May 26. 
THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 
151 
! 
attempt be made to remove the film by mechanical means, which would 
very greatly increase the evil.—W. B. Tegetmeier, Tottenham. 
CniTTEPRATS [Edwin). —Our remarks in another portion of this paper 
refer to your enquiries. You speak of the “Silver Pheasants” being 
called “Chitteprats.” This must have been a mistake, since the latter 
provincial name is applied to the Pencilled Hamburghs, while the so- 
called “ Pheasanted ” birds, or “Moonies,” are the “ Spangled Ham¬ 
burghs ” of the principal Exhibitions, as at Birmingham and the Metro¬ 
politan. How the Silver Poland, a tufted bird, of distinct form and 
marking, could have been so called, we are at a loss to imagine. Nothing 
is now more required than a uniform system of nomenclature for the 
poultry-yard.— W. ^ , 
Chysis bractescens ( R. F. S.). —There is no English name for this 
orchid. It was figured in the Botanical Register for 1841. 
Vinery (Margaret). —Your proposed plan is that adopted every day. 
No Vine will do better in your greenhouse than the Black Hamburgh. 
Datura ceratocuulon is a hardy annual; sow it now in pans in a green¬ 
house ; harden off the seedlings, and get them out into the borders as 
soon as you can. _ 
Polyanthus Seedling (/. Willison ).— It is good, but nothing of a 
novelty. 
Savings’ Bank ( Poor Man's Well-wisher).—We shall be glad to see 
your plan. You had better leave the Laurel hedge alone. 
Dahlias as a Bee-flower (F. M. G.). —We have seen it stated 
that Dahlias are injurious to Bees, but we are not convinced that they are. 
Royal Agricultural Society (J. D.).—We do not see that because 
the Society only takes charge of the live stock on their arrival at the 
show-yard, that this renders it more necessary to send an attendant with 
the poultry than when they are sent to any other exhibition. The Com¬ 
mittee of no Society takes charge of, or holds itself responsible for, any 
poultry, until it is delivered into their custody at the place of show. 
British Wines (An Inquirer).—We have no knowledge on the sub¬ 
ject. Any Exciseman in your neighbourhood will tell you. 
Pansies and Polyanthuses (A Two-years' Subscriber).— They 
were entirely withered. Flowers should be packed in damp moss, and 
in a box sufficiently stout not to be crushed by the Post-office stampings. 
What is a Florists’ Flower ? (Ibid)—We cannot give you a 
better answer than this from The Cottage Gurdeners Diction a i // : 
“Florists’ Flowers are those, which by their beauty, or fragrance, 
power to produce permanent varieties, and facility of cultivation, are so 
largely in demand as to render them worthy of cultivation as an article 
of commerce.” They must be capable of increase by slips or offsets; 
be capable of producing fresh varieties from seed; and be sufficiently 
admired to be grown in collections. . _ , 
Slimy Grubs (R. Bosworth).— These are the larva of a Saw-fly, 
called Selandria JEthiops. You will find a drawing and description ot 
it in our 58th number. , ,. , 
Bushel of Potatoes (Ibid).— A bushel of Potatoes should be as 
many as can be got into a circular measure with a flat bottom, and not 
heaped above the upper edge, containing 2218 cubic inches. The weight 
of Potatoes which such a measure can contain is at the most sixty-four 
^ Siiangiiae Pullets ( Subscriber near Ipswich). —These “resorting 
to their nests daily, but never laying,” show, unmistakeably, that there 
is something wrong with their egg-system. You have probably got them 
too fat. Give each a teaspoonfui of castor oil; then, on^the day following, 
a pill containing one grain of calomel, and one-twelith of a gram of 
tartar emetic. Keep them on moist and less nutritive food. ... c 
Bad Butter . — J. B., Westmorla?id, says—“The complaint of 
« Dairymaid ’ of ‘ bad-flavoured butter and milk,* I have no doubt arises 
from the cows eating Allium ursinum , or ‘ Ramson,’ here called 
‘ Ramps,’ a plant well-known, rather resembling in leaf the Lily-ot-the- 
Valley, also with a white, round flower. [This is the Wild Chive, men¬ 
tioned at page 111.] The only cure I know, is to have this weed cut up by 
the cow-keeper. This is easily done, as the plant generally grows in 
sheltered places, under coppice-wood, where the cows ought to be fenced 
^Crystal Baskets (Rustic Robin).—' To produce green crystals, mix 
sulphate of iron (green copperas) with the alum; to produce blue , mix 
with the alum blue vitriol (sulphate of copper); and to produce yellow 
crystals, try chromate of lead (yellow chrome), mixed with tne alum. 
