20 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . [ January 5 , 1882 . 
month or six weeks they will have made strong' and sturdy growths. If these 
are inserted singly in small pots and kept moist in a close frame they will strike 
readily, and if shifted before they are root-bound into 5-inch pots they will form 
dwarf healthy plants and fine flower spikes. We have seen plants of S. splen- 
dens and S. Bethelli in 5-inch pots this winter with from six to twelve flower 
spikes a foot long on each. Of S. Pitcheri, however, a number of cuttings 
should be inserted in a pot, shifting without dividing the young plants, and a 
charming effect is produced by the mass of blue flowers. 
Leaves for Mushroom Beds (Failure). —We have never made a Mush¬ 
room bed with leaves alone, but we have used one-third of Oak leaves with two- 
thirds of stable manure with excellent results. Mr. Bardney’s communication 
to which you refer is probably the'following :—“The system that I adopt with 
leaves is as follows : The leaves were collected as they fell and thrown into a 
heap until sufficient were gathered to make up a bed; the heavy rains were kept 
off them so as to keep them in a tolerably dry condition. They remained in the 
heap about a fortnight, and were turned at intervals of three or four days, after 
which they were pressed as firmly as possible in a bed. In a few days the bed 
became very hot, and was lightened to let out some of the steam Shortly after¬ 
wards tbe surface was firmly beaten down and soiled with 4 inches of good fibry 
loam with a seventh of leaves, mixed together and beaten firmly. When the 
heat was on the decline the bed was spawned, the spawn being inserted about 
1 inch deep, and 2 inches of good loam was placed ou the top, the whole being 
made very firm, and precautions taken that the bed did not get too hot after 
being spawned. We have mixed about a seventh part of dec iyed manure with 
the loam, only using leaves for the purpose of maintaining heat in the bed, which 
they will do for a long time if used in a moderately dry state. I would not 
recommend decomposed manure to be used with the leaves. Although we 
gathered several Mushrooms the bed did not continue bearing long. It is not a 
good plan to use too many leaves mixed in the loam, as they have a great ten- 
deucy to cause the spawn to run very stringy. I do not wish to convey to the 
readers of the Journal that I would use leave? in preference to droppings, 
provided the droppings were not produced under the circumstances referred to in 
my previous letter. Droppings from horses receiving medicine and Carrots are 
useless for the Mushroom grower, and leaves are certainly to be preferred.” 
Northern Spy Apple (0. 0. S .).—You will not succeed in raising this 
variety from pips ; you may raise trees readily by sowing the pips in spring, but 
the produce of the majority of them will probably be worthless. Northern Spy, 
although an American Apple, is included in the collections of the leading 
nurserymen in this country, and you ought not to experience any difficulty in 
purchasing trees. The following description and reference to this Apple in the 
“ Fruit Manual ” may not be without interest :—Fruit fragrant when ripe, large, 
ovate, inclining sometimes to conical. Skin thin, at first of a greenish yellow 
on the shaded side, and on the side next the sun covered entirely with a thin, 
pale, crimson cheek, which is covered with broken streaks of a darker crimson ; 
but as the fruit acquires maturity after being kept, the shaded side changes to 
a rich golden yellow, and the crimson becomes brilliant. The whole is covered 
with a thin bloom like a Grape. Eye small and closed, set in a very deep, 
narrow, and furrowed cavity. Stalk three-quarters of an inch long, slender, 
deeply inserted in a wide hollow. Flesh white, very tender, fine-grained, crisp, 
and very juicy. Juice sprightly, sweet, and with a fine delicate aroma. A 
valuable dessert Apple ; in use from December till May. The tree is a fast and 
vigorous grower, and has an upright habit. When it acquires a little age it is 
an abundant bearer ; but it is apt to become bushy-headed, and therefore 
requires frequent attention to keep the head open and free of spray. This ex¬ 
cellent Apple originated about the year 1840 in the State of New York, on the 
farm of Oliver Chapin of Bloomfield, near Rochester. It belongs to the Spitzen- 
burgh race, and bears some resemblance to the Esopus Spitzenburgh. Gradually 
it became a favourite among American orcliardists, and in 1843 we find it one 
of the sorts which were recommended “ for trial ” at one of the pomological 
conventions. In 1847 the fruit was sold in New York at 12^ cents each. It is 
now largely imported into this country annually. 
