February 0. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER 
371 
these promise well for supplying any gap that the failure of 
other hitherto moro fancied breeds may possibly create. 
'•‘•Mottled Black and White," and “ tufted ” Bantams are 
occasionally claimants for distinction, but rarely in such 
form as would encourage their owners to further efforts. 
Bundles of loose feathers, termed “ Tartarian or Chinese" 
Bantams are only remarkable for the absence of every 
feature that is regarded as meritorious in this family, 
especially symmetrical figure and closeness of feather. 
The old “ Yellow or Nankin " Bantam has again appeared 
in public ; and if the colours are not those that have most 
accorded with the general taste, well-selected specimens 
have had sufficient recommendation, in point of good looks, 
to give them additional value in the eyes of those who are 
partial to them from their excellence as mothers. 
Partridge Bantams, again, have been shown in very good 
form, and in some instances, in form, as well as plumage, 
have partially justified their appellation, though we are 
decidedly adverse to that system of nomenclature which has 
given us these with the “pheasant ” and the “ ostrich ” fowl 
of older writers, and the Ptarmigan fowl of our own time. 
Our summary, therefore, of “Bantams as recently shown,” 
is highly favourable to the class generally ; and wherever, 
as in the case of the laced birds, deterioration has been 
evidenced, the cause seems manifest, though the remedy, 
so long, at least, as the breeder’s object and practice con¬ 
tinues as now, may be long sought in vain. 
POLMAISE HEATING. 
I beo the use of a small space in The Cottage Gardener, 
to reply to Mr. Goliglitly, respecting that most simple and 
yet most economical system of heating horticultural struc¬ 
tures with which I am acquainted—the Polmaise—which 
Mr. Goliglitly so hastily condemns, and which I so uphold 
as the best system with which I am acquainted. 
I am at this time working old Hues and hot-water as well 
as the Polmaise, which, if erected on a good principle, is the 
most economical as regards fuel and attendance over any 
other that ever I worked. As to the air of the house being 
charged with an unpleasant gas, I can assure him it is not 
the case with me, as it neither roasts, singes, scorches, nor 
blotches the most tender-leaved plants of the tropics. If 
he were to see how orchidaceous plants delight in this sweet, 
: pure atmosphere, how their most delicate roots ramble and 
hang about, both from their baskets and blocks, he would, 
I think, be convinced that this is the best system of heating; 
and that the gardening world stands deeply indebted to the 
late Mr. Meek for making this most important and valuable 
discovery, and for publishing it to the world. 
It was in the year 1840 that wo erected a stove heated on 
the above principle, and I am perfectly satisfied with it, and 
prefer it to any heated by hot-water. Mr. Golightly states, 
that the bed or bottom-heat, and the internal atmosphere of 
the house, are heated simultaneously; and that we cannot 
heat one independent of the other. I beg to differ from 
him; for by closing the ventilators of the hot air chambers 
we stop the communication with the atmosphere of the 
house only ; so, by gradually opening the ventilators, there 
is a surplus charge of sweet hot-air to be diffused through 
tho house, which, on a cold frosty night, I find a great 
advantage. 
As to the nursery that Mr. Golightly describes it to be 
for red spider, tlirlps, and scale, I can with confidence assure 
him I have none of those intruders. 
I In conclusion, I wish to remind Mr. Golightly that all 
systems are not perfect, and liable to accident. Flues may 
i choke, boilers may burst, tho joints of pipes may give way, 
and foul air may get in the pipes and disarrange the whole 
system; and all this I have found, to my mortification, on 
a cold, sharp, frosty morning. Again, when the water boils, 
how unpleasant it is to find your house full of steam, with 
the liot-water flying about in all directions in sucb frosty 
! nights we have lately experienced. — Henry Craddock, 
Keresky, Coventry. 
HARDY BORDER PLANTS. 
(Continued from page 348 .) 
ACONITUM ANTIIORA. 
THE WHOLESOME WOLFSBANE OR MONKSHOOD. 
I know not for why this species should be called the 
Wholesome Monkshood, when, no doubt, it is as poisonous 
as any of the whole showy family.* This is, certainly, a 
choice plant, and one of the prettiest of its whole genus. 
It should bo planted in some of tho best open situations in 
the flower borders. It is a native of the Pyrenees, and was 
introduced into this country in tho year 1590. It is alto¬ 
gether a more dwarf and smaller plant than the generality 
of this family. Its blossoms are showy and large, of a 
yellow or pale yellow colour ; its leaves are finely and many 
cut, the segments very narrow and pointed. Its steins rise 
from one-and a-half foot to two feet and-a-half in height, 
according to the soil and situation it is growing in. There¬ 
fore it makes a most desirable front or second row plant in 
the borders. It is readily increased by root division, in the 
spring months, when it first shows its leaves; and as our 
practice always is, when dressing of the flower-beds, to have 
a barrowful of nice earth at our heels, such as turfy-loam, and 
leaf-mould, or the like, from the frame ground, and when 
we come to a choice plant like this, we, of course, finger 
everything away round about its crown that is like a fallen 
leaf, weed, or slug. We then consider whether the bunch has 
become too large or straggling, and if so, we carefully lessen 
it with tho fork, perhaps by inserting the fork through the 
centre of the bunch, leaving the best placed half to remain 
Then in goes the spade to the wheelbarrow for a little fresh 
earth to fill up the deficiency caused by the removal of half 
the plant. This strengthens and keeps the main bunch up 
to tho mark of perfection, whilst the part taken away may 
either be to form a bunch in some other part of the garden, 
or borders; or this, instead of being to form another 
single bunch, may be divided into many pieces. This, of 
course, is as required. Again, if we find a choice plant like 
this seems to have tired of its place or spot from long 
standing, we up with it altogether. This affords a good 
opportunity for increase by division. In this case we 
either change a good portion of the earth, or change its 
place with another plant of the same height and colour, 
being at the samo time ever mindful to work up the soil 
well, adding to it a spadeful or two of fresh soil from the 
wheelbarrow. T. W. 
SHANGHAES THE EARLIEST LAYERS.— 
PRODUCE OF JERSEY COWS. 
You have occasionally requested your readers to contribute 
the result of their experience in poultry and other matters. 
The following statement shows the value of a Shanghae fowl 
over others, for laying, at this season of the year. 
In May, I hatched, under two hens, fourteen Shanghae 
pullets, and five Spanish pullets, besides nine cock Shanghae 
birds : and in August, I purchased five Speckled Dorkings 
of our two best dealers in London : they were extremely fine I 
birds, and several months older than the Shanghaes. It 
may surprize some of your readers, but the following state¬ 
ment is correct. 
Eggs laid by Shanghae pullets, from Nov. 12,1853, 
to Jan. 23, 1854 . 321! 
Ditto by Dorkings .,. 11!! 
Ditto by Spanish . 2!! 
The Spanish laid for the first time yesterday, (Jan. 22nd;) 
and the Dorkings on Dec. 20. Eggs have been selling in 
our neighbourhood at eight for a shilling; to a large family, 
like mine, the Shanghaes have, therefore, been very valuable. 
I ought to add, that the fowls have all been kept alike. 
Perhaps it may also interest some of your readers to know 
the produce obtained in England from five real Jersey 
Cows, from Jan. 1, 1853, to Jan. 1, 1854. We have made of 
butter 1227 lbs. 11 ozs., besides the milk used in a family with 
six little children, and that consumed during the weaning of 
* It was many years since believed to be an antidote to the poisonous 
species, and these being called Thora> it was named Anthora or Antithora. 
It is certainly poisonous, though not so violent in its effects as the other 
kinds.—E d. C. G. 
