June 30. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
251 
out-of-doors In summer ? First, in the shade, and then direct in the 
sun—that is, if healthy ; if not, they had better not go out at all. They 
should always remain in-doors in summer When fruit is an object. Where 
should Oleanders be placed out-of-doors ? After the shoots are grown 
they may have a slightly shaded position at first, and then, during the 
whole of the autumn, at least, they must be right in the sun, anil the 
roots kept from deluging rains. Will the India-rubber plant stand out- 
of-doors in summer? Yes, in July, August, and September, but in a 
warm, shady place. Will any of the Chamecrops stand out-of-doors ? 
Yes, the C. humilis has stood out in several places, with but little or no 
protection. 
Vine not Bearing (R. L., Islington).— These that make shoots 
three yards long every year, have a good border, and that well-drained, 
can hardly be barren from want of strength. Perhaps your shoots are 
too numerous, not shortened enough, and not sufficiently exposed to 
sun and air to ripen the buds. A well-ripened shoot, of nine feet in 
length, ought to produce a number of bunches next year; but, as you 
say that the shoots are from one to three yards long, we have a notion 
that there may be weakness in the Vine, and that your shoots may be 
more numerous than useful. 
Spanish Chickens (IV. B. I .).—White down around the eye would 
certainly not be a less favourable appearance for the newly-hatched 
Spanish chicken than black. It is far too early, however, at that period, 
to speculate on the future excellence of this breed. 
Rhododendrons ( Constant Reader). —The best white, best dark 
purple, and best crimson Rhododendrons, of the Catawbiense breed, to 
plant in clumps on the grass, are the following:— Catawbiense album 
elegans, 3s. 6d. to 5s. each ; candidum, another very good white, same 
price; delicatissimum and Lucifemm, also the same, are all first-rate 
white sorts of that breed. Perspicuum is another very fine white seed¬ 
ling Catawbiense, or say Album elegans, Luciferum, and Perspicuum, 
are the three best whites in this class. We marked them last year in 
Mr. John Waterer’s collection, and also the following. The best dark 
purple is Purpureum elegans, 3s. 6d., good purples heing scarce in this 
strain. The best crimson is atropurpureum, but it costs 5s., but it is 
the only really good purplish-crimson that we coukl select for a bed in 
this strain. The best scarlet Rhododendron of any class, for standing in 
exposed places, is Victoria, it is really a very fine flower, large compact 
truss. A clear scarlet shaded with purple, but the price was 5s. last year. 
Bulbs — blight in. —ill. says:—“ On taking up my Hyacinths and 
Ornithogalums, I find long fleshy tap-roots, instead of the fibrous ones, 
which I presume to be most proper to these bulbs. What is the fault, if 
it be any, and how to be remedied ? I conjecture that the first and best 
roots were destroyed by frost, and that the fleshy ones are emitted to 
supply their loss. Is it so?” No doubt of it, but there is no remedy; 
perhaps the bulbs are not much the worse, after all. 
Barren Pear Tree ( Tired of Waiting). — This tree is healthy, 
grows well, and flowers, but does not set fruit, and this is the tenth year, 
after planting, without any fruit, the owner not knowing whether it is a 
Jargonelle or Chaumontell. There can be no doubt, from the de¬ 
scription, but the tree grows too well, and that is the sole cause of the 
blossoms not setting. The best plan would be to take it up at the end 
of October, make a station under it, as we often have advised, and spread ! 
out the roots fan fashion, but not deeper than ten inches from the I 
surface ; to mulch it the following summer, and to pay particular 
attention to our oft-repeated rule for summer pruning pears, and other 
spur fruit; and the next best plan is to uncover the roots, also in October 
(but it may be done now), and to cut the strongest of them back to 
from afoot to eighteen inches from the tree. If the roots seem few and 
far between, as is likely the case, cut one-third their number right 
through ; cover up, and keep the breast-wood short for the rest of the 
season. 
Ivy not Clinging (Ibid).— Sometimes, when Ivy is propagated from 
flowering branches, it will not stick to a wall at all; the way to get over 
that is to cut it all back to near the surface of the ground, and the 
young wood will take hold and cling immediately to almost anything. 