Saunders on the Vine (Nelson)* —You can have it through 
Potato Murrian (Casual)*—We are very glad that you have known 
how to prevent this disease “for years.” You, of course, are making a 
fortune by it; and when you have become wealthy to your heart s con¬ 
tent, perhaps you will publish your panacea for the benefit of your 
ooorer neighbours. , , , . r , 
‘ Edgings for Walks (%^).-The best edgings for garden- 
walks that we know of are those called “Hogg’s Edging Tiles. They 
aie all that you desire, being “ cheap, useful, and durable, and, we niay 
ad 1, ornamental also. They can be laid down at less price than the old- 
fas ioned Box edging. Any particulars you may require can be had by 
applying to Mr. Hogg, 13, Gilston Road, Brompton, London. 
any 
CALENDAR FOR JUNE. 
ORCHID HOUSE. 
Aeridks, Saccolabiums, Vandas, and other allied Indian plants, 
will now be growing freely, and will require abundance of water both at 
the roots and over the tops. Any on blocks that are growing freely 
should have some moss tied round the block to retain moisture a longeT 
time. Air should now be liberally given almost every day, unless cold, 
wet days should intervene. The air openings should be so constructed as 
not to allow a rush of cold wind over the tops of the plants. Baskets : 
the plants in them will be making their new growths, and will require to 
be dipped in t pid water at least once a week, or even oftener in very hot 
weather. Blcckb : syringe twice a day, in the morning by seven o’clock, 
and in the a ternoon about four. Catesetums, Cyrtofodiums, 
Cycnoches, an l their like, give plenty of water at the root, taking care 
that none lodges amongst the young leaves for any length of time. 
Dendrobiums: many of this fine family will, towards the end of the 
month, have finished their growth. They should then be placed in a 
cooler house, and less water given to them. Heat : the natural heat of 
the atmosphere out-of-doors renders less fire necessary. During the day, 
unless in cold, wet weather, none will be needed, a little every night will 
yet be useful, especially in the Indian-house. Insects will breed rapidly 
during this warm season; every means must be resorted to, to keep them | 
under. Moisture: the air of the house should be kept full of moisture ' 
during this month. Many of the roots will be dangling in the air, 
sucking up, as it were, the moisture in it. Moss on the outside of the 
pots, and on the leaves, will accumulate greatly with the heat and the 
moisture, the pots must be washed, aud the leaves sponged frequently, : 
to open the breathing-pores of the latter. Offsets on the stems of Den- 
drobiums should be all taken off, to encourage growth from the bottom ; 
they may be made plants of if required. Plants in flower will last 
much longer if removed into a cooler house. Syringe : this instrument 
will, during the month, be in constant requisition. In using it, let the 
water from it fall gently upon the plants, imitating a gentle shower of 
rain. Shade must be applied duringbright burning sunshine. Water, 
apply liberally to all growing plants, but be sure and use soft or rain 
water. A slate tank is the best thing to contain it; iron vessels should 
by all means be avoided. Weeds, destroy constantly; but such plants as 
ferns, heaths, except creeping species, that come up amongst the rough 
peat, may be allowed to grow, they will shade the roots and serve as in¬ 
dicator, when they flag, to show that the compost is dry and requires 
water. - T. Appleby. 
PLANT STOVE. 
Achimenes : those early potted will now be in flower; supply them 
freely with water; repot the last batch to flower late. A.picta put thickly 
into wide shallow pans, and grow on to flower at Christmas. Amaryllis, 
going out of bloom, and their bulbs ripening, place in a cold frame, and 
give no water to induce them to rest. Air, give liberally all day, and in 
hot, close nights leave a little on. Apiielandra aurantiaca, grow on 
in a hot pit to bloom in winter. Baskets, where used, keep moist by 
dipping and syringing frequently. Bark-beds, renew, if the heat 
declines. Cuttings, put in if required; pot off such as have struck 
root. Climbers, on the rafters, train, and keep within bounds. In pots, 
train round the trellisses ; attend to them constantly, or they will soon get 
out of order. Francisceas done flowering, place in a cold frame to rest. 
