70 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Mat 3, 1859. 
one can tell for certain from smashed berries. Why did you not put them 
into a little box to protect them from the post-office punch ? If it is the 
spot, the roots are probably not growing in a warmth sufficient to keep 
them in activity equal to the demands of t)re branches, which you say are 
growing vigorously. But you give no particulars. 
Ciiurn ( A Novice). —There is none better than the American, which can 
be had of any of the iron implement manufacturers who advertise in our 
columns. . 
Silkworms’ Eggs ( Thos. Collier).— They are to had in any quantity in 
Covent Garden, where any friend in London could procure them for you. 
Conservatory Management (A. T.).— You will find much to suit your 
purpose in our “Greenhouses for the Many,” price (id., and “Window 
Gardening for the Many,” price 9rf., and a series of articles in this work. 
More will soon follow, to meet the wishes of many subscribers ; and these 
would be rendered more useful, if we knew the circumstances, size of 
house, and the chief aim of as many readers as possible. AVe would shelve 
our own prepossessions, if by so doing we could meet better the wishes of 
our readers. Fligi domo makes a fine shade for the roof, while bleached 
tiffany would be the neatest for the fruit. AVe should prefer, however, 
having it inside ; though it would not be so effectual, unless you go to the 
expense of having it securely fastened. AVe are content with dulling our 
glass with strong size put on hot with a brush. AVe presume you want 
hardy climbers. We would use the following Glycine sinensis, Jas- 
niinnm nvdijtorum, Forsythia viridissima, Cydonia Japonica, Rosa 
Ranksia, R. Safratio, R. Malmaison, R. Blairii, and Lonicera flexuosa. 
Balsam and Carnation Seed Sowing ( W. G.).— The Carnation seed¬ 
lings will not bloom until next year. This is generally the case. Plants 
sown now will be ill bloom in July, if you do not want large plants; but if 
you wish to have huge, bushy plants at that time a mass of bloom, you 
would require to be growing young plants now, ne\er letting them stop 
for pot-room until they had the last pot in the first week of June, or earlier, 
and all the flowers removed, so that they should all be left after the 
middle of June, if the plants are wanted to be at their best by the middle 
of July. There will probably be something more soon, but the treatment 
has often been given. 
Portland Cement Tank for Fish. — “ Doubtless, many of your cor¬ 
respondents possess fountains, and also the pleasing accompaniments, gold 
and silver fish. AVould they be so obliging to impart information as to 
the following mattersI have a basin made and finished inside with 
Portland cement, which is fatal to the fish. How can it be obviated 1 Is 
there any precaution as to basin and fish necessary, on the approach of 
and through the winter?”— A Reader. 
[ We shall be obliged by information in answer to this query. AA r e know 
a Portland cement tank in which gold fish live healthily; therefore, we 
think there must be something peculiar in that employed by our corre¬ 
spondent.] 
Pears (R. It. A.). —The measurement of the diameter of Uvedale’s St. 
Germain is evidently an error, and must refer to the circumference ; but 
the length is not at all unusual iu well-grown specimens. 
Rea AVater for Aquarium (A Subscriber).—It will not keep good unless 
It is constantly aerated either by the syringe or pouring it from one 
vessel to another from an elevation. 
Mrs. Lawrence (An oid Subscriber).—This great patroness of floricul¬ 
ture died in 1855. You will see a notice of the sale of her plants in our 
15th volume. 
Natal Gooseberry Cherry (A.Z). —\Ve suppose this is the “Cape 
Gooseberry” ( Physalis edulis), on which you will find a long essay in 
our No. 513. 
Green on Flower-pots [H. A. S.).— AA r e find the best preventive is to 
paint their outsides annually. Some persons paint them green, but we 
prefer dark-stone colour. 
Name of Plant (B. E.). — The name of your plant is the Summer 
Snow-flake, or the Mountain Snowdrop, Leucojtun cestirum. Found wild 
in moist meadows and marshes near rivers. It is not common. 
POULTRY AND BEE-KEEPER’S CHRONICLE. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
May lltlr and 12th. Skipton (Yorkshire). Sec., Thomas Robinson. 
May 25th and 26th. Beverley. Sec., Francis Calvert, Surgeon, &c. 
Entries close May 3rd. 
June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1859. Bath and AVest of England. At Barnstaple, 
Devon. Director, S. Pitman, Esq., Rumwell Lodge, Taunton. Entries 
close May 1st. 
June 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1859. Glasgow. Sec., Robert M'Cowan, 17, Gordon 
Street, Glasgow. 
July 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. Sheffield. AVilson Overend, Chairman. 
Entries close the 15th of June. 
October 11th, 12th, and 13th. AVorcestershire. See., Geo. Griffiths, 
7, St. Swithin Street, AVorcester. 
