210 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 12. 
miscellaneous plants took the second prize, and in growth 
and cultivation certainly rivalled that of Mr. Smart. They 
comprised Franciscea pohliana, Porphyrocoma lanceolate, 
Melastoma malabathriea, Henfreya scandens, Cytisus ra- 
cemosus, Pentas carnea, Aphelandra cristata, Clerodendron 
fragrans, Forsytliea Grandillora, Begonia Ingrami, Azalea 
(seedling). In Mr. Woolley’s collection of plants, too, 
appeared, what seemed to us, the best Gum plant in the 
show, though not in flower—Begonia luxurians. A very 
elegant collection of Roses, for the time of the year, with a 
variety of cut flowers, also did much credit to Mr. Creswick’s 
skill and attention. 
The prize for the best collection of nine miscellaneous 
plants was awarded to Mr. W. T. Shepherd. They comprised 
the following;—Azalea Indies splendens, Bilbergia viridis, j 
Russellia juncea, Euphorbia splendens, Diervilla rosea, 
Franciscea uniflora, Clematis Sieboldtii, and Begonia mani- j 
cata. Mr. Shepherd had, also, a choice collection of cut 
specimens of flowering shrubs and climbing plants, and J 
twelve very beautiful varieties of Ranunculus, the best we j 
have seen for some seasons, and which certainly were entitled 
to a prize. We are at a loss to know why these, and the 
j beautiful collection of Camellias, from Mr. Mort’s garden, 
were left unrecognised by the judges. 
Besides the Camellias, Mr. Mort’s garden, as usual, sent I 
forth a rich and varied collection of specimens. An Onci- j 
dium papilio major, was decidedly the “ bright particular i 
star of the exhibition,” and two Phalamopses were not in- | 
ferior in beauty, if they were so in novelty. Mr. Mort had, 
also, a very splendid collection of Ferns, the best collection 
of six miscellaneous plants, comprising Tropceolum tri- 
colorum, Begonia manicata, Cantua pyrifolia, Tropoeolum 
lobbianum, Franciscea Hopeana, and Epiphyllum Jen- 
kinsonii. 
Mr. Baptist had a fine collection of Roses for the season, 
which received a prize. He had, also, a good collection of 
miscellaneous plants. Some fine Polyanthuses and Prim¬ 
roses, aud a first-rate bouquet. Perhaps, one of the most 
beautiful exhibits in the show was a collection of Peonies, 
from the garden of J. Norton, Esq. The delicate beauty of 
one variety (Papavaracea), was the admiration of every 
beholder, and they had only to lament that they were not 
exhibited in a way to show off their beauty to the best ad- j 
vantage, as a ground of blue or green paper would have 
been infinitely preferable to white. 
We have only to add, in respect to flowers, that a great 
untidiness, not to say coarseness, is evinced by exhibitors as 
to the manner in which they send their specimens in. Dirty 
rags and coarse, filthy flower-pots destroyed the effect of 
some beautiful specimens, and we think that the judges 
would do right to reject specimens not sent in for exhibition 
with a due regard to taste and decency. 
We ought not to fail to make mention of some very in¬ 
teresting specimens of cotton and wool, dyed by Mr. B. M‘Gee, 
of this city (Sidney), with dyes extracted from the woods of 
this colony. 
The show of fruits, though not varied, was very good of 
its kind. The collection of Oranges sent by Mr. Richard 
Hill exceeded anything we have before seen in the colony, 
and showed what we have often before stated, that while, 
| from thorough indolence, and the luxuriance with which it 
j grows in this colony, this valuable and delicious fruit has 
| been long depreciated, care and attention will enable us to 
j compete with the world in its production. Mr. Hill’s 
| collection consisted of eight varieties, the gem of which, ' 
undoubtedly, was a seedling from Teneriffe. The favourite 
Siletta was also seen to great advantange, and some Maltese 
(commonly called the Blood Orange) though small were 
rich and luscious in their flavour. Mr. Hill also exhibited 
some very fine Shaddocks, of a new variety (dwarf), which 
will, we predict, soon become a favourite in the colony. Mr. 
