2G4 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 7, 1892. 
roof in this case is caused by the fact of the supply cistern being so 
much lower than the point alluded to in the vineries, nor is there any 
possibility of arranging it in any other manner, because the ridge of the 
vineries is higher than any other part, except, of course, the chimney, 
and to fix the supply cistern alongside of that would render the filling 
of it impracticable, otherwise I am convinced that additional heat near 
the roof would result in a more uniform crop of Grapes.— Observer. 
[Our correspondent is correct in his assumption. We did allude to 
the vineries in his charge, and, unlike the majority of gardeners, he 
grows splendid Grapes, except towards the top of the Vines. If he 
cannot raise the feed cistern to the requisite height, perhaps he might 
manage to cover the northern “ hip,” if it serves no other purpose than 
chilling the Vines and preventing them doing their duty.] 
EDUCATION IN GARDENING. 
Successful competitors for the silver medals (as illustrated on 
page 225) will surely feel proud of the prize gained. I look upon the 
issuing of those medals as a grand idea, for I believe they will influence 
many young gardeners to take up their pens who hitherto have not 
done so. Of coarse there are men who believe in keeping all they 
know to themselves, and those sort of persons generally have an idea 
that they are endowed with more knowledge than their neighbours, and 
they neither wish to instruct nor to be instructed. They are really so 
shallow-minded that they cannot see the benefits that may be derived 
from writing and reading essays on practical gardening. Writing 
impresses thoughts on the mind to be remembered in the future, which 
otherwise would be forgotten. It also teaches a person to quickly 
collect his ideas and express them in a short, correct, yet comprehensive 
manner, which is very essential when speaking ; and besides all this, 
it improves the writer in the often important duty of correspondence. 
Many a young man is able to instruct on certain points those who have 
served a longer period. I have learned a great deal from young men 
under me, and they may teach others it they will through the columns 
of the Journal of Horticulture. —S. S. 
FACTS ABOUT GRAVEL WALKS. 
On page 240 “ R. L.,” in his endeavour to exhibit literary smartness, 
has quite forgotten, or seen fit to totally ignore, the conditions under 
which I advocated the turning of gravel walks. The task before me in 
replying to him is, however, so easy that I shall require to do but little 
else than remind him of a few facts he has overlooked. Here they are. 
It is quite possible to have gravel walks well made in the first instance 
and spoil them after by adding bad or improperly prepared gravel. 
When a walk is covered with moss and minute weeds, as they sometimes 
are in unfrequented parts of the grounds, it is true economy to give a 
dressing of weed-killer before turning the gravel. It is also important 
that all walks be made fresh and bright during the spring months. 
This can only be accomplished by giving them fresh gravel or by turn¬ 
ing that already on the surface of the walk, and I have yet to learn that 
true economy consists in buying expensive gravel, carting it many 
miles, to pile upon a walk when there is already plenty there which may 
be made perfectly clean and bright by treating as I recently described. 
‘‘ R. L.” may hold strong ideas on the progress of present times, but he 
betrays a want of practical knowledge concerning garden walks when he 
fears the turning of the gravel would bring a fresh crop of w'eeds to the 
surface.—H. Dunkin. 
ORCHARD PLANTING. 
I AM much obliged to Mr. Molyneux for his friendly criticism on 
page 196, also for his practical suggestions. Although I did not ex¬ 
plain my practice as fully as I might have done on page 160, yet it is 
very similar to his own. I am aware I gave too many varieties for 
novices, but I was not thinking of that class of persons when I wrote. I 
wished to record the fact of the varieties named doing well with me out 
of various others tried. I have made a special study of hardy fruit 
culture. The soil where my trees are planted is a retentive loam 
15 inches deep, but good for fruit trees, then a mixture of soil and small 
stones on beds of a very hard kind of limestone running down very 
sharply to the east. Only those who know the Monmouthshire valleys 
can form any idea of the diverse forms the ground takes in a small area, 
hence my mistake in not fully explaining the planting 6 inches below 
the surface. The ground slopes so sharply that this is necessary, or the 
roots on one side would be almost out of the ground. I always prepare 
& mixture of chopped turf, lime rubbish, burnt refuse, and decayed vege¬ 
table soil previous to planting, which is placed round the roots, and 
when the planting is finished the trees appear as if on mounds 15 inches 
above the level. Experience gained on the spot can alone teach any¬ 
one the best method of planting in their respective districts. We have 
also to stake securely to prevent trees being blown down by the violent 
«outh-west hurricanes from the Channel. When going to Newport, a 
distance of thirteen miles, 1 saw hundreds of Apple trees that had been 
blown down by the late gales, while some of the orchards ought to have 
been down before. 
There is necessity for teaching how and what to plant. I saw some 
■newly planted trees bought at a cheap rate in public markets, no one 
knows of what sorts. I advised the people to be careful and plant only 
good varieties from approved sources. I recommend early and late 
sorts for market, and as few as possible, so as to avoid having Apples on 
hand when the Americans send their large supplies, and so bring down 
the price of home-grown fruit. It is necessary also to know something 
of cider sorts, as you will be very quickly asked about here. What about 
making some good cider ? 
