THE COTTAGE Ct-ARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, June 28, 1859. 
187 
I tops are an inch out of the ground, in February ; then to take it up and pot ■ 
it for Blooming, and when it gets too big, to have it divided, just like old \ 
, Dahlia roots, at the time of planting out, say early in May. We saw Mr. 
Eyles’ men cutting them down this very season at the Crystal Palace by 
; the hundreds, dividing them ami planting them out on raised beds, in long 
straight rows two feet apart. The Dcutzia gracilis must be planted out 
with a ball, and lifted as soon as the flower-buds are the size of a small pin¬ 
head, for the frost catches them. 
Chicory Culture (Amateur). —- We extract the following from the 
Cottage Hardeners' Dictionary. —“ Soil and Situation : Like Endive, for 
the main crops it requires a rich, light soil, and for the earlier sowings a 
moister one, in everyi nstance having an open situation allotted to it. Sow¬ 
ings must be annually; for, although it is a perennial, yet, after being cut i 
from two or three times, the leaves become bitter and worthless. Sow from 
the beginning of March, and at intervals, to the end of June, or early in 
July. Sow moderately thick, in the same manner as Endive, the directions 
for cultivating which are equally applicable in every other particular. Cut- ■ 
tivat.ion : When the plants begin to cover the ground, thin to nine inches 
apart; and those removed plant out at similar distances. If the leaves j 
grow very luxuriant, and shade the roots much, they must be cut off 
within an inch of the ground. Those grown from sowings antecedent to ; 
June, when of nearly full growth (which they arrive at in about four 
months from the insertion of the seed), must have all their leaves trimmed 
away, so as not to injure their hearts, and then covered over thick with 
sand, ashes, or long litter. By this treatment, those fresh leaves which 
are produced are blanched and crisp, losing their bitterness. Those from 
the sowings of June and July must, at the end of September, or early in 
October, be raised, and planted very close, by the dibble, in pots or boxes, 
having their leaves trimmed as before directed, and their roots shortened, 
previous to planting. Water must be given moderately in dry weather, 
until they are established ; and shelter, if frosts occur, bv a light covering 
of litter." When well rooted, they may be removed into the cellar, or 
other place, where the light cuu be completely excluded from them, to 
blanch lor use as wanted, which change will be effected in six or seven 
days. Chicory will bear a temperature of 60°, but thrives better in a 
rather lower one. If the roots arc vigorous, they will bear cutting two or 
three times, after which they are unproductive. To obtain Seed, a few 
plants must be left in the open ground of the June sowing. They bear the 
severity of winter without protection, and shoot up in the spring, running 
to seed about May.” 
Diseased Grapes (A Constant Reader of the Cottage. Gardener). —Use I 
f flowers of sulphur immediately. It is an attack of mildew, and not 
*■ canker,” as you call it. 
Insects (Tipton).—The red insect is Pentatoma festiva., a rare species of 
Held hug ; and the globose dark-coloured one is Clonus scrophularia, 
which ordinarily lives on the Water Betony. 
Lawn Mowers (Sylvanus). —At the competition at Chiswick Gardens, 
Green’s Mower was adjudged the best, and that of Shanks’ the next best. 
Since then we understand great improvements have been made, both in 
Shanks’ and Samuelson’s; but as we have had no opportunity of seeing 
them in competition since, we are unable to say what the present relative 
merits of the different Machines are. 
Fungus on Earth in Flower Pots (L. R L .).—Surface the soil with 
sand. You will find the best dark-coloured Roses for pots named in our 
report of the Rose Show in a previous page. 
Various (Herts). —We know of no separate work on dragon flies, nor 
can we recognise your species from description. Camwood is the produce 
of a tree called Baphia nitida, a native of the west coast of Africa. It is 
used as a red dye. We are not aware that there is any ground for the 
popular opinion that no one is ever struck with lightning under a Beech 
tree. The same is said of the Indian Banyan tree, and may be the result 
of long observation traditionally preserved. 
Names of Plants (Mrs. S. C. Williams). —The plant sent is the great 
yellow Moly, or great yellow Garlic, Allium Moly. It forms a very pretty 
bunch in the borders but, as it dies down shortly after it has flowered, 
and in order to prevent its being disturbed, it should always be kept 
labelled. It will then flourish and increase for many years in the same 
spot. We have a bunch which has never been moved for about twelve 
years. 
POULTRY AND BEE-KEEPER’S CHRONICLE. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
June 29th and 30th. Nf.wcastt.f.-on-Tyne. Sec., Mr. W. R. Pope, 44, 
Westgate Street. 
July 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. Sheffield. Sec., Wm. H. Dawson, Sheffield. 
Entries close the I5th of June. 
July 21st. Prescot. Sec., Mr. James Beesley, Prescol. 
August 27th. Halifax. Sec., William Irvine, Holmfield, Ovendcn, near 
Halifax. 
August 29th, 30th, 31st, and September 1st. Crystal Palace. Poultry, 
Pigeons, and Rabbits. See., William Houghton. 
