122 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 23, 1886. 
necessary repairs and improvements which are con¬ 
tinually required in such an establishment. Under 
the same roof is the plant and machinery for manu¬ 
facturing “Cowan’s Tine and Plant Manure”; and 
here, also, is a large stock of pottery, lately introduced 
and known as “Cowan’s Patent Orchid Pottery,” which 
is worthy of notice by all growers ; an important 
advantage to cultivators, in these pots, pans or 
cylinders, is that the roots are thoroughly under con¬ 
trol ; they can also be placed on stages or used as 
hanging baskets, holes being pierced for wires for this 
purpose. The rootlets have perfect liberty to run out 
and in at will, which is more in conformity with their 
native freedom than the old style of flower pots. 
Gateaere, the branch nursery, situated some three 
miles distant, in the Childwall valley, contains a good 
collection of Eoses, Fruit Trees, Evergreens and other 
hardy plants.— X. 
-*K$=<-- 
MAISON LA HAU'T, JERSEY. 
We shall probably he able to convey a better idea of 
Jersey farming by giving a description of some of the 
farms that we inspected, and will first introduce our 
readers to Maison la Haut, about two miles east of St. 
Helier’s, in the parish of St. Saviour’s. Owned and 
occupied by Mr. J. P. Marrett, the extent of the oc¬ 
cupation is 75 vergees, of which about half belong to 
Mr. Marrett, the rest being hired. Mr. Marrett 
is a horticulturist quite -.as much as a farmer, and 
cultivates fruits and flowers for show. The garden 
surrounding the very comfortable residence is kept in 
beautiful order, and is stocked with choice flowers and 
standard Pear trees, of which one, Doyenne du Comice, 
is reckoned second only to the Chaumontel. Although 
the present crop is less plentiful than usual, the ap¬ 
pearance, to our eyes, was most promising. These 
Pears are -generally grafted on quince stocks. The 
land is highly dressed with dung and liquid manure, 
and every inch of space utilised. Thus we saw 
Cucumbers occupying ground after early Potatos. 
Eoses and Hyacinths were a sight to see. 
In such a climate attention to the garden produce is 
a most important matter, and throughout our travels 
we always found fruit-growing a prominent item ; but 
nowhere was greater attention manifest, or more suc¬ 
cessful results, than at Maison la Haut, and it was 
evident .that our intelligent host had made horticulture 
a special study. Quite recently a field of 6J vergees 
had been planted with choice Apple trees, 33 ft. apart, 
the land cultivated and cropped just as though the 
trees did not exist ; and, in reality, with such high 
farming, their presence, at any rate for many years to 
come, will not be a serious obstacle to success. Here 
and there, the growth of Grapes under glass is an 
element of garden produce, but not to nearly so large 
an extent as in Guernsey, where a considerable area of 
glass is a recognised complement to the residence and 
farm buildings ; indeed, it is said that if all the Vineries 
could be extended in line they would occupy from 
thirty-six to thirty-seven miles in length. 
Neither here nor anywhere else did we find a very 
rigid observance of a fixed rotation ; barring little bits 
of orchard ground on a steep bank, Mr. Marrett has no 
permanent grass, but leaves down the artificial glasses 
from two to four years. We saw a field near the house 
containing 3 vergees— i.e., acres—which had been 
down four years, carrying a wonderful face, principally 
due to the application of liquid manure, which is taken 
great care of in Jersey. Thus the runnings from the 
stables, cow-byres, piggeries, &e., are collected in a 
tank, anefthe feeders are open channels. These also 
receive some of the rainfall from the roofs, and thus a 
certain—or, rather, uncertain — dilution is secured 
in summer, which is necessary ; and, if not obtained 
in this way, water must be added, or the application 
must be made during wet weather. In this paddock 
we found a mare and foal, seven calves, and one sheep 
(a fat ewe), all tethered, and these animals apparently 
could not keep down the grass. As a rule, all stock 
are tethered ; but there was one exception—a filly— 
and this animal evidently preferred to graze where 
liquid manure had been applied. 
The old seeds are usually followed by early Potatos. 
