August 20. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
! Emperor is likewise good, and so is the Syon House , but neither of them 
better than the first named. 
Very Early Cucumbers (A. Q.). —You cannot well carry cucumbers 
! through the winter in an ordinary dung-heated frame. Fire-heat is 
| necessary in some shape for such a purpose; you had better, therefore, 
I continue those you have in bearing as long as you can, and then appro- 
j priatc your frame to something else until the beginning of January. 
You may then sow your seed in a newly prepared bed, which maintain at a 
I steady heat of 70°. The Syon House variety is the best for winter use, 
but some of the Black Spine varieties keep better after they arc cut, 
1 which is important when that is wanted. Mill's Jewess, besides those 
already mentioned, is an excellent fruit, and generally esteemed for its 
appearance and other good qualities. 
Early Potatoes (Ibid). —The only way you can now obtain anything 
j like new potatoes at Christmas is to plant tubers of last year on some 
I dry border. These, by being kept, will have lost much of their vitality, 
! yet sufficient may remain to support a young brood until they be half 
| grown, when they appear, but seldom taste, like “young potatoes.” As 
I you mention having outhouses, they may be planted there, provided there 
I is an open side for light; we have known it done in a cellar, but the 
' produce was never satisfactory. As you mention growing them for profit, 
I why not try Mushrooms instead? With a warm cellar and outhouses, 
and as we suppose you to have horse-dung, your chances of a remunera¬ 
tive crop is much more likely that way than with potatoes or cucumbers. 
Carriage of Eggs. —Mr. Marshall, of Durham, says:—“In May 
last, I purchased of Mr. Punchard a pair of splendid Cochin Chinas, but, 
to my astonishment, the hen went constantly to the nest to lay, but 
evidently was unfruitful, as no eggs made their appearance ; consequently 
I wrote to Mr. Punchard, asking him the cause, and he very generously 
informed me that he had heard of similar instances (although rare), and 
offered to send me another hen in lieu of her, or a hatching of eggs ; the 
latter 1 accepted, and he kindly sent me twenty-six eggs, carefully packed 
in bran, which arrived safe all but one. These I put under two nurse 
liens, on peat-turf nests, and they produced twenty-four chickens, all of 
which arc doing well, and will weigh at this time about three pounds 
each. What is very remarkable, the barren hen began to sit about six 
weeks ago, and my gardener’s wife put a hatching of Shanghai China 
eggs from a bird sent to me last year by Blake, of Gosport, and the 
cockerel sent by Mr. Punchard, and she now has a fine brood of twelve 
chickens, and nursing them with the same assiduity as the very best 
breeding liens. Mr. Puiicliard’s conduct gives confidence to future 
dealings, and contrast with that of some dealers in horticultural produc¬ 
tions that are puffed off and sold for high prices, and prove worthless ; yet 
I am happy to say there arc exceptions, for Mr. Chaters, of Saff ron 
Walden’s new hollyhocks arc now blooming in my gardens most satis¬ 
factory, and well worth the money I paid for them.” 
Abies, its derivation. — Sigma has much obliged us by the follow¬ 
ing note :—“*In the July part p. 273, Mr. Appleby gives the derivation 
of Abies as from the Latin abeo, to rise. Now, abeo has no such mean¬ 
ing at all, and does not really admit of such an idea; and nbics is 
usually considered as a Latin root, i. e., without any derivation from a 
known Latin word. As I should not venture to critize Mr. Appleby in 
his art, so neither must he find fault with me if I claim superiority in 
mine, as I am expected, by my profession, to know something of language, 
and to correct mistakes. Etymology is dangerous work; but if I was 
required to find a root for abies , which I believe is an old Etruscan word, 
1 should surmise it would be traced back to some eastern stock, which 
gave birth also to the Hebrew word abib, which signifies “ a spike of 
barley,” and a word derived from it signifies also “ vigour.” These ideas 
are by no means foreign to the image called up in the mind in looking at 
the young shoots of a fir. The Jewish month Abib was so called because 
at that season the barley came into car.” 
