.118 
JOUB.KAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  lO,  1898, 
This  prevents  the  flies  deix)siting  eggs  in  the  leaves,  or  kills  the 
maggots  that  may  be  in  the  blisters,  and  only  needs  occasional 
renewal  to  prevent  or  make  an  end  of  the  pests.  Soluble  petroleum 
does  not  blister  the  leafage  nor  injure  roots,  but  kills  the  pests  and 
rapidly  decays  in  the  soil,  llaw  paraffin  oil  does  harm  to  foliage  and 
proves  injurious  to  roots. 
The  caterpillar  of  the  Cineraria  leaf-miner  moth  (Nepticula 
argentella)  has  the  gift  of  “mole-like  burrowing  in  the  leaves,” 
producing  a  white  or  yellowish  line  or  mark,  sometimes  with  purplish 
margins,  and  goes  somewhat  roundabout  in  curves,  but  always  forward 
from  a  starting  point,  ending  at  the  leaf  margin,  or  where  the 
exit  takes  place  for  changing  into  pupa,  and  from  this  emerging  as  a 
moth.  This  belongs  to  the  Nepticulidae  (pigmy  moths),  and  has  a 
near  relation  in  the  Bramble  leaf-miner  moth  (Nepticula  aurella). 
Beyond  the  white  marking  on  the  surface  of  the  leaf  the  tunnelling 
does  not  greatly  prejudice  the  growth,  unless  it  interfere  with  the 
veins,  then  collapse  may  ensue.  The  tunnelling,  however,  is  an 
eyesore  that  warrants  prevention  and  remedy. 
For  the  leaf-miner  moth  I  know  of  nothing  better  than  catching  it 
on  smeared  cardboard,  as  previously  advised.  For  the  caterpillar 
crushing  between  the  lingers  answers  well,  only  do  not  squeeze 
too  tightly  so  as  to  injure  the  leaf.  The  almost  legless  creature  is 
always  situated  at  the  forward  end  of  the  mine,  therefore  nip  these 
early,  and  further  mischief  will  be  prevented. 
As  for  attacks  of  leaf-blister  fly  or  leaf-miner  moth  being  influenced 
by  “  the  constant  use  of  organic  manure,”  I  may  say  that  the  softer 
the  leafage  the  easier  it  falls  a  prey  to  its  enemy,  and  the  more 
solidified  the  fuliage  the  better  it  resists  blister  fly  and  leaf-miner 
moth  in  puncturing.  The  leaf-miner  moth  has  always  been  the 
most  prevalent  with  me  when  the  Cinerarias  were  fed  with  stable  and 
cowhouse  drainings,  and  the  leaf-blister  the  most  destructive  when 
nitrogenic  manure  was  liberally  supplied.  Of  course,  there  are 
so-called  inorganic  and  organic  fertilisers,  and  even  stable  and  cow¬ 
house  drainings  are  a  very  uncertain  article.  In  another  communica¬ 
tion  I  will  refer  to  flued  garden  walls. — G.  Abbey. 
EAliLY  POTATOES. 
To  be  able  to  dig  a  nice  dish  of  Potatoes  a  few  days  earlier  than 
tluir  neighbours  is  one  of  the  little  ambitions  of  a  gardener’s  life.  It 
is  not,  however,  wise  to  begin  to  dig  until  we  have  a  sufficient  stock 
ready  to  form  a  succession  il  supply.  Warm  borders  are  not  too 
jilentiful  in  many  gardens,  and  as  so  many  crops  are  required  as  earl}' 
as  possible,  no  great  amount  of  such  space  can  be  devoted  to  Potatoes; 
yet  if  only  a  small  patch  is  planted  the  supply  is  not  large  enough 
to  carry  us  on  till  the  time  when  Potatoes  grown  in  open  quarters 
are  ready  for  lifting. 