September 22nd. Bridgnorth. Sec., Richard Taylor, Bridgnorth. 
October 11th, 12th, and 13th. Worcestershire. Sec., Geo. Griffiths, 
7, St. Swithin Street, Worcester. 
N.B.— Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
ESSEX AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION 
POULTRY SHOW. 
This was held at Colchester, and afforded another proof that 
poultry is in its place among the implements connected with 
agriculture and the other stock of the farm-yard. The prizes 
offered are professedly for those breeds most profitable to agrii 
culturists : and hence a classification which restricts the number 
of entries. After the attendance about the poultry at this Show, 
we should advise the extension of the prize-list, and we think it 
would be profitable to the Society. 
Dorkings, the table fowl par excellence, have four prizes offered 
to them; and they brought a class of sixteen pens of excellent 
birds. An idea may be formed of the quality when we say that 
prize birds of the Crystal Palace were defeated. Mr. Griggs, of 
Romford, was the first; Mr. Lingwood, of Needham Market, 
second ; and the Rev. ,T. Baker third. All these were beautiful 
birds, and unusually large. Mr. Henry Lingwood took both 
prizes for White Dorkings; and the same gentleman carried off 
the honours for the best Dorking cock. 
Four prizes were offered for Spanish. Mr. Bailey, of Ken- 
nington, was first both for a pen and the single cock. Mrs. 
Pattisson took second and third. All these were highly meri¬ 
torious, and the first prize-pen was fit for any exhibition. Suffolk 
always sends some good Game, and Mr. Matthew, of Stow- 
market, is well known. He took the first prizes in three classes, 
but he was closely run, especially in Single Cocks. Messrs. 
Rogers, Woodward, and Josselvn, Boghurst, and Hill, deservedly 
had prizes awarded to them. In the Single Code class there 
were three high commendations, and two commendations ; and 
these, because they were deserved, by Messrs. Josselyn, Thomas 
Hill, Rogers, and Woodward. The Rev. T. L. Fellowes took all 
the first prizes for Hamhurghs, both Pencilled and Spangled. 
Mrs. Pattisson had second for Golden-pencilled, and her birds 
were good. It cannot fail to be observed, that the same strains 
were successful in the different classes of each breed; and this 
must show the utility of these exhibitions, in proving that ex¬ 
cellence is not an accident, but that it may be depended upon 
and attained in poultry as in any other animals. The regular 
classes now disappear to make way for the varieties, and here 
Cochins, Brahmas, Polands, Black Hamburghs, Malays, and 
Sebright Bantams enter the lists. Three prizes were awarded to 
Messrs. Brooke, Malay ; T. P. Edwards, Polands ; and H. Wells, 
for Buff Cochins. 
We have never seen better Turkeys. Two of the cocks shown 
weighed 33 lbs. each, and the liens were worthy of them. Messrs. 
Boghurst, Formby, and Postans were successiul in these classes. 
The Grey Geese were very good, especially the Goslings shown 
by Mr. Wells. Mr. Postans took second prize. 
The Aylesbury Ducks were not so good as usual; the best 
were shown by Messrs. Boghurst and Thompson. Mr. Puncliard’s 
Rouen Ducks were as good as could be. Mr. Boghurst also 
showed some excellent Buenos Ayrean. 
The poultry was exhibited iu three tents, opening from one 
to the other. Placed in Cooke’s excellent pens, in two single 
rows back to back, they appeared to advantage, and allowed 
ample room for the crowds that surrounded them. The ex¬ 
perience acquired during the once-celebrated Colchester Show 
has not been thrown away, and all the arrangements were perfect. 
The object of the Society is evidently attained, inasmuch as the 
Dorking and Game classes would have been a credit, and some 
of the pens probably successful at any Show. These are the 
breeds most encouraged as farm poultry. We cannot, however, 
help thinking that a separate class for Cochins should be made 
in Essex, celebrated for Mr. Sturgeon’s breed, and close to 
Suffolk, Mr. Punchard’s county. We also believe that this breed 
may safely be called a farmer’s fowl, inasmuch as it is unques¬ 
tionably one of the best winter layers, and very valuable as early 
sitters. We throw out these suggestions, but we are aware 
that, when the management includes Messrs. Fisher Iiobbs, 
Cooke, Warwick, and others, neither zeal nor ability will be 
wanting. 
Mr. Daily was the Judge. 
A WORD FOR MALAY FOWLS. 
Thf. period being now arrived when many of our Poultry- 
Show Committees are about to re-arrange their prize lists, I 
venture to intrude a few remarks upon their attention, relative 
to a class of poultry, that have, I believe, hitherto scarcely re¬ 
ceived the encouragement they deserved,—I mean the Malays. 
I am decidedly of opinion there is not among our larger varieties 
of poultry any kind of fowls so desirable to “ cross” (simply 
for farm purposes), as the Malay. Among other good qualities 
may be mentioned, constitutions the most hardy; flesh of ex- 