Dielytra spectabilis (R. S. Barnes). —The three young plants of 
this plant, struck this season, and now growing in the garden, will be 
more safe in the ground all the winter. It is as hardy as a common 
Prrony. If you want it to flower early, take up the plants at the begin¬ 
ning of February, pot them, and the slightest heat will soon cause them 
to flower. If a very hard winter occurs, put two or three inches of coal- 
ashes over the roots as they arc so young. 
Rhododendrons. — J. G. wishes to know where the following can be 
purchased :— Rhododendron chrysanthemum, R. stramineum, It. hirsu- 
turn flanum, R. ferrugineum album, and Japan honeysuckle. 
Saxifraga nYTNOiDES as an Edging.— “I have grown for an edging 
the Sa.vifraga hypnoides, and three years’ trial has proved it not only the 
handsomest hut the best in every respect. You mention it favourably in 
your Gardeners' Dictionary, but I do not think you have directed the 
attention sufficiently of gentlemen gardeners to tin plant. I can safely 
say that for two years I have had it in my front garden ; not three per¬ 
sons in passing have known what it is, and thousands must have passed 
by ; ami I am certain every third person stops to admire it. Harbouring 
neither insects or weeds are great advantages.”— R. S. Barnes, Brockley 
Road, Deptford. 
Rhubarb Leaves (7. 5.).— There is no specific time when gardeners 
cease from pulling these. The more they are taken from the plants, the 
weaker and less productive will these be found next year. It the leaves 
are in great request, it would be a good plan to have two plantations, and 
to leave one ungathered from every second year to allow it to recover 
strength. 
Sea Sand (A Subscriber). —If it is sharp siliceous sand, and the salt 
is washed thoroughly out of it, it will answer for potting purposes. If 
you have no peat, it would be possible to make a compost of that sand, 
mixed with old turf and old cowdung, that would do for Azaleas, &c. 
Of imbricated Camellias, Sabiniana, rose-coloured, and Imbricata, light 
red, would probably suit you. We think your Geranium leaf has been 
severely attacked by the thrips, the mouldy appearance being a secondary 
consequence. The Planter's Puzzle is at page 309 of vol. i., and 
answers to it at page 47 of vol. ii. 
Carica papaya (A. Suart ).—This, raised from seed sent you from 
Ceylon, is the common l’apaw Tree of India. It requires a stove, and 
will grow fifteen or twenty feet high. It would require great care to 
847 
induce it to bear fruit in this country, and that fruit is certainly not 
worth the trouble. 
Wooden Shelters (Minnie).—' These, except in severe weather, are 
sufficient protection to plants in cold pits; in very cold w eather put some 
hay between the shelter and the glass. 
Truk Cochin-China Fowls (S. M. R.), —You ask for a description 
of these, and for an answer we must refer you to Anster Bonn's com¬ 
munication at page 2/1) of our 6th volume. You will also find drawings 
of them at page 137 of our 7th volume ; these portraits, however, do not 
do them justice, and the drooping feathers in the cock’s tail are much 
too long. 
Mummy Raspberry, &c. (Henry). —Our correspondent wishes to 
know where he can obtain seeds of this? We know of no Strawberry 
that comes into bearing when all other varieties are over except the 
White Alpine. We have gathered a good plateful of its fruit in Decem¬ 
ber. A very good pear to precede the Jargonelle is the Citron des 
Cannes, sometimes called the Madeline, and Rose Angle Early ; a very 
good pear to follow the Jargonelle is the Beurre d'Amnlis. 
Pinf. Apples (A?i Essex Farmer). —You must read Hamilton on the 
Pine Apple. You will have seen what Mr. Errington has said, and he 
will, from time to time, treat of their culture. 
Names of Plants (Sigma). —Your Verbenas W'ere completely dried 
up. Cut flowers will only have their freshness preserved by being packed 
in plenty of damp moss. (Mrs, Taylor). —Your plant is Hydrangea 
nivea , or Snowy-leaved Hydrangea. It is a native of Carolina and hardy. 
(Rev. R. M. E.). —Your plant is Cichorium intybus, Wild Succory, or 
Chiccory. Any of the hardy annuals may lie sown now. (James Riley). 
—The parasite which has destroyed part of your clover is the Greater 
Dodder, Cuscuta Europata, 
CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Aconite (Winter), plant, c. Anemones, plant best, e. ; sow, b. 
