5G0 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE ANB COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 27, 1896. 
or galls frequently, but some of them are aphis-hunters, seeking 
for these troublesome insects in their retreats within folded leaves, 
under bark, or amongst roots. Probably the aspect of the soldier- 
flies, rather stout-bodied insects, having a spiny thorax, might 
suggest that they were combative. We see them at flowers, but only 
seeking their honey. The name seems to have been given because 
red, orange, or yellow, in varied markings, are displayed upon the 
black ground colour. There is no doubt about the habits of the 
strong and hairy flies called the Asilidae ; their appearance suggests 
their carnivorous nature, and some of them are not at all afraid of 
combating bees. 
A brisk fellow noticeable on sunny days is attired in black, white 
and yellow ; when he visits our flowers it is to seize and carry off 
caterpillars or other insects : he is A. craboniformis. Allied to these 
are tbe snipe-flies, cr Empidm, named from their long tongues 
and of smaller size. The males chiefly subsist on the nectar of 
flowers, but the females destroy many insects, gripping them 
round the body, while they drive the beak deeply in to extract the 
juices. Familiar to gardeners is the dull-coloured E. tessellata, 
having a thorax streaked with black, and long, spiny legs. Many 
of these flies hunt out the little moths of the Tinea division, 
parents of those leaf-roller caterpillars which damage and disfigure 
plants or shrubs, killing thousands of them during the summer, 
much to our benefit. 
Amongst the hawk-flies we have insects useful in the larva state, 
while a few aie injurious from their attacking bulbs. We cannot 
mistake them for other groups. The head appears almost covered by 
the eyes, and when they resort to flowers they hover over them as 
if motionless, but make a dart now and then to the right or left. 
Having refreshed themselves with honey, those of the genus 
Sjrphus deposit eggs in the midst of clustering aphides, frequently 
selecting the Rose. The grub has a small bead, bearing a curious 
apparatus, by which it spears the aphides one after another rapidly, 
steadying itself upon the leaf with the aid of its broad tail. Then 
again the Tacbitse, a division of the flies proper, number about a 
hundred species, and they busy themselves now in the pursuit of 
caterpillars. From their eggs are produced grubs which eat into and 
destroy these insects, also sometimes they infest the larva of 
beetles and bees.— Entomologist. 
THE PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT OF GLASS 
STRUCTURES IN WINTER. 
[Silver Medal Essay by Mr. Peter Williams, Oakdeld, Nantwich.] 
(^Conchicled from,page 538.) 
As is evident, an important consideration in Mushroom culture under 
glass is, that tbe cultivator does not depend on the outside temperature, 
which is often fluctuating, but having heating appliances at command’ 
can keep an even temperature at leisure; therefore a failure in the crop 
from this direction is impossible. The best Mushrooms I have grown 
have been in this manner, and I have this last winter grown Mushrooms 
in boxes 10 inches deep, covered with slates, and placed under a green¬ 
house stage, of better quality than others grown in beds in a shed ; in 
fact, better could not be desired. Superficial area considered, those 
grown in boxes in the glass house were far more productive than the 
others. Thus spaces and places unsuitable for one thing can be made 
suitable another, ad infinitum. 
Hitherto no mention has been made as to cropping the raised border 
over the Mushroom bed, that being reserved for growing what may be 
termed the “staple industry” of the winter, spring months especially. 
As the demand for salads is not so great before the end of December, 
though the demand is annually increasing—salading being so often 
recommended as a wholesome article of diet, being useful in scorbutic 
affections and visceral obstructions—a limited supply for that time 
would perhaps be sufficient. For that purpose the borders named would 
meet requirements pro tern. From the time the seed was sown—i.e., the 
beginning of October, four crops of Mustard and Cress could be cut, each 
value £9 6s. The estimation is arrived at thus The borders each 
being 60 feet in length (ends of the house omitted) and 4 feet wide 
would give 480 square feet, 1 quart of each seed sowing 50 square feet 
or 5-5 square yards, from which space 20s. value of Mustard and Cress 
can be cut ; therefore the four crops up to January would realise 
£37 43. The foregoing is based on a fair test when in the market- 
growing business, and when commencing to grow this salad for market 
I concluded I bad “ struck ile,” and rightly so, for the more I grew the 
more the demand grew. 
Prior to my growing Mustard and Cress to any extent the retailers 
were obliged to obtain their supply of this salad from large centres by 
rail. Though there were several other market gardeners in that neigh¬ 
bourhood all were indifferent to this branch of industry beyond sowing 
a box or two, and there it ended. It must be understood that to be 
profitable it must, as everything else, be well grown, when there will be 
a brisk demand for it. In some localities marketing facilities are not so 
convenient as in others ; but on the whole 25 per cent, expenses will be 
a fair average to meet all cases. I may here assert that expenses, time 
of maturity, space occupied, number of crops, there is no produce in a 
garden indoor or out that will bear comparison with this salading. 
Seeds —The best of these should be obtained, otherwise it often 
comes “ patchy,” and perhaps not at all, thereby causing disappointment. 
