September 5. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
411 
I 
THE VICTORIA LILY BLOOMING IN A SMALL I 
SPACE. 
The great drawback against the more general growing of 
this interesting plant is the great space it occupies, which j 
keeps it from all but the richest lovers of flowers. Mr. j 
Weeks, though showing its comparative hardiness, did not 
do much to increase its general diffusion, because, though 
many could get an out-door tank, few could command as he 
did the hot-water pipes to heat the water. A correspondent, 
(August 21st), informs us, that Mr. Hewitson, gardener at 
Flitwick house, Beds., (a place famed by Loudon for the 
Arboretum formed by the enthusiastic proprietor,—Brooks, , 
Esq.), has bloomed it successfully in a slate tank, nine-and- : 
a-lialf feet by nine feet, and three-and-a-half feet deep, the 
leaves being five and-a-lialf feet in diameter, and reaching 
over the tank on all sides, the same tank also containing 
Nympkaas in bloom. We are given to understand, that 
the seeds were sown in March; that the plant travelled a j 
long distance in April, and was planted out on the 14th of 
that month in strong turfy loam, encircled with a good 
portion of well-decayed cow-dung. The Nympkaas have 
had a similar compost, and the tank has had only a 
minimum of fire-heat. We have received no information as 
to any or what mode was adopted for changing and stirring 
the water, or the mode of heating adopted; but if done 
upon any very simple plan, it would be worth knowing, and 
I trust our correspondent, or Mr. Hewitson, will enlighten 
us.—B. Fish. 
[Flitwick Manor, is the general name given.] 
MAGGOTS IN DISEASED POTATO STALKS. 
I have perceived slight symptoms of disease in my 
Potatoes for a fortnight past; but within the last three days 
(Aug. 18th) the haulm has decayed rapidly. On examining 
the rottenest pieces of haulm to-day with a glass, I per¬ 
ceived that the outer integument of the stalk was destroyed, 
and the under substance resembling a jelly, but more 
transparent, preserving its green colour, nevertheless, while 
the leaves were black and dead. 
On the jelly-like substance of the stalk I observed swarms 
of very small maggots of a most delicate and transparent 
structure, which were evidently feeding upon the substance 
of the stalk, having, as I suppose, previously eaten aw'ay 
the integument. 
Now, whether this is a cause or a consequence of the 
blight, I, of course, do not pretend to determine, nor am I 
aware whether or not the same circumstance has been 
previously observed. If it has, there is an end of it; except 
that (unless it has been already done,) it should be inquired 
whether the maggots are the cause, or merely the con¬ 
sequence. At all events, it seems to me apparent that the 
eggs are deposited on the plant whilst it is, or seems to be, 
unaffected, and in perfect health; and it further appears that 
the leaves blacken and die, in consequence of the de-- 
struction of the integument or outer skin of the stalk ; such 
destruction of course comprising the sap-vessels of the plant. 
The tubers are, meanwhile, unaffected, for the decay has not 
yet reached them in its journey dowm the stalk. 
It is with the utmost diffidence that I offer this simple 
description of what I have seen, and I am only encouraged 
to do it by the reflection that not a stone should be left 
unturned in the investigation of a subject of such national 
importance.— Thomas Standbridge, Edgbaslon, near Bir¬ 
mingham. 
THE SUN-ELOWER. 
The great variety of valuable properties belonging to the 
Sun-flower seed has been more neglected than any other, 
when it ought to be paid more attention to, for its properties 
are so various and important that it ought to be—if it is the 
wish of the farmer in these free trading days to ensure 
increased profits—to be generally cultivated. 
