yellow. One feature more-Mr. C. never keeps his good reasons why they are so expensive when compared with things to himself. other plants. HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. ORCHIDS THAT THRIVE BEST ON BLOCKS (Continued from SCUTICARIA STEELII (Mr. Steel's); Demerara.-Sepals and petals pale buff, richly spotted and streaked with reddish brown; lip white, with rose-coloured stripes lengthwise. This is a fine plant when in bloom. The flowers are large-nearly three inches in diameter, and are produced on short stems, generally in pairs, close to the block. The leaves are round, like a thick rush, and hang down to a great length-often as much as from three to four feet. They are long-lived. We have leaves quite fresh at four years old. A very interesting plant. | 42s. Culture. This is one of the plants we wrote about in THE COTTAGE GARDENER Sometime back as requiring peculiar treatment, and we beg our readers to refer to that account. In this place we shall only remark that it thrives well on a block, but better still if the two methods of growing in a basket and on a log are combined. A square basket that will just hold the block should have the block, with the plant fastened to it, firmly fixed in it, and be hung up to the roof vertically; that is, the basket should be hung sideways, which will allow the leaves of the plant to droop without obstruc tion. SOPHRONITIS CERNUA (drooping S.); Rio Janeiro. This is a very neat, pretty plant, with reddish sepals and petals; the lip has a dash of yellow in the centre. 21s. S. GRANDIFLORA (large flowered S.); Organ Mountains. This is a splendid gem even among orchids; the whole flower is of a beautiful orange-scarlet, and very large in proportion to the plant. Each flower is often larger than the whole plant. We can hardly say too much in its praise. 63s. A considerable quantity was imported about two years ago by J. Hadwin, Esq., of Liverpool. Being a merchant in that town, and having connexions in Brazil, he requested a captain of one of his vessels to procure him some orchids. The captain, to please his friend, engaged a number of blacks, and went with his party to the top of the Organ Mountains. He saw this Sophronitis growing on the tops of the highest trees; but all his offers and persuasions were in vain to induce his attendants to mount the trees and bring down the air plants that he coveted for his friend. The fear of snakes and other noxious animals was too much for his sable attendants' slender courage to surmount. There was nothing for it, in order to accomplish his wishes, but to fell a tree on which these coveted gems were growing. To work, with a right good will, the natives went, and soon cut through the stem of the tree; but, alas! the trees were so interlaced with creepers that it would not fall. Still determined to accomplish his object, he set his assistants to work to cut down another tree; but he could not obtain his object till five or six were cut through, and then at last they came down with a tremendous crash, and he was enabled to bring home a great number of branches covered with this beautiful S. grandiflora, and several other species, such as S. pterocarpa, S. violacea, and some other genera of less value. We have now a plant of S. grandiflora in flower that was one the persevering captain brought home with him. This anecdote will give our readers some idea of the trouble and expense incurred in procuring orchids from their native localities, which expense, combined with their slow increase, and the cost of cultivating them in our stoves, are the S. VIOLACEA (violet-coloured S.); Organ Mountains.— This species, though not so showy as the last, is worth cultivating on account of its pretty violet-coloured flowers. 21s. S. PTEROCARPA (wing-podded S.); Organ Mountains.Sepals and petals pink, lip of the same colour, with a dash of white in the centre. A free-growing desirable species, with larger leaves than any other species. 21s. Culture. This family of small orchids being from the tops of trees on mountains of considerable elevation in South America, do not require a high temperature. The Mexican house, therefore, is the most suitable for them. They grow best on small blocks of cork with the bark on, without any moss; require syringing twice a-day when growing, and at that time a moist atmosphere; but as soon as the pseudo-bulbs are fully grown, syringing once a month will be sufficient, and a drier atmosphere in the house will be advantageous for them. With this treatment, which gives a season of growth and a season of rest, these pretty plants will grow and flower well. VANILLA PLANIFOLIA (smooth-leaved V.); West Indies.-Yellowish white. 