444 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March C. 
spection. This would be the more impracticable, from the 
1 fact that the arrangements in many instances are very in¬ 
complete, in consequence, chiefly, of a large number of the 
exhibits having been sent in at a late hour. The extensive 
! collection of native woods forms undoubtedly one of the 
| most important and interesting features in the Exhibition. 
Whether they be regarded in reference to their adaptability 
to ornamental, mechanical, or common building purposes, 
the value of these woods must he very great, though it 
would he impossible, with the knowledge we have at present, 
to estimate the extent of their value. A most striking 
illustration of their great beauty and utility in ornamental 
cabinet work is afforded in the form of a table, made by a 
Mr. Wilkens, a German. The surface is inlaid with sixty- 
four varieties of woods indigenous to the colony, all of which 
are of the choicest and most fanciful description. Among 
the cereals are some fine samples of wheat, Indian corn, 
etc., which are deserving of particular attention, besides 
numerous other vegetable products of a curious and in- ; 
teresting character, which we have already noticed from time 
to time in these colonies. 
“In the arts and manufactures the contributions are more | 
limited than we could desire, which is owing, no doubt, to 
our youthfulness as a colony. There are, however, many 
matters which will attract attention, among which we may 
instance several splendid specimens of bookbinding, two 
substantial and exquisitely constructed dog carts, some fine 
samples of loaf sugar, preserved meats, dyed wools and 
cottons, biscuits, and fancy bread, pottery, Ac. Ono of the 
most appropriate and interesting examples of the valuable 
nature of our iron ore is exhibited in a case of manufac¬ 
tured specimens presented by the Eitz Roy Iron Company. 
The case consists of an axletree, battleaxe, two anchors, 
one in the rough and one polished, a gun-lever, and other 
small implements ; together with a pair of highly-finished 
ivory-handled razors. The whole of these specimens were 
manufactured from iron, the result of the second process 
only to which the original ore had been subjected, and are 
both very beautiful and very interesting. There are also 
two contributions of tweed cloth, which for fineness and 
strength of texture are well worthy consideration, with the 
numerous other articles by which they are surrounded ; not 
forgetting a series of admirable dagguerreotype views of 
Sydney. 
“ In the department of the mineral products, the collections 
are both numerous and valuable, comprising as they do 
great varieties of fossils, together with a splendid and 
choice display of gold specimens, from all the diggings in I 
the colony, accompanied by samples of the washing stuff, 
and the under and over-lying strata, together with diagrams 
and sketches, showing the nature of the sinking, and the 
elevation and character of the country where the gold is 
obtained. There are also some colossal specimens of 
copper and iron ore, one of the latter weighing about 
half-a-ton. 
“A portion of a very beautiful model of the gold fields has 
since been forwarded. When complete, it will afford a very 
perfect and graphic view of our principal gold fields.”— 
(Sydney Morning Herald.) 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
* t * We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of 
The Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and 
expense. All communications should be addressed “ To the Editor of 
The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London.” 
Greenhouse Ventilator (Amateur). —The best place for it is in 
the highest part of the roof. We consider it of very small utility to 
have the front or side-lights to open. The door is always available to 
admit fresh air ; and a ventilator is needed to let out that which is either 
over-heated or foul, and that always rises to the top. 
Potatoes on Woodiand Soil (A Subscriber). — Your newly- 
grubbed and drained woodland cannot need manure of any kind. 
Ferns (.4 Subscriber). —You will see that Mr. Appleby continues his 
description of and culture of Ferns. The pretty Ferns you have seen at 
Kew are probably new or unnamed yet. The descriptions, names, and 
culture of Lycopodiums have been already given in The Cottage 
Gakdrner, volume 8th, page 292, and 521, and volume 10th, page 42. 
The Hymenophyllum Tunbridgenses and Wilsonii, description and cul¬ 
ture, will appear shortly. 
Moss Rose (C. W. L .),— It is so colled because of the mossy ap¬ 
pearance of its calyx, and other parts. There is as much truth as poetry 
in the German lay thus translated— 
“ The Angel of the flowers, one day, 
Beneath a rose-tree sleeping lay, 
That spirit—to whose charge is given, 
To bathe young buds in dews from heaven : 
Awaking from his light repose, 
The Angel whisper’d to the Rose : 
‘ O fondest object of my care, 
Still fairest found where all are fair, 
For the sweet shade thou’st giv’n to me, 
Ask what thou wilt, ’tis granted thee.’ 
‘ Then,* said the Rose, with deepen’d glow, 
‘ On me another grace bestow.’ 
The Spirit paus’d in silent thought, 
What grace was there that flower had not ? 
’Twas but a moment—o’er the Rose 
A veil of moss the Spirit throws, 
And rob’d in nature’s simplest weed, 
Could there a flower that Rose exceed? ” 
Feeding Siiangiiae Fowls. — J. iff. will be much obliged by our 
correspondent K. stating how these fowls are kept by him for twopence 
per week each. 
Siiangiiae Hen Eating her Eggs ( A Young Poultry-keeper ).— 
Von had better put the eggs under another hen. When a hen-once 
takes to eating her eggs wc never knew her to be cured of the bad 
habit. 
Downie’s Bee-iiives.— - As some of our correspondents have inquired 
where the Downie bee-hives may be obtained, we have made inquiries, 
and are told by Mr. Westwood that the inventor, Robert Downie, is an 
ingenious and industrious mechanic, whose residence is Union Lane’ 
Barnet. That lie is very neat in his work, and is one of the best hands 
at making insect boxes, cases, and other entomological traps. 
Binding oue Volumes (J. C -»).— Our first volume contains 
No. 1 to 26 inclusive; vol. ii., 27—52, with a Supplement, and every 
succeeding volume contains twenty-six numbers. The Index in each to 
follow the title-page and preface. 
Bog Soil (J. S. L.) —Your “black unctuous bog so l” will not do for 
potting purposes. You must try the recipe for artificial heath-soil, given 
in one of our recent numbers. 
Deeby Black-beeasted Red Game Fowls (An Amateur). —Write 
to Capt. W. W. Hornby, R.N., Knowsley Cottage, Prescot, Lancashire. 
Dioscoeea Battatas (G. Spencer ).— We have given all the informa¬ 
tion and references we possess. 
Oecuids (A Dublin Subscriber). —The white circles on the leaf of your 
Dendrobium agregatum is, no doubt, owing to some specks on the glass. 
The leaf has been damp, aud the rays of the sun being concentrated 
through the specks has scorched the leaf, and caused the black and 
white rings. A drop of water remaining on the leaf, and the sun shining 
upon it, before the drop evaporated, would have the same effect. Remove 
it, and see the effect. The leaf of the Aspidium nidus has had the 
thrip upon it, which has caused the spots. Your Drynaria quercifoliu, 
you say, has lost its fronds, but is now making new ones. Before 
dividing it, place a little soil upon the rhizoma, and allow it to make 
fresh roots, then you may divide it safely. After it is divided, place 
it in a shady place, and frequently sprinkle it with tepid water, 
till the fronds advance considerably, and are able to bear the full 
light. 
London: Printed by Hugh Bakclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Someeville Oee, of Church Hill, Walthamstow, in the County of 
Essex, at the Office, No. 2 , Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ 
Church, City of London.—March 6, 1855. 
