Apkil 27 . 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
67 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
*** We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of 
The Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and 
expense. All communications should be addressed “To th» Editor of 
The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London." 
Millet-seed for Fowls (E. it/.).—Millet is an exceedingly wholesome 
ami nutritious food for chicken, it contains a high proportion of nitro¬ 
genous or rtcsh-forming food. The Shangliae hen not feeding, arises, in 
this case, most probably, from irritation of the digestive stomach, a very 
intractable disease : give her soft cooked food only, as boiled oatmeal, 
rice, &c.; and if she is falling away rapidly, try a tea-spoonful of cod 
liver oil twice a day.—W. B. T. 
Cineraria (J. H. W., Essex ).—The specimens were quite withered. 
Flowers should be packed in damp moss, or other moisture-retaining 
mode. 
Size of Boiler (E. S. B., Norfolk). —The size of the boiler is im¬ 
material, all that you have to attend to is the extent of its surface ex- 
I posed to the fire. If you have two-and-a-half square feet exposed to the 
' fire, it will be more than enough for your two houses, each twenty-four 
J feet by twelve feet. 
Fowls for cold Soil (A Farmer).— As you require them for use, 
by all means have Shanghae (Buff and Partridge-coloured) hens, and a 
Dorking cock. This will secure abundance of eggs (if you buy some 
fresh pullets every autumn) through the winter, and the chickens will be 
good table birds. Answers to other queries next week. 
Soft Eggs (W. Wilson). —Give your Shanghae pullet a calomel and 
tartar emetic pill every other day, until she ceases laying soft eggs. 
Separate her from the cock, and give her plenty of green food, rice, and 
boiled potatoes. 
Peas (M. P .).—The Victoria Marrow grows six feet high and more 
in some soils. The pods will be fit for gathering in July. 
Stock Seed (A Cork Subscriber).—We never recommend tradesmen. 
Look into our recent advertisements. 
Probable colour of Chickens (T. L. 0.).— It is quite impossible 
to be certain of the colour of chickens, but from a Cinnamon Shanghae 
lieu, and light Buff cock, we should expect chiefly Cinnamon and Silver- 
cinnamon chickens. A Shanghae cock will not increase in weight if 
nearly two years old. 
Wasts ( B. B.). —All wasps killed at this season are queen wasps. 
They are much larger than the unfertile wasps. 
Cineraria—Flower-packing ( Punsieana). —The flowers are small j I 
petals white edged with lilac, but they do not imbricate well ; notch 
slight. It is only a second-rate flower. You packed it admirably, and 
all who send us flowers should do likewise. The box is tin, lined with 
fresh cabbage leaf, then the flower with its end folded in wetted blotting- 
paper put in, a piece of wood bent across it, to keep it in its place, then 
j a piece of cabbage-leaf over, and then the lid. The cabbage emits 
moisture, and keeps the bloom fresh. 
Natural History of New South Wales.— Elshiu wishes to 
kuow of some book on this subject suitable for a colonist, and cheap. 
Names of Plants (W. A. M .).—Your little plant is Cochlcariu offi¬ 
cinalis. (H.B.H .).—Your flowers, “eight or nine in a bunch,” are 
those of Tecoma capensis. (C. 1 and 2. Different forms of Erica 
earned ; 3. Unknown to us j 4. Pulmonaria angustifnlia. (Sophia ).— 
Your greenhouse plant is Siphocampylos bicolor. We cannot name your 
bulb from such a tip. (Abbott’s Morton Rectory).— It is, we presume, 
Nolana atriplicifolia. (J. N .).—1. Epacris campanuluta. 2. Epacris 
sanguined. 3. Erica lierbucea. 4. A Bignonia, probably, jasminifolia. 
No one can be certain of specific names from such small specimens. 