21s. The fine scent named vanilla is obtained from the seed pods of this plant. It produces its flowers from the axils of the leaves on short stems. There are often as many as seven or eight flowers on a stem, and these are succeeded, if properly fertilized, by as many pods, six or seven inches long. In their native country this office is performed by insects; but in our stoves artificial means must be used to effect it. There is a projection, something like a lid, over the stigma; this must be removed, and the pollen masses laid upon the stigma, and then the pods will shortly appear. If this is not done the blossoms will all drop off, and no seed pods will be produced. Perhaps some of our readers may wish to inquire which is the stigma and what is the pollen? We will try to describe them. In the centre of nearly all orchids there is a fleshy column, the top of which is called the stigma. Över this, hung generally by a joint, is one or more masses of a sticky, wax-like substance; this is the pollen, which, when touched, especially in the genus Catasetum, springs off; and if it falls upon the stigma, impregnation takes place, and the seed vessels are produced. In the case of the Vanilla, this cannot take place unless the lid-like covering of the stigma is removed and the pollen applied by the hand; at least that is the case in our stoves. There are two more species of Vanilla, namely, I'. aromatica and V. bicolor; but they are not much different in habit and bloom from the above-mentioned. Culture. To grow the Vanilla to perfection, and all the species require the same culture, it ought to be potted in a mixture of pieces of turfy peat, chopped moss, and broken potsherds, in equal parts. The pot containing the plant should be placed against a wall, and the plant fastened to it with a nail and shred of cloth. It will soon attach itself to the wall by the roots it puts forth all up the stem; and will only require the ends of each directing, so as to prevent them crowding each other. We had once a plant under our care that had the advantage of a bark-bed to root into; the roots ran among the bark surprisingly; and, in consequence, the shoots progressed in proportion, entirely covering the back wall of a house nearly 40 feet long. As soon as they reached the top, some of the shoots were trained down the rafters, where they flowered and fruited freely after being set. At Syon-house, the seat of the Duke of Northumberland, this plant is trained over the back wall, which it entirely covers with its fine large fleshy laurel-like leaves, and there it fruits plentifully. Our readers must not suppose, however, that the fruit is the only attraction; the flowers themselves are large and handsome, and emit a sweet perfume during the night. We have now brought our labours to a close on this section of our subject, that is, on such plants as thrive best on blocks. We have had much pleasure in giving such information as we possessed on the subject. We have kept nothing back, but have endeavoured, in plain, simple language, to make the culture quite easy to the most uninformed or new beginner, to grow these most singular, interesting plants. It only remains, now, to give the culture of such as thrive best in pots; and our next paper on orchids will commence with the third and last section of orchidaceous plants. We had the pleasure to pay our annual visit last week to our good and estimable friend Mr. Bassett, gardener to R. S. Holford, Esq., of Weston Birt, near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire. As usual, we found the extensive collection of orchids in most excellent health. There was a degree of robust strength about them that we do not often meet with. The point of excitement is carried just to the right pitch, to produce larger and stronger pseudo-bulbs than the previous year. Below is a list of those we observed in flower, which list will both give our readers an idea of the kinds that flower in autumn and the extent of the collection there: Angræcum bilobum, white Calanthe vestita, white and Lælia rupestris, purple and white Lycaste Skinneri, white and crimson stripes Maxillaria picta, yellow and FLORISTS' FLOWERS. CINERARIAS. Such as are showing bloom should now be re-potted into larger pots to encourage free growth. If they are kept in small pots the blooms will be poor and few. Encourage them by liberal treatment to produce leaves as large as cabbages, and of a deep green, healthy colour. The compost for them now should be of the richest description; good light fresh loam three parts, and two years old dung one part. If a portion of leaf mould is added it will be useful. Pot blooming plants into pots 7 inches diameter. Plants in a younger state to succeed the first will not need potting till next month. Great care must be taken to protect them from JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES should have their stems cut off within a few inches of the soil, and the surface should be mulched with some kind of refuse, otherwise the soil in the winter months may perhaps get frozen so hard as to make it inconvenient for taking them up. RED BEET may now be stored in cold sheds, or banked in narrow ridges out of doors, and thatched. PEAS AND BEANS.-Those who have plenty of spare soil may form sloping banks, and get in a sowing of beans and peas at once; but if not convenient to do so now, the last week in this month or the first week in December will be found early enough, so as to have them just breaking through the surface of the soil by the shortest day, when they may be protected with dry dust, &c., with very little trouble. Where a convenient place, such as a shed sufficiently light, a frame, pit, or hothouse, or any thing of a similar kind, is at hand for sowing the early peas in small pots, shallow wooden troughs, 3-inch semi-circular drain-tiles, strips of turf 3 inches wide scooped out in the middle, or any such simple contrivance for forwarding the pea crop, and where at the same time ground for cropping is not very abundant, the end of January, or any time in the first two weeks of February, will be early enough for sowing peas; and beans may be sown in pans and placed inside some kind of shelter, or under hand glasses, to get them ready for transplanting. ROUTINE WORK.