January 27, 1881 . ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
79 
best cultivation cannot remedy. The thick round-budded varieties, such as the 
one sent, are far more liable to fail than those with sharper-pointed buds. 
Camellias such as Countess of Derby, Marguerite Guillon, and others that are 
similar m the bud often cast off the buds when they commence unfolding, even 
when the plants appear in the best possible health. Varieties that are at all 
subject to this, and receive even a slight check, not uufrequently cast their buds, 
when more reliable kinds would not be affected by any such cause. The slightest 
check through dryness at the root, a very dry atmosphere caused by sharp firing 
during frost, or when firing lias to be resorted to too quickly, excites them, and 
in consequence causes a number of buds to fall. One of the surest causes of 
failure was suggested last week—viz , not thinning out the buds. Plants in the 
best possible health, if allowed to carry every bud they set, would soon be 
exhausted, and a greater per-centage of the buds in all probability would fall 
sooner or later. The number of buds a plant is capable of opening entirely 
depends upon the condition of the foots and the luxuriance of the plant. While 
th 1 6 huds , ar ® swelling Camellias require more support than at any other stage, 
and if this is judiciously given a great number of flowers would expand which 
could not otherwise do so. The health of Camellias cannot always be taken 
from the appearance of the foliage, which in many cases appears healthy even 
when the roots are unsatisfactory. When in this condition the growth made 
is very short and weak, and more buds are set than the same variety would 
produce if in a robust condition. The soil about the roots in a wet, sour, un¬ 
healthy state will cause the buds to fall or decay. Again, if the young growth 
by any excitement advances early according to the forwardness of the buds the 
flowers seldom expand. Marguerite Guillon is very subject to this, as is also 
\V eltoniensis, a thick-budded white variety, very similar in the bud to the one 
sent.” 
Frozen Vegetables (TV J, M .).—It is doubtful if the stems of the Celery 
to which you allude were really frozen, as the frost you record would not be 
sufficient to penetrate the soil unless the ridges were unusually narrow. The 
tops of the plants if not covered would be killed, and the decay would gradually 
spread downwards, and eventually spoil the crop. It is for this reason that 
Celery should always be protected by covering the rows with straw or litter ; 
still if the plants were frozen in the soil, as they sometimes are, they would be quite 
safe to use either in the ordinary manner or in soups, provided the heads were 
thawed very gradually by placing them in cold water, and the Celery was after¬ 
wards firm, not soft. When frozen Celery is washed in warm water it is impaired 
in quality if not spoiled. We have grown many thousands of heads of the variety 
you name in a district where the winters are much more severe than your own, 
and with care in protecting have had produce of excellent quality until the 
end of April. Some of the red varieties are more hardy than the white, but 
none is, strictly speaking, “ frost-proof ” when grown in the usual manner in 
gardens. Many vegetables are better after having been frozen than before ; 
Savoys and the different varieties of Kales for instance, also Brussels Sprout3. 
Even if these are so hard that they can only be cut with great difficulty they are 
perfectly safe if, after having been immersed in cold water for a time, they remain 
green and fresh, but if soft and pulpy they are not fit for use; consequently frozen 
vegetables should never be cut and placed on the fire at once, nor should they be 
washed in warm water. As you conceive the subject is of importance informa¬ 
tion cannot be published too soon, and at least a week would be lost by the in¬ 
sertion of your letter before any reply could be inserted ; hence we adopt what 
you will agree is a more prompt and practical mode of dealing with the subject. 
Potatoes for Market ( Henley ).—Early Potatoes, as a rule, are more 
profitable than late varieties, as the former can be generally placed in the 
market before the disease seriously attacks the crops ; but as yon tried both 
early and late sorts last year your own experience will be your best guide. The 
nature of the soil and local circumstances must be taken into account in deter¬ 
mining a question of this nature. Early crops do not exhaust the land to nearly 
the same extent that late crops do that are growing for three months longer; 
and by growing earlies a second crop of some kind can be had by planting 
winter greens, or sowing Scarlet Runners between the rows, or planting Cole- 
worts or Strawberries after the Potatoes are cleared. Strong plants of Straw¬ 
berries planted in August in good soil would, by frequent hoeings and a dressing 
or two of soot or other fertiliser in showery weather, produce a good crop the 
season following ; but the plants must be good to begin with, and be planted 
under favourable conditions. Myatt’s Prolific is one of the best of the early 
kidney Potatoes. In some districts the Early Rose is profitable, where the soil 
is of a dry nature and the produce of good quality. The American Beauty of 
Hebron is likely to prove a good early market variety. The quantity required 
for planting an acre depends entirely on the size of the sets and the distance of 
planting. About 16 cwt. of fair-sized sets would probably suffice, but we have 
known a ton of larger sets employed. Small trashy seed is not the most profit¬ 
able, while a medium-sized tuber in good condition will yield about as well as a 
large one. The condition of the tubers is of as much, or more, importance than 
their size. A moderately small tuber with a strong sturdy growth before plant¬ 
ing is better than a larger set from which the first growth has been removed, or 
planted with a cluster of thin weak growths. The time of planting must be 
determined by the condition of the seed and the state of the soil and weather. 
