December 11, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
231 
VEGETABLE CALENDAR. 
The season has arrived when we may expect severe 
frost at any time, and with a view to keeping men 
profitably employed during such weather, all vacant 
quarters may be manured at once, spreading it 
evenly over the ground to prevent the latter from get- 
ting frost bound. With a good breath of land 
secure from frost, digging and trenching can be 
forwarded at its proper season. In dealing with 
heavy land, the rougher this is left after the spade, 
the better it will be at seed time; and the longest 
manure should be used on ground of this description. 
For lighter soils thoroughly decomposed manures 
should be used. Double digging, or bastard trench¬ 
ing, is equally beneficial in both cases, and as much 
as possible of this should be done at this season. 
Frame Crop. —These will need very close atten¬ 
tion now and onwards, as decay spreads very rapidly 
among young Lettuce, Endive and similar crops. 
The plants should be frequently looked over 
and all decaying matter removed. The sur¬ 
face soil should also be stirred occasionally, 
and a dusting of dry burnt ashes scattered over it will 
act very beneficially in absorbing moisture and 
preventing decay. Ventilate freely whenever the 
glass stands a few degrees above the freezing point, 
leaving it on night and day during mild weather. 
Fermenting Material.— With a view to early 
requirements in the forcing department a large stock 
of leaves should be collected and stored in a dry 
position ready for use in a few weeks time. To 
every three loads of leaves, one of long dung may be 
added, and the whole frequently turned to render it 
sweet and in the best condition for use. Where 
leaves are plentiful a large bed may be formed 6 ft. 
high, and of any length or width desired. This bed 
will retain a gentle heat far into the spring, and will 
be found most useful for raising many early crops by 
making small sowings under handlights or frames in 
a few inches of fine soil. About the end of February 
the whole surface of the bed can be earthed over and 
planted with early Potatos, protecting them with 
bent rods covered with mats or other coverings. 
Lettuce. —The mild autumn has forced the 
August sowings so forward in growth as to render 
the plants unfit to stand very severe weather. All 
that can be placed under cover should be lifted with 
balls at once. Where no intermediate sowing has 
been made, a very mild hot bed of leaves should be 
got together, and a one light frame placed over it. 
This may be sown now with all the year round 
Cabbage and Paris Cos.—/. R. 
—« -- 
tub Oicluii biowbi’s calendar- 
The Weather.— During the past week or two the fog 
fiend has been on the war path with a vengeance ; not 
that it makes such a great difference to us who are 
fortunate enough to be in the country, as we do not 
feel the effects to any extent. We are, nevertheless, 
truly sorry for those that have to grow Orchids in 
or near the Metropolis. How vexatious it must be 
to have nearly, if not all, your flower spikes on the 
Phalaenopsis completely spoilt , and the work of a 
season lost. It must have been a relief when the 
wind began to disperse the demon on Saturday. 
There was no doubt of its intention on Sunday the 
28th ult., and all through the night, for it blew a 
hurricane. The temperature, too, is much colder 
so that we may expect some frosty nights. It is 
customary for us at the approach of winter to give 
a few hints that may be of great use to amateurs. 
In the first place we would advise that a stock of 
peat be got in ; also a good quantity of sphagnum 
moss. The autumn having been exceptionally dry 
the moss will be nice and short, and in capital con¬ 
dition. Left until later it becomes lanky and 
so much is wasted, for at this season only the 
live points should be used. Again should frost set 
in the moss merchant would have a difficulty in 
supplying you-Just when you want it most. There 
is yet another advantage, the peat can be pulled and 
the moss picked during bad weather when outside 
work is at a standstill. A little forethought in this 
respect saves a lot of time later on. 
The warm division in which the heat-loving 
Cypripediums are growing is always a source of 
great interest at this season of the year ; and if there 
is one genus of Orchids more than another better 
adapted for growing in or near large towns Cypri- 
pedium is the one. The various forms rarely, if 
ever, fail to give satisfaction, if given anything like 
a fair chance. When grouped together, the varieties 
of C. insigne are very fascinating, as are groups of 
C. leeanum and C. spicerianum. Solitary plants, 
unless they are profusely flowered, do not convey a 
proper estimate of their beauty. 