-Take an early opportunity of finally earthing-up some of the most forward cardoons, as well as celery, previous to drenching rains, the winds and frosty mornings which may now be expected; make all secure by systematically earthing-up to prevent any being battered and broken down. Sea-kale, rhubarb, and asparagus should be prepared in small quantities as previously recommended for forcing. Sow cucumbers, and keep the young plants close to the glass, with the heat applied at the top, and take care to air liberally; those in bearing should have the fruit kept thin, allow ing at this season only a few at a time to swell off, or the plants will soon exhaust themselves, now that there is so little daylight. JAMES BARNES. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. OUR VILLAGERS. By the Authoress of "My Flowers," &c. THE love of dress among the female portion of the poor has been greatly and lamentably increasing of late years; and is a fruitful source of mischief in many ways. I remember, in my childhood, the neat and comfortable dress of the female peasantry-the dark stuff or cotton gown, the milk-white apron, the warm red cloak, and the large black puckered bonnet, all seeming to last from womanhood to age, and that gave so respectable an appearance to the rural congregation on the Lord's day. The dress of those times seemed to last for life,-it was so strong, so good, and so carefully treated, so that when once the purchase was made, little expense was needed for the future. But now things are wholly changed, and the two or three stout scarlet cloaks which still linger in the village, form a striking contrast to the tawdry, unbecoming finery that prevails now, and makes us continually regret the simple propriety of bygone days. The very children in the streets, ragged and dirty, have their long hair plaited and tied with bits of greasy faded ribbon, in imitation of their betters (a style which, must observe, is by no means so pretty and child-like for the higher classes as the simple crop I remember in my youthful days); and their bonnets are filled up with bunches, as they call them, and decorated with ribbon in needless and wasteful abundance. Instead of delighting to be neat and clean, young people are only trying to be fine; and there is nothing so unpleasing to the eye, as well as distressing to the mind, as unbecoming finery in a labourer's cottage. Many shillings are thrown away or debts incurred by this love of dress; and it is to young women the root of a thousand evils. The cheapness of all articles of clothing, especially of that which is worthless and unsuited to the lower orders, may be considered a real misfortune, because they can so easily give way to their fondness for finery. Imitation-lace, flowers, ribbons, beads, and trumpery of all descriptions are so cheap, that it is a sore temptation to the young and vain; and servants spend their wages upon their persons, instead of assisting their families, or laying their money by for time of need. The classes immediately above the common labourer, who are, in fact, little removed from him in point of circumstances, are equally wrong, I mean the wives and daughters. On Sundays it is scarcely possible to distinguish the wife and daughter of the workman, or the petty shopkeeper, from the gentry of the neighbourhood, except by their manner and by the smartness of their clothes. The sisters of a sawyer, in mourning for their mother, are as handsomely dressed in bombazine and crape, in fashionably-cut cloaks, bonnets, and parasols as any lady under similar circumstances could be; one of them is a servant out of place, and both are dependent upon their brother, and their own exertions as laundresses, for support. I was leaving the village shop, one day, which contains everything that country customers can require, from bonnets and cotton dresses to cheese and bacon, &c., when a figure in a walking dress met me, and I was just going to accost her as a lady of fortune in the neighbourhood,-my hand was just advancing to greet her, and her name was only just not spoken,-when to my extreme surprise I discovered that the features were those of the daughter of the person who keeps the shop, and the dress and general appearance were but a close imitation of the lady for whom I had mistaken her. The unseemliness of such dress in the humble ranks of life is very striking and lamentable. It confers no respectability upon the individual, and only provokes the envy of those below them, and the disapprobation of those above. It is in vain to lament the pressure of the times when such expense is lavished upon that "which profiteth nothing;" and it is grievous to see the parents rising early and labouring late, while their