The general cultivation for this all-important crop may 
he briefly described. The land is first scarified, then 
the manure is applied—a heavy dressing, carefully 
spread. Next operations include the use of “la grande 
charrue,” a plough drawn by eight, nine or ten horses, 
and turning a furrow 10 ins. or 12 ins. deep. Neigh¬ 
bours assist each other, and the business concludes with 
a supper and jollification. We cannot do better than 
quote from Colonel le Cornu’s excellent “Essay on the 
Potato in Jersey,” which appeared in the 6th vol., new 
series, of the Royal Agricultural Society’s Jouriud. 
In describing what is known as “unjour de grande 
charrue,” he says, “A day is fixed upon for a number 
of farmers—generally neighbours, and, more frequently, 
political friends—to join in ploughing their land in¬ 
tended for Potatos. This work always progresses 
cheerily, the good hostess never failing, in her depart¬ 
ment, to make everything agreeable to her friends. 
Two ploughs are employed ; the smaller plough, taking 
the lead, buries the manure with a shallow furrow of 
4 ins. deep, and say, 14 ins. or 15 ins. wide. The 
large plough follows in this furrow, and raises 1 ft. of 
mould, which is left on the top, forming a clean, well- 
pulverised surface, which has only to be harrowed down 
to be ready for the business of planting, and secures 
great depth of soil, with a fine condition and perfect 
cleanness.” Mr. Marrett, being somewhat inland, 
depends principally upon long manure, either home¬ 
made or purchased from St. Heliers, where, with 
carriage, it costs from 9 s. to 105. a ton ; but those who 
are conveniently situated as regards the coast make use 
largely of seaweed, which one very successful farmer 
considers second only to long manure. The parish 
laws as to the collection of seaweed are very strict, 
in order that the crop may be allowed to come to 
maturity. Thus, in St. Ouen’s Bay it can only be cut 
once a year—viz., in March. 
Deferring to the western coast, there is a certain 
period in March when the farmers can collect the weed 
themselves ; and all other work, however pressing, is 
put aside, and all hands are off to the coast to cut and 
collect as much as possible. Our informant, however, 
found it cheaper to purchase what he wanted at the 
auction sales which the parish authorities have of ivhat 
is washed up at other times. Such weed is carefully 
stacked so that it may rot down, and is generally 
applied in November, carefully spread and left for a 
month exposed, and then ploughed in. A liberal 
dressing, where no stable-manure is used, would be 
forty cartloads a vergee, each load weighing from 
15 cwt. to 18 cwt., and costing Is. 6 d. a load. For¬ 
merly the price was only Is. The money obtained by 
the auction sales of seaweed is spent in improving the 
tracks among the rocks, so as to facilitate the business 
of racking, as it is called. AYe have no analysis of this 
seaweed, but believe it contains a considerable per¬ 
centage of potash, which partly accounts for its value. 
To return to Mr. Marrett's farm : when the time 
arrives for planting, small drills are opened, either by 
hand or ploug"h drawn by one horse, 16 ins. to 18 ins. 
apart ; 6 cwt. of guano per vergee—equal to 1-3J cwt. 
per acre—is sown broadcast ; and the sets, with sprouts 
about 1 in. long, are carefully placed in the drill 8-ins. 
to 9 ins. apart, and lightly covered with a spade. The 
intervals are hoed and scarified by an implement drawn 
by two men. The scarifier has three tines, with revolv¬ 
ing wheels in front and behind, which regulate the 
depth and help to pulverise the surface. The earthing 
up is also effected by a hand plough. In this way the 
soil is kept light, friable and perfectly clean. Some go 
to even greater expense in hand labour. Thus Mr. 
G. de Carteret, of St. Peter’s, who appears.to be a very 
successful cultivator, as soon as the plants are above 
ground, forks over the whole of the ground 6 ins. to 
8 ins. deep, thus leaving it in the lightest possible con¬ 
dition, allowing thorough aeration, which we know to 
be of great importance to early growth. The last 
operation, earthing, is done by Mr. Carteret with the 
hoe. Like Mr, Marrett, he uses about 6 cwt. per vergee 
of guano, costing about £12 or £13 a ton. Planting 
takes place from the beginning of January to the 
middle of March. Only in very sheltered situations is 
the earlier period possible ; for, although highly 
favoured as to climate, there would be risk from the 
hoar frosts already alluded to if the young plants were 
exposed to their influence. Probably February is the 
month when most of the early crops are planted. The 
varieties most in fashion are the Jersey Flukes, Prince 
of "Wales, and English Myatt’s Kidneys. Mr. AY. J. 
