THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, November 29, 1859. 
on without trout. The trout of the Lac de Tignes are small, and 
what Scotch fishermen call “herring size,” and of a light silvery 
colour, with minute red spots very thickly set. I prepared the 
skin of one side of an average-sized one, stretching and drying 
it in the sun with a little varnish, so as to preserve its characters. 
They are quite different in appearance from the river trout of 
Piedmont. Very few of the latter are found in the Doire, until 
some distance further down, where the chilling torrents of melted 
ice and snow become warm and purified, so as to supply water- 
larvae and insects for their food. Courmayeur produces some 
good vegetables, and the Haricot, a good index of climate in these 
valleys, ripens well. The Peas are peculiar, having a very large 
curly pod, in which they are boiled whole. Pumpkins and 
Gourds also come to some size, and when as large as an egg are 
used hi great quantities, under the name of “cousses,” fried in 
slices, stewed in gravy, mashed, and in a variety of ways, and are 
excellent. Fruit is chiefly brought from Turin, such as Grapes 
and Melons. Large green Capsicums, or “ Poivrons,” are a 
favourite accompaniment with meat, and dried a little first and 
then pickled slightly, make a handsome dish. Tomatoes were 
plentiful, but obtained from Genoa and Turin. We had very 
fine Peaches from Ivrea ; in external appearance and rich orange 
colour exactly like a very large Apricot, or Abricot Peeke of the 
French, and only recognisable as ji Peach by the stone. Every 
one who has travelled in North Piedmont is familiar with the 
“ gressius,” or long pipes of crisp biscuit-like bread, resembling 
thick brown maccaroni, which are brought to table at every 
hotel in large sheaves, and are the most pleasant and amusing 
way of eating bread possible. We were curious to know how 
they were made, and, through Bertolini, were soon initiated into 
the mystery by the chief baker of Courmayeur. We saw the 
process from first to last, and they very civilly wrote out for us 
a very intelligible receipt, which I subjoin exactly as it was given 
us.* The paste was fermented in wooden bowls, in lumps kept 
constantly moistened; then spread out as required for use, into a 
thick oblong sheet, which was cut into pieces rather thicker than, 
and as long as, a finger, and laid side by side on a moistened 
board. Each piece in turn was taken up at either end with the 
fingers and thumbs, and steadily and quickly drawn out to the 
right length—about two feet. A long thin wooden shovel is 
sprinkled with coarse meal, and the gressins laid on, put into the 
oven, and adroitly slipped off the board, and left a short time to 
bake, when they are as dexterously withdrawn, fit for use after 
cooling so as to become perfectly crisp. We stayed sometime 
watching the process, as we had so often heard wonder expressed 
as to how they were made; it is, however very simple, and we 
made some very presentable ones after a few attempts, which 
caused great amusement to the people of the “ boulangerie,” 
who were most good-natured and obliging, entering into the fun 
heartily, and proud to show everything.— ( King's Italian Valleys 
of the Pennine Alps.) 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Drawing Plans or Bros (A Lover of tlic Garden ).—We wish we could 
help you, but do not sec how. The book you mention is worthless. Loudon’s 
“ Self-Instructor ” gives some good directions how to draw mathematical 
figures. 
Dwarf 1-'ig Trees [Arboretum).— You will find full directions in Mr. 
Rivers’s “ Orchard House,” the sixth edition of which is .just published. 
Soapsuds are beneficially applied to Vines under glass. We give them 
something stronger—house sewage. 
Ideas about Bedding [A Subscriber ).—We never keep back a new idea 
longer than the time it may be necessary to find room for it in our pages; 
but we shall think over your request, and see what will come to us in our 
dreams. All our best hits come without an effort on our part—we have 
visions of them. 