daughters are displaying at church a style of dress so improper for their means and station. If this growing evil could be checked or discouraged, great good would be effected; and it might be the means of preserving many young people from guilt and disgrace. The dress of farmers' wives and daughters is equally extravagant, and the manner in which their little children are now decked out and brought up is truly deplorable. The hard-working, simply dressed daughters of farmers of old times would be indeed confounded, if they could now rise up and visit the scenes of their past labours. They would find their clean wainscotted or white-washed parlours papered, and curtained, and carpeted; they would find the stout oak or walnut-tree tables and chairs exchanged for fashionable furniture; and, possibly, the mother of the rising generation reclining in a large easy-chair, and summoning her children from the hands of the governess, by ringing for the servant to bring them in. This is no over-drawn picture-no fanciful or exaggerated case: it has passed distinctly before me, and my own eyes have witnessed these and many similar instances of folly and improper expense. It is scarcely possible to over-rate the evil effects of such extravagance. The sin lies at the door of the wife, and sister, and daughter, and they only are to be blamed for these transgressions; for very rarely does the father trouble himself about display in the household, except to find fault with the bills when they are sent in. Men's follies are not those of dress and furniture, generally speaking, in any rank of life; they are often negligent and regardless of such things, especially in their own homes; and it is scarcely possible to avoid seeing that in the mischief and sin to which I allude, the female portion of the middling and lower classes are principally concerned. Among "our villagers," among the agriculturists, yes, and among the cottage gardeners too, I see much in this particular to regret; and I shall feel deeply rejoiced and thankful if but one of my humbler "sisters" is led to practise more sobriety in dress and domestic arrangements by glancing over these lines, and thereby not only saving many shillings and even pounds for useful and profitable purposes, attracting the admiration and respect of all right thinking persons, but obeying the command of the Apostle to clothe themselves "in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety," and to be "adorned" only "with good works." Whatever the Word of God enjoins is always the happiest path for us, as well as the best. MARKET-GARDENING. ADVANTAGE should be taken of all fine days for well hoeing or hand scarifying the earth between the present cabbage crops, the banks of late endive, lettuce, spinach, &c.; and sloping dry banks should be formed for pricking-out the quantity likely to be required in spring of cabbage, endive, Brown Cos, and the hardy cabbage kinds of lettuce. In the autumn season cauliflowers and brocolis may be considerably prolonged by lifting a quantity of them, as they show their heads, and laying them in some kind of sheltered cold situations-such as open sheds, temporarily-formed shelters, turf pits, or such other places-where, in case of frost, they may be a little protected by top covering with some kind of haulm or straw, by which management they may be produced in market at a season of scarcity. Quantities of endive should also be stored in the same way, placed thickly together. All kinds of fruit trees may now be planted; they should be staked at once, and the earth's surface about them be slightly mulched. All spare ground should at this season be well manured and ridge trenched, first attending to the drainage where it is required. The outside fences, ditches, and water tubs should all be put in order; and any alterations or repairs required to the roads or walks, or any new ones that may be required, should at this season be attended to, as time, when the change of season arrives, is too precious to be afforded for such matters. Temporary shallow frames should be placed on sloping banks, and filled within a few inches of the top with soil for wintering cauliflower plants, for sowing the short-top early radish, and transplanting the early Horn carrots, the half-grown endive and lettuce, also for pricking-out a quantity of small lettuce plants of the last autumn's sowing. We mention these temporary frames because four boards from six to nine inches wide merely require to be nailed together for this purpose, of the same size as the forcing frames, the lights of which are to some extent at this season out of use, and may thus be turned to account. When the forcing season arrives these lights may be dispensed with; for although it may be cold weather, and too early, to plant out any of those plants protected in these temporary frames, yet they may be protected by other means until the warmer season arrivessuch as straw, or reed mats, or other light materials made the same size as the lights-cheap canvass, painted, too, is good for the purpose, or asphalte; indeed, there are many ways of contriving light temporary protections, which may afterwards be turned to valuable account throughout the season; for as soon as