high, moist temperature, where each miniature, glossy green, lance-leaved bush was surmounted by a gorgeous crown of white, formed by one, and sometimes two of the well known, large, snow-hued, exquisitely fragrant flowers. J. D. Extirpating Daisy Plants from Turf.- Sir, I had hoped to see, before this, an answer to a query proposed by J. (Vol. VI. p. 615.), respecting a remedy for destroying daisies; but, as no one has attempted it, I shall endeavour to lay before your readers the only method I am acquainted with. In the month of March, let the turf be pared off to the thickness of about an inch, and, when dry enough, let it be thrown in heaps, and burnt: afterwards let the ashes be thrown regularly over the surface; then procure some fresh grass seeds, and, having sown them, let them be well raked in; then, if any daisies appear, they may be taken out with a spud, as you suggested: but to talk of destroying them by this means, in such a case as that mentioned by your correspondent, reminds me of a plan I once read of (I think) in the Farmer's Journal, to destroy ants, which was not only sure to effect their destruction, but also to find employment for all the poor people in the parish; a thing very desirable at the present time, as labourers are so very plentiful. As near as I can recollect, it was this set as many persons on as you can procure, even if they have only one hand; let them sit down by the side of the hillock, and catch the little insects as they come up; let them be paid by the thousand, and appoint some of the most honest among them as overseers, in order that they may not cheat in the number. To return to the daisies, if the piece of turf be small, it may be removed, and some that is free from daisies laid down in its stead. It may not be amiss here to mention the cause of so many daisies being often seen. It is usually occasioned by gentlemen not allowing a sufficient number of men to mow the grass before the daisies go to seed; for, if a few only remain to drop their seeds, they will soon spread, and spring up all over the lawn; and, as they also propagate by the root, a small plant soon becomes a large bunch. The truth of this observation may be seen, by noticing a single plant by the side of a walk, if left undisturbed; when the parent and offspring will show themselves like a hen with her chickens all round her. -0. In cultivating Carnations, is any injury likely to accrue to them from using iron stakes to support their flower-stems? That is, as iron is admitted to act injuriously on the physiological system of plants, which imbibe a portion of its properties through their roots; has any one witnessed an observable injury produced on plants of carnations, from iron stakes designed to support their flower stems fixed in the soil about their roots? — R. H. Cambridge, March, 1833. Information asked on cultivating and fruiting the Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostàna L.).— Sir, In Vol. II. p. 223., M. Soulange Bodin mentions that the mangosteen had fruited in a stove of M. Boursault's; and in Vol. IX. p. 150. you mention that, among the rarities contained in one of the stoves of that gentleman, there was Garcinia Mangostana. Now, I wish to know whether, or not the plant has ever produced its fruit again? whether or not it did so in tolerable plenty? and whether its treatment was at all peculiar? Was or was not the plant trained on a trellis, and what was its height? J. B. May 6. 1833. We hope our friends in France will supply to our correspondent, who is attempting the culture of the mangosteen in Britain, all the information in their possession. Cond. What are the best Methods of raising Salads in the Winter, and Mushrooms all the Year? Sir, Could any correspondent do a greater service to English gardeners, than communicating, for their use, the best descriptions of the French mode of raising salads in the winter, and mushrooms through the whole year? We have no good work, or even hints on these subjects that are of the least use to us. Again, you seem to think that they have two varieties of mushrooms; one whitish yellow, the other delicate white. Spawn of each could easily be introduced: and, in the neighbourhood of Bath, and probably many other places in England, mushrooms may be raised in old stone quarries under ground. In fact, on raising mushrooms, or winter salads, we know just nothing: and I hope that you will collect and publish every information on these subjects, and take away this reproach from British gardeners. Perhaps, with a little instruction, we might do much with our cellars; at all events, we ought to try. Yours, &c. George Wilkinson, Gardener to J. L., Esq. In what Degree are the Growth, Welfare, and Permanence of the Western Plane Tree (Plátanus occidentalis L.), and of the Eastern Plane Tree (Plátanus orientalis L.), affected by the various Climates and Soils of Britain, and by the Mode or Modes of propagating these Trees practised in the British Nurseries?