THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
3G:2 
room till you see the fruit all set. We eould not have made a better hit 
, with the cuttings in the time. 
l Various Queries (H. G. B.).—Agapanthus umhellatus is propagated 
by suckers, offsets, or dividing the plant. It is best done either after the 
plant has flowered, or early in spring before fresh growth commences. 
Early in autumn is best, as then the detached pieces will sooner flower. 
Potting Plants .—You are right in removing the outside soil as far as 
practicable; and for many things we should agree with you in putting 
the ball into a pail of water, and gently agitating it until all the soil was 
gone, though for most things it is unnecessary when you can give larger 
pots, and for some things it would be impracticable. In placing plants 
from a large pot into a small one, such as in the case of plants cut down 
that you wish to grow on again, the method is capital; but we by no means 
agree in your proposal to soak the pot after potting afresh in a tank of 
water, unless in the case of strong-growing large-leaved plants. In most 
cases the roots already will be so charged with moisture, that little more 
will be required for a short time, and that had better be given by 
syringings, to prevent evaporation, than as soakings to the soil. Many 
previous articles will show the rationale for this. Passiflora ecerulea .— 
Your covering the roots with any dry non-conducting substance will be 
advisable ; a little of your oilcloth wrapped round the stem will also be 
serviceable, especially if you mean to keep it out-of-doors much north of 
London in winter. The little trouble will be well rewarded. Guernsey 
Lilies .—We have not tried these in glasses with water like hyacinths. 
Have any of our correspondents ? Nymphoea alba .—We would plant 
these not on the bank, but in the pond, a few feet from the side ; if deep, 
put them in a basket of rich loamy earth, so that the surface is covered 
about a foot. As the plants get strong, they will reward you with 
swimming leaves, and flowers not greatly inferior to the Victoria regia. 
The bulbs of Lilies done flowering, and the stems and leaves withered, 
may either be kept in sand, or allowed to remain in the pots, provided 
they are dry, and free from frost, if tender kinds. They must be potted, or 
planted, before the roots have grown anything to speak about. 
Bedding Geraniums (J. Betsworth ).—Of the greenhouse Geraniums 
we have only yet found two that will flower continuously through the 
whole season —Priory Queen and Queen of Roses. Try these two to 
begin with; and if you have sufficient leisure and inclination to breed 
cross seedlings between them, we shall have to repeat your own question 
back again some day, as assuredly you will be in possession of the “ best 
bedding greenhouse Geraniums.” As to soil and pots for potting the 
bedders in, whatever comes nearest to hand will do very well, only have 
the pots well drained, and not too big. 
Geranium Leaves (31. F .).—The leaves sent belong to the Scarlet 
section of bedding Geraniums, and such are as difficult to distinguish 
from each other as so many swans. It is in their flowers and habit of 
growth that they differ so much. We cannot say from a leaf which is 
the best, and no one can. As soon as you see the roots from the cuttings 
begin to coil round the pot, is the right time to separate them; and at 
this late season 3-inch pots will be large enough for them separately. 
Protecting Cupheas (W.R.J.). —They are cutflown, and the roots 
are kept drier by having the layer of brushwood between the soil and the 
thatch. For bulbs and all plants that must be cut down to the surface 
this is a superior plan to the usual way of covering. 
Scarifier (G. W. C., Corstorphine). —Our correspondent says, “The 
most valuable implement which I have for pulverising the soil, &c., is a 
three-toed “ clat,” or hoe, in shape like a potato fork, with the neck 
bent back, and fastened to a long handle. I have show’n it to several 
gardeners and farmers, and one has had his field-potatoes cleaned with 
it, and he informs me that they never looked better.” This scarifying 
prong is not new, and may be compared to a Vernon hoe with three 
prongs. 
Geranium Cuttings (Robinson). —Compliance, we regret, is quite 
impossible. 
Kohl Rabi (J. Crnwson). —You must not touch the leaves until the 
bulb is the size of a large turnip ; you may then, about November, pull 
up the whole, give the leaves to your stock, and store the bulbs as you 
would Swedish turnips. 
Soot (Wm. B .).—This is a good manure for almost every kitchen- 
garden crop, and fruit-tree, provided the soil is not very light, which 
yours seems to^be. We have no doubt that it would be beneficial to 
currant-trees, ds well as to gooseberry, though not more so than to 
others. Try it to one or two, and the experiment will be the best teacher. 
Thanks for the returns. 
Flowers for a Grave (T.).—You say you have been asked “ what 
would be the most appropriate flowers, or plants, or shrubs, for a father’s 
grave, nearly 70 years of age?” A strange question; and-Suggesting,, 
that that grief is not very deep which holds consultations about appro¬ 
priate demonstrations. He who w’rites sonnets, or cultivates flowers 
over the dead,d>e «®s^ed subjects himself to the suspicion of Phariseeism 
in his grief—he desire? that it may be seen how he grieves. We approve 
of ccmetries, but we detest Pere-La-Chaisism. 
Tying-up Lettuces (A Lover of Roses). —This need not be done 
until the Lettuces are nearly full grown. If you cultivate the Paris 
White Cos, as we recently suggested, the plants would not require tying; 
they heart like Cabbages. Do not cut off the strong shoots of Roses, 
merely stop them. What we said last week about Himalayah Pumpkins, 
applies to all kinds. 
Helianthus (S. L.). —The Sunflower and the Jerusalem Artichoke 
belong to this genus, so how can we reply to such a question as, “ What 
kind of plant is the Helianthus? ” 
Dahlia List (A. B, €.). —We think that which we published last 
week supplies what you require ; for it includes none but “ the best.” 
