November 1, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
387 
*** All correspondence should be directed either to “The Editor’' 
or to “ The Publisher. 1 ' Letters addressed to Dr. Hogg or 
members of the staff often remain unopened unavoidably. We 
request that no one will write privately to any of our correspon¬ 
dents, as doing so subjects them to unjustifiable trouble aad 
expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions relat¬ 
ing to Gardening and those on Bee subjects, and should never 
send more than two or three questions at once. All articles in¬ 
tended for insertion should be written on one side or the paper 
only. We cannot reply to questions through the post, and we 
do not undertake to return rejected communications. 
Garden Chemistry (S.). —We are obliged by your letter, and the subject 
which you bring before us shall have full consideration. 
Selection of Fruit (IF. 72.).—In answer to your inquiry this week, last 
week on page 367 Stunner Pippin was accidentally printed Summer Pippin. 
Primulas (M. IT.). —The flowers as regards size and form are of average 
merit. There are many larger and much richer in colour of which seed is 
sold by florists, nurserymen, and seedsmen who devote special attention to 
these plants. 
Fungus (IF. J. J.). —The fungus resembles a very small example of 
Agaricus arvensis, an edible species, but we should not advise you to eat it, 
as the specimen sent is very imperfect. 
Burnt Clay for Vine Borders ( G. T.). —The material you name, and 
which is known as ballast, is well adapted for mixing with soil for Vine 
borders for insuring porosity, and partially burnt clay is valuable for 
mixing with light soil for the growth of Vines. You may add lime rubbish 
as well if you can obtain it, and if the soil does not contain lime this also 
should be supplied. The ballast itself has little or no manurial value, but 
may be mechanically very useful in the border. 
Insects (IF. D. C.). —Insects so small usually arrive in such a shrivelled 
state as to render their identification impossible This was the case with 
those you sent. We do not think they would attack Cyclamens either above 
ground or below if the plants were healthy, but they may possibly be found 
on decayed corms, in which case they are not the cause, but a result of the 
disease that may affect them. 
Vine Roots (J. V, Swansea). —The roots we received a fortnight ago 
were examined at the time for signs of the attack of the phylloxera, con¬ 
cluding in the absence of any letter referring to them that they had been 
sent for that purpose. There were no symptoms of the presence of the 
pest either on the root3 or leaves. Both are shrivelled now. You say 
nothing about the age of the Vines, but simply state they are in “ bad 
condition.” In all probability they will be improved by the fresh soil you 
propose supplying, and otherwise good treatment. 
Isabella Sprnnt and Madame Falcot Roses ( S. J. IF.).—As to “ which 
is the best Rose for affording pretty buds for cutting, Isabella Sprunt or 
Madame Falcot ? ” that is a question of taste, and as we cannot recommend 
one without in effect condemning the other, we advise you to grow them 
both. This is the more desirable, too, as they do not succeed equally well 
in all places and under all circumstances. 
Late Peaches and Nectarines ( T. A., Wharjedale). — To your Peaches 
you may add Belle Bauce, Barrington, and Waiburton Admirable; and to 
your Nectarines Pine Apple and Victoria. The sprays you have sent are of 
■Crataegus tanacetifolia, a very distinct and ornamental species. 
Bonemeal for Roses ( North Herts). —You cannot have anything better 
•than this for mixing with the soil for Roses. The quantity to use depends 
•entirely on the fertility of the soil. If it is poor you may use a quarter of 
a peck to a bushel; if moderately fertile half that quantity will suffice. Roses 
like plenty of half-decayed manure incorporated with the soil, and a good 
layer of this spread on the surface over the roots. 
Excluding Frost from a Conservatory {Amateur). —We scarcely under¬ 
stand your question. Do you not intend to have a boiler and hot-water 
pipes ? For supporting it we should certainly prefer iron pillars, and a 
thick layer of prepared felt under the floor would be advantageous. As for 
the sides, “ so far as the wood goes,” they will exclude cold far better than 
the glass will. That is when the cold will chiefly enter, and you cannot keep 
the house pleasant for either yourself or the plants without artificial heat. 
You have left spaces for figures in your letter, as if you intended to fill in 
the blanks and forgot to do so. 
Pears in Pots (77. S.). —You ought to have no difficulty in growing and 
ripening autumn and early winter Pears under glass in your cold locality; 
but you say your trees in pots do not bloom, and then ask us the reason. 
We cannot tell you the reason until you describe the condition of the trees. 
“They are either underfed or overfed—that is, make too little growth or too 
much; if too much, the wood does not ripen. If you will state the age, 
size, and condition of the trees, with your method of growing, we will 
endeavour to aid you. We have not tasted better Pears this year than 
Doyennb du Cornice that were gathered from a tree in a pot, and of which 
a reduced cluster is figured in our present issue. This variety, Williams’ 
Bon Chretien, Beurrh de l’Assomption, Souvenir du Congres, Louise Bonne 
of Jersey, Marie Louise d’TJccle, Fondante d’Automne, Comte de Lamy, and 
other autumn Pears will ripen in your locality if well grown in pots and a 
suitable structure is provided for the trees. 
Mignonette Failing {Idem). —It requires calcareous matter, and seldom 
fails to grow where plenty of lime rubbish is mixed with the soil. Try 
some in pots in which one-sixth part of the soil consists of lime rubbish, 
and the whole made firm. The plants will grow in this if they are properly 
watered and have abundance of light and air. Your question on Vines will 
be answered next week. 