they can be dispensed with for the foregoing purposes they will be found useful in early spring for protecting the spring salads, the early sown carrots, turnips, sweet marjorum, and basil; for sowing early celery and other seeds they are also valuable, as well as for the early kidney dwarf beans, and the forcing of rhubarb and sea-kale, and for growing mushrooms under. They may also be made available for forcing a crop of early Ash-leaved or other dwarf-growing early potatoes. Keep the vine of the winter cucumbers tolerably thin, regularly stopped to the fruit that shows, and neatly trained. Do not allow the vine to carry too many fruit at once, but pinch a portion of them as soon as they show. Sow at the present time, so as to have good strong plants in readiness for the end of the year. Old seed is the best, on account of the plants growing more short jointed, and showing fruit earlier and more abundantly. To get the seed to vegetate kindly, and the plants to grow on vigorously, the pot containing the seed should be plunged to the rim in a kindly humid bottom heat of 100 degrees, and the interior top-heat of the structure should be 75 degrees, or thereabouts. Immediately the plants begin to show themselves through the soil, lift the seed pan from the plunging materials, and place it on the surface; modify the interior heat to 70 degrees by giving air systematically, keep the young plants close to the glass, and have small pots drained in readiness placed inside to warm, with some kindly earth to pot them off as soon as they can be handled, and by placing them again close to the glass, a little plunged in some kindly material, good sturdy plants will be secured. Of course they should be shifted into larger pots as they may require it. New seed does not require so much bottom heat to germinate in by many degrees. We have an objection to new seed both of the cucumber and melon, on account of the plants produced from it generally growing too luxuriant, long jointed, and not so readily or numerously showing fruit as old seed. Seed two or three years old is a very good age, although we have found no difficulty in getting seed to germinate between that age and fifteen years old, for the seed keeps many years if corked tightly in a bottle, and a piece of skin is tied over the cork. JAMES BARNES. UNITING BEES. I AM induced to give you an account of the management of my bees, as I observe a different effect from the union of stocks to that described by your correspondents. I purchased a hive of bees early last spring, which threw off three swarms; the original stock being in an old wornout hive, I determined to transfer it, and my gardener, an intelligent young man, but as great a novice as myself in bee management, succeeded in driving it into a new cottage hive in September; early in October he removed the third swarm from the cap of a hive into which they had been placed, into a new hive also, by driving about an hour after he shook them out upon a cloth, and successfully united them to the first swarm; they appeared to be in harmony in the morning, but in the course of the day the third swarm was driven out, and about a hundred bees killed; he, however, united them again in the evening, and shut them up the whole of the next day; they have not since been driven out in numbers, but each day a quantity of bees came out upon the board, and all attack one bee, which they either destroy or drive away; it is not a drone. About the middle of October he united the original stock with the second swarm, and shat them up the next day, and none were driven out at the time, but now in both hives the same work is going on; crowds come out of the hives to destroy one bee. I shall be glad if you can account for this strange effect, or suggest any mode of preventing it. The bees are fed daily with honey and sugar. If you think fit you can insert this account in your next number. I wish to know how long I ought to continue to feed them (as I cannot ascertain their weight), and what protection I ought to give them in the winter? each hive is upon a single pedestal, covered with a milk pan, one of them has a coating of lime and sand.-M. F. G. ["The one bee" is a robber attracted by the food you are daily supplying; you have nothing to fear from this, go on to feed until each stock has a store of 20 lbs.; feed from the top, it will save you much trouble next season if you will unite your second and third swarms at the time of swarming.-J. H. P.] PROFIT OF LAND. IN your paper of the 10th of October you give an extract from Mr. Sillett's pamphlet, showing the profit made on his farm, in which the price obtained for the articles sold is so much higher than it would be here (Chester), that I think | A calf is stated to be sold at there must be some error. 8s. 2d. per stone of 14 lb, or at 7d. per Ib; a year-old heifer, [Mr. Sillett's prices were too high.