Flower Garden Planting (Cymro ).—You have planted that stylo of 
gardening exceedingly well—it does you great credit. You omitted No. 1 
bed, but a planter like you would not put up a blazing colour in the centre 
of a composition. [11. A.). —What' is it you call White Vetch? Your 
borders are capitally planted for next year. In No. 2 the Dahlias must 
not be so dwarf as Zelindas, behind the scarlet Salvia and white Pentste- 
mon. In No. 3 Lobelia gracilis is a bad edge anywhere, except up in a 
vase or basket; but it gives one no trouble. In Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8, one 
would need to know thoroughly the sizes and habits of any number of 
Mauiere de faire les gressins.—1. Dans 10 killo. dc farine ilfaut mettre 
un demi killo. dc levain. 2. Farine de froment, premiere quality. 3. 
La pate un peu dure. 4. Les laisser lever 4 heures dans une chambre 
lermee. 5. II faut, avant de les mettre lever, les couper en petits mor- 
ceaux comme un doigt, et les disposer deux it deux sur une planche 
mouillde. 6. Lorsqu’ils sont leveds on les prend par les deux bouts, et on 
les tire de la longueur de 3 ampares (main ouverte). Dansdixkillo.il 
faut mettre une poignCe de sel. II faut les mouiller de temps en temps 
avant de les mettre au four avec de l’eau chaude. 
Verbenas to be mixed in beds; in long borders it is not so particular. In 
Nos. 11 and 12, Flower of the Day and variegated Alyssum mixed are not 
to our eyesight, except in dull weather, two good things to form a medium. 
No. 13. You mention a dark crimson Calceolaria. We never saw a dark, 
or a light, or a medium, or any crimson whatever, in any bedding Cal¬ 
ceolaria. They are browns, buffs, and foxies, but not crimsons; and why 
deceive ourselves in them, and in Chrysanthemums, by calling names of 
•olours we sigh for iii them, as yet, in vain ? 
Invermined Garden (J. F -, Liverpool).— Your garden seems to be 
so infested with various grubs and wirevorms, that we recommend you to 
sdopt the radical remedy of paring and burning six inches deep of the 
entire surface. You can do this by degrees, but complete the whole 
before the spring arrives. 
Various (If. B .).—The Passion-Flower i3 Passiflora ccentlea. Turn 
out a young plant against your wall in April or May. Give it good libry 
loam and a little peat, or very rotten dung to grow in, and encourage it 
with water as wanted ; but give little or none after September, and keep 
rain from the roots if heavy. This will ensure, first, strength and then 
ripeness of wood. For the first or second winter, we would advise 
wrapping the stem in a piece of mat to render doubly sure. You have 
given your Dandys rather too much wet. Rub off the excrescences (you 
might propagate from them if anxious^and give your plants a little more 
heat, more air, and just enough of water to keep them going, and they will 
toon get all right. Your plants will not suffer in the least from painting 
the outside of the pots of a stone colour. We do so annually. The Cottage 
Gardener was the first to break in on the old favouritism for soft-burned, 
porous, red pots. "When drainage was neglected, such pots might be use¬ 
ful ; but when the drainage is attended to, and the soil used fibry and open, 
it matters not how hard a pot is burned, or of what its outside is composed. 
Your stone-colour paint upon the pots will render the pots cooler in 
summer and warmer in winter than the common red pots. We are glad 
you have succeeded with your gas-heated boiler. Some friends would like 
more details, a rough plan, and an estimate of expense for gas, &e. We see 
nothing preventing you to have a propagating tank by means of the pipes, 
or a hotbed, by placing rough clinkers, &e., round the pipes instead of 
water. 
Book on Fruit Culture (An Amateur, Kent ).—Buy our “ Fruit 
Gardening for the Many.” Your other questions will be answered next 
week. 
Names or Ferns (J. If.).— 1. Asplenium trichomanes. 2. Lastrwa 
dilatata v. dumetorum. 3. Oystoptcris fragilis. 4. Lastrwa fili.r-mas, 
5. Folystichum aculeatum lobatum ; seedling, probably. C. Lastrwa filix- 
mas. 7. Folystichum aculeatum lobatum; young. 8. Folystichum acu¬ 
leatum lobatum; nearly full grown. 9. Lastrwa filix-mas incisa. 