The  difficulty  may,  however,  generally  be  overcome  by  planting 
tubers  of  the  short-topped  varieties  in  rough  pits.  Such  pits  may  easily 
be  formed  by  placing  soil  in  ridges  shaped  into  the  form  of  a  range  of 
pits.  The  ridges  need  not  be  more  than  2  feet  in  height  at  the  back 
and  15  inches  in  the  front.  Rough  frames  made  of  boards  will  do 
almost  as  well,  but  they  have  this  drawback,  that  if  we  happen  to  get 
a  severe  frost  after  the  Potatoes  are  up,  a  great  deal  of  protecting 
material  needs  placing  round  the  sides,  as  well  as  over  the  top  of  the 
pit  to  keep  out  frost,  whereas  a  pit  formed  with  earth  sides  can  be 
depended  upon  to  keep  the  Potato  tops  uninjured,  if  the  top  of  the 
frame  is  well  protected.  I  like  to  make  the  soil  in  these  pits 
thoroughly  light  and  rich,  as  I  find  they  seldom  require  water  more 
than  once,  and  a  soil  in  which  the  young  tubers  can  work  freely 
facilitates  their  groAvth.  When  digging  the  pits,  therefore,  work  in 
a  large  quantity  of  thoroughly  decayed  old  hotbed  manure,  mixed 
with  the  soil  of  the  hotbed.  Although  fresh  manure  should  never  be 
largely  given  to  soil  in  which  Potatoes  are  to  be  planted,  when 
thoroughly  decayed  it  may  with  advantage  be  used.  When  planting 
in  the  limited  amount  of  space  afforded  by  pits,  it  is  necessary  to  turn 
it  to  the  best  advantage.  Short  topped  varieties  such  as  Sharpe’s 
Victor  I  plant  a  foot  apart  each  way,  instead  of  giving  a  greater 
distance  between  the  rows,  as  when  they  are  grown  in  the  open  air. 
In  pits,  of  course,  we  place  soil  over  the  whole  surface  instead  of 
forming  it  into  ridges,  hence  the  difference  in  the  method  of  planting. 
For  planting  choose  medium-sized  tubers,  previously  prepared  by 
being  sprouted  in  boxes,  or  started  in  small  pots,  not  more  than 
two  shoots  of  course  being  left  on  them.  If  planted  from  pots  a 
trowel  should  be  used  for  the  purpose,  but  when  the  tubers  have 
been  simply  sprouted  in  boxes  the  dibble  answers  well ;  in  either  case 
cover  the  tubers  with  3  inches  of  soil.  After  planting,  any  old  lights 
at  command  should  be  utilised  for  covering  the  pit.  The  only 
attention  required  till  the  sprouts  push  through  the  soil  is  to  cover 
at  night,  or  at  other  times  when  the  weather  is  severe,  and  to 
remove  the  covering  in  bright  weather,  so  that  the  sun  may  warm 
the  soil.  As  growth  takes  place  air  must  be  given  on  lavourable 
occasions,  and  3  or  4  inches  of  soil  placed  between  the  plants  when 
they  are  about  6  inches  in  height. 
Turning  to  the  culture  of  early  Potatoes  in  the  open  air,  it  is  well 
to  note  that  very  early  planting  is  not  to  be  commended,  unless  means 
are  taken  to  protect  the  tops  from  sudden  frosts ;  but  given  a  warm 
position  in  front  of  a  wall  facing  south,  and  the  necessary  attention  in 
regard  to  protection,  tubers  fit  to  dig  may  be  obtained  fully  a  fort¬ 
night  earlier  than  from  the  open  ground  where  they  have  received  no 
protection.  If  the  present  favourable  weather  continue  those  who 
have  a  warm  border  should  plant  a  fair  breadth  during  the  second 
week  in  February,  and  make  another  planting  two  or  three  weeks 
later,  as  by  so  doing  a  regular  succession  can  .be  obtained  from  the 
time  those  in  earth  pits  are  dug  till  those  in  open  quarters  are  ready. 
Ground  which  has  been  well  manured  for  the  previous  crop  is  usually 
in  good  condition  for  Potatoes,  without  any  addition  being  made,  if  it 
is  light  and  in  fine  working  order.  In  dealing  with  such  a  soil  I  am 
fully  convinced  of  the  advantage  of  delaying  the  digging  till  a  day  or 
so  before  planting  takes  place ;  and  I  also  believe  that,  as  a  rule, 
heavy  land  is  greatly  benefited  by  throwing  it  up  roughly  in  the  autumn, 
so  that  frost,  air,  rain,  and  sunshine  may  exercise  their  ameliorating 
influences  upon  it.  I  am  aware  that  there  are  some  very  tenacious 
soils  which,  if  dug  in  the  autumn,  are  sticky  and  wet  when  planting 
time  comes.  Such  should  be  left  till  dry  upon  the  surface,  and  then 
be  forked  over  again,  for  it  is  the  eagerness  to  get  upon  autumn-dug 
Imd  before  it  is  dry  in  spring  that  in  innumerable  instances  biings 
autumn  digging  into  disrepute.  Dressing  with  lime,  combined  with 
autumn  digging,  and  the  working  in  of  opening  materials,  will,  if 
persisted  in,  bring  the  most  stubborn  soil  into  a  friable  condition. 