No plant produces such fine honey and wax, now becoming 
more valuable, arising out of the Russian and Turkish war, 
from whence very large quantities in times of peace are im¬ 
ported. When this seed is crushed as linseed is, it will 
produce the very finest oils in larger quantities in proportion 
to any other seed, for the table as well as the painter, 
particularly in mixing green and blue paints. Sir Allen 
Crockden, of Seal Grove, by Seven Oaks, has for many years 
cultivated theSun-fiower,for the purpose of feeding his sheep, 
pigs, poultry, rabbits, and pigeons ; and Mr. Henry Leonard, 
Ironmonger, of No. 22, High-street, has imported very large 
quantities of Sun-flower oil from Russia; it makes most 
beautiful soap, particularly softening to the hands and face, 
and is most delightful to shave with. The cake is superior 
for fattening cattle than linseed; the oil makes the very 
finest soap, very softening to the hands and face, superior 
to any other for shaving. Sheep, pigs, pigeons, rabbits, 
poultry of all sorts, Ac., Ac., will fatten rapidly upon it and 
prefer this seed to any other, pheasants in particular, causing 
them to have a much more glossy plumage and plumper in 
body. 
This seed, when shelled, makes, when ground, the very 
finest flour for bread, particularly tea-cakes. No doubt 
the ladies will patronize it largely, it is so sweet. It will 
grow in any corner that may be vacant, make all farms have 
a most agreeable garden-like appearance. It should be 
planted about six inches apart, and about one inch deep, 
and when about one foot high should be earthed up ; it 
then will require no further attention. Every single seed 
will produce one thousand or more; the main head generally 
produces 800 to 1000 seeds, and there are generally four 
collaterals, producing fifty or sixty seeds each. Another 
great advantage this seed has over any other is, that when 
ripe it turns its head downwards, so that no rain can affect 
the seed. But it is not the seed only that is so valuable, the 
stalk is most so, for by treating it exactly as flax is, it will 
produce a fibre as fine as silk, and that in large quantities. 
And now that rags have become so valuable, arising from 
the very unprecedented demand for paper, the stalk might 
be made useful for that purpose. On some grounds, two 
crops may be growing at the same time, for when the 
farmer has given his early potatoes their last hoeing, 
plant this seed twelve inches apart in the ridges. Some 
three or four years ago, one or two farmers cleared nearly 
forty pounds by their honey hives only. What would this 
be now that each of these bears so much higher price 
arising out of the Russian war ? Then why, gentlemen 
farmers, will you not march a little out of your old beaten 
track, and plant the Sun-flower seed, that has all these most 
valuable, important, and profitable properties ? The Chinese 
have it by thousands of tons, and worship it. There can be 
no doubt that many of their silk goods have a large portion 
of the Sun-flower fibre in them. 
The writer, Mr.'C. Osbourne, hopes to see the time arrive 
when Sun-flower seed will be brought into Mark Lane, and 
sold by the quarter, as Wheat, Oats, Barley, Ac., Ac., are. 
COYENT GARDEN.— August 20th. 
Good Potatoes remain at a steady price, but the garden 
produce, in general, is far from rendering remunerating I 
prices, consumption being checked owing to the dread of 
the cholera. 
FRUIT. 
Pine Apples, 40s to 50s per 
dozen lbs. 
Hothouse Grapes, 2s Od to 
3s Od per lb. 
Sweet Water Grapes, Os per 
dozen lbs. 
Teaches, 2s to 3s Od p. pun. 
Nectarines, 2s to 3s per pun. 
Apricots, Is Od per punnet 
Dessert Plums, 5s per hf. s. 
Williams’ Pear, 3s per hf. s. 
Windsor Pears, 0s per sieve 
Kerry Pippin Apples, 3s per 
half sieve 
Kitchen Apples, Os per bush. 
Figs, 2s Od per punnet 
Filberts, 8s to 0s per doz. lbs. 
Violet Plums, 4s per sieve 
Green Gage Plums, 3s 0d per 
half sieve 
Oranges, 12s to 14s per bun. 
Lemons, 14s to 10s per liun. 
Almonds, 0s per peck 
Kiln-dried Walnuts, 4s p. pek 
Brazilian Nuts, 5s Od p. peck 
Barcelonas, 5s per peck 
Cob Nuts, 3s per peck 