Name of Plant (A. F.).— It is as you rightly suppose not a Babiana, 
but Oxalis rubella. 
POULTRY AND BEE-KEEPER’S CHRONICLE. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
November 28th, 29th, and 30th, and December 1st. Birmingham. Sec., 
Mr. J. Morgan, Bingley Ilall, Birmingham. 
December 13th. Newport (Monmouthshire). Sec., Chas. H. Oliver, 
Commercial Street, Newport, Monmouthshire. Entries close Nov. 30th. 
December 28th and 29th. Sheffield and IIallamshire (Fancy 
Pigeons). Sec., Mr. Inman New, Sheffield. Entries close December 12th. 
December 28th and 29th. Poulton-i,e-Fylde. Sec., Mr. J. S. Butler. 
January 4th and 5th, 1860. Preston and North Lancashire, See., 
Henry P. Watson, Old Cock Yard, Preston. Entries close December 
17th, 1859. 
January 7th, 1860. Bradford. (Single Cock Show.) Secs., Mr. Hardy, 
Prince of Wales Inn, Bowling Old Lane, and Mr. E. Blackbrough, 
Black Bull Inn, Ive Gate, Bradford. 
January llth, I860. Devizes and North Wilts. Sec., Geo. Saunders 
Sainsburv, Rowde, Devizes. Entries close December 24th. 
Januarv 31st and February 1st and 2nd. Chesterfield and Scarsdale. 
Lion. Secs., Mr. J. Cliarlesworth, and Mr. T. P. Wood, jun. 
February llth to 15th, 1860. Crystal Palace (Poultry and Pigeons). 
Sec., Mr. W. Houghton. Entries close Jan. 14th. 
N.B .—Secretaries will oblige us by sending early cojnes of tlicir lists. 
BIRMINGHAM POULTRY SHOW. 
(BY FXFFFSS.) 
This began on tlie 28th inst., and will close on the 1st of 
December. We shall publish our comments next week. 
Dorkings (Coloured).—First and Cur, Capt. Ilornhy. Second, Mr. 
Berwick. Third, Mr. Lingwood. Fourth, Mr. Drewry. Dorking Hens .— 
First, Capt. Hornby. Second, Mr. Bromley. Chickens. —First, Mr. C. II. 
Wakefield. Second, Capt. Hornby. Third, Rev. J. Shaw. Fouith, Rev. 
J. Hill. Dorking Pullets. —First, Mr. Bromley. Second, Mr. C. II. 
Wakefield. 
Dorkings (White). — First, Mr. Robinson. Second, Mr. Hutton. 
Chickens. —First, Rev. Mr. Hutton. Second, Capt. Beardmore. 
Spanish.— First, Mr. J. C. Hall. Second, Mr. Rake. Third, Mr. Felton. 
Fourth, Mr. Wells. Spanish Hens. —First, Mr. Lamb. Second, Mr. 
Wells. Chickens. —First and Cur, Mr. Teebay. Second, Mr. Rake. Third, 
Mr. Hyde. Fourth, Mr. Moore. Spanish. Pullets. —First, Mr. Hyde. 
Second, Mr. Rake. 
Cochin-China. —First and Cur, Mrs. Tomlinson. Second, Mr. Stretch. 
Third, Mr. Watkins. Chickens. —First, Mr. Gilbert. Second, Mr. Tomlin¬ 
son. Third, Mr. Stretch. 
Cochin-China (Grouse and Partridge).—First and Cur, Mr. Stretch. 
Second, Mr. Cartwright. Third, Mr. Felton. Chickens. —First, Mr. Cart¬ 
wright. Second, Mr. Stretch. Third, Mr. Lamb. 
Cochin-China (White). — First, Mr. Lamb. Second, Mr. Young. 
Chickens,— First and Second, Mr. Chase. 