Six Annuals ( A Subscriber). — First of all, have you well con¬ 
sidered how you are to use the six best annuals in “ very small beds, 
and on grass?” If you have not, and take our selection, you may be 
put out more next year even than this. All well-meaning straight¬ 
forward people can learn enough of gardening from books to make; a 
garden a great source of pleasure to them and their friends. You can do 
no more now till the beginning of August, then let us hear from you 
again, and we shall arrange for the annuals, and for keeping the small 
beds quite full another season. Speaking too far out of season spoils 
such instructions. 
Bald-pated Tumbler Pigeon (A. R.).— Mr. Dixon’s description of 
the bald-pate pigeon (page 1 19 ), of “ the Dovecote and Aviary,” is con¬ 
cise and accurate ; “Their name,” he there tells us, “is derived from 
having usually the head, tail, and flight feathers white, with the rest of 
the body of some uniform colour.” There are variations in colour, but 
the main point is that the head should exhibit a marked contrast to the 
body. The points required for Tumblers generally, a compact body, 
round head, and short bill, added to great distinctness in the colour of 
their feathering, are also essential for the bird in question. 
Combs Torn in Fighting (Ibid). —A Shanghae, with his comb in¬ 
jured to any great extent, from any cause whatever, would, at an Exhibi¬ 
tion, contend at great disadvantage, though not, perhaps, be absolutely 
excluded from all chance of the prize. 
Shanghae Pullet’s Tails (Ibid). —These, which at six weeks old 
had distinct tail feathers an inch-and-a-half in length, are not the birds 
that we should wish to see in our own yard. Pullets occasionally, and 
cockerels usually, have a short downy tuft where the tail eventually ap¬ 
pears, but seldom anything more at the age you mention. W. 
Gas-heating a Greenhouse (A Subscriber ).—We know of no work 
upon this subject. It would be injurious to the plants, we think, used 
in any other mode than for keeping up a moderate heat in a small green¬ 
house by means of a hot-water apparatus, as given in our columns a few 
months ago. 
Gnats (A Subscriber ).— Smoke of any kind will drive away gnats. If 
you burn brown paper in a room where they are they will settle, and 
seem to become so stupified as not to be troublesome again for some 
hours. 
Curling-up of Rose Leaves (IF. A. N .).—If there are no insects on 
the leaves, and the curling still continues, there is something wrong at 
the roots; mulch over these, and give liquid manure twice a week. 
There is no cure for the aphis, but syringing with tobacco water, or 
fumigating with tobacco smoke, or capsicum. 
Balm Wine. — J. F. would be much obliged by a recipe for making 
Balm Wine. 
Shanghae Cockerel ( F.C.Q. ).—The drooping tail and wings de¬ 
pending are symptoms, we fear, of the “consumption” (incurable) to 
which all animals from the tropics are liable here ; but we cannot speak 
positively. 
Weight and Size of Eggs. —A distinguished Staff Officer gives us 
the following weights and measures :—“ I have two black Spanish hens. 
They have for the last four months been running, with other hens, with a 
Dorking cock. The eggs from these hens are so large and fine, that, I 
think some of your readers may be interested by a description of them. 
I yesterday weighed an egg layed a few days since (the largest I have yet 
had), the weight was three ounces and 12) pennyweights, The enclosed 
papers show the circumference of the egg each way.” The circumference 
lengthways, was fi inches; and the circumference of the largest part, 
6) inches. 
Class Four at Cheltenham (E. Bateman). —It may be that the 
“blackest” Shanghaes did not obtain the first prize; but colour is a 
very secondary consideration ; form, size, and condition are much more 
important. We know that some of the best judges of poultry were 
quite satisfied with the decisions. 
Poultry and Horticultural Shows (E. F. and others ).—We 
are obliged by the Prospectuses, but it is only fair that if these shows are 
desired to be inserted in our weekly list, that they should be advertised 
at the least once in our other columns. 
Preserving Eggs (IF. E.J.). —We are informed, by good authorities, 
that eggs placed the small end downwards in a kind of rack or stand, 
bored full of holes just large enough to admit the end of the egg, will 
keep good for months, in a cool, dry, situation. 
