422 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. February 27. 
liis account of the “ tempest,” when Her Majesty was nearly 
lost on her way to Scotland from Erin ? He is now before 
Sebastopol; but we can put you on the right scent, never¬ 
theless. This Lisianthus was discovered by the unfortunate 
Drummond, after whom Phlox Drummondii, and other plants 
are called; he was from near Dundee, in Scotland, we believe. 
It was named after the late Duke of Bedford by Sir W. J. 
Hooker, who gives tho following memorandum:—“ It was 
shortly before the period of the arrival of those seeds and speci¬ 
mens that His Grace the Duke of Bedford, with his wonted 
liberality, contributed a sum of money, which, had the receiver 
continued in health, would have materially assisted in for¬ 
warding his views in Florida, but which was no less available 
in a period of pain and sickness immediately preceding his 
lamented death in Cuba; and I am sure that, in dedicating 
this splendid plant to so distinguished a patron of science, I 
shall have tho approbation of every botanist, and of every 
lover of horticulture. I think,” he continues, “ there can be 
no doubt but, under proper management, by forcing in the 
early spring, and planting out in the open border, this plant 
will there perfect its dowers as readily as tho Phlox Drum- 
mondii.” Here we see a proof of the fact that the best of us, 
and the highest authority among botanists, can, at best, give 
but a rough guess as to the management of any new plant 
whatever. Sir W. Hooker had the best practice in Scotland 
at his elbow when he penned his “ proper management” of 
this Lisianthus ; yet we have such confidence in each other, 
that we seldom depart from first suggestions till we utterly 
fail, and when we do fail, we never blame the first adviser, as 
some foolish people do, who do not know better. For the 
next two or three years after the above was written in 
Glasgow, Lisianthus Russellianus was repeatedly lost in 
England; no mortal could grow it according to the rules 
given; they even lost it, or all but lost it, in tho Glasgow 
Botanical Garden ; and were it not for the spirit with which 
it was experimented upon at Bothwell Castle, it would 
certainly have been lost altogether before aDy one knew how 
to grow it. Meantime, and for the next three weeks, is the 
right time to sow the seeds, and if you cannot find out the 
accounts of how to manage it in The Cottage Gardener, 
write again, and we shall take the trouble ourselves of look¬ 
ing over the indices. 
As to the common blue Gentianilla (Gentiana acaulis) 
our advice is short; give it up ; and take our word for it, that 
all the gardeners in England, Ireland, and Scotland can 
never make this plant grow and bloom to satisfaction in a 
place where it has failed so often. We have tried it in all 
ways, against hope, for ten long years, and we can olfer you 
no better advice. If you were desirous to grow sugar or 
tobacco, or even wine, in your garden or grounds, would you 
not be pleased with a friend’s advice, who told you that you 
could not succeed? Of course you would. Well, then, add 
this to the “many benefits” you now acknowledge, and be 
thankful.] 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Ode Back Volumes and Nuaibf.es (A. Sooty, and J. It .).—You 
can have any you require by applying to Messrs. W. S. Orr and Co., 
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row. They are about 13s. per volume. 
Many will soon be out of print, and will not be reprinted, so that parties 
wishing to complete their sets should apply immediately. 
Hogg’s Boeder Tiles (J. Le Dieu). —There is so much difficulty in 
having them manufactured properly, that we believe Mr. Hogg has 
ceased from having them prepared. 
NonTUUMBEIAN Basketful Raspberey (S. IP.).—We do not 
lenow this variety. Can any of our readers state what they know about it ? 
Improving an Orchard (A. M., Derby ),—We cannot advise you 
until you let us know the nature of its soil and subsoil. Probably it 
needs draining. 
Hen with Twisting Neck (Claude). —A small blood-vessel has 
burst upon the brain, and caused partial paralysis. Keep her upon 
barley-meal, with plenty of green food, and if she becomes broody let her 
sit. By this low diet and quietude we recovered a hen similarly affected. 
Pannell’s Stovp. (Z>. Galben). —We have heard from several gar¬ 
deners who use it that it answers very well. He should advertise it 
again. This is the third enquiry we have had. 
Devonshire III. IF.).—Wc shall he glad to have notes upon the 
plants and novelties you saw, but rhapsodies on the climate are not 
useful. 
Hops (E. Hauiey). —You will see an article, by Mr. Robson, in our 
paper of to-day, which will give you every information about preparing 
the ground, and planting the Hop plant. Mr. Itobson will again allude to 
the subject; and as he is in the centre of the great Kent district, he will 
have had ample opportunities of witnessing everything connected with 
them. 
Baker’s Raspings for Fowls (A Working Man). —If much burnt j 
there is but little nourishment in them, otherwise, mixed with pollard, I 
we think they are useful. We do not believe the colour of egg-shells is 
ever changed by an alteration of the hen’s food. The Silver Hamburghs 
are not profitable anywhere. You will see what has been recently said 
by practical men on the profitable keeping of poultry. 
CALENDAR FOR MARCH. 
FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Annuals (Tender), such as the Portulaccas, Mesembryanthemums, 
Lobelias; &c., sow, b.; (Hardy), sow on dry borders, b. and e.; finish 
transplanting autumn-sown annuals, Biennials, sow, e. Climbers, 
half-hardy, as Maurandya, Lophoapermum, &c., pot and train, b., to 
have strong for next May planting. Cuttings ; push on the propagation 
of cuttings, and transplant them as fast as they root. Cuttings from 
Rose prunings, plant in the shade. Dahlias, sow, and force old roots 
for stock, b. Dress every part within the boundary as early as you can. 