Vincent Carr also furnished a very fine collection of Oranges, 
some good Loquats for the season, and some excellent 
; Lisbon Lemons. Two very beautiful and extensive collections 
I of purchased fruits, from Mrs. Preston and Mr. Carr, of the 
Markets, divided the decision of the judges; and eventually, 
prizes were awarded to both. There was also a dish con¬ 
taining four Cherimoyers (custard apples), grown by Mr. 
Baptist, the finest and best grown we remember to have 
seen. 
Of vegetables, we have not much to say, as the season is 
unfavourable ; but Mr. Baptist is a host in himself, and his , 
display was plentiful and luxuriant. The whole of the prizes I 
were awarded to him. 
The fineness of the weather assisted the attractions of the 
Exhibition, and on no former occasion have we seen a more 
numerous or more gay assemblage flock to these interesting 
reunions. 
The band of the Eleventh Regiment was in attendance, 
and exerted itself with more than wonted industry and 
effect, and contributed much to the pleasure of the visitants. 
We rejoice to say that the sum taken at the gates alone 
amounted to T127, independent of the tickets sold by the 
shopkeepers in the city .—(Sidney Morning Herald.) 
QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 
GARDENING. 
GRAFTING THE GRAPE-VINE. 
“ Be good enough to inform me whether I can graft a 
Muscat of Alexandria on a Black Hambro’; that is, whether 
a white will do on a black Grape. Also, what is the best 
time, and which is the best mode of grafting the above ?— 
Jat.” 
[You may graft any one variety of the Grape Vine upon 
any other variety, Adopt the whip mode of grafting. 
Perform the operation just bofore the sap has begun to rise. 
Rub a little white lead over the edges of the wound, where 
the scion and stock join ; bind up as usual with bass, and 
put a little moss over the whole to be kept slightly damp.] 
APPARATUS FOR STRIKING CUTTINGS.—HEAT¬ 
ING SMALL GREENHOUSE.—HARES BARKING 
TREES. 
“ In The Cottage Gardener for November last, I see 
directions for using Minasi’s Hatching Apparatus. I have 
not seen the apparatus itself, but from the sketch given in 
the above Number, it strikes me that it would be possible 
to give bottom-heat, either by means of water heated by the 
lamp, or dry heat, to a shallow bed of earth placed in a 
wooden or other frame for striking cuttings, even to the 
extent of some hundreds. 
“ If your ingenuity lead you to suggest a plan for this, 
you would confer a great benefit on amateurs, and enable 
them to dispense with an expensive hot-water apparatus. 
Pray think of this, and let us have your opinion before 
February next. 
“Joyce’s Portable Laundry Stove, delineated in the fly 
leaves of The Cottage Gardener. Could not this be 
safely used for warming a small greenhouse or conservatory, 
placing a pan of water on the top, to get rid of the injurious 
effects of dry iron heat ? 
“ Your advice at page 152, of the November Number, as 
to gas tar round the stems of trees, to keep off rabbits, is 
dangerous. Experto crede. Some years ago, I applied it for 
this purpose to some twenty or twenty-fire young Apple- 
trees, of two or three inches diameter. It killed the whole, 
and on examination I found it had penetrated through, from 
side to side. It is destructive to all vegetation. Not so, 
common tar, which is beneficial, and equally obnoxious to 
hares and rabbits, neither of which will approach it. Excuse 
the hint.— Verax.” 
[There would be no difficulty in striking cuttings in a 
Wardian case, having a small tank beneath it for water, and 
heated like Minasi's Incubator. The portable Laundry Stove 
would do for a small greenhouse, if a tube communicating 
with the outer air was attached to carry off the gases given 
off by the fuel. We are obliged by your information about 
the tar. We have tried it upon large, old trees, and it did 
not kill them, but we never had occasion to apply it to young 
trees.] 
MILDEWED WALL-TREES, &c. 
“I have been told that corrosive sublimate is very de¬ 
structive to mildew, and that trees on old walls may be | 
cleared of this, as well as insects, if walls, troes, and all, be 
