THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
OCTOBER 30. 
77 
atmosphere. They are very interesting as parlour-window ornaments in 
a group, where there is no convenience of having plants that arc worth 
looking at, or where a great variety, however stunted, is more pleasing 
than quality. 
Fuchsias — Salvia Fulgf.ns, &c. (Fanny). —They will do perfectly 
well under the stage of your greenhouse, only you must keep them rather 
dry, or they would commence growth, which you do not want before the 
spring. To assist in this, and save the drip from the geranium-pots, you 
may turn the pots on their sides, on the ground, and in that position there 
will be little danger of their getting too dry for several months to come ; 
the damp from the floor will be sutticient for them. 
Hova Carnosa in a Greenhouse (Ibid). —This must be kept dry 
at the roots, and in as good a place as you can give it; if at all inclined 
to shrivel, sprinkle the leathery leaves during a sunny day. 
Plants for a Small Greenhouse (Bessie). —We should know 
better how to suit you, if you told us at what time you wanted bloom most, 
and we would rather advise you to feel your way by growing a few things 
well, instead of aiming at a great collection, more especially as you 
manage all without help, and as Heaths and Epacrises require very 
different treatment to Pelargoniums and Fuchsias. The following might 
be tried as an addition— Cinerarias, six of the best of last year, and 
varied in colour. Calceolarias, the same number. Camellias, Double¬ 
white, Beauty Supreme, Bealii, and Dark Laerii; Azaleas, Alba Indica, 
Alba Superba, Exquisita, Gledstenesii, Lateritia, and Perryana. Ericas, 
Ventricosa, and its varieties, Linnaoides, and Wilmoreii. Epaerises, 
Impressa, Nivalis, Hyacinthiflora, Rubra, and Alba. Cytisus raccrnosus, 
Cornea speciosa, Diosma rubra, Cautuu dependens, Churozemu corduta, 
and an Otuheite orange. 
Herbaceous Border Plants (J. D.). —You wish to plant Holly¬ 
hocks, Dahlias, and Roses, along borders which are only four feet wide; 
and if you do, a single row of each will completely till them, and leave 
no room for Geraniums, Petunias, and Verbenas, the names of which 
you ask for. You can keep a row in front of the Roses tidy if you mix 
it with Geraniums, Petunias, and Verbenas. Even if you had plenty of 
room for them, the most you can do is to have a row of upright-growing 
annuals on each border. Sow Eucaridium grandiflorum at the begin¬ 
ning of April; this blow’s till the middle or end of July, and then trans¬ 
plant China Asters to where the Eucaridium stood. The Asters you 
may sow about the middle of May. You might also have Crocuses, Poly¬ 
anthuses, and Auriculas, in this row in the spring; and also patches of 
Narcissus between the Roses, and a row of mixed Clarkia where the 
Dahlias are to be. This you would sow at the end of March, and plant 
the Dahlias close behind the Clarkia—the latter will be over by the 
time the Dahlias begin to flower. 
Geraniums Wintering (Flora Montague). —You will have seen that 
we have already stated in full what should be done with your Geraniums; 
the half of the shoots to be cut to a few eyes in Octoher, the other half to 
be left as they are till nipped or killed, in part, by the frost, and six inches 
of moss w ill keep enough of them to stand over lor another year We do 
not recommend to leave them out all winter. Th e fancy Geraniums will 
not keep on the drying system. Your Geranium is the Variegated Ivy- 
leaf, a beautiful thing to match such as the Dandy, and Lady Plymouth, 
or the Variegated Oak-leaf. Lucida is not the green form of the Varie¬ 
gated Scarlet; that form is the Coral Geranium ; but Lucida is in that 
style much more dw'arf and a far better flower. 
Verbenas Mildewed (Inexperienced Amateur). —Dust the young 
plants with flowers of sulphur, and unless they are badly affected that 
will cure them. You must change the soil for your Dahlias next year, 
and if that does not prevent their coming “ bull-eyed" you had better 
try other sorts. 
