100 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Junk 8. 
in a very good season, and even then it is not fine, for the queen will 
deposit her eggs in the side boxes, which takes very much from the 
purity of the honey. Put your expected swarm into The improved cot¬ 
tage hive, or any hive except a Nutt’s. A straw hive wants no casing 
over it. Taylor’s Amateur’s single bar hive is a good one, but his eight- 
bur hive is a better. It is described at page 198, vol. vii., of Tiie Cot¬ 
tage Gardener. 
Chickens with Swollen Eyes ( Barbara ).—Your chickens suffer¬ 
ing with swelling and irritation of the eyes must have the roup, and that 
badly. They should accordingly be treated for roup, and have the head 
and eyes thoroughly washed and bathed, and should be placed where they 
can be sheltered from cold and wet. 
Keeping Poultry (F. Y. N .).—In wishing to know how a farmer 
may keep poultry to advantage, producing a regular supply of eggs and 
fat fowls for the market, you have propounded a question which has 
puzzled (and I fear posed) more experienced heads than mine. Good 
fowls abundantly fed are almost sure to give plenty of eggs, but my 
experience in producing fowls for the table has never extended beyond 
getting a supply for our own family, for which the fowls are not fatted, but 
arc caught up the evening before they are wanted, and are found quite 
fat enough. I believe the most economical plan is to let the food be 
varied, and given so abundantly as never to let the chickens grow lean, 
and to kill them before they lose the plumpness of chickens. Liberty to 
pick from the ricks, I should fancy more beneficial to the fowls than to 
the rick’s owper; and laying and sitting in different outhouses would do 
for the stock-fowls, but chickens intended for the table would, I think, 
be better in small inclosures, where they would not have sufficient liberty 
to make them thin. The correspondent also asks, Whether Cochin- 
China, Spanish, and Dorking fowls may be kept together ? If good, 
they will decidedly prove more profitable by keeping the different breeds 
distinct. Anster Bonn. 
Troposolum speciosum. — E. 31. says:—“I planted a Tropceolum 
speciosum in the autumn of 1848, in an open border up to the house, 
with a south aspect. It remained unprotected through the winter, and 
covered a large space on the wall the next summer, with thousands of 
flowers. I have never touched it since, and every summer it has been the 
admiration of all who have seen it. The summer before last it must 
have mounted ten feet high, with dozens of stalks crowded with brilliant 
flowers, and that year it ripened an abundance of seed. I did not gather 
them, but this spring I find young plants springing up in the open border 
on all sides, no doubt from the shed seed. I should add, that I live in a 
very cold county.” We do not know of an instance where this plant has 
succeeded so well. We should like to know the exact locality and soil. 
Calendrinia umbellata ( E. 31.).— This little gem is a perennial in 
Southern Peru, but little better than a biennial here, or if planted out. 
It is best used as an annual, and is therefore so called in The Cottage 
Gardeners’ Dictionary. Sow in August, plant out next May, and chance 
it after flowering. 
Mr. Green’s Azalea ( F. W. T .)—We wonder at a “ man of Leeds ” 
being so impatient. All the world will hear the story when permissible 
Passiflora and Pharbitis (Rising Sun ).—The Passiflora Buona - 
parted will do very well planted out at the warmest end of your con¬ 
servatory, and so with the seedling of Pharbitis limbata , but the latter 
would do out-of-doors in summer. 
Dielytra eximia (A Lady ).—Very many thanks ; the plant came 
quite safe through Mr. Appleby, but Mr. Beaton could not ascertain to 
whom he was indebted for it. Now, however, knowing so far, there will 
be no “ breach of promise ” on his part, for if any thing good comes of 
the cross, he will feel very great pleasure in keeping his word to the 
letter. 
Green Moss in London ( I-forget-my-name ).—The poor men who 
carry green moss about the streets in London, procure it in damp, shady 
places, on old walls, or trunks of trees. It will not remain bright green 
unless it be kept moist, laid on some soil or stones in a shady place. It 
may be procured in any quantity of J. Goulding, Wallington. He collects 
it for the nurserymen round London. 
Silver Sand ( Northumbrian ).—You may obtain any quantity of 
silver sand of Mr. Kemp, Old Kent Road, London. Write to him, and 
he will inform you the conditions of sale. 
Wardian-case (Ibid ).—Nothing will grow for any length of time in 
a Wardian-case, excepting Ferns and Lycopods, but you may put in a 
few flowering-plants when in bloom. Cacti do as well as any. They 
will die soon, and should then be replaced. JEschynanthes, and other 
allied plants that will bear similar treatment, might be hung up to 
the roof, inside. Also some pumice stone laid in amongst the Ferns, is 
useful, and looks well, giving a rocky sppearance. This stone is prefer¬ 
able to any other, because of its porosity and lightness. 
Azalea Leaves Diseased (O. P. Q .).—The disease of spotted leaves 
on your azalea is nothing uncommon. It prevails extensively this year 
on orchids and geraniums. The cause is wrapt up in mystery, and, which 
is worse, the cure also. To prevent it spreading to your other plants, you 
had better sacrifice the plant at once, for it appears you have done all you 
can to cure it. If it is a favourite, and you are not willing to destroy it, 
you may cut it in severely, divesting it of every leaf, shake it out of the 
pot, reduce the ball to half its size, repot it in fresh soil, (sandy peat, 
loam and leaf mould, two parts of the first, one of the second, and the 
same of the last), place it in heat, giving little water till it breaks into 
fresh foliage; give shade by day, and keep it close till some growth is 
made, then gradually use it to the sun-light and air, and it will have got 
rid of the spot fever. 
