THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, September 25, 1860. 
391 
the louse was much higher at the ridge—say twelve feet or 
fiftein feet, and no more height of walls at the sides, we would 
prefr two smaller stoves placed respectively as the south-east 
urn south-west corners, costing about 50s. each—at least, we 
luve seen plenty for less than that sum. The great thing is to 
lue pipes at the junctions, to prevent smoke or iron drip. Such 
sove or stoves might be placed in October to assist the Grapes, 
md might be removed altogether in April. Next to these stoves, 
die cheapest way for heating such small houses is by a small 
flue under the floor of the house, as several times recommended 
by Mr. Fish. The flue cou'd go into the chimney as well as the 
pipes from the stoves. Is there no means of taking such a flue 
from the kitchen, or even a couple of water pipes from the 
kitchen boiler ?] 
LATHYRUS TUBEROSUS WILD IN ENGLAND. 
The supposed new British plant growing at Fvfield (Essex), 
I believe to be the same plant which grows in great, pro¬ 
fusion in a certain marsh in Canvey Island, there known as 
“ Gay Mead it closely resembles what is commonly called the 
■“Everlasting Pea,” but is much smaller. Canvey Island having 
been embanked and drained bv a colony of Dutchmen, who 
-established themselves there in 1622, I concluded, when 1 first 
saw the plant, that it had been, most probably, introduced by 
them, especially as I found evidence of its existence on the spot 
for the space of nearly a century. On showing a specimen to an 
•eminent floriculturist, he at once named it Lathyrus tuberosus, 
and told me it was brought from Holland about the year 1606, 
thus confirming my conjecture. 
As it is confined to a single marsh, which is completely over¬ 
run with it, it was no doubt originally sown there for some specific 
use—perhaps (as the roots are said to bo edible) for food, and 
may have been introduced into Fvfield for the same purpose, 
and very likely about the same period. The roots descend to so 
great a depth that I was informed that its extirpation is im¬ 
possible. I never saw it growing elsewhere; but if the Fyfield 
plant be the same it is easily recognised.—H. W. K .—(Essex 
Gazette.) 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Speroula [V. L. A.). —Tour plant is Sagina procumbcns and not the 
Spergula. It is a weed common all over the kingdom. 
Emphasis ( 7. Z.).— It is very difficult in writing to render the ex¬ 
planation clearer. You are not mindful of the syllabic division of the 
names. The emphasis is on the Clem and phin in Cle/m-a-tis and Del¬ 
phi tn-i-um. 
Wall Infested with Vermin (A Subscriber). —This has been a year 
peculiarly favourable to the generation of predatory vermin, and we hear 
of their ravage8 everywhere. The woodlice harbour in the boles and at the 
foundation. Have the walls pointed by the bricklayer, and pour abundance 
of ammoniacal liquor from the gas works close to the base of tbe wall. 
This will also destroy snails, slugs, and ants. Goosenecked Onions will not 
keep without vegetating; so cutting off their leaves, or “stalks” as you 
call them, will do no harm. 
Monochastum Ensiferfm Shoots Damping off (G. S.). —Give more 
air, stir up the surface soil, and, provided the plant does not flag, give no 
snore water than is absolutely necessary. 
Ice-house ( F. Cntt). — A long article on ice-houses appeared lately 
{No. 588). In a shed you could only expect to keep ice any time with 
double walls and double roofing some two feet apart, and the space between 
filled, with straw or sawdust. The walls might be close boarding. If the 
roof is thickly thatched, all the better. If the outside is tile or slate paint 
them white. The space between tbe roofs must be well packed. 
Paxton’s Portable Boilers [Mrs. B .).—They varv in price, we believe; 
but you can obtiin every information if you write to Mr. Hereman, 7, Pall 
Mall East, London, S.W. 
Firk, Surface of Boiler (Hottinghamienns).—We think'he bottom of 
a copper boiler should have one and a half square foot of its bottom exposed 
to the fire to heat eighty feet of four-inch water pipes in a greenhouse. If 
heated by gas, two square feet will not be too much, and the jets of gas 
should be numerous. 
Various (A Subscriber, Caermarthen).— Those who have used the Wal- 
tonian Case say it will not do for forwarding flowering plants as yon 
propose. We cannot say from experience whether Spergula piUfera would j 
do for a cricket-ground; but as it is improved by being trodden upon, we 
do not know why it should not. Your wall trees, which, through want of I 
attention by the previous tenant, were sadly out of order, and which you ! 
have cut back, and they have made promising new wood, we would root- 
prune in October; or, unless they are very old trees, we would prefer 
under the circumstances to lift them entirely, and spread the smaller roots 
near the surface without cutting back the large ones a great deal. We 
would mulch over them, and water them from a pond twice in June, in 
July, and in August. After that we would see to a balance between the 
roots and the branches by slight root-pruning, and by close nipping the 
summer growths as soon as ever they made a few inches in length. ' 
POULTRY AND BEE-KEEPER’S CHRONICLE. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
September 25th. Bridgnorth. Sec., Mr. Richard Taylor, Bridgnorth. 
