264 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 16, 1880. 
nothing if not fair and honest representations of flowers. If over¬ 
done they deceive purchasers; if underdone they do an injustice 
to the flowers. Two remarkable examples of inaccurate flower 
delineation have just come under my notice. An imposing volume, 
‘ Greenhouse Favourites,’ published by Messrs. Groombridge, and 
a number of 1 Paxton’s Flbwcr Garden,’ issued by Messrs. Cassell, 
each contains a coloured plate of Spiraea palmata. Let anyone 
examine these two plates, and he will have a striking instance of 
the vagaries of art. The colour of the flower in one figure is lilac 
or pale washy purple with a few crimson blotches ; in the other 
it is a dull heavy crimson, the flowers being shown in masses of 
ugly lumpishness. The two figures of the same plant are totally 
dissimilar, and neither of them does justice to a beautiful plant.” 
We have referred to the figures indicated, and are bound to 
admit that our correspondent has justification for his trenchant 
remarks ; hut we may remind him that the great number of in¬ 
ferior plates now published render those that are superior, and 
these are not few, of greater value. 
We may now appropriately refer to the two works mentioned. 
“ Paxton’s Flower Garden ” (Cassell & Co).—On perusing 
the first number of the re-issue in parts of this work we regret to 
notice that the most characteristic representation that has yet ap¬ 
peared of Spiraea palmata is marred by faulty colouring ; the plate 
of Aerides crassifolium is much better in this respect. The work is 
admirably printed on superior paper, and is revised by Mr. Thomas 
Baines, whose reputation as a plant-grower is a guarantee that 
the cultural instructions embodied in the work are reliable. But 
why capital initial letters are employed for specific names we are 
at a loss to understand. If a reform is being initiated it is in 
an opposite direction to the system adopted by all European 
botanists of repute, for the disposition of men of science and 
education is to reduce, not increase, the number of capital initial 
letters. We consider such letters as they are employed in “ Pax¬ 
ton’s Flower Garden ” incongruous and a mistake ; otherwise the 
republication of the work is timely, and if the two plates given 
monthly are of a superior character, each number will be cheap 
at a shilling. This work will not unlikely become very popular, 
and when completed will be a worthy addition to all gardeners’ 
libraries. 
“ Greenhouse Favourites ” (Groombridge & Son).—This 
work requires little comment, as its merits were discussed in these 
columns when it was appearing in monthly parts. We need only 
remark that it makes a handsome and elaborately finished volume 
as regards binding, printing, and paper. Some of the coloured 
plates are also worthy of commendation, while others are un¬ 
satisfactory. The cultural particulars are generally correct, but 
in some instances they are of a tediously commonplace character, 
not quite in harmony with the ornate character of the volume. The 
lists of varieties are in respect of some genera very meagre, and 
those named are not in every case the best in cultivation at the 
present time, while curiously enough the chapter on Begonias 
does not include the most popular Tuberous section in which 
there are now so many grand varieties. 
DRAINAGE—CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL AND 
MANURES.—No. 4. 
The preparation of manure is the next consideration. Through 
a press of general work the manure heap is often forgotten until 
it is actually wanted. Neglect in small matters often leads to 
disappointment. The manure from the stables is often taken, 
and the shorter portions shaken out for the purpose of making 
Mushroom beds, the long litter being left to decay ; but when 
this is required for use considerahle difficulty is experienced in 
separating that which is decayed from that which is not ready 
for use. To avoid this difficulty, and when the ground is frozen 
or too wet to allow of its being worked, men could be most use¬ 
fully employed in turning and thoroughly shaking out every 
portion of this litter and placing it into a good-sized heap, and 
throwing the drainings from the stables, &c., over the whole as the 
work proceeds. Repeat this at intervals of a fortnight or so for 
about six weeks, and then allow it to remain untouched for about 
the same time, when it will be found in a fitting condition to be 
taken to the garden for general purposes. Manure in a more 
decomposed state would be preferable for some crops, but in a 
general way it is not desirable to allow it to become too decayed. 