— Sir, Some twenty years ago, or more, the occidental plane tree (Plátanus occidentalis L.) received a check, which some attributed to a late frost that happened after the trees had begun to shoot, while others considered it to be a blast: but, whatever was the cause, the result was such as to irretrievably injure the greater part of this ornamental tree throughout the western counties. Many fine specimens, from fifty to sixty feet in height, in full vigour, came under my observation, which, after the circumstance took place, began, as if death-stricken, to decline, and in the course of two or three years their bark began to fall off, and, thus looking so miserable, they were with reluctance taken down. After this some young trees were procured from the nursery; but they by no means answered my expectations, as most of the young shoots died back every winter, exactly similar to those on the old trees after they had received the injury. In consequence of this, I turned my attention to the oriental plane (Plátanus orientalis L.), of which some fine young trees are now making progress on the site where the others stood. I am inclined to think that the failure of the young occidental planes was owing to their having been layers from stools that had been more or less injured by the same cause which proved so injurious to the old trees, although perhaps in a less degree. I do not recollect seeing any thing in the pages of your Magazine in allusion to the above subject. Perhaps some one of your intelligent correspondents may feel inclined to take it up, so as to give a satisfactory evidence of the real cause which deprived so many gentlemen's seats in the west of a part of their proudest ornaments; and also to throw out some hints on the propriety of endeavouring to reinstate this favourite tree, with the chance of success, &c.; so that the succeeding generation in those parts may enjoy the sight of it in all its beauty; as many gentlemen, since what has happened, are unwilling to give it another trial. I am not aware how far north or south this mischief extended. On referring to your Vol. III. p. 364., under the head of “ Calls at Suburban Gardens," I perceive, when that article was written, that there were trees of this kind, from sixty to eighty feet nigh, at Sion House and in Chelsea Garden. Your calls at these places were made many years after the injury that happened in the west; consequently, it could not have been universal. T. Rutger. Shortgrove, Essex, Jan. 1833. A fine Cork Tree (Quercus Suber L.), near Woodford, Suffolk. In the Newcastle Courant of October 20. 1832, it is stated, that, at a meeting, on Oct. 15. 1832, of the Natural History Society in that town, was presented, besides other matters, a fine piece of the wood of the cork tree (Quercus Suber), grown near Woodford, in Suffolk. Out of whose garden, or off whose estate, could this be derived? Perhaps some Suffolcian will oblige us by telling? The specimens of cork tree in Britain capable of supplying "a fine piece of wood" are so very few, that we are anxious to register a notice of every one of them. J. D. The Leaves of Oak Trees much consumed and injured by the countless Caterpillars of the small pea-green Moth (Tórtrix viridàna). — In Vol. V. p. 610. is described one instance: allow me to add another. The oak woods in the Beulah grounds at Norwood have, for the last three years, suffered much from the small caterpillars of this insect; and, besides that the beauty of the foliage has not been recovered until past midsummer, the growth of the oaks has been, of course, greatly retarded. I should be happy to learn a preventive of the deeds of these depredators.-J. D. Smith. Beulah Spa, Norwood, Jan. 9. 1833. Other instances of the ravages effected by Tórtrix viridàna, while in its caterpillar state, will be found described in the Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 669., and in the number for July, 1833.-J. D. Farm Horses fed on steeped Barley. (Vol. VIII. p. 613.) — Sir, I venture to acquaint X Y (Vol. VIII. p. 613.) with what I know respecting the steeping of barley for agricultural horses. It is merely to steep it 48 hours in a close-wrought wicker basket, fixed into a cask of water, for the convenience of draining it when taken out. It is then laid on the floor to sprout, where it requires some little care. The kernels should be examined by opening them; and if the nib of the sprout is half-way up, it is then ready to use; if suffered to grow through the kernel, then the saccharine matter will be exhausted, and the nutritious part lost. No more should be steeped at one time than is used at this state of vegetation. I never heard of more than one conviction and fine for the practice, which was by the magistrates of Hempnall, near Norwich, three or four years since, when a person was fined 10%., which was mitigated to 5l.; but whether the conviction was legal or not, I cannot say. The practice is very common, and horses fed upon it do well.. Thomas Hitchen, Norwich. Oct. 20. 1832. The Malting of Maize or Indian Corn.-Any correspondent would very much oblige me by describing the best method of malting Indian corn, as practised in America or elsewhere. - A Constant Reader. We hope some American reader, or European reader familiar with the American practice, will be kind enough to do this at sight. Cond. What Garden Syringe is the best, and the least liable to go out of order? - Charles M. Willich. 24. Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, Feb. 12. 1833. Our opinion is that Read's, taken altogether, is the best; but we should be glad to hear the opinion of others who have had more experience. — Cond. ART. IV. Covent Garden Market. THE Capacity of Measures used in Covent Garden Market. Information on this subject has been asked by B. Bevan, of Leighton, in Vol. VII. p. 255.; and by J. W. L., in Vol. VIII. p. 374. The former correspondent has at length investigated the subject for himself, and, in the Mechanics' Magazine, of May 18. 