Light-coloured Climbing Rose for Greenhouse ( A Subscriber , 
Manchester). — Paul’s Victoria i3 a light rose, and would match your red 
one. If you cannot get it, Aimee Vibert , or White Tea-odorata would 
suit you. 
Ducks not Laying (T, 0. T.),—Remove one of the two drakes ; give 
your six ducks a little corn once a day, and let them have their barley- 
meal mixed with middlings, and given quite warm every morning, until 
they lay better. Is it possible that your ducks can lay astray ? 
Chickens Dying (C. W .). —It is indeed disheartening to losesomem^ 
chickens. It would almost seem as if they had eaten something poisonous. 
If the case were mine, I should be anxious to change their locality entirely, 
removing them to some other part of the ground. My chickens are kept 
and fed as recommended in The Cottage Gardener, and there are not 
above two or three deaths in a season from sickness. Anster Bonn. 
Rumples Fowls.— A Reader wishes to know “Why in the various 
poultry-shows, none of that peculiar breed of fowls called immpless are 
ever exhibited. They used to be very common in some parts of England, 
and still more in Germany, but of late years are not often met with. 
They are a particularly fine breed for the table, and their eggs equal in 
size to any ? He would be glad to know where they may be procured ? 
They are literally as they are called, immpless, as well as without any 
tail feathers.” 
Great Western Fuchsia (G. J. J.).— We are informed that this 
variety is gone out of culture by nurserymen, therefore we cannot say 
where you can purchase it. 
Pigs ( Duro ).—“ The best breed in the country ” may be had of Fisher 
Hobbs, Esq., Boxstead Hall, near Colchester. The price is very high. 
A. R. Y. —We are sorry that we cannot accept your offer. 
Birmingham Show ( R . B . T .).—What “birds” do you mean? 
The Cottage Gardener (A New Subscriber ).— The fourth and all 
the volumes may now be had through any bookseller. If you do not wish 
to buy the volume, you will find in No. 97 much about rhubarb wine. 
Failures in Hatching. — A New Subscriber says Having seen 
many complaints on the bad success of hatching, I think my plan may be 
acceptable to some of your readers. I prepare the ground by hollowing 
j it out a little, and then take from a quarter of a pound to half a pound of 
salt and sprinkle the place with it, and work a little into the earth. Then 
I make the nest with hay and a little straw. The salt produces a moisture 
which will have the desired effect in dry weather, and will not do any 
I harm should the season prove wet. I may add, that I have never had a 
reason to complain.” 
Bees. —“ A Grateful Subscriber ,” in the vale of Clwyd, is happy to 
inform a brother apiarian (“ the Country Vicar ”), that his plan was tried 
about ten days since with perfect success, with two boxes, adapted 
according to Mr. Taylor’s window plan, with a doubling-board. The 
bees took to the nadired box very shortly ; but the four-inch hole tempted 
the little busy-bodies to build downward, instead of availing themselves 
of the prepared guine-comb. The hive, with an immense mass of comb- 
makers, was adjusted yesterday, side by side with the parent hive, which 
1 had been placed over it, without the loss of more than half a dozen bees, 
and without the slightest confusion, or check of industry. The new 
comb (already stored) compelled the use of a bell-glass, fearing it might 
be too weak to bear crushing in with the usual bung, and was at once 
taken possession of. “ A Grateful Subscriber ” desires to know how 
“ A Country Vicar” will ensure a succession of youthful queens on his 
plan ? and prevent the possibility of failure from desertion at the end of 
the season, in case her majesty should be superannuated ? Can this be 
effected, the plan will be admirable. Mr. Taylor’s method of collateral 
hives, and “A Country Curate’s” simple and ingenious plan are also 
adopted in the small apiary with the above, so that they will all have a 
fair trial.” We shall be very obliged by a report of the results. 
Cucumbers and Melons (W. K. H.).— Good temperatures arc 75° 
by day, 65° by night. In sunshine, they may be l(r hotter without 
injury. The same temperatures will do for both. 
Garden of Herbs (Simple Doctor). —It would require several num¬ 
bers of The Cottage Gardener to give you the culture of “ all plants 
that can assist you 5 ” even a list of them would occupy columns. 
White-Comb in Cochin-China Cockerel (II. 31.).— Mr. Payne’s 
remarks in a previous column to-day meet your case exactly. 
Points of Excellence (G. J. A.). —We have no permission to give 
the address you ask for. Any reasonable queries or remarks we shall 
readily publish. 
Gas Ammoniacal Liquor (I-forget-my-name). —We cannot find 
any previous letter addressed to us by you. This subject you will find 
fully treated of by us in our No. 11 , and we have no new facts to com¬ 
municate. If there is any point not discussed there on which j r ou need 
information, we shall be glad to hear from you again. 
Greenhouse (An Anxious Beginner). —It will be probably warm 
enough for Geraniums, Camellias, and 3Iandevillia suaveolens. We say 
probably, because it is quite impossible for us to foretell whether your 
flue will have a good draught. Your compost will do for border-dressing 
in the autumn, if turned over and mixed once or twice. Your turves will 
do for manure when rotted with manure. If the materials are in good 
condition, the compost for potting may be mixed at the time when 
needed. 
Names of Plants (G. W. H .).—Yours is Abutilon striatum. It is a 
greenhouse plant, and might do in a room. It grows against a south 
wall at Winchester, but has not bloomed yet. (Rhyd-y-Gors). — Fuchsia 
splendens , or a variety from it; and the Swiss Club Moss, Lycopodium 
lielveticum. (Knoivles).— Your variety of the beech is Fug us syluutica 
cristuta, sometimes called crispu. 
London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, 
in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Somerville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of 
Christ Church, City of London.—-June 3rd, 1862. 