Annuals (Hardy), sow, b. Auriculas not shifted in August now 
remove ; water and shade ; prepare awning to protect in autumn and 
winter ; sow, b. Bud perpetual roses to the end of the month. Bulbous- 
roots, plant for early blooming, e. Carnation layers remove, b. 
Chrysanthemums, plant cuttings, &c., b. Cut round tiie roots 
of large specimens intended to be taken up next month, b. Cut in large 
specimens of geraniums, Sic., in the beds to he potted, as soon as they 
break, to make specimens of, b. Cuttings of evergreens, put in, b. 
Dahlias, number and make list of, while in perfection, describing their 
colour, height, &c. Dress borders assiduously. Edgings, trim, plant. 
Evergreens, plant, b. ; make layers. Fibrous-rooted perennials, 
propagate by slips, parting roots, Sic. Grass, mow and roll; sow, b. 
Gravel, weed and roll. Guernsey Lilies, pot. Heartsease, plant 
cuttings; trimold. Hedges, clip, e.; it is the best time. Mignonette, 
sow in pots, to shelter in frames. Rooted Pipings, of pinks, Ike., 
plant out for blooming. Planting Evergreens, generally, commence, 
c. Polyanthuses, plant. Ranunculuses, plant bcRt, e. ; sow, b. 
Double Rockets, divide and transplant. Roses, cut down, which must 
be removed at Michaelmas, ten days before taking up. Seedlings, plant 
out. Seeds, gather as ripe, and keep down seed-pods in flower-beds. 
Transplant perennials, e. Tuberous-rooted plants, transplant. 
Turf, lay. Verbenas, cut the roots of favourite sorts six inches from 
the stem ; water them, and in three weeks they may be removed safely 
to be kept in pots ; a few plants thus treated are better than many cuttings. 
Water Annuals and other plants in dry weather. Yuccas in, or showing 
for, bloom, give abundance of water to. D. Beaton. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Air, give freely night and day, unless when very stormy. Annual?, 
such as Collinsia, Nemophiln, Schizanthus, of sorts, sow towards the 
end of the month, for blooming in spring and early summer. Bulbs, 
pot for early blooming, such as Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, &c., also 
Lachctialias, Erodiums, Sic. Camellias, still expose, but defend from 
heavy rains. Cuttings may still be made, and buddings proceeded with. 
Cinerarias, sow for late blooming; prick otf seedlings for spring 
flowering; shift into flower-pots for winter flowering. Calceolarias, 
sow seed ; propagate by cuttings underhand-lights, and shift small plants 
already struck ; shrubby kinds for the flower-garden will lie time enough 
after the middle of the month. Ericas and Azaleas, get under shelter, 
ready to be housed by the end of the month. Geraniums, Myrtles, 
Salvias, &c., propagate by cuttings, shift into larger pots, to be esta¬ 
blished before winter, and prepare for taking up out of the open border 
by cutting round the roots, doing only one half at a time. Where there 
is not plenty of room, cuttings struck early will answer better than old 
plants taken up, and will also save much labour. Glass, Flues, &c., 
clean and repair. Plants, clean, tie, arrange. Pots, free from moss 
and filth, and fresh surface with suitable compost. In using new pots 
for hard-wooded plants, let them all he soaked, and then dried, before 
using. Seedlings of all kinds, prick out as soon as they can be handled. 
Propagate all half-hardy things, such as Geraniums, Fuchsias, Salvias, 
and especially Calceolarias, Petunias, Verbenas, &c.; the last three- 
named will do better than if struck earlier, the smallest pieces will do 
best. They may either be planted in light sandy compost, in pots, or in 
a bed on a shady border ; if on a north aspect, no shading will be required. 
Water will still be abundantly required for plants growing freely, and 
those intended to bloom in winter, such as Primroses, Cinerarias, and 
Chrysanthemums, should have manure-water given freely. Whenever 
you observe the first ffower-bud of a Chrysanthemum, though no larger 
than a pin’s head, you may give the clear manure water freely. Water 
should he given sparingly to plants that are to be put into a state of rest, 
just keeping them from flagging. All Succulents will now do better next 
season, the less water they receive, provided their stems are not rendered 
very limp and soft. Tropieolums with tuberous roots, pot whenever 
they begin to vegetate ; they do not like shifting, therefore give a good- 