Digging and its Cost (B. P. S. and D. IF.).—The best time for digging 
depends greatly ou the condition and character of the soil and the state of the 
weather. Mr. Peach has epitomised the subject of digging as follows :—“ A 
golden rule is, Never dig the ground if you cau avoid it when the soil is too wet 
or too heavy, so as to stick to the tools and run together into lumps by being 
trodden on. Soils differ so much in their character it is very difficult to lay 
down any general law ; but whenever a crop is off and the land cleared, the 
sooner it is manured and dug over when the weather is propitious the better. 
Some land may be dug even after heavy rain and wet weather after one dry day, 
when other land had better not be touched till after a week or ten days of dry 
weather. As a rule it is better not to dig during frost; but heavy unctuous 
loam or clay is better for autumn-digging in dry weather, well-decayed vege¬ 
table manure with ashes being added. No greater mistake is often made with 
Potatoes than planting the sets in the middle of fresh manure, and then earth¬ 
ing up ; and the same is true of nearly all crops. The manure should be well 
decayed or fermented beforehand, care being taken that it should not be exposed 
to too much rain, and that the liquid manure should be saved in tanks or from 
time to time put on to the heap of manure as it is turned over ; but no vege¬ 
tables like a great lump of wet manure to grow in, and the object of cultivation 
is to subdivide it.” The usual prices for digging light garden ground a spit deep 
are 1 \d. and 2d. per rod, heavy ground 3d.; trenching light soil two spits deep 
10J. per rod, heavy soil 1?.; bastard trenching of light soil 6 d. per rod, heavy 
soil 8 d. A statute acre of land may be dug by a man with the spade, to a depth 
of 9 to 12 inches in a free soil, in fourteen to twenty-one days. Further infor¬ 
mation on digging may be found in Nos. 889 and 891, which can be had from 
the publisher in return for Id. in postage stamps. 
Sprays for Name (J. II., Perthshire). —The spscimens to which you refer 
have not been received. 
Names of Plants (II. B.). —1, Adiantum Capillus-Yeneris ; 2, Pteris 
argyrsea ; 3. Adiantum formosum ; 4, Asplenium fiaccidum. (R. C.). —1, Pteris 
serrulata; 2, Pteris cretica ; 3, Blechnum brasiliense ; 4, Aspidium falcatum 
var. caryotideum. (C. E. M .).—The specimens were not only very small, but 
being sent enclosed in a letter they were so crushed that most could not be 
recognised ; 2 is Duranta Baumgardtii ; 4 resembles Iris foetidissima variegata. 
(G. IF. A.). —1, Apparently an Orchid, but completely crushed so that it cannot 
be recognised ; 2, Nicotiana undulata. 
Bees Leaving Hive—Dying—Feeding (E. T .).—Feeding with syrup 
at this season is not to be recommended. Excitement is always caused, and 
the bees fly abroad, seeking in the fields in vain for those sweets that they are 
conscious their companions are obtaining somewhere. The evil is only reduced 
by applying the bottle at night and removing it in the morning. If feeding 
now be necessary, give a cake of barleysugar over the frames, covering it down 
with the quilt. The plan for making barleysugar has before been given, but * 
is repeated in short, as you may desire to set to work at once. Put sufficient 
loaf sugar into a saucepan, and add a little water ; not more than half a pint to 
4 lbs. of sugar. Carefully stir during the time of melting over the fire. Try 
it by placing a drop from your spoon upon a sheet of glass, or a plate ; if in 
a few seconds it sets sufficiently to admit of being pushed out of form by the 
finger without sticking.it is done; if, however.it is clammy, you must either 
boil away more of the water or melt in more sugar. At the completion of the 
boiling, take from the fire and place on a sink, or other cool spot, and continue 
to stir without interruption. As soon as the barleysugar is showing signs of 
stiffening pour out into a pie dish, wide saucer, or baking tin, in which you 
have previously placed a sheet of thin paper. When the barleysugar is co oled , 
place it over your hive with the adherent paper upwards. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET.—JANUARY 4. 