We must now turn our attention to the refuse heaps. 1 write 
“heaps,” because there should be at least two of these. The one 
should consist of all vegetable refuse, weeds, and anything that 
will decay readily. Anything that will not decay in a short time 
should be placed by itself ; and when dry enough, and in sufficient 
quantity, fire should be applied and the whole covered with the 
surrounding soil and left to burn out, a little attention daily only 
being necessary to cover any portions that have been burnt 
through. This charred heap will be found most valuable for the 
garden, also for mixing with the soil for potting purposes. The 
vegetable refuse, &c., having been taken to a heap by itself, as 
labour can be spared it should be turned, and as the work pro¬ 
ceeds a sprinkling of salt and a good dusting of quicklime added, 
which will kill slugs and other insects. If the whole is placed 
into a. good-sized mound it will ferment considerably, which will 
destroy the germinating powers of any seeds from weeds. This 
should remain for some time and again be turned, this time 
putting the outside into the centre and vice versa. If this treat¬ 
ment can be repeated two or three times during the winter months 
the refuse can again be taken back to the garden, and will prove 
most acceptable food to succeeding crops. 
It will take several years in a large garden to do as I have 
advised in these papers ; but in conclusion I would say, If only 
a small portion can be done at a time, let it be done thoroughly, 
bearing in mind the old and true saying—“What is worth doing 
at all is worth doing well.”— Robert D. Long. 
MEALY BUG. 
Your correspondent Mr. Bardney on page 208 asks me if bug 
is in the drainage of a vinery how would I destroy it? I should 
recommend as follows, and it would help to improve the crop of 
the Grapes in quantity and quality. 
I should mulch the border well and keep the soil moist, as in 
the growing season Vines are rarely injured by too much moisture. 
More injury is done by having the borders too dry. Unless mealy 
bug is destroyed in one season very little progress can be expected, 
though the insects can be kept in check. The best plan for eradi¬ 
cation is in the spring, after the house has been well washed and 
the Vines painted in the usual way, to search everywhere about 
the period the Vines are breaking. I believe the house has much 
to do with the ease or difficulty that would be experienced in 
dealing with the pest. 
A friend who also is fortunate in having no bug was once in¬ 
clined to argue with me that it would not breed in his houses, 
which are low and moist, but it would be certainly dangerous to 
give it a chance on his Stephanotis. In houses that are dry and 
much exposed to the sun mealy bug would breed more rapidly 
than if they were more humid and cooler. It might be interesting 
to your readers if anyone can report entire freedom from brown 
scale. Years ago I bad Peach trees affected with it, but this is 
exceptional. I, however, do not recollect ever seeing a plant 
stove without brown scale. I have proved that paraffin is very 
dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced for even a hard- 
wooded tree. I should be disposed to say in regard to paraffin as 
an application for destroying any vermin on fruit trees—Beware ! 
—R. M. 
ST. FAGAN’S CASTLE. 
The traveller on the South Wales Coast line, on his way from 
Cardiff to Neath and Swansea, will-—about three miles from the 
former town, and on emerging from a wooded gorge through 
which the river Ely flows from the picturesque vale of Glamorgan 
—have his attention attracted to a many-gabled mansion of un¬ 
pretentious style standing on an eminence to the right not far 
from the railway. This is St. Fagan’s Castle, one of the seats of 
Lord Windsor, who recently attained his majority. The mansion, 
which has still some remains of the castellated style, stands in 
friendly contiguity to the parish church (a plain-looking edifice 
dedicated to the saint whose name it bears), and to the village 
with its many thatched cottages spreading round two sides of it 
for some distance. The village has a neat appearance ; it is 
healthy and clean, has a good schoolhouse and a comfortable inn. 
St. Fagan’s is celebrated in the history of this country for a meet¬ 
ing held in the old village between King Charles I. and the leaders 
of the men of Glamorgan, and for a sanguinary engagement fought 
in the vicinity during the protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. 
Lord Windsor owns 1700 acres of land in this district of South 
Wales, extending from St. Fagan’s to Caerphilly, besides the 
ground on which stands the town of Penarth, with its docks, at 
the mouth of the river Ely, four miles south-west from Cardiff. 
Penarth is becoming a fashionable place for well-to-do people, and 
a great many costly villas have been built in it within the last few 
years. His lordship, besides other improvements, has made a 
handsome promenade along the margin of the beach for some 
considerable distance, which is tastefully laid out, and planted on 
either side with ornamental trees and shrubs. He has also had 
trees planted near the footpaths of all the roads and streets, and we 
learn he is going to lay out a public park for the people on a 
beautiful site. 
