fruit is off. I have been told by a friend that it is the effect of the sea air after uncovering, but I can scarcely think it. I shall feel obliged to your readers if they can assign any other cause. If I live and continue here another season, I shall not uncover so early, and if desired I will communicate the result. I am, Sir, &c. -J. D. P. Feb. 16. 1829.

We shall be happy to hear from our correspondent on this or on any other subject.

Cond.

Canker in Apple Trees, in answer to W. G. W. (p. 111.) — Sir, I would advise W. G. W., after taking out all the cankered wood, to use the following composition:- Take fresh cow-dung, quicklime, and wood ashes, of each an equal quantity: to them add a little sulphur, with a sufficient quantity of urine to make it of the consistence of paint; and, having mixed the whole well together, then, with a painter's brush, wash the trees well, taking care not to miss any of the parts which are infested. I have tried it on several trees in my orchard, and have found it to answer perfectly. I am, Sir, &c. - An Amateur.

Apple Trees for an Orchard. Sir, In reply to your correspondent, J. S. L. (p. 111.), I can strongly recommend the following apples: — The Nonesuch and the Newtown Pippin as autumnal fruit, and the Pome-roy, Brandy-apple, and the Ashmead's Kernel, all of which are good in the winter and spring. The last three apples are, I believe, natives of Gloucestershire, and are to be had at the Gloucester nurseries. There are no finer apples than these. — C. Lawrence. Cirencester, March 12. 1829. The Frankincense Pine (Pinus Ta`da). — Has any of your readers seen this pine with suckers, as I have heard it said that it throws up these when cut over by the surface.-J. D. C.

The Coccus ovatus. — Sir, In Vol. IV. p. 189. a reader wishes to know what will kill the Cóccus ovàtus. I beg to inform him that I had some choice apple trees against a wall, which were much troubled with them, when I thought of the following simple remedy: - I unnailed the branches and poured boiling water (though I would recommend soap-suds in preference) on the trees, and thus effectually killed the insects which were under the shreds. I doubt whether it would not injure the buds of peaches, nectarines, and apricots. I have not tried it for the American bug, but I think it would succeed. In cases of canker I find it best to head down and scrape and clean the stock well, and then dress it well with soapsuds and sulphur. I am Sir, &c.-J. Haythorn. Wollaton, Jan. 7. 1829. Cabbage Plants bitten off. If a Surrey reader (Vol. III. p. 381.) will, in a morning, remove the soil an inch or two deep round the stems of his cabbage plants which have been bitten off the preceding night, he will almost invariably find the enemy in the shape of a dark muddy-green caterpillar or grub, varying in length from 1 in. to 1 in. This plan, if followed up, will certainly tend materially to lessen the evil he complains of, and prevent an immense increase the following season. I do not apprehend that wire worms attack the Brássica tribe. Perhaps some of your readers will favour us with an entomological description of the before-mentioned caterpillar. I am Sir, &c. - A Florist. Feb. 8. 1828.

Heaths and Ferns. -I am glad to see two papers in a late Number on Heaths and Ferns, and would be glad if any of your correspondents would inform me of any nursery in which these tribes are cultivated to a considerable extent, as I want a supply of each.. Mr. Housman gives a list of ferus, which he says are to be had at " the Liverpool Garden." The Liverpool Garden is, undoubtedly, the Botanic Garden, though I presume he does not refer to that, as I conceive nothing is sold there. [On the contrary, we believe ferns and other herbaceous plants are sold.] I am quite at a loss to account for the great difference in prices at various nurseries. I was furnished with a list of ferns and the prices per plant, some weeks ago, by a nurseryman, being from 3s. to 7s. each, which ap

peared to me most extravagant. I applied to Mr. Miller of Bristol, whose collection was very small, but consisted of the same species which were named in the former list: his prices were 1s. and 18. 6d. per plant. Horticulture is now so much encouraged that nurserymen and florists would consult their own interests by keeping down their prices as much as possible, and thereby very much extending their market to a large class of customers, who are become re infecta, but are afraid to enter upon that which really ought, at the present time, to be a cheap gratification. Yours, &c.-C. Lawrence. Cirencester, March 12. 1829.