The sorts for cooking I recommend are Lord Grosvenor, Domino, 
Duchess of Oldenburg, Ecklinville, Warner’s King, Hawthornden, 
Cellini, Cox’s Pomona, Niton House, Baumann’s Red Reinette, Tom 
Putt, and Norfolk Beefing. The latter keeps sound till July, and here, 
as most Apples are, is of high colour, firm in the flesh, and is 
now being hunted up by dealers at 3d. per lb. The above have never 
failed me in cropping. For dessert Mr. Gladstone, Irish Peach, Red 
Astrachan, Beauty of Bath, Worcester Pearmain, King of the Pippins, 
Cox’s Orange Pippin, Mannington’s Pearmain, Keddleston Pippin, Adams’ 
Pearmain, Rosemary Russet, and Sturmer Pippin. I think few persons 
can take exception to the varieties named either for market or private 
use, as if you want to sell you must have sound fruit of good colour.— 
John Chinnery. 
HOLLYHOCK DIFFICULTIES. 
Three or four years back I started a fancy for the cultivation of 
the Hollyhock. Commencing with about two dozen varieties, and my 
soil appeared to suit them well, the flowers coming very good, I have 
yearly added choice varieties to my collection, but confess I am a bad 
hand at propagating them, and the last two years continually losing 
expensive sorts through disease or not knowing the proper way of 
wintering them. I have also had my plants badly infested with a 
yellow fungus attacking both leaves and stems, very similar to that I 
have noticed on the Roses in some seasons. Last year the under side of 
the leaves were covered with white spots, and then they shrivel and drop. 
I should be obliged if any Hollyhock grower who may read of my mis¬ 
fortunes will advise me (in the Journal) as to the best way and time for 
propagating, and how to deal with these pests. I keep the plants in a 
cold frame in winter, and many old roots remain where planted the 
previous year, and apparently do as well as those taken more care of. 
The Hollyhock I consider next to the Dahlia as an autumn exhibition 
flower ; but what poor encouragement is given for their cultivation by 
some horticultural societies. For instance, in the Taunton schedule for 
this year a first prize of 59. is offered for twelve blooms (poor encourage¬ 
ment indeed). The marvellous blooms we used to see a quarter of a 
century ago I believe can be produced again if better prizes were 
offered by committees of show societies. To be able to exhibit a dozen 
good blooms an amateur must grow at least twenty-four named varieties, 
and these will cost 18s. to 30s. per dozen, and then the uncertainty of 
being able to keep them through the wintej for another season. I trust 
committees of horticultural societies will in future give more notice to 
the Hollyhock, that growers may be induced to take up the cultivation 
of this old favourite, which is both an ornament to the garden of the 
mansion and the cottage.— Thus. Hobbs, Bristol. 
OUTDOOR PEACHES. 
I SHOULD not have troubled you on this subject again had it not 
been for a statement made by “ Pomologist ” (page 196) respecting fruit 
for exhibition. I think the sooner he either withdraws that statement 
or names the exhibitors to whom he alludes the better. With respect to 
“ Nous Verrons’” note as to my argument, no one said that Mr. Iggulden’s 
exhibits were from the trees moved. Surely he has other trees to exhibit 
from. I believe that “ Nous Verrons ” is a supporter of the new ideas, 
as I see he has been at the roots himself. If I knew his address I might 
pay him a visit.— John Chinnery. 
I SEE by the Journal to-day that Mr. Young has made a kind of reply 
to my critique a fortnight ago. His article does not appear to me to 
contain anything of importance, and it would be useless to carry on the 
discussion unless fresh points are raised, as it would only amount to more 
repetition. I would willingly reply if I thought it would be of any 
benefit to readers. When the time comes I will send a sample of Peaches 
to the Editor which have not been grown in Fleet Street, and if Messrs. 
Chinnery, Young, and Iggulden will do the same the authorities there 
can note the character of the different consignments and publish the 
results.—Nous Verrons. 
SUCCESS WITH ONIONS—PREVENTING THE MAGGOT. 
On page 213 Mr. John Chinnery has a very practical article on the 
growing of Onions. There are a few more items that I thought would 
not be out of place, and foremost is the Onion fly (Anthomya ceparum), 
which causes what is called the Onion maggot. It is well known that 
this is often very destructive, particularly on light sandy soils. First 
class culture will certainly do a great deal towards good crops, but good 
culture is not everything in all districts. 
I have found petroleum at the rate of 1 oz. of the oil to a gallon of 
water, kept thoroughly agitated, one syringeful forced into the utensil, 
and the next on the plant, of great service. As the Onions become 
stronger 1^ oz. of oil per gallon may be used. The end of April or 
early in May is the time to commence operations. It is much better 
to keep the fly off the plants than to try and arrest the mischief when 