(J. Me. P .).— 1. Polygala chamoebuxus. 2. Dielytra omphalodes, 
are very desirable hardy border plants. (M. J. Ball).— ). Epacris 
nivalis. 2. Cundollea cuneiformis. 3. Thomusiu quercifolia. 4. Lotus 
hirsutus. 5. Ceanothus dentutus. 6. Thomusia solanacea (?) (A 
Novice ).—The plant from which the two flowers were taken, we believe 
to be Erythrina crista-galli, which may be treated like a Fuchsia. 
CALENDAR FOR MAY. 
ORCHID HOUSE. 
Air : now that the days have lengthened, and the sun obtains much 
power, air must be given liberally. If the house is built, as we recom¬ 
mended, facing east and west, the sun will have great power early in the 
morning, and late in the afternoon, and, therefore, air must be given ac¬ 
cordingly. Baskets, examine weekly, and such as are dry give a good 
steeping in tepid water. Catasetums, Cyrtopodiums, and plants of 
similar habit, will now be growing freely, and should be as freely watered 
at the root, care being taken that no water lodges in the hollow of the 
young leaves. Denrobiums, and any other plants in flower, should 
either be removed to a cooler house, till the bloom is over, or be placed at 
the coolest end of the house, and more air given there; but they should 
he removed into their growing quarters till they have formed the new 
bulbs. New Plants, such as have just been received from abroad, 
should not have much water or great heat till fresh growths are com¬ 
menced. Heat: during this month the greater part of the plants will 
be making rapid growth ; the heat must be kept up to the maximum. 
Moisture must also be plentifully bestowed upon the internal air ; wet 
the walks, walls, and pipes, two or three times a day, especially in the 
morning and afternoon. Insects, such as snails and slugs, will abound; 
destroy them diligently, It is a good practice to look in upon them in 
the evening, with a lamp or candle; they may be probably found at 
their work of destruction. Potting, if not finished last month should 
now be completed, as soon as a flower is potted, secure each pseudo¬ 
bulb to a stick, the compost being so open they would fall over if not 
securely tied ; this gives an opportunity to arrange the shoots in a sym¬ 
metrical form. Lycopodiums grown in the Orchid House, divide, 
repot, and tied. Shading, apply daily when the sun shines. Syringe : 
this will be in constant requisition, especially for plants growing on blocks. 
Water, at the root, bestow liberally to all growing plants, but withhold 
it gradually as the bulbs arrive at maturity. Let the Weeds be all drawn 
up, for they will grow even in an Orchid House. T. Appleby. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
Aciiimenes, attend, with support for the weak-growing ; give freely 
plenty of water to those advanced in growth ; pot the last batch this 
monfh. A. pictu is afine species to bloom in winter. Air, give liberally 
to keep down at maximum point the internal atmosphere, amaryllis 
coming into bloom, water freely; those going out of flower place in a 
close pit, and allow the heat of the sun to fully play upon them, to ripen 
the bulbs. Baskets, if any arc used for drooping plants, should be 
taken down frequently, and dipped in tepid water. Climbers, attend 
to, tie on, keep within bounds, and syringe freely to keep down the 
red spider. Cuttings of stove plants: the plants will now be making 
young growths, and these moke the best cuttings; take them off, and 
pot them in sand in heat. Gardenias, remove out of hotbeds into 
the greenhouse to prolong the flowering; give less water; such as 
have done blooming place in a cold pit. Gloxinias and Gesneras, 
repot, and syringe every day. Ixoras, specimens, tie out; young 
plants, place in dung-heat to encourage rapid growth. Heat, keep 
up to the maximum, /0° by day, 0o° by night. Moisture to the 
air, supply liberally, by flooding {he walks twice a-day. Oleanders, 
place in pans of water, to cause the blooms to open freely, and en¬ 
courage growth. Syringe: use this instrument freely every fine da}', 
avoiding such plants as may be in flower. Potting : continue to 
repot young stove, plants, to bring them on in growth. Weeds ; let 
none appear .beyond the seed ; keep everything tidy, neat, and sweet, 
in order to render the stove attractive and agreeable. Winter-bloom- 
ing Plants, such as Justicias , Eranthemums , &c., cut down, repot, 
and place in heat, to start them into growth. T. Appleby. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas and Polyanthuses, shade, and keep well supplied with 
water; pot seedlings, and sow, if not done last month. Carnations 
and Picotees, finish potting without fail; plant out seedlings to bloom; 
sow seed. Chrysanthemums, rooted cuttings, pot off; old plants, 
divide and repot, use rich compost. Cinerarias, shade; pot off seed¬ 
lings as thej r grow ; it is not too late to sow seed yet. Dahlias, harden 
off, and plant out towards the end of the month ; cuttings of rare kinds 
may yet be put in. Fuchsias, young plants repot twice during the 
month; old plants, stop shoots, and repot for the last time ; seedlings 
transplant, water with liquid-manure as soon as the foliage is abundant. 