The Cypripediums are essentially amateurs’ 
Orchids, for given heat and moisture in sufficient 
quantities, they rarely fail. They may be potted, 
too, at any time short of their being in full flower. 
The compost for the majority consists of two 
parts peat and one of moss. The peat should not 
have the fine material shaken out as for Cattleyas; 
neither should it be used in too dry a state. Bits of 
charcoal or small crocks should be worked in with 
the compost when potting to keep it open. 
Masdevallia tovarensis. —If the M. harryanum 
section has gone out of favour, this chaste little gem 
remains a favourite still. We grow ours in pans 
using peat and moss in about equal parts, A tempera¬ 
ture halfway between that of the cool house and the 
Cattleya house suits it admirably. We have such a 
division in which is growing Oncidium tigrinum (now 
in flower), Odontoglossum hastilabium, O. harry¬ 
anum, O. luteo-purpureum, and O. triumphans. 
Sophronitis, too, likes this extra warmth, as does O. 
Rossii majus. 
Temperatures. —East India house, 65° at night; 
Cattleya house, 55 0 ; Cool house, 50° at night; all 
should have a rise of io° by day. Should the out¬ 
side temperature become very cold a few degrees 
below those stated above would do no harm.—C. 
©leanings SDodb 
wf Science, 
Is the Great Black Woodpecker a native?— 
At a meeting of the Linnean Society of London, on 
November 18th, 1897, Mr. J. E. Harting, F.L.S., 
exhibited a specimen of the Great Black Wood¬ 
pecker (Picus martius) lately received from Col. W. 
C. Dawson, of Weston Hall, Otley, Yorkshire, where 
it had been shot in his presence by a friend on the 
8th September last. It was shown that this could 
not be the bird which had recently been lost from 
the Zoological Gardens, since the latter did not 
escape until October gth. Allusion was made to the 
numerous records of the occurrence of these species 
in England, some of which at least seemed worthy 
of credence, since the recorded specimens had been 
obtained and were preserved in the possession of 
trustworthy persons. 
Mr. Howard Saunders expressed the opinion that 
there was no sufficient ground for including Picus 
martius in the list of British birds, as from its parti¬ 
ality for pine forests and its stationary habits, it was 
not likely to be a voluntary visitor to this country.— 
The President remarked that the perfect state of 
plumage of the specimen exhibited was satisfactory 
evidence of its not having recently escaped from 
captivity; and that the late Lord Lilford, the year 
before his death (which occurred on the 17th June, 
1896), had two Black Woodpeckers in his aviary in 
Northamptonshire, and in consequence of their 
ailing in health, had given them their liberty. It 
seemed possible that one of these might be the bird 
lately shot in Yorkshire. 
Mr. J. E. Harting also exhibited in the flesh a 
hybrid Pheasant and Black Grouse, which had been 
received that day from Shropshire. In appearance it 
precisely resembled a similar hybrid of which a 
coloured figure is given in early editions of 
White’s " Selborne." 
On behalf of Mr. Leonard Lush, of Stonehouse, 
Gloucestershire,three whitePartridges(Perdix cinerea) 
were exhibited, which had been shot by him on the 
Berwyn Mountains in Wales, early in October last. 
It was remarkable that in the covey, which con¬ 
sisted of nine birds, no less than five of them were 
white, four only beiDg of the normal colour. 
The undermentioned subjects were brought before 
the Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 23rd ult. 
Gall on Jasmine.—With reference to the speci¬ 
men brought by the Secretary to the last meeting, 
Mr. MacLachlan reports that it is quite impossible 
to fix on anything in particular in the way of a cause, 
but the puncture of a Phytoptus is the most 
probable. 
