JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER , 
July  14,  ,1898, _ 
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Raby  Castle  is  awarded  the  premier  position  on  account  of  its  colour. 
The  other  varieties  grown  are  Hayes’  Scarlet,  The  Pasha,  Miss  Ellen 
Terry.  Ketton  Rose,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Mrs.  Muir,  Mrs.  Reynolds  Hole,  and 
Miss  Audrey  Campbell.  Sweet  Peas  are  grown  in  vast  quantity. 
The  glass  houses  are  all  in  excellent  repair,  and  are  in  four  ranges, 
with  a  total  of  twenty-two  houses.  The  first  range  we  enter  is  of  noble 
and  imposing  aspect,  and  consists  of  a  large  greenhouse.  Palm  house,  and 
stove.  The  greenhouse  has  its  roof  clothed  with  large  Gloire  de  Dijon 
and  William  Allen  Richardson  Roses,  and  on  the  back  wall  a  large  Ivy¬ 
leaved  Pelargonium  Madame  Crousse,  Plumbago  capensis,  Rhynco- 
spermum  jasminoides.  and  Camellias.  The  central  stage  was  occupied  by 
Japanese  Maples,  Oranges,  Myrtles,  Phormiums,  and  a  fine  specimen  of 
Dasylirion  acrotrichum.  The  front  part  of  the  house  was  gay  with  Zonal 
Pelargoniums,  Spiraea  japonica,  Lilium  Harris),  with  Hydrangeas  hortensis 
and  Thomas  Hogg. 
The  Palm  house  contains  some  fine  specimens,  which  are  used  in 
the  house  in  autumn  and  winter.  They  include  Iventia  Fosteriana, 
K.  Belmoreana,  Seaforthia  elegans,  Chamaedorea  elegantissima,  Phoenix 
reclinata,  P.  rupicola,  P.  tenuis,  Rhapis  flabelliformis,  Latania  borbonlca, 
and  Euterpe  edulis.  There  are  also  several  large  Bamboos.  The  back 
wall  of  the  stove  is  covered  with  Ferns  in  turf,  while  the  roof  is  clothed 
with  Allamandas,  Stephanotis,  Passiflora  princeps,  and  Clerodendron 
Balfourianum.  The  stages  were  stocked  with  Dracaenas,  Pandanus  Yeitchi, 
Dieffenbachias,  Anthuriums,  several  varieties  of  Scherzerianum,  and 
Andreanum — both  extensively  and  well  grown,  as  their  spathes  are  in 
constant  request.  Eucharis  and  Pancratiums  are  also  grown  in  quantity. 
Passing  into  the  kitchen  garden,  we  come  to  a  range  of  span-roofed 
houses,  four  in  number,  in  which  was  a  very  healthy  collection  of 
Malmaison  Carnations  ;  the  next  bouse  had  a  few  Orchids,  mostly 
Cattleyas,  and  was  followed  by  miscellaneous  plants  for  vases,  and 
Acalyphas,  mostly  in  6  and  7-inch  pots,  which  are  in  great  favour  for 
room  decoration. 
At  the  top  of  the  garden  are  the  fruit  houses.  Early  Peach  trees 
were  bearing  full  crops,  and  looking  remarkably  healthy.  There  are 
three  vineries,  each  50  feet  long,  the  early  houses  being  mostly  Black 
Hamburgh.  There  is  a  house  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  the  late 
house  contains  Lady  Downe’s,  Black  Alicante,  and  Alnwick  Seedling,  all 
promising  well.  The  Fig  house  has  healthy  young  trees  of  Brown 
Turkey,  White  Ischia,  and  Negro  Largo.  Bananas  are  grown  well  in 
the  large  stove.  Another  range  of  four  span-roofed  houses  and  four 
pits  contains  Gardenias,  tree  Carnations,  with  structures  for  Tomatoes 
and  Cucumbers.  In  the  pits  were  splendid  Melons  ripening.  The  variety 
grown  is  Sir  Richard,  raised  by  Mr.  Smith,  but  not  yet  in  commerce.  It 
is  a  cross  between  maximus  aud  Beeehwood,  and  is  a  good  cropper,  of 
fine  flavour,  and  nets  well.  Most  of  the  fruits  were  about  4  lbs.  in  weight, 
and  every  plant  had  no  less  than  four. 
Calanthes  are  grown  in  quantity,  as  are  Violets.  Double  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  flowered  successionally,  while  singles  are  also  in  request 
for  room  decoration,  as  are  the  scented-leaved  varieties.  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  are  grown  to  the  number  of  700,  and  were  in  fine  condition. 
Strawberries  in  pots  are  also  grown  to  the  number  of  2000,  and  in  several 
of  the  houses  plants  were  in  different  stages  of  fruit.  President  and 
Laxton’s  Scarlet  Queen  were  bearing  even  crops  of  large  ripe  fruit.  The 
latter  Mr.  Smith  thinks  highly  of  for  its  good  travelling  properties  and 
exquisite  flavour.  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  mention  about  100  Campanula 
p\  ramidalis,  with  great  promise  for  the  autumn  display  ;  also  a  similar 
number  of  Lilium  longiflorum,  L.  speciosum  rubrum,  and  L.  speciosum 
Ivivetzeri  in  large  pots,  and  looking  extremely  healthy.  Caladiums  are 
grown  well  in  quantity,  and  in  some  of  the  best  varieties. — F.  Street. 