N.B.— Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
SELECTING CHICKENS FOR EXHIBITION. 
I put on iny Avide-awake to visit my yard, and select the future 
winners. What a comfort a wide-aAvake is, compared to the 
wretched tilings men are compelled to wear in towns ! Why 
can Ave not emancipate ourselves from uncomfortable fashions, 
and wear only that which is pleasant? Coats have altered for 
the better; and a good jacket is no longer outre, even if seen in 
Bond Street. A man need not now be “ cramped, cabined, and 
confined,” in a coat Avhich will_ allow no motion. The small 
tablecloth lie used to wind round his neck is abolished; but, 
last misery of all, the abominable bat remains. It is worth 
while to get into the country if it is only to enjoy ease in the 
covering of the head. We suppose the day will come when 
soldiers and policemen will be emancipated from the horrible 
stoek-and-tight uniform. It always amuses us to read from 
“our own correspondent” in the Crimea, or India, virtuously 
indignant remarks on the eccentric costume of English officers 
off duty. Or, a straight-laced reporter laments the decadence 
of appearances, and writes that noblemen and gentlemen are 
no longer distinguished by dress from dog-figliters and fancy- 
men. It is a mistake. Dress can neither disguise the “ rough ” 
nor conceal the “gentleman.” What a luxury for the officer 
off duty to get into loose-fitting garments ! And why do men 
following avocations that require exertion invariably wear loose 
ones? Because they are more convenient, and fatigue less. 
What would you say to a cricketer, boatman, or coalwhipper, 
who prepared for Avork by putting on a stock, a coat buttoned 
up to the chin, and concluded his equipment by squeezing a 
hat on his temples ? I speak only of out-door pursuits. There 
are times for dress, and then dress as carefully as you will. 
Well, I put on my wide-awake to visit my chickens. The 
wind “pinged" as I turned from the shrubbery, and when I 
reached my yard there was not a chicken visible. The warmth 
of the fire and the effect of the breakfast were disappearing 
from my frame ; and as the cold came, so did the ill-temper. I 
felt that I should soon be in a humour to quarrel with anything. 
Fortunately no one came in my way; and just then I thought 
of the old lady, who, one snowing and freezing Sunday, when 
her carriage-horses could not get out, issued from a warm cosy 
chapel-of-ease, wrapped in furs and velvets. The snow was 
inches deep; and the chill struck to her feet, penetrated her 
clothes, pierced her veil, and made her shiver. A lean, pale 
young woman came up to her. She was shoeless, and barely 
covered with threadbare clothing. 
“ Do pray give me something, ma’am; Iamw cold.” 
It made the old lady colder to see her. “ Dreadful! Give 
this poor creature five shillings,” said she, turning to her 
servant. 
“ Haven’t got so much,” answered the servant. 
Exercise began to warm the old lady: she did not feel the 
cold so much for herself or the beggar. “ Give her half-a- 
croAvn.” 
“ Haven’t got it, ma’am,” 
The old lady was now iu a glow. “ Give this tiresome woman 
a shilling.” 
“ Haven’t got one, ma’am.” 
Not only was our old friend warm, hut she was in sight of 
home, and could see the glare of a roaring fire : she was not 
cold at all. “ Give that beggar sixpence and send her away.” 
“ Haven’t got one, ma’am.” 
She did not have to wait at the door. Her coming had been 
watched: it flew open, and in ten minutes she was undressed 
and seated at an ample luncheon in her warm room. "When 
she had finished she went to the window: there stood the Avoman, 
looking colder and more wan than ever. The old lady frowned 
at her, and said something about worthless creatures—“ Serve 
them right.” Still there stood the beggar. She rang the bell, 
which was instantly answered. “ If that creature does not go 
away, seek a policeman and give her in charge.” 
Just as I had an angry speech ready for my man when he 
should appear I thought of this anecdote, and determined to 
meet him mildly, as it must be colder for him than for me. 
“ I want,” said I, “ to look over the early chickens, as I must 
make some entries for summer Shows.” 
My man is an excellent servant, hut he likes to grumble. 
“ Bad day to see them, sir; bad weather for them; don’t look 
well, sir—don’t grotv a bit.” 
“ IVell, never mind; let us choose the best.” 
“ Not for me to say, sir; hut don’t think it a good plan to 
keep picking the best so early iu the season. It does away with 
our chance at the great winter ShoWs ; and if any one comes, 
our best are always gone. It is very discouraging to me always 
to have my best taken away.” 
“But,” said I, “they won’t go away till June; and then, 
perhaps, they may come back again.” 
“ They never do, sir ; and my chickens win in other people's 
names afterwards.” 
I was happy to see the east wind affected others as much as 
myself. “Never mind,” said I, “ let us see what we have got. 
Where are they ? ” 