Growth of Broccoli, Sea-kale, and Celery.—I wish some of your correspondents, who have been particularly successful in the management and growth of broccoli, sea-kale, and celery, would furnish the details of their operations through your Magazine; the value and utility of which would, I think, be enhanced by a more liberal supply of practical directions from those who have chanced to be successful in raising productions in common domestic use. — Id.

Plan for watering Cucumber Hills. Sir, My plan is nothing more than a watering-pot pipe with a funnel at the top, I have a stick to fit in easy, and thrust both down to the dung in any part of the bed, then withdraw the stick and pour in water. Would it not be to the interest of the nurseryman and horticulturist, to try the plan on the orange, camellia, &c., in pots, the soil of which is often moist above but dry below.-J. Haythorn. Wollaton, Jan. 7. 1829.

Characters of the principal Gooseberries.— Your correspondent who favoured us, in your Number for December 1828, with some remarks on gooseberries, would confer a general benefit on your readers in the West of England, who are little informed on this subject, if he would enable you to publish an enumeration of the characters of the principal kinds, distinguishing those which are conspicuous for earliness, lateness, high flavour, copious bearing, sweetness, acidity, beauty, fitness to be gathered in an early stage of growth, size of the plant, rapid growth and strength of the plant, fitness for preserving, beauty of the fruit, favourite soil and aspect, and any other remarkable or useful qualities which any of the varieties may possess. I am, Sir, &c. - Causidicus. Jan. 18. 1829.

Pots without Apertures to prevent the Escape of Water. — Mr. Knight states in a paper in Vol. VII. Part II. of Hort. Trans., "Whenever I have adopted the practice of plunging the pots into the ground, or into the soil of a larger pit, I have almost invariably used pots without any apertures, to prevent the escape of water and of the roots. Gardeners are generally very strongly prejudiced against pots of this construction; but, whenever plants are kept constantly under glass, I have found that they may be used with advantage; and by properly covering the mould with tiles, I have not found any difficulty in preventing during summer, the ingress of too much water, when the pots have been placed in the open air." I should be glad to know if any of your readers have adopted or tried this very singular practice of Mr. Knight, and what has been their success? Had it been recommended by any other man than the President of the Horticultural Society, I should have considered the writer of unsound mind, or a a rogue wishing to entrap some one into the death of a number of plants. A Common Gardener. Feb. 6. 1829.

The Tottenham Park Muscat Grape. — Sir, If any of your readers, who may have what is called the Tottenham Park Muscat vine, and have fruited it, will give their opinion whether it is a new variety of the White Muscat of Alexandria, or whether it is not owing to the particular situation it is planted in at Tottenham Park, it will be no doubt satisfactory to others as well as to myself.

I understand it is planted within the hot-house at Tottenham Park, by the back fluc, which may cause it to ripen its fruit better than those

planted outside ordinarily do, and which is the case in that place. I fruited it last season, but could not perceive any difference whatever from the other White Muscats in the same hot-house, and under the same treatment.

If any of your correspondents who have fruited it can give a better account of it, it will reconcile those, perhaps, who have been induced to give two guineas a plant, for what is feared by some to be neither more nor less than the old White Muscat of Alexandria. I am, Sir, &c.— W. W. Feb. 20. 1829.