Labey, of Grouville, informed us that in certain favoured 
spots he grew Potatos every year, and, giving liberal 
dressings of manure, he had not observed any falling 
off in the crop. AYe believe that such practice is very 
common on many holdings, and is wise, inasmuch as 
climatic conditions are all-important in affecting early 
growth ; and it is only where such early supply can be 
depended upon that the cultivation will really pay. 
High prices have greatly stimulated production, until 
at the present time there is danger that the supply-will 
exceed the demand, and, consequently, prices range so 
low that the crop will not pay the cost of cultivation, 
much less leave, as formerly, a large balance of profit. 
One or two years like the present will have a salutary 
effect in checking production, as many of the more intel- 
Egent occupiers realise that the Potato crop has recently 
assumed undue limits, and there is a growing opinion 
that too much artificial manure is employed ; and, 
from our experience, we are strongly of opinion that 
Peruvian guano is not the most suitable application. 
AA'e gather from the report of the Jersey Agricultural 
Society for 1885 that nearly 700 more vergees were 
planted than in 1884, and it is supposed that not less 
than 3,000 tons of artificial manures were imported, 
principally guano ; and it is suggested that this might 
be partly made in the island, especially as it is well 
known that considerable shipments of hone and sul¬ 
phate of ammonia leave Jersey every year ; and it is 
much to be feared that farmers pay much more for the 
article than it is worth for their purpose.— The Field. 
-- 
CYCLAMEN CULTURE.* 
AVhex we consider that we can have Cyclamens in 
flower from November until May, I think that it will 
be - generally admitted that it is worthy of a plaee in 
every amateur’s greenhouse. Although the Cyclamen 
can be raised from seed, and with good management 
will flower the same year, yet it is better to sow the 
seeds in July, in a compost of two parts of leaf-soil and 
one part of loam, a little well-decayed manure, and 
plenty of silver sand. Sow the seeds thinly, cover 
them over to a depth of a quarter of an inch, and see 
that the compost is well-moistened through ; place 
a piece of slate or glass over the pot to retain the 
moisture, then place it in a frame, or in any out-of-the- 
way moist corner of the greenhouse where the sun will 
not shine upon it, and there you may safely leave it 
for about five weeks. After that time, look at it every 
day until the seedlings show through the soil, and as 
soon as you see one leaf make its appearance, remove 
the cover and place the pot where you can see that the 
soil is kept moist, for upon this depends very much 
your success. 
In March they should be ready to lift from the seed 
pan, and be placed with root intact into pots, small 60’s, 
at all times using the same compost. In these small 
pots the tuberous rootstock must be placed under the 
soil, as when in the seed pan ; now water them freely 
overhead, and when the soil becomes green or sour on 
the surface, remove it from time to time until the 
tuberous root is uncovered, by which time you will 
find that the roots have well-nigh filled the pots. 
AYlien this is the case, shift them into pots a little 
larger, until you get them into the size you intend to 
flower them in about July and not later than the 
middle of August. They will seldom require pots 
larger than 4 ins. the first year, and from the middle 
of June until the middle of September they will do 
best in a moist frame; in fact, where the Cinerarias will 
thrive, there will the Cyclamen thrive also. About 
the middle of September they should be placed in the 
greenhouse, as near the glass as convenient, and care 
should be taken that they are no longer watered over¬ 
head, as this will be apt to undo the season’s work. 
To make it more safe that the crown of the bulb does 
not get wet, place the bulbs in their flowering pots, so 
that the crowns will be about level with the top of the 
pot, and not more than one-half of its depth in the 
soil. A moist bottom and a temperature ranging from 
50° to'55° will now suit them well; all that is required 
being to keep them well supplied with water until the 
flower-buds begin to rise, then they should have weak 
manure-water once or twice a week. 
AYe will now assume.that we have had a beautiful 
display of flowers, and the bulbs are showing signs of 
going to rest; we must then gradualy diminish the 
supply of water until the soil is just moist, then place 
them under a tree or in any shady place where heavy 
rains cannot reach them ; but, at the same time, they 
must not be allowed to get absolutely dry. There is 
* A paper read by Mr. J. S. Stocks before the IValkley 
Amateur Floral Society. 