Apples not Bearing {Lundy Lane). —]A general question of this kind 
cannot be answered satisfactorily, as it would involve our writing an essay 
on fruit. If from time to time you require information and will describe 
the condition of the trees that may not be satisfactory we will readily assist 
you if we can ; and we think we shall be able to do so if you state your 
case plainly and clearly. The most profitable Strawberries grown for market 
in Kent are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and Sir Joseph Paxton, the latter 
being the larger, the former perhaps the most productive and hardy, both 
travelling fairly well when properly packed. We are not able to say whether 
they will succeed equally well in Canada. If you try them we shall be glad 
to hear from you on the subject. 
Cotoneaster Simmonsii (72. B .).—This is the name of the shrub of which 
you have sent us a spray, and it is very ornamental trained against walls. 
We have not seen a hedge of it, but hedges of C. microphylla are very 
handsome. The plants are propagated by layers and from seed. Half- 
ripened shoots pegged into the ground now, and the soil kept moist in 
summer, emit roots abundantly. The seed may either be sown now in drills 
in the open garden or be stored in moist sand and sown in the spring. In 
either case have the drills a foot apart, and cover the seed 2 inches deep with 
fine soil. It is long in germinating, and all the plants will not appear till the 
following spring. They grow rapidly, however, in good soil, and soon attain 
useful dimensions. The position of the drills should be marked with sticks 
at each end, and by stretching a string from one to the other over each drill 
the ground between can be kept free from weeds by running the hoe through 
it frequently. 
Passion-flowers {H. S. P.). —Some Passion-flowers are hardy in favour¬ 
able districts, others succeed in greenhouses, while several require hothouse 
treatment. If you will send us particulars of your plants and where they 
are growing we will endeavour to aid you ; at present you do not enable us 
to give you a reply that will be of service. Are your plants unhealthy ? If 
you will examine page 345 of our issue of October 18th, you will find a reply 
on Calceolarias in frames. We fear you do not read attentively. 
Zonal Pelargoniums in Vinery {S. E). —Fire heat with ventilation 
will be beneficial to your Vines now rather than otherwise, while a rather 
dry atmosphere will not be injurious to the plants. You had better not 
prune the Vines at present, but as the leaves turn decidedly yellow they 
may be safely removed instead of waiting for them to shrivel and fall. If 
your gardener has carried out your instructions and nipped off the growths 
immediately above the flower truss, and your plants do not flower con¬ 
tinuously, do not blame him. That is a good method to adopt in summer 
for producing large trusses, but is the worst that can be indulged in now 
with plants that are desired to produce an unbroken succession of flowers 
throughout the winter. 
Hybrid Perpetual Roses for Forcing {M. Taylor). —We find the six that 
force the most readily into flower early in the season are La France, Anna 
Alexieff, Abel Grand, Jule3 Margottin, Alfred Colomb, and Gbnbral 
Jacqueminot. For forcing, and to form a good succession later in the season, 
we consider the following twelve amongst the best:—Victor Verdier, Charles 
Verdier, Magna Charta, Marie Baumann, Fisher Holmes, Louis Van Houtte, 
Duke of Edinburgh, Madame Lacharme, Senateur Vaisse, Coquette des 
Blanches, John Hopper, and Frangois Michelon. In addition to these there 
are many varieties that are admirably adapted for cultivation in pots, and will 
flower well and give the greatest satisfaction if brought forward gradually 
under cooler treatment. 
Determining Poisonous Fungi ( Bodface). —Many rules have been given 
for determining poisonous fungi, but there are generally so many exceptions 
to them that they are unreliable and useless. They sometimes exclude a 
number of edible kinds, and at others include a few rare forms possessing 
injurious or doubtful properties. The only safe way is to study the species, 
and acquire a familiarity with their characters, when, as most of them are 
very distinct, they can be readily recognised. Several popular works are now 
published which would enable you to ascertain the names of the principal 
useful and obnoxious species, Dr. M. C. Cooke’s “ Handbook of the British 
Fungi,” published by Mr. D. Bogue, St. Martin’s Place, Trafalgar Square, 
price Gs., being one of the best. Carefully avoid all fungi that are in any 
degree doubtful; the majority that are highly coloured or which possess 
strong and offensive odours are poisonous, and some apparently very 
innocent species are similarly dangerous, but with a little application you 
will soon be able to recognise at a glance the most common kinds in each 
group. It must be also borne in mind that it is unwise to eat large quantities 
even of the most harmless, and careful cooking is most important, with a 
liberal use of condiments, such as pepper and salt. If you like to collect 
a few good examples of the principal fungi in your neighbourhood, numbering 
them, and keeping duplicates for yourself, we will endeavour to name them 
if you forward them carefully packed and carnage paid to this office. 
Discharge of Gardeners {D. F.). —Your letter is far too inexplicit. It 
is necessary to know the allegation of the employer, whether it be ill or 
well founded. We can only say that if a gardener is paid weekly a week’s 
notice to leave on either side is sufficient in the absence of any agreement 
to the contrary, and it is customary to give such notice at the end of a 
week (or before work is commenced on the following Monday), not in the 
middle, though circumstances may arise rendering this latter course legal. 
It is extremely doubtful if you would gain anything by taking legal 
proceedings, as even if you were to do so and win you would probably find 
your success costly, while to lose might be little short of ruinous. If an 
employer give a week’s wages in lieu of notice, and the gardener has cottage, 
coals, vegetables, and milk as part of his wages, he must also be com¬ 
pensated for the loss of these during the week, according to the value at 