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Zante Currant Grape. — Sir, I shall be obliged to you, or any of your correspondents, who will inform me, through the medium of your Magazine, of the best method of treating the Zante Currant grape, so as to make it fruitful. I have had plants of it for several years, but have not succeeded in getting them to produce. I am, Sir, &c.-C. L. May 9. 1829. Vines trained down from the Rafters. — Sir, In reply to the querist (p. 110.), touching the growth of vines, when trained down from the rafters, I have to state, for his information, that the vines are planted outside the house, and when introduced, are trained upon wires immediately under the rafter, and under each other, or in the same plane with it; say about 1 ft. asunder (fig.172) by which he will perceive that neither of these great

requisites, light and heat, is thereby obstructed. By this method of training, the back wall becomes an object of great importance, as it may be entirely covered by a continuation of training on a trellis, and enjoys all the benefits of light and heat that could be derived, if there were no other training admitted in the house. I am, Sir, &c.- John Haycroft. Vines for a Green-house. Sir, In a green-house intended chiefly for geraniums, the health of which is entirely studied, I am about to put six vines, and as of course the house must not be heated to a higher degree than the geraniums require, I shall feel much obliged by any of your experienced practical readers mentioning in your next Magazine, whether the following vines will succeed in such a situation: White Frontignac, Grizzly Frontignac, Early White Teneriffe, Black Hamburgh, Royal Muscadine, and West's St. Peter. I shall also feel much obliged by their mentioning the names of any other vines you can particularly recommend for such a green-house. I am, &c.— A Constant Reader. Sept. 16. 1829.

Mr. Squibs's Mode of pruning the Vine.—A subscriber in Salem, Massachusetts, is desirous of a more detailed account of this method, with its advantages and disadvantages; and we should be much obliged to Mr. Squib, or any other gardener who has practised this method, to supply it. What is said of the method, in the page above referred to, is sufficient for an experienced vine-dresser, but not, perhaps, for a beginner. - Cond.

Sisymbrium indicum.- Can you give me an account of Sisymbrium indicum, from the Isle of France, an Indian cress said not to suffer from the hardest winter; how to cultivate it; and where seeds may be procured? W. J. Bridport, May 23. 1829.

Mr. Whitlaw's Hemp.-Sir, In some one of the periodicals I lately met with a description of a new hemp-plant, said to be introduced by Mr. Whitlaw, and grown in his garden at Bayswater. Would you, or any of your correspondents, furnish me with the mode of culture of this plant, and how

seeds of it may be obtained, I should feel obliged. Large quantities of hemp are manufactured in this place; and could the growth of an article superior to the common kind produced in this neighbourhood be introduced, it might prove of essential benefit to the labouring classes of the town and its vicinity.— W. J. Bridport, May 23. 1829.

Cider. Sir, Can any of your correspondents inform me of any book containing practical directions for making cider, according to the most approved method? Yours, &c. - Rusticus.

Our correspondent may refer to Croker's Art of making and managing Cider, London, 8vo, 5d edit. 1827.- Cond.

Tulipa Sibthorpiana, enquired for by D. Falconar, Esq., of Carlowrie, (Vol. IV. p. 446.) is in the collection of Robert Barclay, Esq., of Bury Hill. · Perceval Hunter. Epping Forest, Essex, March 18. 1829.

Trèfle farouche. Many thanks will be due to the person who will instruct the British farmer how to turn this beautiful and early plant to any practical use in this country. I tried it several years myself without profit. I have sown it as late as the 6th of June, among spring wheat, but it flowered and ripened its seed before the 29th of September. It is strictly annual, and if it once forms its seed it dies. I therefore conclude, that if it be sown among spring corn, it will rise with the corn, blossom the first summer, and spoil or endanger the barley or oat crop. In Roussillon, where it is principally cultivated, it is sown as a secondary crop on the wheat stubbles, upon one ploughing given immediately after wheat harvest; and in that fine climate, with the aid of irrigation, which is extended to nearly all the arable land there, this species yields a copious crop, to be cut in May, or for soiling in October, when it is ready to blossom. Receiving this check, the plant endures through the winter, and comes into blossom the following May, when it yields a full hay crop, and is then ploughed up to be succeeded by spring corn; but in England, when I have sown it immediately after harvest, I have never found our autumns warm enough to force a growth fit to come to the scythe before winter, though the plant yielded a hay crop early in the following summer: and, therefore, the question occurs, whether it will pay the farmer to break up his wheat stubbles for the sake of growing this crop, which he cannot get off early enough to enable him properly to prepare for a succeeding crop of spring corn in the same season, as he may do after stubble turnips. No farmer has strength enough to break up and sow all his stubbles instantly, as his corn crops are harvested. If the tillage occupies much time, the sun deserts him, and the stubble crops do not answer expectation; and for the little that he can plough up in good time, winter vetches and stubble turnips will, probably, answer his purpose better than Trefle farouche. It is not impossible, that by sowing the Trèfle farouche by itself in July, a green crop might be obtained for feeding or soiling in October, to be succeeded by a hay crop in May; but in July no spring corn remains to be sown with it. What farmer will give up a whole year's culture to a green crop in autumn, and a hay crop in the following spring, without corn? It is, therefore, improbable that this crop will, in our cold climate, be of very extensive utility. Will some farmer try the experiment of sowing it together with lammas wheat in July, feeding down both in autumn, mowing off the hay in May, and leaving the wheat to rise and perfect itself afterwards? It is to be feared the wheat plant would be too much exhausted by the autumnal feeding and spring mowing, to yield a good crop of grain after this severe operation. The Trèfle farouche is a plant of singular beauty; but, from the deficiency of ligneous matter, the hay it makes must weigh very light, and for the same reason it must be more suitable for sheep than for horses.