This  slight  digression  will  perhaps  be  pardoned,  as  it  is  a  matter  of 
great  importance,  now  being  discussed'  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture. 
In  planting  eariy  Potatoes  in  the  open  air  I  prefer  to  set  them  in 
<lrills  rather  than  holes  made  with  the  dibber,  as  the  soil  around  the 
sots  is  then  left  in  a  condition  favourable  for  the  young  roots  to  work 
i  1.  We  have  many  early  short-topped  varieties  of  great  merit,  these 
need  not  be  allowed  nearly  so  much  space  as  later  ones.  From  15  to 
18  inches  is  a  good  distance  to  set  the  rows  apart,  placing  the  tubers 
10  inches  asunder  in  the  rows.  As  soon  as  they  are  an  inch  above  the 
s(d I,  a  sharp  look  out  ought  to  be  kept  for  frosts;  a  little  soil  drawn 
over  the  tops  answers  well  for  a  time,  but  later  on  it  is  n  cessary  to 
c  iver  with  rough  straw  or  similar  materials.  As  the  tops  are  young 
lii  iure  being  earthed,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  fork  lightly  between  the 
rows,  as  it  allows  the  warm  air  to  [lenetrate  and  thins  forward  the 
crop.  During  showery  weather  in  April  a  little  nitrate  of  soda 
scattered  between  the  rows  helps  to  promote  rapid  growth,  as  well  as 
to  enable  the  plants  to  draw  largely  upon  the  store  of  other  food 
present  in  the  soil.  When  the  tops  have  attained  a  height  of  6  inches 
e  irthing  should  be  done,  bringing  the  ridges  just  up  to  the  tops  of  the 
haulm. 
Many  new  varieties  have  been  put  upon  the  market  during  the 
I  \st  ten  years,  and  some  of  them  have  proved  decided  acquisitions. 
'I’he  one  already  referred  to — Sharpe’s  Victor — has  become  a  general 
favourite  and  is  largely  grown;  but  it  will,  I  think,  soon  be  left 
b  'hind  in  the  race  for  popularity  by  a  round  variety  sent  out  by  the 
same  firm— viz..  Early  Six  Weeks.  This  is,  I  cons  der,  one  of  the 
earliest  varieties  in  commerce,  and  all  should  give  it  a  trial.  Improved 
Ash  leaf,  though  not  quite  so  early  as  some  of  the  newer  introductions. 
Ills  this  advantage — viz.,  that  the  tubers  are  al ways  of  good  quality, 
even  when  somewhat  undersized,  compared  with  other  varieties 
planted  at  the  same  time.  It  is  a  pity  that  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons 
are  not  able  to  offer  seed  of  Al  this  season,  as  it  is  one  of  the  good 
things  which  everyone  is  trying  to  get.  Ringleader,  sent  out  by  the 
same  firm,  is  also  in  the  front  rank  of  early  sorts.  Puritan  is  a  wonderful 
cropper  which  produces  large  tubers,  but  is  scarcely  so  early  as  any 
of  those  previously  named.  Dickson’s  Dwarf-top  Ashleaf  ripens  about 
the  same  time  as  the  old  Ashleat,  and  its  dwarf  habit  of  growth  is  a 
distinct  gain.  Britannia,  sent  out  by  the  same  firm,  seems  to  be  an 
exceedingly  promising  variety.  Sutton’s  Seedling,  though  scarcely  so 
early  as  the  majority  of  those  named,  is  good  for  a  succession,  and  is, 
I  think,  the  most  handsome  Potato  grown. — H.  D. 
Royal  Meteorological  Society. — At  the  ordinary  meeting  of 
the  Society,  to  be  held  at  the  Institution  of  Civil  Engineers,  Great 
George  Street,  Westminster,  on  Wednesday,  the  16th  inst.,  at  7.30  p.m., 
the  following  papers  will  be  read  :  — “  Report  on  the  Phonological  Obser¬ 
vations  forl897,”  by  Edward  Mawley,  E.R.Met.Soc.,  E.R.H.S.  “  Monthly 
and  Annual  Rainfall  in  the  British  Empire,  1877  to  1896,”  by  John 
Hopkinson,  F.R.Met.Soc.,  Assoc.Inst.C.E. 