STARLINGS  AND  LEATHER  JACKETS. 
Having  followed  the  trail  of  “  A  Briton  in  Belgium,”  by  the  medium 
of  those  crisp  notes,  I  would  fain  add  to  his  closing  paragraph,  re  starlings, 
on  page  517.  One  scarcely  dares  to  hope  that  such  recognition  as  given 
to  the  services  of  our  feathered  friend  by  the  Belgian  will  ever  be 
imitated  by  the  Briton  ;  but  it  is  possible  that  prejudice  may  be  sufficiently 
overcome  to  allow  of  these  willing  workers  being  left  to  perform  their 
mission  in  peace.  Ere  speaking  further  of  my  friends  as  I  find  them,  I 
would  say  this  note  is  penned  rather  to  elicit  information  as  to  what  this 
sociable  cieature  really  is,  than  to  dogmatically  assert  he  is  entirely  what 
he  seems  to  be — a  jolly  good  fellow.  To  this  end  inquiry  was  made  from 
the  only  book  of  reference  to  hand,  which  beyond  giving  his  style  and 
title  as  Sternus  vulgaris,  is  delightfully  vague  when  it  says  “The common 
starling  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  description.”  “Too  well  known  !” 
Does  that  insinuate  his  character  is  not  irreproachable  in  the  matter  of  a 
little  surreptitious  sampling  of  our  seeds  and  fruit,  or  is  it  that  he  is, 
like  Caasar’s  wife,  above  suspicion  ? 
Here  are  some  rough  statistics  of  his  good  qualities.  Over  a  large 
area  of  arable  land  around  us,  chiefly  devoted  to  a  mixture  of  farming 
and  market  gardening,  and  seldom  without  some  stirring  operations 
going  on,  leather  jackets  abound  ;  nay,  they  must  swarm  in  myriads. 
The  starlings  from  our  loft,  whose  one  aim  in  life  for  some  weeks  appears 
to  be  leather  jackets,  are  in  continual  flight,  returning  each  short  journey 
with  from  one  to  three  of  the  grubs  for  their  big-mouthed  bairns.  Now 
one  bird  makes,  say,  ten  journeys  in  the  hour,  and  works  ten  hours  a 
day,  thus  giving  the  carrying  power  of  each  bird  at  200  per  diem.  This 
I  honestly  believe  to  be  a  decidedly  low  estimate.  If  doubted,  I  can  but 
add,  oh  I  unbeliever,  “  come  and  see,”  and  count  for  yourself. 
Now,  I  think  that  the  friends  who  feed  on  our  foes  well  deserve  the 
hospitality  afforded  to  them  in  Belgium  ;  the  more  so,  perhaps,  that  thus 
housed  we  should  see  more,  and  hear  less  of  them,  than  in  the  cocklolt, 
especially  if  a  “morning  tub”  were  attached  to  the  “free  box”  for 
Sternus  vulgaris  and  his  missus,  whose  very  joyousness  under  the 
operation  in  the  eavegutters  as  day  breaks  is  the  chief  charge,  so  far, 
brought  against  the  bird  by — The  Biped. 
VEGETABLE  GARDEN  NOTES. 
Radishes,  —  Frequent  and  thin  sowing  should  be  adopted  when 
Radishes  are  required  during  this  month  or  next  for  salads  and  other 
purposes.  The  most  suitable  position  to  grow  them  now  is  in  the  shade, 
r.ot  entirely  from  sunshine,  but  from  the  fierce  midday  rays.  Water  the 
ground  well  before  sowing  if  the  surface  is  dry.  Cover  the  seed  with 
fine  dry  soil,  and  supply  frequent  waterings  afterwards,  which  will 
encourage  the  production  of  sweet  and  succulent  Radishes. 
Rhubarb  and  Seakale. — There  is  not  much  demand  now  for 
Rhubarb,  though  owing  to  the  frequent  heavy  rains  of  late  there  is  a  good 
supply  of  young  succulent  stalks.  The  ^kitchen  garden  will  be  much 
improved  in  appearance  if  the  quarters  containing  Rhubarb  and  Seakale 
are  kept  clean,  forking  or  hoeing  all  weeds,  and  removing  flower  stalks 
which  may  have  developed. 
Vegetable  Marrows. — These  require  a  little  attention  in  regu¬ 
lating  both  main  and  lateral  growths.  When  fairly  started  Marrows 
grow  very  quickly,  and  shoots  soon  intercross.  The  plants  will  in 
most  cases,  especially  those  beginning  to  fruit,  be  strong  enough  to 
receive  assistance  from  liquid  manure  and  copious  applications  of  clear 
water.  During  a  prolonged  dry  period  watering  is  very  important  in 
light,  dry  soils,  and  mulching  over  the  roots  round  the  main  stem  also 
proves  of  service  both  in  conserving  moisture  and  affording  nutriment. 