Phyllotreta on Cruciferae —He also observes, 
with regard to the beetles shown by Mr. Michael as 
as destructive to Stocks, &c., that " the genus is the 
one to which the ‘ Turnip flea ’ belongs. There are 
about a dozen species in this country, all being much 
alike. They all frequent the Cruciferae, and the fact 
that this one was also found on Tropaeolum only in¬ 
tensifies the fact that most things which feed on the 
former will feed on the latter, as— e.g., the larvae of 
• Cabbage Whites,’ the interpretation being that both 
contain the same chemical vegetable products." 
Dahlia Hybrid (?)—Flowers were received irom 
Mr. E J. Lowe, of Shirenewton Hall, Chepstow, sup¬ 
posed to be the result of crossing a Dahlia with the 
pollen of a Sunflower. The appearance was that of 
a Dahlia, the disc alone being rather larger. Dr. 
Masters undertook to examine them more minutely. 
Cypripedium, Monstrous —Mr. Veitch sent a 
plant of C. Sityus bearing a single flower. It had no 
lip, but two columns. It was referred to Dr. 
Masters for further investigation. 
The Copper Plant —Dr. Masters exhibited an 
illustration of Polycarpaea spirostylis, F. von 
Mueller. It has the above name, as it is said only 
to grow where copper is to be found, and that its 
presence is an indication to miners of the existence 
of that metal in the neighbourhood. It is found by 
the mines of Watsonville, &c , N. Queensland. 
Chrysanthemum Proliferous.— A specimen 
bearing three flowers was received from Mr. B. 
Greaves, of Broome Hall Gardens, Dorking. They 
were remarkable for consisting of a dense mass of 
minute heads instead of distinct florets. Some of the 
Show Dahlias, Dr. Masters observed, consisted of 
this peculiarity, the separate heads combining to 
make a single large "flower." The peculiarity is 
characteristic of the genus Echinops, only the in¬ 
dividual heads contain but a single flower each. 
-♦ »—- 
TRIALS AT CHISWICK. 
The trial of Cottager's and Curled Kales, held at 
Chiswick this year, has been an interesting one, 
and the committee met at Chiswick on November 
Cth to determine the relative merits of the varieties, 
forty-seven in number, submitted to the test. The 
award of XXX. was made to the following varieties. 
Cuthbertson. —A very dwarf, hardy, curled form 
with dark, sturdy foliage. Mr. M. Cuthbertson, 
Rothesay, Bute. 
Brydon’s Selected, —This is a very strong and 
vigorous form of medium height. The leaves are 
very densely curled, in fact, more so than any of the 
other forty-six varieties sent. Messrs. Kent & 
Brydon, Darlington. 
Variegated. —Here we have an excellent sample 
of a good garnishing Kale. The leaves are nicely 
crisped, and white, green, purple, and shades of rose 
are the predominant colours. Messrs. Jas. Veitch & 
Sons, Ltd., Chelsea. 
Dobbie's Selected. —This is a splendid curled 
variety, very vigorous, and hardy, passing through 
the most severe winters untouched. The foliage is 
very dark green, and the plants are of medium 
height. Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, Bute, 
and Orpington, Kent. 
Chou de Milan. —A tall, branching variety of 
great merit, but not curled. Its greatest recom¬ 
mendation is its exceptional hardiness. Messrs. 
Watkins & Simpson, Exeter Street, Strand. 
Cottager's Kale.— This is a splendid strain, of 
tall and branching habit. The foliage is dark, and 
slightly curled. Messrs. Watkins & Simpson. 
Culzean Castle. —Here we have another excel¬ 
lent stock. The plants are of medium height, very 
strong, and vigorous. The foliage is of dark hue, 
and densely curled. Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, 
Houndsditch. 
Late Hearting —A dwarf and sturdy strain of 
hearting Kale. The plants produce large and heavy 
hearts of great delicacy of flavour. The leaves are 
much curled. Messrs. Hurst & Son. 
An award of XX was made to the two under¬ 
mentioned varieties. 
Dwarf Purple. —Here the leaves are long and 
large, dark purple in hue, and well curled. The 
plants are very dwarf in habit, being only about a 
foot in height. Messrs. Dobbie & Co. 
Barr's Exquisite. —This is practically the same 
as Dwarf Purple, the habit and style being identical 
in the two cases. Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, 
Covent Garden. 