Mr. Cattell’s Prize Shanghae Cock.— Mr. Cattell informs us 
(June lfi), that this bird then weighed thirteen pounds nine ounces, after 
travelling about 540 miles, and being confined nine days at the Chelten¬ 
ham and Plymouth Exhibitions, and never having less than five hens 
with him when at home. 
Conservatory adjoining Drawing Room (Lora). — The best 
advice we can give you is to call at Josiah Wilson’s, Esq., Stonard 
House, Stamford Hili, and ask him to let you see his Conservatory. A 
short description of it is in our 47 th number. 
Gapes (F., Malvern). — See what Mr. Tegetmeier says to-day. The 
Pip is a very different disease, affecting the tip of the tongue. The 
Funeral Cypress we do not think is yet purchaseable of Nurserymen. 
The best Strawberry (Ibid). —We take this opportunity of ob¬ 
serving that it is perfectly impossible to answer such vague questions as 
“ which is the best Strawberry,” “ the best Rose,” or “ the best 
Annual.” There are many preliminary circumstances required to be 
known before the adviser can reply to such queries. If you will tell us 
when you wish the crop to be ripe—what is the nature of your soil— 
and wdiether you like a gratefully acid, or a rich-flavoured, fruit—thei^ue 
will say which Strawberry will probably suit you. 
8 upplying a Family. — F. B. writes to us as follows:—“ I should 
recommend ‘ Clericus ’ to keep a sow of the Berkshire breed, selling the 
young pigs as soon as weaned, with the exception of two, to be killed 
when three or four months old. If ‘ Clericus’ brews at home, the grains 
are good for cows and pigs.” 
Pansey (-).—The book you mention is not a good authority. Of 
what do you propose to make your liquid manure ? Of sheep-dung, 
guano, stable drainings, or of what other fertilizer ? 
William Adams. —C. is informed that the narrative is truth in every¬ 
thing but the name. If you will confide to us your name and address, 
“ The Authoress of My Flowers” will, we have no doubt, furnish any 
particulars you need. 
CALENDAR FOR JULY. 
FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Annuals (Tender), bring out from frames ; dress; give fresh earth; 
stake and tie. Annuals, sow for autumn ; transplant generally. Auri¬ 
culas in pots, dress and water judiciously; seedlings transplant; old 
plants repot, e. Box edgings clip, b. Bud roses, jasmines, &c. Bulb¬ 
ous Roots, take up (see June); seeds sow. Carnations, attend to 
(see June); shade and shelter during hot weather; water freely, and give 
liquid-manure. Chrysanthemum suckers separate and plant; layer. 
Cuttings of most herbaceous plants will root now, and of all the scarlet 
Geraniums, if planted on a south border, b. Dahlias require support 
and pruning. Edgings, clip. Evergreens, prune; seedlings, prick 
out. Flower-beds, stir surface often ; train; stop and often regulate 
the plants, to get an uniform growth and bloom. Grass, mow and roll 
often. Gravel, weed and roll. Heartsease, plant slips, e. ; water 
freely. Hedges, clip. IIoe and rare at every opportunty. Layering 
Carnations, & c„ may be performed, b.; water freely; transplant rooted 
layers. Leaves, decayed, remove as soon as seen. Liquid-manure, 
give occasionally to flowering shrubs. Mignonette, and a few other 
quiclc-flowering annuals, may be sown, b., for autumn. Piping of Pinks, 
ike., may be still practised, b. Pelargoniums, cuttings, plant, b. Po¬ 
lyanthuses, seedlings, transplant; roots of old, part. Roses, bud, 
layer, and make cuttings of, b. Seeds, gather as they ripen. Stake 
and tie up plants wherever necessary. Transplant, b., from the re¬ 
serve garden in damp or dull weather. Water freely, not only the 
roots, but over the foliage. Lb Beaton. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Air, admit freely night and day, unless when stormy; make an ex¬ 
ception, however, in those cases where growth is still desirable. There 
shut up early, and use the syringe morning and evening. Bud and 
Graft oranges, camellias, azaleas, climbers, &c. Cinerarias, cut 
down, plant out-of-doors, or keep in pot, according as you wish to grow 
