture on the Cultivation of 
Mosses to the members of the Liverpool Horticultural Associa¬ 
tion. The lecturer treated largely upon native as well as many 
tropical species, and illustrated with diagrams many different 
varieties, minutely explaining their botanical construction. Mr. 
Higgins is well acquainted with Mosses, and at one time culti¬ 
vated about 220 forms, each grown in a separate pot and grouped 
in a large Wardian case. The lecture was much appreciated by 
the members of the Association. Mr. Bardney also read a paper 
on “ Hybrid Perpetual Roses in Pots,” principally for forcing. 
The meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to Messrs. 
Higgins and Bardney, also to Mr. Halhead, the Chairman of the 
meeting. 
- As will be seen by an advertisement in another page, it 
has been proposed to raise a Gardeners’ Memorial to the 
late Mr. Arthur Yeitch. It is intended, if sufficient subscrip¬ 
tions can be obtained, to institute a fund for the Gardeners’ 
Benevolent Institution, to be called the Yeitch Memorial Fund. 
No doubt the general respect entertained for the deceased 
gentleman will induce many gardeners and others to give sub¬ 
stantial support to this excellent proposition. 
—— “ W. J. M.” writes respecting Holly Berries in Ireland 
—“I can confirm the truth of Mr. Campbell’s observation as to the 
scarcity of Holly berries so far as this locality is concerned, and 
my correspondents in other districts invariably say the same. This 
scarcity is not confined to Holly; Arbutuses, Aucubas, Kalmias, 
Cotoneasters, and Pernettyas, where grown outside in sheltered 
situations, are equally deficient. The absence of berries and the 
lingering growths of the more tender shrubs I believe must be 
credited to the terribly severe check sustained from the winter 
of 1878.” 
- We are requested to call the attention of our readers to 
the sad circumstances attending the death of the late Thomas 
Tucker, foreman packer, for eighteen years in the employ of 
James Carter & Co. By his sudden death his widow with a 
family of six children are left utterly unprovided for. A few 
friends and fellow workers have subscribed a fund for temporary 
purposes, and a Committee has been formed to receive subscrip¬ 
tions from anyone desirous of helping the family. Contributions 
will be thankfully acknowledged by any of the following mem¬ 
bers of the Committee, and should be addressed to them care of 
Messrs. James & Co., High Holborn :—A. H. Dunnett (Hon. 
Treasurer), C. H. Sharman (Hon. Sec.), W. G. Sharman, A. Ains¬ 
worth, W. H. Hayward, W. F. Cuming, J. Comont, H. Ingrey.— 
Old “ Show ” hands will remember Tucker. 
- We are glad to learn, says Nature, that Prof. MacOwan, 
late of Gill College, Somerset East, has accepted the post of 
Director of the Botanic Garden, Cape Town. He will also lecture 
at the South African College. The appointment of a man whose 
long and enthusiastic devotion to South African botany has earned 
him a wide reputation is to the credit of the Cape Government, 
and is of good omen for the scientific future of the Cape Botanic 
Garden. This has never yet attained the position which it would 
naturally derive from the resources of one of the most interesting 
floras in the world. 
FORWARDING EARLY PEAS. 
Peas cannot be had too early, and various means are adopted 
for advancing the crop. November-sown Peas sometimes come 
in the earliest, and in other cases they are behind those sown in 
spring. If outdoor culture is exclusively followed the autumn- 
sown Peas might be the first in most instances, but if a little extra 
attention be given to spring-sown Peas they will be the most 
satisfactory. I think it would astonish many if it was only known 
the quantity of seed that is lost through various causes by 
November sowing, and the patchy rows we often see in spring 
promise anything but a full and abundant crop. Mice and other 
vermin are more destructive on these than those sown at any 
other time, and it is generally before the growths come through 
the soil that the injury is done. From this it may be inferred 
that if early Peas were sown under protection, and planted out 
after they had grown a few inches, losses or blank rows would be 
nearly unknown. This is my opinion, and of all ways of for¬ 
warding early Peas I think there is none better than sowing the 
seed under cover and planting out. 
I have tried many ways of raising young Pea plants—such as 
sowing them in turves, in tiles, old waterspouts, boxes, &c., but I 
never found them do so well as in small 3-inch pots. Sowings 
made in two or three hundred of these supply plants to make 
several fine rows. No drainage is put in the pots, but a little 
rough manure is placed at the bottom of each, and then rich soil 
is rammed firmly over this until the pot is about three parts full, 
when from eight to twelve peas are placed in each and covered with 
a little more of the soil. They are then placed close together 
in a cold frame or cool house, and no water is given until the 
growths are seen. These soon appear, and water is supplied after¬ 
wards as it may be required. They are placed as near the glass 
as possible, but never in forcing heat, as this would weaken the 
growths and entail labour in having them “ bordered off,” besides 
running great risk of giving them a severe check while under¬ 
going the operation. Air is admitted on all favourable occasions 
until they are large enough and the weather permits their being 
planted out. 
When the time comes for this the pots are well filled with 
healthy roots, and planting is done without injuring a leaf or root. 
All our best spring and early summer Peas were raised in this 
way last year, and I never had better. The labour required 
is inconsiderable compared with the advantages. Iu planting we 
do not place the potfulls as close together as they will stand in, 
but each little tuft is planted about 6 inches from the other. 
Before they come into fruit they look as if they were or had 
been originally packed in close together. If a little old potting 
soil can be placed against the roots at planting time it assists 
them in growing. The stakes are placed into them at once, and if 
the situation is bleak or the weather cold a few Fir branches or 
Laurel trimmings are put in here and there for shelter. 
With valuable Peas it is a bad plan to trust the seed in the 
ground early in the season, as from various causes many may fail, 