Trifolium Molinèri. A plant extremely resembling the Trèfle farouche in habits, except that the blossom is of a paler colour, especially at the apex,

the plant some what more bulky, and the habit altogether more hardy, is the Trifolium Molinèri, which has been collected growing wild about Paris, and which, not impossibly, may be the Roussillon, or farouche trefoil, accidentally naturalised in that part of France. The seed of either may be had from your excellent friend, M. Vilmorin, Quai de la Magisserie, Paris, or whom I have, in many years' experience, found the strongest reason to depend, for the accuracy of the seeds which he sends out. I should be sorry to deter any agriculturist from an experiment with the Trèfle farouche, which may turn out beneficially, and I hope no farmer will consider these observations as having any other view than to point out where the principal difficulties lie, and to stimulate the exertion of his ingenuity to overcome or avoid them. I am, Sir, &c. Causidicus. Feb. 4. 1829.

ART. XVII. Horticultural Society and Garden.'

SEPT. 1. 1829. · Exhibited. A collection of Seedling Double Georginas, from Mr. John Young, C.M.H.S. A collection of various flowers, from Robert Barclay, Esq. F.H.S.; also, from the same, Washington Plums, and specimens of a Plum unnamed, which proved to be the Imperial Diadem. A collection of Plums, Apples, and Pears, from Mr. Thomas Gibbs, F.H.S. Moorpark Apricots, and Purple-Fruited Passion Flower, from Mr. John George Fuller, F.H.S. Specimens of the Sanguinole Pear, from Andrew Arcedeckne, Esq. F.H.S.

Also, from the Garden of the Society. Flowers: Double Georginas, Seedling Georginas, Anemone-flowered Georginas, and Dwarf Georginas, Verbèna Melindres, pulchella, and Aublètia, Senecio élegans fl. pl., Eschschóltzia califórnica, Agératum mexicanum, Centaurèa americàna, Clárkia pulchella, Hibiscus africanus, Helianthus lenticulàris, Gíliapulchella, Enothèra vimínea, Lindleyana, quadrivúlnera, decúmbens, and odorata; Anthemis arábica, Trachymène cærulea, Argemòne grandiflòra, China-asters, Mule Pinks, China Pinks, French Marigolds, Coreópsis tinctòria and Atkinsonii, Galárdia aristàta, Dònia villòsa, and Eccremocarpus scàber. — Fruit: Gaultheria Shallon, and Empetrum scóticum; eight sorts of Pears, and Fourteen sorts of Apples.

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e

Chiswick Garden, Oct. 19. - The principal entrance (fig. 173. a)* being now completed, visitors are no longer admitted by the back door which opens on Turnham Green (b). The archway, containing the door and a

The sketch is made entirely from memory, and has no pretensions to accuracy, which is not required for the present purpose.