The seed tubers of all varieties of the early kidney type should have short stubby 
growths when planted—that is, the eyes should have fairly started ; there will 
then be no blanks in the rows. But if the growths are much advanced they 
might be injured in the rough handling that usually occurs when planting large 
quantities. If Ashleafs are planted in a dormant state several sets often fail to 
grow. The condition of the sets must therefore be first considered. Next the 
soil. In light and dry soils we have found planting 4 or 5 inches deep in Feb¬ 
ruary or early March the best; in strong heavy soils a month later has been 
advantageous. The sets then have made more growth above ground, and have 
been planted nearer the surface—sometimes only an inch, of even less, below- 
according to circumstances. Then the weather must be considered. Never 
plant when the ground is in a wet sticky state. Ear better is it to wait for a 
week or a fortnight, as for early Potatoes the soil cannot be too dry and powdery 
when the sets are planted. A sprinkling of superphosphate of lime in the rows 
before the sets are covered, just making .the ground white, or say a handful to 
every 4 yards, is beneficial in nearly all soils. These remarks, founded on many 
years of experience, may be of use to you. 
Inarching Vines (Reader). —You. had better inarch to the young cane, 
taking a slice off it from 6 inches to a foot long as jjjpst convenient, and almost, 
or quite, down to the pith, with a corresponding slice in" the cane to be attached. 
You will effect a quicker and firmer union, than by merely removing, the bark 
to the extent of a few inches. The slicing lVust be very smooth, and the “ fit ” 
of the two portions accurate. Secure them thyetlier With soft matting tied as 
tightly as you could endure the same ligature round your finger for a month, 
and cover the inarched portion with moss, whichyshould be syringed occasionally. 
When the buds commence swelling is a good 1 time for the operation, and one 
bud of the Alicante above the union will be sufficient; •you'bad bgtter, however, 
leave two lor fear of an accident, and when one growth is safe the other can be 
stopped as required. Let the new cane have plenty of room to develope its 
foliage, and light to perfect it, by removing the growths from the parent rods 
as needed. When Vines are inarched, overcrowding of the new canes often 
follow, and the success that is hoped for is consequently not attained. 
Names of Plants (C. F .).—Azalea amoena. (./. S .).—Berberis Darwinii- 
(F. T. A.). —1, Yucca aloifolia variegata ; 2, Specimen too small, perhaps Y- 
quadricolor. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 26. 
LITTLE or no business doing, our market being still completely frozen out. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples. 
} sieve 
2 
6 to 4 
6 
Melons . 
each 
0 
otoo 
0 
Apricots. 
box 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nectarines. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries. 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges . 
100 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chestnuts. 
bushel 12 
0 
16 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Filberts. 
4f>Ib. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
dessert . 
dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Cobs.... 
V ft 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples .... 
lb 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Gooseberries .... 
i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums . 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes . 
lb 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Walnuts . 
bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons. 
3^100 12 
0 
18 
0 
ditto . 
100 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s 
d. 
S. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes. 
dozen 
2 
o to 4 
0 
Mushrooms . 
punnet 
1 
o to l 
6 
Asparagus. 
bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard ds Cress .. 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
3 
Beans, Kidney .... 
W 1U0 
i 
0 
1 
6 
Onions. 
bushel 
s 
6 
5 
0 
Beet, Red. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
pickling. 
quart 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
s 
Parsley. doz.bunches 
6 
0 
0 
0 
Brussels Sprouts.. 
i sieve 
0 
9 
1 
3 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Peas . 
quart 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Potatoes. 
bushel 
3 
9 
4 
0 
Capsicums. 
V 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Kidney. 
bushel 
4 
0 
4 
6 
Cauliflowers. 
dozen 
0 
0 
3 
6 
Radishes_ doz .bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Celery. 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Coleworts... .doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Sealjale . 
basket 
3 
0 
3 
0 
Fennel. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots. 
V lb. 
0 
3 
0 
8 
Garlic . 
V lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Vegetable Marrows 
each 0 
2 
0 
0 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY. 
( Continued from page 57.) 
We will now refer to a new machine exhibited at the Carlisle 
meeting of the Royal-Agricultural Society by Mr. Frederick Savage, 
King’s Lynn, Norfolk, and styled a combined self-acting presser 
and drill, and worked in the trial field by another machine, which 
the Judges’ report describes as a ten-horse-power agricultural 
engine, the driving wheels forming the winding drums, which is 
usual in these engines. The anchors are self-moving, and the 
whole weight rests on the retaining tines. The new implement 
to which we wish to refer was shown in connection, with this 
tackle—namely, a four-ring self-acting presser and drill combined, 
to be used behind the plough. A swivel foot lowered on to the 
ground by a lever takes the weight of the presser in turning at the 
head lands. A small harrow is also attached and drawn behind 
the presser forcovering in the seed. This is the first implement of 
the kind ever made, so doubtless many improvements on it will 
appear in time, and in certain hands on some soils will probably 
prove of considerable value. This concludes the short notice by 
the Judges of implements and machinery at the Carlisle meeting. 
Our reason for bringing this implement to the notice of the home 
farmer is because we see in the invention the means of attaining 
that which we have for a' long time in practical farming desired 
to see—viz., the ability to perform by ploughing, pressing, and 
seeding the land simultaneously by one operation. It will be no 
doubt easily adapted both for steam power and horse or ox labour 
in the Wheat season, as well as the Oat or Bean and Pea seed 
time. For the first object it is very important, because after the 
early part of the month of November the land cannot often be 
ploughed and left unseeded without incurring the risk of serious 