1833, has published the result of his investigation. "To obtain," he remarks, “this [required] information for myself and others, I purchased a new set of these measures of one of the principal venders in the market, and have ascertained their capacities, heaped measure, to be as follows:- -The sieve contained 1644 cubic inches, or about half a bushel; the half sieve, 822 cubic inches, or about a peck; the quarter of a sieve, 362 cubic inches, or about a gallon: the largest punnet, 248 cubic inches; the second punnet, 228 cubic inches, or about a pottle; the third punnet, 90 cubic inches, or about a quart; the smallest punnet, 60 cubic inches, or about 13 pint. These dimensions show nearly the quantity sold under these denominations; the precise quantity will of course depend upon the manner of filling and heaping them." in these words: What is the Quantity included in "a Bunch" of each Kind of Article sold by the Bunch in Covent Garden Market? - Mr. Bevan asks this question "There are some articles usually sold by the bunch: if any of your London correspondents will but take the trouble to ascertain the medium weight of these bunches, much of the obscurity so long resting upon these matters will be removed. It would also be giving very useful information, if any person would publish an account of the weight, in pounds, of the quantities usually sold by the sieve, half sieve, and punnet." Cond. per dozen per hundred Sweet Almonds, per pound 0 16 0 0 0 0 000 Observations.· - An intended absence from London obliges me to send this list somewhat earlier than usual, which I regret, as the lapse of a week or ten days, at this time of the year, makes a very material difference Lper hundred 0 3 6 009 Lemons 050 026 0 0 0 0 12 0 026 050 020 0 14 0 020 0 14 0 in the prices, as well as the supplies of very many articles usually found in our market. The supply of vegetables keeps gradually increasing as the season advances; but, from the continued lateness of the spring, owing to the coldness of the weather, and great prevalence of rain during the month of April, we have, as yet, found the demand rather better than usual. In speaking of asparagus (in the quotation as to price), that of the day is meant; as, very recently, within a week or ten days, four times the price has been obtained: but, as the supply will now be more regular, no great change, but a gradual decline in value, may be expected; peas are as yet very scarce; only two half sieves in the market, for which the price quoted has been obtained: in the course of the ensuing week a considerable alteration will take place, as several growers will have them ready to bring in that time; and, perhaps, in all the articles brought to our market, none is liable to so rapid a fall, owing to the article being one of very general demand, and equally general production. Rhubarb still maintains its value as an esculent, and may now be considered as an article of material importance to the cultivators, who keep increasing their growth, and improving the varieties. Sea-kale is also (earlier in the season) an article of very considerable consequence, and most extensively furnished, being, in many instances, now cultivated by the acre, instead of (as heretofore) in detached portions. French beans (of course, forced) have been plentiful, and moderate in price; but, like asparagus, will probably be worth more before the supplies from the open ground can be expected. Strawberries are at present abundant, and of excellent quality; the improved method of cultivating in houses, or pits by themselves, instead of placing them on the shelves of a stove, where they are at all times more or less shaded, and prevented from receiving an ample supply of light and air, enables the gardener to send them to market in much better condition. Pine-apples, of good size, are very scarce; smaller are more plentiful: but the supply is at present very limited. Grapes are more plentiful, and of excellent quality. No appearance of peaches or nectarines; nor any expected until early in June. A few cherries have been sent, and a few raspberries, but not in sufficient quantities to make them an article of any importance. It is generally reported that the wall-fruit has been injured by the cold rains in April. Most other fruits are spoken of favourably; but it is quite impossible to form any correct estimate at present. The stock of onions is now nearly exhausted, and those growers who have held them over are getting better prices: but the supplies are yet considerable. Potatoes have been furnished, as usual, from all parts of the coast in tolerable abundance; the prices continue moderate.-- G. C. May 14. 1833. ART. V. Horticultural Society and Garden. MARCH 19. 1833. - Read. A communication on the Culture of the Potato, by T. A. Knight, Esq. It was announced from the chair that the 4th part of the first volume of the new series of the Society's Transactions would be ready for delivery on the first day of May. Distributed. Scions of the golden Harvey and King of the pippins apples; and of the Flemish beauty, Nelis d'Hiver, and Beurré Bosc pears. Exhibited. Dendrobium speciòsum, from the Rev. Mr. Huntley. Caméllia Reevèsi, Rawesiana, and two seedling kinds; and specimens of butter from cows fed on mangold wurzel, and on hay, from J. Allnutt, Esq. Epacris purpurascens, variábilis, impréssa; Erìca vérnix coccinea; Caméllia concínna, rotundifòlia, eclipse, althææflòra, from Messrs. Chandler and Sons. Some lemons grown in Essex. |