Roses for the Front of a House (J. C.). —Plant Jaun Desprez, 
a cream-coloured one, a fast-growing plant, and do not prune it much 
for the first few years. It is not a good one, however, to bud other sorts 
on. Take Felicite perpeluelle for the second, and any other Rose will 
grow on it; so that you may have different sorts all over the south-east 
side at the house. Of low eoergreen shrubs, plant Berberis aquifolium, 
Garrya elliptica, Andromeda floribunda, ami Daphne Cneorum, in your 
flower-beds, all beautiful flowering things, and very suitable for such 
beds as yours. 
Six Pears and Plums for a North Wall (S. H. H. W.). —Of 
Pears—Midland Jargonelle, Dunmore, Fondante d’Automne, Louis Bonne 
of Jersey, Beurre Diel, and try Easter Beurre. Of Plums— Orleans, 
Greengage, Washington, Quetsche St. Martin’s (?), White Magnum 
Bonum, Coe’s Golden Drop, and Reine Claude Violette. 
Cottagers’ Plants (J. L.). —Your Hop-plant is a species of Marjo¬ 
ram, being the Origanum dictamnus, the Dittany of Crete, or, as it is so 
often called by our cottage dames, The Hop-plant. In their windows we 
often; see] it, but it is rare to see it in gentlemen’s gardens. It is an 
observation too common—“ I should not think of keeping such a thing as 
that: we can see that plant in any cottage window.” Yes ; and if it 
were not for the cottager’s fondness for particular kinds of plants which 
do so well in their windows, we should in many cases lose sight of them 
altogether. The following are also cottage window favourites:— Disandru 
prostrata, the Trailing Disandra; Saxifraga sarmentosa, a prevailing 
favourite, and called by the household gardeners “ The Thread of Life ; ” 
Saxifraga umbrosa, or London Pride ; Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, 
Sempervivum tortuosum, S. arboreurn, and S. tectorum. The last is 
the common English Houseleek, and generally planted upon the cool 
slates of the dwelling, or of some out-house, being used for many 
domestic medical purposes. Cacculia articulata, or, as many call it, 
“ The Candle Plant,” from its singularly milky-green, and mostly leafless 
stems being candle-shaped. Plectranthus fruticosus. —This plant is fre¬ 
quently seen in the windows about London, under the name of Ivy Gera¬ 
nium, but we cannot tell why, as its leaves arc not like the ivy, but much 
more like the common dead nettle of our hedge-banks. Its flowers will not 
recommend it, as they are very small compared with the size of the plant; 
but those who love a flower of any kind, most love the kind that will live 
with them, and give them but little trouble, which is the case with this 
plant. It is of the soft-wooded greenhouse race—will live almost any¬ 
where—roots readily from cuttings, and is always green, if secured from 
frost in winter. We should be almost puzzled to find this plant in any gen¬ 
tleman’s garden. Fragaria indica is another very great favourite plant, 
in many localities, in the cottager’s window ; and very pretty it looks, 
particularly when in fruit, with its handsome, rather large, scarlet 
fruit; suspended up about the centre of the window, in a nice, clean 
pot, and the young runners trained uniformly with threads. Linaria 
cymbalaria —the Ivy-leaved Toad-flax, or Ivy-leaved Snap-dragon. As 
this is not a common plant,—occasionally found upon old castle-walls, 
and such-like places, but abundantly on the old walls at Oxford,—where¬ 
fore, it is by many called “ The Oxford Weed.” It is a good-natured 
plant, living in almost any place, soil, or situation, we need not wonder 
at its being a favourite pot plant for the cottager’s window. How well 
it does when suspended in a nice clean pot, in the window, where it will 
always look healthy and green throughout the year, flowering, more or 
less, for seven or eight months. 
Dahlias Changeable (L.). —Dahlias coming semi-double one year, 
and quite double another year, is not of unfrequent occurrence. 
Rabbits. — G. Snipe would be obliged by the information, which tame 
rabbits are most profitable. 
Hyacinths in Moss (F. R.). —Certainly the moss in which you grow 
them must be kept damp. 
Wintering Geraniums (A Constant Subscriber). —We think no one 
stupid, because he requires information which wo happen to possess. If 
your Geraniums are the Scarlet varieties, you will find the information 
you require in our last number; if show varieties, see what Mr. Fish 
says to-day. 
