49 i THE COTTAGE GARDENER. March 31. 
anti in some cases even perished. By a continuation of this 
treatment I obtained the fine iilant which flowered in the 
Society’s Garden, having twelve panicles of flowers on the 
points of the lateral branches by the first week in Sep¬ 
tember, 1869. 
“ ‘In cultivation, T find this plant is easily injured by ex¬ 
posure to dry or cold draughts of air, for it is very im¬ 
patient of direct currents and bright sunshine. For the 
Oulimya, as for many other plants which are difficult to 
manage in cultivation, nothing is better than plunging their 
pots in a very gentle bottom-heat to keep the roots moist 
and warm, and in an equal temperature, and to give air from 
overhead, shading also during bright sunshine. No method 
of giving air or putting the air in motion surpasses that of 
opening the lights above the plants at top, for no sooner is 
the light let down than the stream of heated air which 
rushes out is forcibly met by the cold air endeavouring to 
enter, the result of which is a proper medium of heat and 
moisture. It is very injurious to such plants as the 
Cinchona Calisnt/a to admit direct currents of cold air on a 
level with or below the plants. It is sure to rob the atmo¬ 
sphere of its moisture first and the plant afterwards, and 
by so doing causes the plant to flag ; no plant, indeed, can 
thrive when acted upon in such a manner either by cold 
or dry air. This is one of the principal things to be ob¬ 
served in the management of the CaUsaya. A moderate 
degree of heat and moisture are essential points, provided 
the moisture never becomes stagnant, or the air over dry by 
heat, especially when the plants are making fresh growth, 
and the leaves are young and tender. At other times when 
the plants have completed their growth a much drier and 
In answer to a correspondent, subscribing himself “ A 
Cottager,” we have to reply tliat “The Earnham soil, 
which is a rich loam, well calculated, as we all know, 
for Hops,” would suit Liquorice exactly. 
Having obtained some information relative to its 
growth near Pontefract, in Yorkshire, where it is culti¬ 
vated, we know not why, more extensively than else¬ 
where, wo shall lay this information before our renders, 
being persuaded that it is a highly remunerative crop 
when properly cultivated on a suitable soil. 
Our obliging informant, a clergyman near Pontefract, 
says:—“ Last year, an unusualhj favourable one for this 
crop, one acre produced about 300 stones of Liquorice, 
14 lbs. to the stone.” Now it is a curious fact, that 
although there was such an abundant crop last year, yet 
it is at present more than usually scarce at Covent Garden, 
being worth from L50 to LOO per ton, the usual value 
being from ^3.5 to T40. Now, supposing the usual 
return is only one ton per acre, instead of one ton 17^ 
cwt., as in the instance cited by our informant, it would 
be very remunerative. 
Our informant goes on to say “ It is usually planted 
in the gardens, or prepared fields in the neighbourhood, 
in rows like potatoes, and in a dry loam. Cuttings of 
the roots are employed, and planted at a depth of three 
inches, the ground having been dug or trenched about | 
two feet deep, w'ith a view of making the soil tight. 
“ I am not aware of Ifiquorice being common anywhere i 
except about Pontefract, where they make of it ‘ Pom- ! 
fret Cakes, a large w'eight of which my informant, 
a grocer, has shipped off to Australia." 
The usual time for planting it is in March, but this j 
year we have no doubt that the early part of April will 
be a good time for the purpose. ! 
I-arge quantities are required for the manufacture of | 
cooler atmosphere is desirable, provided the plants are not 
exposed to extremes of either droughts or colds for too 
great a length of time. In whatever state the iflants may 
be, always avoid dry-air draughts. 
“‘In growing the ‘ Calisaya,' the most suitable climate 
would in general be that of a hou.se, treated in the same 
way as one for Mexican and Guatemala Orchids, where it is 
easy to avoid too much heat and moisture during the season 
of rest, and to give a liberal supply of both, with ample 
shade, when making new growth. 
“ ‘ The Calisaya is increased either by seeds treated as 
above stated, or by small lateral shoots as cuttings, when 
I half ripened or just before the. young wood becomes of a 
! brown colour. 'The cutting should be taken off with a heel, 
close to the previous growth, and placed in silver sand, with 
as many of the leaves upon the cutting as possible. The 
pot containing the cuttings must be plunged in a slight 
bottom-heat, and be covered with a bell-glass, and afterwards 
treated in the usual way. The seeds should be sown 
whenever received, whether in mid winter or at any other 
time. 
“ ‘ This plant is too difficult to manage, and requires too 
much attention to become very common, especially as it is 
not very showy when in bloom, although remarkably fra- I 
grant -and singular for its panicles of small hairy white 
flowers, slightly tinged with blush on the outer side, in form 
much like those of the common Lilac. 
“ ‘ It commences flowering about the end of August, and 
will continue in succession at least a month, each flower 
lasting only two days, after which time it drops off before 
fading.’” 
Liquorice cakes; but, if report be true, a still larger 
amount is pui’chased by the porter brewers. 
As we gave prominence to a criticism of the prize list 
and rules of The Bath and West of England Poidtnj 
Exhibition, to be held at Plymouth, in June next, it is 
but equitable that we give equal prominence to the 
Secretary’s reply. It is as follows :— 
“ IMy attention has been called to an article in your papei-, 
dated March the 10th, wherein I see the rules of the Bath 
and West of England Agricultural Society’s Poultry Show, 
for June 8th, 9th, and 10th next, to he held at Plymouth, 
are completely misinterpreted; nothing could possibly be 
more foreign from my intentions than the view taken of 
them. 
“ I substituted a sliding scale for the amount of entry, 
according to my view of justice, making all competitors for 
the larger prizes of 4‘3, such as class 1, 3, 5, 7, !), pay an 
entrance fee of 3s. (id. for each coop. 
“ Competitors for a ±'9 prize, such as class 90, and '99, 
pay 93. (Id. entry. 
“ Competitors for a Tl 10s. prize, such as class 9, 4, (i, 8, 
10, 30, pay 9s. entry. 
“Competitors for Tl prize, such as class 11, 19, 13, 14, 
16, 10, 17, 18, 19, 91, 99, 93, 94, 95, 90, 97, 98, 31, 39, 33, 
34, 35, 3(1, 37, and 38, pay an entrance of Is. Od. 
“ Had I intended the view taken of them, I most certainly 
should have subdivided the classes, and, instead of giving 
1st, 9nd, and 3rd prizes in the particular classes, have made 
thorn separate ones, and varied the colour or comb. 
“As steward and director of this show, and as the framer 
of the rules, I should feel particularly obliged if yon will give 
the correct version of them your utmost publicity, otherwise, 
with the present impre.s.sion, exhibitors of first-rate birds, 
thinking if they did not get the £.\ prize, they would be 
excluded from the X'9, second prize, provided the judges 
deemed them the second best, or the 9fls. prize, if third 
best, very many would object to send at all in consequence. ! 
“ In the same paper I noticed several remarks, on which 
I will comment; and as the first alludes to the season of the , 
year, I can at once satisfy the public that our agricultural i 
show of stock and implements, takes place on these days. As 
one of the council of that Society, I with some difficulty got up 