Hollyhocks, stake, and water with liquid-manure. Pansies, in 
bloom, shade from sun ; water and stir the soil about them ; keep them 
clear of weeds. Pelargoniums, such as show flower, repot; tie out 
specimens; give plenty of air to, and water occasionally with liquid- 
manure; put in cuttings; sow seed. Pinks, stir the soil between the 
rows, and apply a mulching of short dung. Ranunculuses, water 
freely in dry weather. Tall Lobelias, plant out where they are to 
bloom. Tulips, protect from frosty nights and heavy rains; retard the 
bloom, if foo early, by shading during hot sun. Verbenas, stop 
cuttings, by nipping off the tops, to make them bushy ; sow seed : plant 
out in large pots for specimens ; water freely and shade. Look out for 
weeds, slugs, and various insects, and destroy them constantly and 
diligently. T. Appleby. 
FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Anemones, water well between the rows. Annuals (Tender), remove 
into another hotbed : pot, if not done in April ; water gently, and give 
air as much as possible; prick out April-sown. Antirrhinums, plant 
and sow for late autumn bloom. Auriculas done blooming, remove 
to N.E. aspect,"where they will not have the sunshine after nine; offsets 
with roots detach, and plant three in a pot; seedlings keep in the shade ; 
water moderately in dry weather; Auriculas to seed should be kept from 
wet. Awnings, or other shelter, continue over beds of Tulips, e., now in 
bloom. Bedding-plants, be not in too great hurry to plant out; the 
middle of the month is time to begin any of the half-hardy plants. 
Biennials, sow, b., in rows, thinly, Bulbous Roots, generally, 
directly leaves decay, take up and store; seedlings shade through mid¬ 
day; plant again after separating offsets, or else store until the end of 
July. Sow China Asters to succeed early, or supersede late annuals. 
Carnations ; remove side-buds from flower-stems ; shadefrom meridian 
sun ; water in dry weather ; put sticks to, and tie stalks ; sow. Dahlias, 
old, part and plant, b. ; young, plant out, e. Dress the borders, &c., 
frequently. Flowering Plants require staking, &c. FucusiAsmay 
be planted. Grass, mow and roll weekly. Gravel, roll weekl) r , 
Hyacinths, take up and store as leaves decay. Mignonette, sow tor 
succession, b. Mixed Borders, go over twice this month, andmark 
such plants as seem out of place. CEnotiiera macrocarp a, make 
cuttings of when the young shoots are three inches long. Prune and 
transplant Laurestinus when done flowering; also prune Bekbkris 
aouieolia. Perennials, sow, b.; propagate by slips and cuttings. 
Polyanthuses, part, and shade throughput the summer ; sunshine 
destroys them ; sow seed of. Boses, watch for insects on, and destroy 
them; Roses in groups, keep them low; Roses in pots may be planted out. 
Rose-stocks for budding, do not rub off shoots ; but stop those not wanted 
at the second or third joint. Stake and tie up plants. Seedlings, 
thin. Surface-stirring cannot be too frequently performed. Tulips, 
remove seed-pods; take up and store as leaves decay ; water frequently 