Adequate  moisture  and  food  for  the  roots,  together  with  unlimited  space 
for  the  growths,  are  the_principal  means  of  encouraging  and  maintaining 
Vegetable  Marrows  in  a  fruitful  condition. 
Leeks. — Leeks  ought  now  to  be  p  anted,  cither  in  trenches  as  fi  r 
Celery  or  in  rows  about  1 5  inches  asunder,  the  plants  being  placed  8  inchf  s 
apart.  Leeks  require  the  soil  to  be  in  good  friable  condition  and  liberally 
manured,  otherwise  they  do  not  grow  so  strongly  as  desirable. 
Turnips. — Recently  sown  Turnips  suffer  from  attacks  of  the  Turnip 
flea.  Soot  is  one  of  the  cheapest  and  most  easily  applied  remedies.  Dust 
it  upon  the  young  seedlings  when  they  are  wet  with  rain  or  dew.  Thin 
out  the  rows  where  the  plants  are  crowded,  and  hoe  among  them. 
Sprinkle  a  little  artificial  manure  between  the  row's  to  promote  growth. 
CARROTS.- — The  final  thinning  ought  to  be  given  to  the  main  crop  of 
Carrots.  This  is  a  good  time  to  sow  a  small  breadth  of  Early  Horn  to 
produce  roots  for  drawing  young.  Choose  a  partially  shaded  border  and 
sow  in  rows  10  inches  apart. 
Winter  Greens. —  Brussels  Sprouts,  autumn  Cauliflowers,  Broccoli, 
and  Cabbage  ought  now  to  be  well  established,  and  more  plants  may  be 
inserted  in  vacant  places.  Winter  and  spring  Broccoli  should  be  placed 
out  without  delay,  also  Savoys,  Curled  Greens,  and  Rosette  Coleworts. 
Brussels  Sprouts  and  Broccoli  ought  to  have  the  most  space,  2J  feet  apart 
every  way  not  being  too  much.  Two  feet  distance  will  do  very  well  for 
Cauliflowers,  Cabbages,  Savoys,  and  Curled  Greens,  while  Coleworts  are 
planted  thickly  ;  a  foot  apart  is  usually  enough. 
Lettuce  and  Endive. — Sow  these  in  rows  a  foot  apart,  drawfing 
shallow  drills,  and  sprinkle  the  seed  evenly  but  thinly,  as  every  one  will 
germinate.  This  distance  between  the  rows  allows  of  plenty  of  room  for 
cleaning  and  culture. 
Celery. — Trim  away  suckers  and  useless  small  basal  leaves  from  the 
plants,  also  pull  out  weeds.  Lightly  tie  the  outside  leaves  together,  which 
gives  the  plants  a  neat  appearance.  This  only  applies  to  the  earliest  rows 
at  present.  Plenty  of  water  will  be  required  during  dry  weather.  After 
a  good  soaking  the  most  advanced  rows  may  have  a  little  soil  chopped 
down  each  side  and  drawn  round  the  plants.  This  will  act  ns  a  mulch, 
conserving  the  moisture.  The  latest  crop  must  be  planted  in  well- 
prepared  trenches  in  single  or  double  rows. 
SOWING  Cabbage. — Various  dates  are  found  best  by  different 
growers  for  sowing  the  spring  crop  of  Cabbage,  but  it  is  really  best 
not  to  rely  upon  one  particular  date.  In  cold,  late  districts,  the  early 
part  of  July  is  not  too  soon,  making  another  sowing  about  the  20th  of 
July.  This  latter  period  is  a  good  time  for  a  general  sowing  in  normal 
districts,  following  with  a  second  at  the  end  of  the  month  or  early  in 
August.  For  very  early  districts  the  early  part  of  August  is  the  most 
suitable  time.  Ellam’s  Dwarf  Early,  Mein’s  No.  1,  Sutton’s  Flower  of 
Spring,  Enfield  Market,  and  Wheeler's  Imperial  are  leading  varieties. 
Sow  the  seed  broadcast,  but  not  too  thickly,  choosing  an  open  position,  as 
the  seedlings  must  not  become  drawn.  If  the  weather  is  dry,  water  to 
assist  germination  and  a  vigorous  start. 
Parsley. — This  is  an  important  crop  which  ought  to  be  sown  now  in 
preference  to  any  other  time  of  the  year.  The  seedlings  stand  the  winter 
well,  and  plenty  of  Parsley  is  obtainable  throughout  the  following  summer 
without  the  plants  running  to  seed,  as  they  invariably  do  from  the  early 
spring  sowings.  Seed  may  be  sown  broadcast  or  in  drills,  thinning  out 
the  plants,  that  they  may  have  plenty  of  room  to  develop  the  best  and 
finest  foliage. — E.  D.  S. 
