THE FRUIT AND FORCING GARDEN, by Mr. R. ERRINGTON, Gardener to Sir P. Egerton, Bart., Oulton Park. THE KITCHEN GARDEN, by the EDITOR, and Mr. J. BARNES, Gardener to Lady Rolle, Bicton. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. D. BEATON, Gardener to Sir W. Middleton, Bart., Shrubland Park. FLORISTS' FLOWERS, by Mr. T. APPLEBY, Floricultural Manager to Messrs. Henderson, Edgeware Road. THE GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. FISH, Gardener to Colonel Sowerby, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. ORCHID GROWING MADE EASY, by Mr. T. APPLEBY, Floricultural Manager to Messrs. Henderson, Edgeware-road. THE APIARIAN'S CALENDAR, for the Management of Bees, by J. H. PAYNE, Esq. THE POULTRY KEEPER'S CALENDAR, by MARTIN DOYLE, author of "Hints to Small Farmers," &c. ALLOTMENT FARMING. The last Number of each month is double, the Supplement embracing Allotment Farming, Rotation of Crops, the Economy of the Cow-shed, the Pig-stye, Hen-roost, and the Economical Saving and Use of Manures. THE PHYSIC GARDEN, by a Physician. VOLUME III. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY WM. S. ORR AND CO., 2, AMEN-CORNER. MDCCCL. TO OUR READERS. Ar the close of our second volume we observed, that "a rich harvest was to be gathered in during the year before us." Half that year is now passed; and in closing our third volume we are animated with every grateful feeling, and with all proper pride, for being able to say the harvest work has indeed prospered. The labourers have addressed themselves like true adepts to their task, and, in every sense of the term, the ingathering has been plenteous. Dropping all metaphor, we think we may confidently ask our readers to assent to the assertion, that no gardening periodical ever contained, at a reasonable rate, such a mass of sound and useful information as is to be found in our pages. This demonstrates how efficient have been our contributors. The consequence is, that we circulate more widely than any other horticultural periodical ; and we have abundant testimony, in letters now before us, that the consequences are most gratifying. One clergyman, writing from near Newcastle, says: "Allow me to thank you for the benefit you are conferring upon (I may say) the country. My profession, of course, brings me into constant intercourse with my people; and I think I can already see an improvement in many respects, from the interest they are beginning to take in their gardens." Another correspondent, among many who write to the same purport less fully, thus bears similar testimony: "It is now many months since I accidentally met with THE COTTAGE GARDENER, and most thankful am I to yourself and the other contributors to this excellent little work, which, under so unpretending a shape, publishes so much valuable and practical information. My career, during a period of more than thirty years, passed in most parts of the world, has not been a prosperous one; on retiring from the busy scenes of life, the constantly obtruding retrospect of blighted hopes, and opportunities thrown away, would in all probability have converted me into a wretched hypochondriac but for THE COTTAGE GARDENER. Previous to the perusal of your paper, I took no interest whatever in the garden attached to my house; subsequently, and almost imperceptibly to myself, I found arising in my mind a gradual and steady interest as to proceedings there, when about this time last year the man, who for sundry half-crowns used to "put my garden in order," as he called it, disappointed me: without any settled plan or intention as to persevering, I was induced to try what I could do myself. For the first few days I had divers pains and aches, such as might be expected from a person unused to manual labour; however, I persevered, and after a trial of twelve months the result is, that I take my spell of three hours at the spade without flagging, nor do I feel very tired when the day's work is over. I have been unremittingly at work summer and winter; and, with the blessing of God, I mean to persevere. My guide has been THE COTTAGE GARDENER. Of my failure or my success I will say nothing at present, but one thing I have already achieved, and for that blessing I can assure you I am most grateful—I mean a contented mind. I have, by dint of digging, brushed away all the cobwebs which at one time threatened to get the better of my reason. I may add as last, though not least, that I have brought down my doctor's bill (no inconsiderable item hitherto) to nil." Thus cheered on-thus knowing that we are doing some good in our generation-we go on with renewed energy and rejoicing; and we feel assured that at the end of our next volume our readers will not refuse to acknowledge that we are not enervated by prosperity. INDEX. Asparagus, forcing, 10, 65, 92, 144, 280; beds, Ass, indicative of the weather, 13 Athalia centifoliæ, 149 Aubrieta, propagating, 340 Auriculas, wintering, 7; list of, 188, 225; culture, 271, 336; and heaths, 271 Azalea indica culture, 8, 167; diseased, 204; BALSAM, Sowing, 56; culture, 345, 346, 358 Barkeria culture, 267; spectabilis, 267; deri- Beans, planting, 101, 121, 293; beetle, 13; Bedding-out flowers, 203; early, 340 Beech tree, its uses, 66 Bee-Keeper's Calendar: November, 51; De- Bees, removing, 24, 82; cleaning floor-board, hives, 166, 359; ill managed, 148; hives Beet, storing 32; different kinds, 182; green, Begonia argyrostigma, 290; fuchsioides, 272; Blackberry jam, 22 Black grub, 149 Boilers, heating, 282 Borders, digging, 68; plants moving from, Bramble, its beauty, 145; hazel-leaved, 272 Broad beans, 350 Brocoli culture, 33; storing, 46; laying, 65, Broomheadia palustris, 279 Bruchus granarius, 13 Bulbocodium vernum culture, 148 Bulbous plant culture, 167; sowing seeds of, Bulbs, planting hardy, 6, 17; potting, 8; Butterflies and moths indicative of weather, 37 Buttoning of cauliflowers, 123 Calceolarias, wintering, 35; history and cul- Camellia, history and culture of, 29, 167, 357; culture, 344 sylvatica, 322; Cape jasmine pruning, 148 Carrot, sowing, 21; storing, 33, 47, 112, 136; Caryophyllacæ, 354 Cassia, soil for, 12 Cats indicative of weather, 57, 216 Cestrum aurantiacum, 228 Cetonia aurata, 341 Chænostoma polyanthus, 74 Charcoal (animal) as a manure, 260 Charcoal for potting, 82 Charred refuse, 359 Chaumontel pear, 67 Cherry, Saw-fly, 71; root pruning, 84; tree pruning, 107: tree, unfruitful, 360 Chilliness indicative of weather, 81 Chlorine aiding germination, 162 Chorozema culture, 166 Chrysanthemums, stopping, 12; cuttings, 56: Cineraria culture, 98; list of, 99; winter- Cistuses, wintering yellow, 36 Clay soil, to improve, 136 Cleanliness in plant culture, 18 Clematis azurea, pruning, 36; propagating, Clianthus puniceus culture, 166 Clintonia pulchella, 308 Clouds, foretelling weather, 149 Cobra scandens, pruning, 36; shifting, 104; 322 Coccus vitis, 273 Cochin-China fowls, 246 Cockroaches, 192: destroying, 227: to kill, 246 Cœlogynes, 279; asperata, 34 Colours arranged in shades, 75: gamut of, Compost, a good, 237; for flowers, 200 Coronilla culture, 166 Cossus ligniperda, 137 Covering, semi-transparent, 246: for green- Cow-keeping, 47, 171, 292, 316, 353 Cranberry culture, 146 Crassulas, done flowering, 24 Crocuses, list of 81: culture, 340 |