January 15. 
244 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
I 
germinating well, and throwing off the old skin (which 
sometimes confines the cotyledons of a sickly plant some 
days, and eventually strangles it), the plants expanded 
well, with a broad, healthy seed-leaf, the amateur must 
now prepare for “ potting olf,” by introducing a quantity 
of clean five-inch pots, with a proportion of rough 
drainage in each. A quantity of suitable fibry loam and 
leaf-mould, well mixed, must also be brought in; this 
compost ought to have been exposed to the action of 
the frost during autumn, to kill any insect that might 
be lurking in it. This compost ought to be introduced 
into some corner of the frame a day or so before it is 
used, so that it may get warmed properly through. By 
this time we suppose the seedlings to have become much 
elongated, and perhaps some of them weak, and hanging 
over the sides of the pot. Take advantage of the mildest 
part of the day, and, opening the frame no further than 
to allow the necessary operations going on, let the 
pots be half filled with the rough, turfy, leafy compost, 
adding a very little fine, just in the middle ; then with 
a stick raise the plant gently out of its place, with its 
roots as entire as possible ; lay the roots as much spread 
as you can, and gently bend the young plant round the 
sides of the pot in such a manner that its top may come 
at last to the surface, as near the same direction as they 
formerly held as possible. This done, secure the plant 
in that position by a small piece of turfy matter laid 
against it, and, putting a little fine over the roots, 
another plant may be inserted in the same pot, taking 
care to bend it in such a manner that its top may be 
opposite to the one already in. The pot may be then 
gently filled with the soil, as any rudeness will be fatal 
to such delicate plants. When done and labelled, let 
them be plunged in their places again, and only water 
if sunny. Of course the water must be some 70° or 80° 
also; and in the potting the whole is performed by the 
operator leaning over the frame, and being as expe¬ 
ditious as possible, not letting the least cold air reach 
them. Nevertheless, a certain amount of air must be 
admitted daily, or the foul atmosphere inside will soon 
cease to support vegetable life; and on fine days this 
quantity must be increased, according to the state of the 
bed, and other circumstances. 
In a seed-bed there are reasons for a more copious 
admission of air than any other. The small volume of 
air therein contained, and tire contaminating influences 
it is subjected to, renders some contrivance necessary to 
obtain a regular supply, softened, or rather warmed, be¬ 
fore it comes in contact with the plants; for this purpose 
we think the old-fashioned method of tilting the lights 
behind open to many objections, the first of all being the 
liability of gusts of cold wind driving in so far as to reach 
the plants, when placed, as we propose, near the glass. 
We prefer the circulation of air to be circuitous, in order 
that the cold air may be so far heated as to be harmless. 
A very simple plan we have adopted sufficiently effects 
our purpose. A board is nailed on the back, so as to 
cover the place where air is usually admitted; this board 
extends about one-and-a-half inches above the top of 
the light, another one about three inches wide is nailed 
in a horizontal direction to the first one, so that in slid¬ 
ing the light up, its top runs underneath it, but one-and- 
a-half-inches below it. Now this space allows the light 
to be lifted three-quarters of an inch behind, and the 
ingress and egress of the air having that direction given 
to it which finally opens to the south, less harm is likely 
to follow from a liberal supply than by the ordinary 
“ north delivery.” But, after all, so much depends on 
the quantity of sunshine we are favoured with or denied, 
that the amateur must not be impatient if his plants do 
not prosper so well as he could wish. 
We do not pretend to recommend any particular cu¬ 
cumber, as many of them resemble each other so much, 
as to make it doubtful whether cultivation is not more 
the cause of differing than variety. We would not advise 
the longest and most “ fancy kind ” for early use; a 
hardier, earlier, and more prolific one, would usually 
suit the amateur better than the crack show kinds of 
fabulous length. Having ourselves, and most of our 
friends, grown for several years kinds bearing only a j 
local name, we cannot advise the young beginner which 
to choose from personal experience, but the Sion Home 
is often grown for early use, and excepting that it does 
not keep well after being cut, there are few more pro¬ 
fitable kinds grown. We must defer our remarks on 
the planting out, &c., until another week. 
Kitchen Garden Sundries. —Sow a pan or two of 
Celery and some Capsicums, which place in the seed-bed 
noticed above. Prepare fermenting material, as we will 
next week direct you to a number of things that now 
want sowing. Pot off French Beans that may be 
coming up. See Mushroom beds out-of-doors do not 
lack covering, and that those in-doors be not suffering 
from woodlice or want of water ; the former are easiest 
trapped by a cooked potato and a little moss in a pot. 
J. Robson. 
CORNWALL POULTRY SOCIETY. 
PENZANCE EXHIBITION. DECEMBER 30, 1851. 