OUR market still keeps very quiet, and prices remain without alteration. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Apples. 
i sieve 
l 
0to3 
6 
L°mona. 
case : 
2 
0tOl6 
;o 
Apricots. 
doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Melons . 
each 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries. 
ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nectarines. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chestnuts. 
16 
0 
0 
0 
100 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Currants, Black.. 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
s 
„ Red.... 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
i 
0 
1 
6 
Fitfs. 
0 
0 
0 
e 
dozen 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Filberts. 
Fft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples .... 
ft 
i 
6 
2 
0 
Cobs . 
O 
75 
0 
0 
0 
Strawberries .... 
per ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Gooseberries .... 
i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Walnuts . 
bushel 
7 
0 
8 
0 
Grapes . 
V ft 
a 
6 
4 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Artichokes. 
dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Mushrooms . 
. punnet 
i 
Otol 
6 
Asparagus. 
bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard* Cress 
.punnet 
0 
2 
0 
3 
Beans, Kidney... 
4F 100 
i 
0 
0 
0 
Onions. 
bushel 
3 
6 
0 
0 
Beet, Red. 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
pickling. 
quart 
0 
0 
0 
5 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Parsley. doz.bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Brussels Sprouts. 
i sieve 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage. 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Potatoes . 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Kidney. 
bushel 
3 
0 
3 
6 
Capsicums. 
%>■ 100 
i 
6 
2 
0 
Radishes_ doz .bunches 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers. 
. dozen 
i 
0 
8 
6 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy. 
. bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
(Joleworts... .doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera . 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers. 
each 
0 
6 
0 
8 
Seakale . 
basket 
2 
0 
2 
3 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Shallots. 
F ft. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Fennel. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Girlie . 
. ft- 
0 
6 
0 
0 
w ft. 
0 
8 
1 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Turnips. 
bunch 0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks. 
. bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Vegetable Marrows each 
0 
0 
0 
0 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
A RETROSPECT OF THE HOME FARM, 1881. 
Haying in previous years furnished the home farmer with a 
retrospective statement of the various occurrences which have to 
some extent influenced his proceedings in the past, we will now 
record the leading agricultural events of the year 1881 as affect¬ 
ing the cultivator. Although many of our remarks may apply 
to farmers generally, either as tenants or as occupying their own 
property, still our observations will be directed chiefly to the 
home farmer in consequence of his peculiar position. Untram¬ 
melled as he is by a lease which often prevents the tenant farmer 
acting in accordance with his own interest to the fullest extent, 
the home farmer is enabled to carry out the duties and respon¬ 
sibilities of his position upon the best principles of agriculture 
so as to be beneficial in the highest degree. They may be carried 
out in their entirety except in those cases in which peculiar re¬ 
quirements may justly influeuce the proceedings, but we trust that 
generally this happens only in a slight degree. By these remarks 
it is our object to claim for him the power to exercise his intel¬ 
ligence, industry, and perseverance, in order that he may conduct 
the affairs entrusted to him with benefit to the estate and credit 
to himself. During the past year we have endeavoured, as usual, 
not only to call attention to the various subjects, but we have 
also, under the heading of “ Work on the Home Farm,” con¬ 
tributed our ideas and experience by giving hints in cultivation 
and the management of cattle, &c., best adapted to the require¬ 
ments of the farm. 