September 28th and 29th. Bradford. Secs., Mr. A. Hardy, Piince of 
Wales, Bowling Old Lane, and Mr E. BJaekbrough, Black Bull, Ivy- 
gate. Entries close September 21th. 
October 4th. Middleton Agricultural. Sec., Mr. T. Mills. Entries 
close September 27th. 
October 9th, 10th. and 11th. Worcestf.r. Hon. Sec., Mr. G. Griffiths. 
November 7th. Devizes and North Wilts. Hon. See., Geo. Saunders 
Sainsbury, Rowde, Devizes. Entries close October 13th. 
November’ 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. West of Scotland Ornitholo¬ 
gical Association, Glasgow. (Pigeons and Canary Birds.) Sec., 
Thos. Buchanan, 74, Argyle Street, Glasgow. 
December 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. Birmingham. Sec., Mr. John B. Lythall, 
Offices, Unity Buildings, Temple Street, Birmingham. Entries close 
November 1. 
N.B.— Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AGRICULTURAL 
SOCIETY’S POULTRY SHOW. 
There is something essentially English in an agricultural 
meeting, ancl more so in this county than any other. In common 
with many similar societies, it has adopted the wise rule of holding 
its meetings at all the principal towns in their turn. This not 
only gives each an interest ( literally ) in the Exhibition, but it 
affords a spur and incentive to exertions on its behalf. We are, 
unfortunately, unable to state the number that visited Brackley; 
but an opinion may be formed from the fact that 30,000 people 
attended the Meeting last year at Wellingborough. It is a fete : 
Poultry, cattle, implements, flower show, band of Coldstream 
Guards, fireworks, grand Society’s dinner at three, and concert in 
the evening. Lofty poles are erected in the streets, around which 
serpent-like wreaths of ivy and laurel coil themselves. Every 
description of flag waves from attic windows and tops of buildings; 
very blue ploughs with very bright shares are hoisted to first-floor 
windows and surmounted by a strip of white linen, bordered 
with laurel leaves and dahlias, which says “ Speed the plough.” 
Other flags show the owner’s taste, calling, or interest. Thus, the 
grocer, the “ cup-of-tea ” man, displays a tricolor, on the white 
compartment of which an inscription shows it belongs to the 
“ Brackley Temperance Society, established 1859 while “mine 
host” makes free wPh the “Foresters,” “ United Trades,” and 
“ Odd Fellows.” And then the carriages that ply to and from 
! the station! We never saw such alliances as made a pair on this 
■ occasion. Some to all appearance had never gone together in 
, harness ; others had never gone at all. But, it is said, there is a 
special Providence over children and drunkards ; and we think the 
I same extends to travellers to and from the station of a town where 
an agricultural meeting is held. It was a holiday, and we enjoyed 
it much ; the weather was all that could be desired ; the winners 
were pleased, losers took it coolly ala Jacob Faithful—“ couldn’t 
help it, wish they could,” “ no use fretting,” “ better luck next 
time.” With one more remark we will review the classes, only 
regretting the entries were not more numerous. 
Seeing the quality of the Dorkings that were shown, we cannot 
avoid asking why it. is they are so few ? There have been no 
better birds shown anywhere than were shown here on Friday. 
All that were marked at a guinea each were sold, and there were 
inquiries for many more at the same price. 'I his cannot fail to 
be remunerative ; but we have again to ask why it is that those 
whose profession it is to follow agriculture, and who have all the 
means and appliances to hoot, treat poultry as a pursuit beneath 
notice, while townsmen, professional men, and large numbers of 
the upper classes, follow it with ardour ? The badnesB of the 
season may have had to do with it;—there is no complaint of 
soil, there can be no lack of good stock where such fowls are 
shown, and it can then only be supineness. 
The Dorkings were as good as could be, especially the chickens. 
The Spanish hens were very good ; but we have never seen cocks 
so naked or so deep in moult. We are bound to speak highly of 
the Game, which here as elsewhere increase in numbers. The 
other classes that call for especial notice are Rev. F. Thursby’s 
Brahmas, and the Ducks and Turkeys, which were excellent. 
Dorking.— First, Rev. F. Thursby. Second, J. Shaw. Third, R. Wood. 
Highly Commended, Rev. E. Thursby. Chickens. — First, and Special 
Prize,’R. Wood. SecoEd, J. Shaw. Third, Rev. F. Thursby. Commended, 
A. Thursby. 
Spanish.— First, Rev. F. Thursby. Second, J. Shaw. 
Game.— First and Second, J. Shaw. Third, E. Clarke, 
Cochins.— First, — Tatham. Second, withheld. 
Brahmas.— Prize, Rev. F. Thursby. 