Prize List.—J udge, the Rev. E. S. Dixon, Cringleford 
Hall, near Norwich. 
Class 1.—Spanish .—(Cock and Two Hens ).— Second Prize, Mr. \V. 
Hick, Penzance ; price 21. 2s. 
Class V.— White Dorking. —( Cock and Two Hens). —First Prize and 
Medal, Rev. W. W. Wingfield, Gulval, 1/. 10s. 
Class VII.— Cochin China. — (Cock and Two Hens). —First Prize and 
Medal, R. H. Bowman, Esq., Penzance, 30/. Second Prize, Mr. A, 
Blee, Penzance, 3/. 3s. .Second Prize, R. H. Bowman, Esq., Penzance, 
1U/. Second Prize, Mr. A. Blee, 61. 
Class VIII.— Cochin China .—(Pen of Six Chickens). First Prize 
and Medal, Mr. A. Blee, Penzance, 42 1. Second Prize, Rev. W. W. 
Wingfield, Gulval, SI. 8s. Second Prize, R. H. Bowman, Esq., Pen¬ 
zance, 12/. 12s. 
Class IX.— Mahay. — (Cock and Two Hens). —First Prize and Medal, 
Mr. W. J. Lawrence, Penzance, 21. 2s. 
Class XV.— Silver Hamburgh .—(Cock and Two Hens). —Second 
Prize, P. Grenfell, Esq., Gulval, 3/. Second Prize, P. Grenfell, Esq., 
Gulval, 3/. 
Class XVI. —Silver Hamburgh .—(Pen of Six Chickens). —First Prize 
and Medal, P. Grenfell, Esq., Gulval, 61. 
Class XVII.— Poland Fowl. — (Black, with White Crests). — (Cock 
and Two Hens). —First Prize and Medal, Mr. W. Rowe, Hca, It. los. 
Second Prize, Mr. R. White, Gulval, 1/. 
Class XVIII.— Poland Fowl. — (Black, with White Crests). — (Pen of 
Six Chickens). —Second Prize, Mr. W. Rowe, Hca, 5/. 
Class XXIV.— Bantams, — (Cock and Two Hens). — Silver Laced. 
First Prize and Medal, Mr. J. Fox, Rosevale, 21. 2s. Second Prize, Mr. 
W. C. Pennington, Penzance, 5/. White Bantams. —First Prize and 
Medal, Mr. W. C. Pennington, Penzance, 5/. 
Class XXV.— Pigeons. —Highly commended and Medal, Mr. .1. Fox, 
Rosevale (Jacobines), 7 s. 6d. Highly commended and Medal, Mr. W. 
Wcarne, Penzance (Trumpeters) 12s. 
Class XXVII.— Drake and Two Ducks. — White Aylesbury .— First 
Prize and Medal, .1. S. Bedford, Esq., Pendrea, 51. Rouen. —First Prize 
and Medal, Rev. W. W. Wingfield, Gulval, 51. Any other Variety. —■ 
First Prize and Medal, J. S. Bedford, Esq., Pendrea (Black Labrador), 
10/. 10s. Commended, Mr. R. Hawke, Alverton (Common), \l. )0s. 
Class XXVIII.— Turkeys.— First Prize and Medal, E. Bolitho, Esq., 
Trewidden (South Amcricun) , 21. each. Second Prize and Two of the 
Birds highly commended, D. P. Le Grice, Esq., Trereifc (Norfolk), 61. 6s. 
Class XXIX.— Guinea Fowl. —First Prize and Medal, VV. Bolitho, 
Esq., Chyandour, 3/. 
Extra Class. —Highly Commended and Medal, R. II. Bowman, Esq., 
Rosevale (Cochin China Cock and Pullet), 21/. Highly Commended and 
Medal, Mr. W. C. Pennington, Penzance (Golden Pheasants), 12/. 12s. 
Highly Commended and Medal, W. Bolitho, Esq., Chyandour (Pea- 
fon-l), 10/. cock and hen. Highly Commended and Medal, A. Smith, Esq., 
Scilly ( White Dorkings, pen of Six Chickens), 1 /. per pair. Highly Com¬ 
mended and Medal, A. Smith, Esq., Scilly (Muscovy Ducks, pen of Six 
Birds of the year), los. per pair. Highly Commended and Medal, A. 
Smith, Esq., Scilly ( Egyptian Geese), 21. per pair. 
CLASS SHOWING IN DAHLIAS. 
The following letter upon this subject is worthy of atten¬ 
tion from all exhibitors of the Dahlia; for it must be ad¬ 
mitted that the chief difficulties in the way of a general 
measure arise from the gradual shades by which the blush- 
white may commence a series of tints approaching to pinks j 
and crimsons, or others, through pale and deeper lilacs to 
deep purples, and these purples and crimsons to heavy 