-ED. C. G.] A main objection to the method of forming artificial stocks adopted by the "Country Curate" would present itself to many persons in the outset-viz., the trouble of feeding them. Even when this is no consideration (as in my own case, for the toil is a pleasure to me), I think that feeding with any kind of mixture is better avoided, as, supposing any of it to be left in the hive after the winter's consumption, it would be likely, in my opinion, to become candied, or otherwise spoilt; and, consequently, would only occupy room without being useful to the bees. The "Country Curate' seems (page 403, vol. iv.) to be of the same opinion. Of course artificial food is necessary on this system, as the expense of feeding with pure honey is out of the question. Were I, however, to try the plan again (for I have tried it, and, though I commenced so late as the beginning of September, with every omen of success) I should feed for the first three or four days, during which comb building would be principally going on, with Mr. Payne's mixture-being, I think, the most acceptable to the bees of any; afterwards I should give them eight or nine pounds of pure honey to store; and then, if they required any more, feed with the mixture again. I think I am right in supposing that the food last stored would be first consumed, so that all that would be left in the hive the following spring would be unadulterated honey. Perhaps even less honey than the amount above specified would be sufficient. Now, I have another modification of the same plan to propose, which would obviate the trouble to those who desire it, and would be attended with little, if any, additional expense. It could only be adopted where collateral or storifying hives of the same dimensions as stock hives, and which might stand as stock hives themselves, according to Dr. Bevan's and Mr. Golding's plan, are employed. Such a hive should in an average season contain at least 30 lb of honey. It might be despoiled, at the proper time, of about half or two-thirds of 1 its contents, and the exiled swarms destined to form new stocks for the ensuing year, hived into the remaining store. Mr. Payne's, or any other kind of hives, if storified with a view to this plan, might have the large hive placed on the top, instead of the small ones, and then be deprived and tenanted in the same way. Supposing 10 th of honey to be left them, they might be fed a little, either in autumn or spring, without any very great trouble. 15 th would be sufficient without feeding at all.-A MOST EDIFIED READER. STORING FRUIT. 66 ORCHARDS now present a very different appearance to what they did a few months ago; then they were loaded with blossom or fruit, looking so full of life and beauty that you could scarcely imagine a few short months would have wrought the change that has now taken place. Even so is it in the bodily life of man; a few years pass, and those who once, perhaps, prided themselves on youth and beauty, become old and decrepid-unfit for any duty except that of glorifying the name of their heavenly Father, by bearing testimony to his " mercy and longsuffering," or by submitting with resignation to the chastisements of His Allwise hand. Not so, however, is our spiritual life! Old habits-old feelings, as "we grow in grace," are thrown aside; and new, and young, and fresh one's arise in their place. However aged we may be, however pure we may appear in the sight of man, still a new heart" must be placed within us before we can arrive at that heavenly habitation, where all tears are wiped from our eyes, and where the weary are at rest. Surely we must all long for such a resting place! for how few, how very few, can call this their "happy home." Let us then pray earnestly for this new heart" the heart of flesh," as it is called in the Bible; and let us all examine ourselves, whatever our age, whatever our station may be, to see that we have put off "the old man, which is corrupt; and that we have put on the new man, which (after God) is created in righteousness and true holiness." The withered and dead-looking apple-trees have led me far beyond my subject; and now I must bring my thoughts back to the point at which I had intended to start, namely, the best means of keeping apples, walnuts, &c., &c., during the winter. The Americans, who certainly manage to keep their apples hard and sound a long time, proceed in this manner:-They place new coarse linen on the floor of the apple room, and after the apples are quite dry put them separately on it; they then place another piece of linen (the same size as the under one) over the apples, and that, they say, completely excludes the frost. The plan I have seen answer the best is this: --Buy some very cheap brown pitchers, fill these quite full with apples, cut a piece of slate or tile the size of the mouth of the pitcher, place this well down, but be careful not to touch the fruit, and then tie them down with double newspaper; by this means all air is excluded, and as you only open one pitcher at a time the apples are not sufficiently long exposed to the atmosphere to be injured before using. I know by experience that this plan is a good one, the only annoyance is procuring the pitchers; they, however, can be bought very cheaply if a pottery happens to be near. The old-fashioned way of placing apples on straw is very bad, for unless the apple is a very hard sort, it imbibes the taste of the straw, and is completely spoiled for the dessert table. If I were to plant a garden with apple-trees, the only sorts I should allow in it would be ribston