May 26. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
137 
them appear to authorize the opinion that a permanent established, and has just communicated to the Horticul- 
union of the two species has ever yet been effected. j tural Society that the leaves of the common Holly, when 
But Holmfirth is situated in a district where these 
terms, and the various synonyms of the pencilled 
Hamburghs that we had before alluded to, are in 
common acceptation; and, probably, they are the words 
that would be best understood by those who are likely ! 
to exhibit on that-occasion: our remarks, therefore, 
must not be construed into anything like condemnation 
of their prize-list, which is both liberal and well- 
arranged, but simply as expressive of our regret, that, \ 
in the present advanced, and, as we hope, still advancing, 
state of poultry matters, some general system of nomen¬ 
clature has not been yet arrived at. 
The classes for dead poultry are, decidedly, a step in 
the right direction, and will be valuable, as impressing 
on the public mind the importance attached by such 
societies to the requisite qualities of table poultry. 
The cottagers, too, have classes for those birds which j 
are most likely to be found in their possession, and 
which are most useful for general purposes; though 
Geese, we think, should here have found admission; | 
since, wherever a village green or common is at hand, 
they are kept by the labourer to great advantage, and 
at little cost. 
The Holmfirth committee have evidently resolved to 
have a highly popular exhibition ; and when we consider 
that every branch of rural economy is, then and there, 
to be represented—cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, no 
less than butter, eggs, cheese, and oat-cake, and that, 
moreover, the attractions of the flower and kitchen 
gardens are also to be brought together, their manifold 
labours at once elicit our most earnest wishes for their 
entire success. W. 
We hear that the Grapes in the Cow-Vinery erected by 
T. H. Lawford, Esq., at Tirydail, Llandillo, South 
Wales, ripened very well last year. At this season the 
cows are turned out to grass, but there is an equally 
good promise of a crop this year, the wood having 
ripened well. 
A very great improvement has been made in Gidneys 
Prussian Hoe. It has always been the best implement 
we know for cutting down weeds, and loosening the 
surface of light soils. The only defect was, that when 
ruing it among plants there was a difficulty in getting 
at any weed that grew close to a plant on the side 
facing the left hand of the workman. This defect is 
now entirely removed by adding a spud edge to the 
back of the blade of the hoe. In this form it may be 
described as the Double-edged Prussian Hoe. 
We have often thought that the leaves of some of our 
native plants, or of some plants hardy in our climate, 
might be manufactured so as to resemble Tea in flavour 
and quality. Mr. A. Forsyth has tried experiments to 
ascertain whether such a manufacture could not be 
properly dried, are equal to ordinary Tea. He appears 
to have been led to this experiment by the fact that the | 
celebrated Mate, or Paraguay Tea, is made from the 
leaves of a Holly ( Ilex Paraguensis). More than 
5,000,000 pounds of this tea are made in Paraguay I 
annually, and are consumed in the Brazils, Chili, and 
the neighbouring country. 
COYENT GARDEN. 
In consequence of the improved state of the weather, 
garden produce has considerably increased during tire | 
past w^eek; but while the cultivators of culinary articles 
are looking forward to the gradual, and, no doubt, com- i 
plete, attainment of their expectations, the season is I 
such as already to excite the fears of the fruit growers j 
and orchardists. The powerful influence of the sun j 
during day, and the cold, chilling, and blighting east 
winds during night, have already made considerable 
havoc among many sorts of fruits. Unprotected wall 
fruits, such as Peaches, Nectarines,^ s, Pears, and 
Plums, have suffered greatly, and so also have the 
standard Pears and Plums in many districts. The 
Cherries, particularly the early-flowering varieties, have 
also received a pinch, but those which are less early 
may be said to be comparatively safe as yet. As regards 
Plums, we know several instances where there will be 
a complete failure. Forced Strawberries are now rather 
plentiful at market, and may be had at from 6d. to Is. 
per ounce. Hothouse Grapes are also more plentiful, 
and, in consquence, more reasonable in price. Excel¬ 
lent Hambro’s may be had from 7s. 6d. to 12s. per 
pound. Rhubarb may be said to be no longer a luxury, 
whole waggon-loads being poured in on every market- 
day, and realising from 6d. to 9d. per bundle. Sea-hale 
is also plentiful, at 2s. 6d. per basket. New Potatoes 
make from Is. to 2s. per pound. We have observed 
some very line forced Peaches during this week, which 
sold for 24s. per dozen. Radishes are very plentiful, at 
Is. per dozen bunches. Asparagus, 2s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. 
per bundle. Cucumbers, of good quality, (id. to Is. each. 
Cabbages, Is. to 2s. per dozen, according to the quality. 
Brocoli, 2s. to 3s. per dozen. French Beans, Is. to 2s. 
per 100. 
Flowers are very abundant, and cons ’ Geraniums, 
Kalmia latifolia, forced in pots, atm one mass of bloom; 
Ixoras of various kinds, Gardenias, Heaths, Cinerarias, 
Tulips, Azaleas, Camellias, Epacris, Roses, and Mig¬ 
nonette. —H. 
THE CAMELLIA. 
Of all the choice plants, or families of plants, of which 
Britain now can boast, none is more generally useful 
than our jtresent subject, nor, I may add, is any one 
more popular. Its aptitude for the bouquet, the epergne, 
our corridors, balconies, drawing-rooms, and, indeed, 
for every spot where a flower is appropriate, to say 
nothing of the white Camellia at the marriage festival, 
and the crimson one wreathed among dark tresses in 