The average price of good Mustard seed (Sinapis alba) is lls. per bushel; 
but a substitute for Mustard is much used—viz., Rape (Brassica rapa). 
Care should be taken to obtain the true article, the latter not being as 
wholesome, though preferred by some on account of its being milder. 
When grown together the difference is easily perceived, the true 
Mustard being of a bright, fresh green colour, while the Rape is of a 
dull green and a downy appearance, it moreover cannot be grown to the 
size of the true Mustard. Tbe price of Cress (Lepidium sativum) is 
about 17s. per bushel, or an average for both of 153. 5d. 
Culture and Marketing. —Before sowing the ground must be enriched 
by an application of old Mushroom manure, forked in and the surface 
made very fine, after which a thorough watering must be given the day 
previous to sowing, dryness at any time being detrimental to the crop. 
The exhausted Mushroom beds having been cleared and placed in a heap 
outside, the ground space will be at liberty by the beginning of January, 
which will he necessary, the salading season by this time being in full 
swing, and after such a winter as we have experienced the demand for 
any green salading will be doubled or trebled. Having on the borders 
an area of 480 square feet, on the ground an area of 770 square feet, or 
a total of 1250 square feet, sow one-eighth the space, 136 square feet, 
with Cress, for which 6 quarts of seed will be ample. I always preferred 
sowing equal quantities and placing equal quantities in punnets, though 
some put less Cress than Mustard. After an interval of seven or eight 
days sow another one-eighth with Mustard seed, at the same time 
another one-eighth with more Cress, and so on until the whole space, be 
it one or a dozen houses, is sown. Treated thus it will come in rotation, 
as a continuous supply must be kept up from this time until the end of 
the salading season, or rather Mustard and Cress season. .After sowing 
the seed gently press down with the back of a spade, or a board with 
handle attached may be made for the purpose, after which sprinkle with 
water, using a very tine rose. 
Early in the season, before the sun gained much power, I simply 
scattered very fine soil over the whole, but I found by experience that 
the better course was to cover with mats, or, which is better, coarse 
packing cloths, as they are not so heavy as mats, or sugar bags cut open. 
Procure some Y-shaped pegs 3 feet in length, and place in the ground in 
such a manner that thin strips of wood may be rested on them. 
When a framework has been made in this fashion lay the covering on 
them, and keep damp by syringing. The covering must be kept on 
until the crop has attained to a height of 2 inches, when it may be 
taken off to expose them to the light, and to give them a fresh green 
colour. 
To obtain the best results the crop should be allowed to grow until 
the seed leaves are fully expanded, and the stems are from 4 to 6 inches 
in length ; but it must be cut before the second leaves appear. In this 
way the grower obtains double the quantity in bulk from one-half the 
amount of seed, in addition to which the salad is sweeter and fresher, 
and free from the manury smell and flavour which it has when grown 
thicker and in a stuffy atmosphere. For cutting the crop the niost 
serviceable instrument is a hooked knife with blade about 9 inches in 
length, but bent at right angles from the handle in the same way as a 
trowel. With this it can be shorn* close to the ground, the left hand 
following above the blade to keep that which is cut together. The 
punnets or baskets being in readiness may be filled by another person, 
or one person after a little practice can fill hundreds in a short time. 
Should the grower have the advantage of disposing of his goods 
direct to the retailers many prefer being supplied with it in clean, square 
baskets or small sieves, in quantities computed at 6i., 9d., or Is. worth 
according to the size of basket. This is much the better way, as the 
buying of punnets is dispensed with, the baskets being returned when 
fresh supplies of salads are delivered. For conveying the baskets or 
punnets to market boxes should be prepared previous to being required, 
tbe same boxes being found useful for packing leaves of Raspberries 
during the fruit season, the most convenient size being about 18 by 24 
by 24 inches in dimensions. This should be fitted with four shelves or 
false bottoms, in addition to its own, and made to slide along a slot on 
each side. 
As each layer of punnets or baskets is placed on these shelves a 
sprinkling with water will be advantageous to keep them in a fresh and 
marketable condition. In this way sixty punnets can be packed and 
conveyed without being in the least injured. As soon as the first crop 
is cut no time should be lost in resowing, and it is here especially that 
great care is needed ; for if the rootlets of the second and succeeding 
crops come in contact with those of the first crop failure and disappoint¬ 
ment is the sure result. In the first place, then, the surface must be 
removed to the depth of 6 or more inches, throwing it together in a heap 
outside, and mixed with lime, when it may be again used when the 
roots are thoroughly decomposed. Before taking any fresh compost in 
the subsoil must be given a thorough watering. 
The Mushroom bed manure being convenient as before directed will 
now be found of farther value, as much as is required being mixed with 
soil, or (which is better suited for Mustard and Cress) an old refuse heap 
in which there is a quantity of decayed vegetable matter. This screened 
and mixed with the manure in the proportion of one-half of each will 
suit them admirably. This should be placed to the same depth as that 
taken off and made moderately firm. 
Temperature. —An average temperature of 57° should be maintained, 
giving top ventilation liberally to allow excessive ammonia to escape, as 