Geometrical Gardens (G. Collin). —To give plans for these, we fear 
will be of little avail, but will consider the matter and the expense. 
Fruit of Ribes Sanguineum (T. M. W.). —The fruit, though red 
and ripe with you, we believe is worthless. 
Lyons Magnetic Powder. — A. B. F. wishes to know where this, 
for destroying cockroaches, can be purchased. 
Fuchsia for Bedding (Rev. J. C. L.).—Carolina is more beautful 
as a single shrub than for bedding in masses. Ricartonii will, perhaps, 
suit your purpose better. If we had a greenhouse to glaze, we should 
use Hartley's rough plate glass ; and 12 inches by 15 inches is a good 
size. The specimens of plants you enclosed are Acacia armata, and the 
orange-flow'ered Lantuna crocea, both greenhouse plants. 
Planting Vines. — A Humble Tyro shall have some observations 
shortly on this subject. 
Tank (Rosea). —We do not think a tank would be heated by means of 
a communication with the flow-pipe as you propose. We cannot pro¬ 
mise to have drawings engraved of the hive you mention, until we have 
considered whether we think it worth the expense. Your other question 
will be answered next week. 
Common Land (Guillaume). —The best mode of enclosing land on the 
Surrey Hills, if the soil is light, as we presume, is to throw up a bank by 
means of earth taken out to form a surrounding ditch, and on the top of 
the bank to sow Furze seed. We should plant potatoes upon the ground 
immediately, and you could not select a better sort for such a situation, 
than Ash-leaved Kidneys. We cannot recommend trees and shrubs with¬ 
out knowing your object, whether for mere ornament or profit. 
Liability of Plant-houses to be Rated (A Subscriber). —We 
are of opinion that such structures as Plant Stoves and Greenhouse, 
occupied by a dealer in plants or flowers, are not legally liable to be 
assessed for the poor rates. You will find an editorial upon the subject 
No. 115 (page 221, volume vi.). 
Ridge and Furrow Roof (J. Price). —This is quite applicable to 
your purpose. The same boiler would heat two tanks. You would not 
sufficiently exclude the cold without a pipe to heat the air; the same 
boiler would supply this also. 
Pigeons (.'lues).—We cannot say, but not many more. We hope to 
treat of the birds you mention. 
Potato Storing (An Old Subscriber). —-Dig them immediately, and 
store them under cover between layers of coal-ashes or sand. 
Paulownia imperialis (31. C.). —Japan is the native country of 
this hardy deciduous tree. 
Potato planting ( Clericus ).—Neither to that portion which you 
purpose planting now, nor to that which will be planted in early spring, 
apply any other manure than charred refuse, or soot and salt, or both. 
Apply such manures at the time of planting by spreading them over the 
surface, and digging them in. Red-nosed Kidneys are too late in 
ripening. Fortyfolds are earlier, and, therefore, to be preferred; but 
why not grow Ash-leuved Kidneys, or Luker's Oxonians? 
Name of Pear (W. N. 31.). —See what is said to-day editorially. 
CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Anemones, plant for succession bloom. Auriculas and Polyan¬ 
thuses, put under shelter (See October). Bulbous Roots, finish 
planting in dry weather ; pot for latest forcing, and for plunging in 
flower-beds, Ike. Carnation layers, finish planting and potting ; secure 
the pot at once from rains. Climbers of all sorts, plant, prune, and 
train. Compost, prepare and turn in dry weather. Crocus, pot large 
lumps from the borders for forcing. Chrysanthemums, against walls 
or fences, secure from frost. Half-hardy bulbs in borders, secure from 
frost and rain by a boarded covering. Dahlias, cut down after frost, 
and let roots remain as long as it is safe; when taken up, dry them in 
open sheds, &c., before storing, where frost and damp cannot reach them. 
Dress the beds and borders, and put mark-sticks to bulbs and other 
roots, to guide you when digging. Edgings, plant. Evergreens, 
finish planting, b. Fibrous-rooted Plants, finish dividing and 
planting, b. Fork over borders, &c. Gladiolus: all the old sorts 
may yet be planted; most of the new do better planted in spring. 
Grass, cut very close the last time; keep clear of leaves; and roll. 