Coral Plant (R. L., Cheshire). —This is the Erythrina crus-galli, 
[September 4. | 
and is considered a stove plant; but The Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary 
states correctly that “ E. crus-galli and laurifolia do out of doors, in 
sheltered places, if cut down, and the roots slightly protected, as for 
Fuchsias in winter.” If you have any seed, sow it in the spring, in a 
gentle bottom heat, under a bell-glass, in a mixture of peat and sandy 
loam. There are several species of Acacia, with white flowers. If you 
can send us a cutting of the Fuchsia, we should like to try it. 
Budding’s Mowing Machine (Mostyn). —You may very safely pur¬ 
chase this for use upon your extensive lawns and grass plots ; especially 
as you are short of hands. 
Water for Plants (A Lady Subscriber). —You may use, with perfect 
safety, the rain-water in the stove reservoir, although dirtied by ducks. 
They improve its fertilizing quality. 
Mead (31. D .).—You will find Mr. Payne’s recipe for making this at 
p. 338 of our fourth volume (No. 100). 
Dorking or Spanish Fowls (2 '.). —Our correspondent requires six 
hens and a cock, of this year’s spring broods, of either of the above- 
named kinds. 
Gooseberry Pruning (A Constant Reader). —We always shorten the 
annual shoots of our gooseberry bushes about one-third, and can answer 
for its not injuring their fruitfulness. The Jephson Fuchsia does not 
require different treatment than other Fuchsias. When a plant sheds its 
buds it is a certain sign that the action of the roots and of the branches 
are not in harmony. Thanks for the return. 
Carnations (A Cottage Gardener). —The two blooms you have sent 
are rich in colour, but only fit for the borders. Every seed from the 
same pod produces a plant differing in its flowers from those of all 
the others. 
Orchard Planting (T. 31. If.).—We have no better list of hardy 
fruits than that given so fully by Mr. Errington at p. 317 of our fifth 
volume. Plant in November, on stations raised above the level of the , 
ground, and keep mulch over the roots in spring and summer. You 
must not expect healthy trees if you grow potatoes or other crops among 
them. 
Bees ( Elise). —Remove your small hive at once ; and feed your bees 
in the autumn, if the hive does not weigh 18 or 20 lbs. Your Convolvolus 
major and Canary Plant, raised in a frame, and which have not thriven 
since they were planted out, were not hardened off; that is, gradually 
prepared by freer admission of air for their great change to the open 
ground. 
Fairy Rings (K. 0. T .).—We have known these entirely removed 
from a lawn by sowing over them salt thickly. It apparently kills the 
grass for awhile, but this gradually revives. The Spangled Hamburghs 
and Spangled Polish Fowls are quite distinct varieties, and you will find 
them particularly described in Richardson’s shilling volume, The Domestic 
Fowl. We shall be glad of the results of your experience in poultry 
keeping, for facts are always valuable. 
Fuchsias (J. S.)—“ Pearl of England,” raised, you say, by a labourer, 
is a good contrasted-coloured flower, the sepals creamy, and the petals 
scarlet; but both that and the other two were too much withered to 
judge of form. Why will not our inquirers pack their flowers in damp 
moss ? 
Names of Plants (E. F. H.).~ By some accident the plant from 
Sea-view was lost, although it had evidently been in the letter. Send us 
another specimen. (T. 0. P.) —Yours is Centuurea cyanus, a common 
weed in corn fields, or gravelly soils, throughout Europe, but cultivated 
as a garden annual. (Sally.) — Calliopsis tinctoria, a half-hardy annual. 
(F.W.) —The dull purple velvety rings on the under side of the oak-leaves, 
near Hastings, are a parasitical fungus, Erineum griseum. (Clericus 
Derbiensis.) —Your flower is, we believe, Dictamnus fraxinella, com- i 
monly called Fraxinella. Dust with quick-lime the Caterpillars on your 
gooseberry and currant trees ; put the lime into a coarse linen bag, and 
apply it early in the morning, while the dew is upon the plants and 
caterpillars. 
Large Caterpillar (J. Kirkite).— This, as well as we can make out 
from your description, is the caterpillar of one of the Elephant Hawk 
Moths. It probably wishes to make its cocoon, and enter into the 
chrysallis state, to enable it do which keep it supplied with Lady’s Bed 
Straw (Galium verum). 
Profit from One-eighth of an Acre (Wm. Thoms). —You are 
much too fast in your condemnation. It is not said at p. 297 , that £\7 
can be cleared from such a plot anywhere; but we can tell you, that more 
than that sum has been cleared from a similar plot in the neighbourhood of 
a large town, and “ An Anxious Enquirer ” was so situated. By the aid 
of a liojiied or two, and a small greenhouse, to supply the market with a 
few esmy things,'and to raise window plants; by the aid of pigs and 
poultry, by winch, as you say, “ a little may be got,” and his bees, which 
one year nearly paid his rent, the party to which we allude made annually 
more than seventeen pounds from his garden. 
Advertisements (T. 31. W.). —We wish we could give four extra 
pages, and so devote all our present space to gardening matters ; but we 
cannot afford this ; however, we are endeavouring to make arrange¬ 
ments for avoiding advertisements on our last page. 
London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, 
in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Somerville Ore, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of 
. ■ • , . . . . 
Christ Church, City of London.—September 4th, 1351. 