Edgings of all sorts finish off as early as possible. All Evergreens 
transplanted since last August may have liquid-manure this month, and 
throughout the season after this mild winter. Flowers, pick off from 
plants you want cuttings from, b. Finish all the Planting and Spring 
Pruning of trees and shrubs, and all necessary alterations, as soon as 
the weather will permit. Grass, and white and small yellow Clover 
Seed, sow with a liberal hand over patchy grass; keep the grass in 
clean, trim order, and roll it three times this month, and oftener if you 
can. Gravel, clean, roll, and relay. Hand-glasses are the best of all 
aids to rear half-hardy, and such other annuals as come up weakly at 
first, place them on a warm, sheltered^ aspect. Hoeing: never hoe a 
border in March, for fear of killing' something which you cannot see. 
Hotbeds are only good helps to those who can well manage them for 
the flower-garden ; keep them up to 70°, and steady. Hyacinths, and 
other Bulbs, as soon as they appear, stir the beds, and lighten the soil 
round the plants ; and plant spring Gladioli at once. Perennials, 
with the exception of long fleshy-rooted ones, ought to be removed— 
divided, if necessary—and receive some fresh soil, or be planted in new 
situations, at least every third season; see to this rule, and treat one- 
third of each family, every February and March, according to it. Pro¬ 
tection is necessary for almost all young things of a tender nature this 
month. Rakes, lock them up, b.; if your man cannot dress a border 
without a rake, tell him he must learn. Roses, finish pruning, b., 
except, perhaps, a few strong ones may be left unpruned till April, to bloom 
later; but this plan is radically bad and not necessary now with our 
perpetuals. Seeds, do not sow a packet of rare seeds in one pot only, 
sow in two or three pots, to provide against accident to one. Seedlings 
in heat, transplant as soon as you can handle them. Stakes ; see if 
you have a stock on hand for your Dahlias, Hollyhocks, and all other 
plants (requiring them next summer, and see that all the old ties and 
rotten stakes are out of the rosary. Sweet Briar, sown in a single 
row, will grow and make a hedge in such poor soil as would kill other 
Roses. Turf, lay. D. Beaton. 
FRUIT-FORCING. 
Air, increase as forcing proceeds. Aphides, destroy. Cucumbers, 
in forcing-house, apply liqnid-manure, train and stop when long enough ; 
in frames, turn and remove linings weekly, stop frequently ; temp., 65° 
to 75°. Cherries, use moderation ; keep a humid air ; temp,, 50° to 60°, 
artificial heat; ventilate freely. Figs, much as Peaches; keep the root 
moist; bottom warmth benefits them. Liquid-Manure, apply to 
active growths where strength is required. Leaves of all fruits keep 
clean. Moisture (Air), supply liberally ; root moisture regularly, but 
according to need. Mildew, beware of ; see Sulphur. Peaches and 
Nectarines, keep a free atmosphere; disbud and train; temp., 55° 
night, 65° to 70° day. Pines, liberal heat and moisture to rising or 
swelling fruit; successions, rc-arrange and increase temperature. Red 
Spider, see Sulphur. Strawberries, introduce successions, water 
liberally, keep near the air and light. Melons, bottom-heat 75° to 80°, 
air-heat /0° to 80°; thin the Vine well. Sulphur, apply at least 
monthly in all structures. Temperature, allow 8° or 10° advance in 
heat during sunshine. Vermin, entrap. Vines, early train, stop, thin 
berries, tie shoulders; do not forget the sulphur. Watering, attend to 
daily. R. Errington. 
FRUIT-GARDEN. 
Apricots, protect; search for the eggs of the Ited-bar Moth, like 
parsnip seeds, and dotted. Apples, cleanse, brine and soft soap, 
succeeded by spirits of turpentine in the retreats of the American blight. 
Blossoms, retard and protect. Bush Fruit, still plant or top-dress. 
Figs, uncover, prune at end. Grafting, proceed with. Hoeing. 
practice on foul borders. Nuts, hang male catkins among the female 
blossoms. Planting of all kinds instantly bring to a close. Peaches 
and Nectarines, finish training, retard and protect; dress the walls 
with sulphur paint. Raspberries, still plant, prune, stake, and top- 
dress. Root-pruning may still be done. Suckers, destroy. Straw¬ 
berries, spring-dress; transplant. Standards, stake. Stocks, 
plant or sow seeds. Trellisses, dress and protect. Vines, plant at 
end. Walnuts may be planted still. In grafting, proceed according to 
the degree of development of the bud, taking each kind the moment the 
buds actually begin to expand. R. Errington. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Air, admit in fine weather, when the outside temperature is above 35°; 
a shut house is better than cold currents and night fires ; in foggy 
weather, however, light a fire, to clear and dry the atmosphere. Bulbs 
and Tuberous roots, introduce, and water more freely ; start the various 
kinds of Acliimenes, Gesnera, and Gloxinia, in hotbed; seeds of the 
latter, sown now, will give nice '.little flowering plants for the autumn and 
winter, if you can give them heat. Calceolarias and Cinerarias, 
water more freely; give manure-water to those flowering and showing 
their flower-stalks; shade in sunny weather; shift for succession. 
Camellias and Azaleas, water more plentifully when in bloom ; keep 
those intended for late blooming as cool and shaded as possible, so that 
frost does not injure them. Diosma, Epacris, Heaths, give abun¬ 
dance of air when growing and flowering; Prune freely when done 