pippins, Kerry pippins, and margills, and perhaps a quaranden for early eating. There is an idea that the three former are only suited for the table; this, I maintain, is a delusion which will at once be dissipated if a tart is made (and eaten) of either the margill or ribston pippin. If apples are placed on shelves, great care must be taken that they do not touch each other; and on wet days, the gardener, or some one who has the care of the apple-room, should wipe them over, and remove any which may have become at all decayed. Pears are very difficult to keep; in fact, it is not possible to keep them good after they are ripe. If, therefore, you have more than can be consumed in the house, they should be sold, or given away, before they become "ready." Walnuts must be kept in a cold and rather damp place. The shells must be taken off, and the walnuts put into a jar or box; then pour sawdust over them sufficient to fill up all the crevices, and then keep them in the cellar. Filberts may also be kept in the same way, but the outside covering should not be removed from them. Some people after filling a jar or box with nuts, bury it in the earth, in order to prevent their becoming dry; this may be a good plan, but as I have not tried it I cannot recommend it. When walnuts are required for dessert they should be brushed, and then wiped with a dry cloth; for, if this is not done, the moisture that is on them stains the fingers. Grapes may be kept a long time by tying them to a line stretched across a dry room, but first be very careful to remove any that may appear mouldy. Pears, also, that are picked before they are ripe, may be hung up by their stalks in the same way. Attention to trifles is the great art in keeping fruit for a long time; in fact, "trifles light as air" constitute the happiness and misery of our lives.-A FRIEND. TREE MIGNONETTE IN A WEEK. A lady of my acquaintance, celebrated for having at all times a quantity of mignonette in pots growing as trees and otherwise, at my request, very kindly imparted to me the method which she adopts for having it the whole year in the most extraordinary luxuriance. I have followed her directions, and with the like success. As many of your fair readers may wish to possess themselves of some good specimens of this general favourite without any trouble, I will give the plan I was directed to pursue :-"At the end of October, or beginning of November (before the frost comes), select some of the most vigorous and luxuriant plants from the borders, put each plant into a five-inch pot, place for a few days in a close room, giving a good supply of water, and then place them in a window or greenhouse; those that are twelve inches high trim up as trees; if carefully managed, the leaves will not even flag, or shew any signs of having been removed." I have several plants (trees) twelve inches high, which were removed from the borders last week, looking as luxuriantly as possible, and scenting the room where they are standing most delightfully, and showing no signs whatever of having been removed. Remember to select the most luxuriant plants, and those fullest in bloom, but not so far advanced as having begun to ripen their seed.—J, H, P, RICE BLANCMANGE. THIS forms an excellent accompaniment to preserves of any kind, or to baked apples. It is made as follows:-Put one teacupful of whole rice into half a pint of cold water; when the rice cracks or begins to look white, add one pint of milk and a quarter of a pound of loaf-sugar. Boil it until the rice has absorbed the whole of the milk, stirring it frequently the whole time. Put it into a mould, and it will turn out when quite cold. If preferred hot it may be again made warm by being placed in the oven for a short time. It may be flavoured with lemon, cinnamon, &c., but is most wholesome without, and forms both an elegant and very economical dish at any time. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of THE COTTAGE GARDENER. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed "To the Editor of The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London." ERRORS. In some copies of No. 109 are the following errors :-Page 64, Cilsii, instead of Celsii; 65, Meterosideros, instead of Metrosideros ; Tacsonia for Tecoma; and 76, Bezentinus for Byzantinus. Dr. ANALYSES OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS (M. D- Dinan). ber of the volume of the Gardeners' Chronicle for 1848, will give you Thomson's Chemistry of Organic Bodies-Vegetables, and the first nummany analyses. CHAPPED HANDS.-"As the season is now arrived when many persons complain of rough and cracked hands, I must send you a recipe which I prepare from my own honey, and find infallible. The paste should be rubbed on the backs of the hands after they have been washed clean, but are still wet, and then let them be dried thoroughly with a hard towel. 1 pint of oil of sweet almonds, lb. of honey, beat them well together; lb. of almond powder, the yolks of 3 eggs; mix the whole well, and beat it for some time, then strain it through a cream strainer or thin cloth; a small quantity of perfume and Eau de Cologne may be added. Mine has kept from last autumn quite as good as when newly made."-Guildford. |