Gardenia, treat in a similar way. Gesneras, repot young plants, put 
in cuttings of. Gloxinias, the same; every leaf will make plants if 
put in as cuttings. Heat, keep under, no fire heat is required now. 
Insects of all kinds, destroy diligently, especially the red spider and 
mealy bug. Ixoras, the large specimens will now be in flower; keep 
them moist at the root, but refrain from syringing over the bloom; 
young plants repot, and tie out young specimens. Moisture in the 
air, keep up by flooding the walks daily. Plants in flower, keep 
cool, and shade them, this will prolong the bloom. Potting, do when¬ 
ever it is necessary. Seeds of many stove plants may yet be sown; 
transplant seedlings when just out of the seed-leaf. Syringe, use daily. 
Water, apply liberally, but not so as to sodden the soil. Top-dress 
the whole stock of plants during the month, it refreshes and gives them a 
neat, clean appearance; wash the pots if mossy. W beds, constantly 
eradicate. Worms in pots, destroy with lime water. 
- T. Appleby. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas and Polyanthuses, place on ashes behind a north wall, 
in the shade; keep clear of weeds, and constantly supplied with water. 
Seedlings prick out in sliallowpans or boxes. Carnations and Picotees, 
place on the stage ; put stakes to, and water freely. Chrysanthemums, 
pot; plant out some old plants to layer and form dwarf plants. Dahlias, 
finish planting; put stakes to early ; put in cuttings of new or scarce 
kinds. Fuchsias, pot off cuttings ; train specimens, and water occa¬ 
sionally with liquid-manure. Sow seed of Hollyhock ; put stakes to; 
prick out seedlings. Hyacinths out of bloom, take up and store. 
Insects, destroy. Pansies, water freely in dry weather ; put in cuttings 
of ; sow seed, and transplant; layer long, straggling shoots ; shade from 
hot sun. Pinks, tie to sticks ; place Indian-rubber rings round the buds 
when more than half-grown; transplant seedlings; put in pipings. 
Ranunculuses, keep very moist; place shades over them as the blooms 
expand. Roses, look to the buds, and destroy by crushing the worm in 
the bud. Put such as are in pots, and have done blooming, in a cold pit, 
or in the open air in a shady place. Tulips, cut off all seed-vessels, and 
take up the bulbs as soon as the leaves decay. Verbenas, in the border, 
shade from sun; peg down the long branches in pots; tie out, keep 
moist, and shade, Water, give to all in pots freely. T. Appleby. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Anemones, take up as leaves wither; dry and store. Annuals (Hardy 
and some Tender), plant out to remain, in showery weather best; sow fol¬ 
iate crops ; some (hardy) may be sown, b. Auriculas, continue 
shading; plant offsets; prick out seedlings. Baskets or clumps, form 
of greenhouse plants. Beds, attend diligently to recent planted ; water 
and stir them in dry weather, Biennials and Perennials, sow, if 
omitted, b. Box edgings clip. Bulbous Roots (Tulips, Jonquils, 
&c.), not florists’ flowers, remove offsets from ; dry and store ; may trans¬ 
plant some, or keep until autumn; autumn-flowering, as Colchicums, 
&c., take up as leaves decay, separate offsets, and replant, or not until 
end’of July. Carnations in bloom, attend; aid the bud-pod to split 
with a pair of narrow sharp-pointed scissors; bandage buds, to prevent 
bursting, with Indian-rubber rings, or tape; water every second day; 
tie to supporters, &c.; prick out seedlings; make layers. Chrysan¬ 
themums, plant out to layer next month. Cyclamens, transplant. 
Dahlias, finish planting out, b. Dress the borders assiduously; 
neatness now stamps a gardener’s character. Fibrous-rooted Peren¬ 
nials, propagate by cuttings; shade and water. Flowering Plants 
generally require training and support. Grass, mow', roll, and trim 
edges. Gravel, weed, sweep, and roll. Hedges, clip, e. Leaves 
and stems decaying, remove as they appear. Liquid Manure, apply 
occasionally to all choice flowers. Mignonette, sow for late bloom, b. 
Mimuluses, plant out. Pceonies (Chinese), water freely with liquid 
