METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.-At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-four years, the average highest and lowest temperatures of these days are 56° and 36° respectively. The greatest heat, 79°, occurred on the 7th, in 1859; and the lowest cold, 16°, on the 2nd in 1838. During the period 137 days were fine, and on 101 rain fell. OUR ADDITIONAL NAME. YES to the right-Noes to the left," said we, as we looked over the correspondence we had invited relative to our proposed alteration of title. When we came to the end of our division there could be no room for doubt, and we closed the counting of votes with "The Ayes have it." Let it not be concluded, however, that those letters were few, or merely records of the writers' affirmative or negative opinion. Some were neutral and imparted the rough truth"the title is of but little importance to us your readers; some availed themselves of the opportunity to say what they required and what they took no interest in; and those who wished us, as one expresses it, "to be as ye be," argued strongly and earnestly. One said, "People wo'n't know you in a fine silk and satin dress. Stick to the corduroy and good Yorkshire broadcloth." A second wrote, "I once tried to assist a man, as I thought, in extending his business; but I soon found all the money went for a new front, and in a few months a smash came." A third declared, "The time-hallowed name of THE COTTAGE GARDENER is, I may say, 'familiar as household words' in many a nook and corner of old England. Why, then, change it? Why not preserve the unity of our future volumes ?" A fifth urged that, "The present title is not quite so great a misnomer as at first sight appears. In addition to cottages where poor men lie,' are there not 'cottages of gentility !' Besides, make what change you will, your periodical will be called 'THE COTTAGE GARDENER in spite of you, by buyers and vendors, till the end of the chapter-and may that be long distant." A sixth argued but we must publish our old supporter's letter entire : "The pure and simple title of 'COTTAGE GARDENER,' or, as many called you, the Cottager,' was of itself very attractive. When you added the title of Country Gentleman' I did not think it an improvement of your nomenclature. But there, perhaps, was a sufficient reason, because you then entered upon pursuits and amusements which appertain to the Country Gentleman;' and I think that the majority of your supporters will agree that your present appropriate title will embrace all that can be collected in Horticulture, Floriculture, Agriculture, and, I may say, Omniculture, to say nothing of the Chronicles of the Poultry Kings. "I for one hope that you will not alter your pleasant name, although, by-the-by, you have just arrived at your twenty-fifth period a time of life when ladies de begin to get uncommonly No. 1-VOL. I., NEW SERIES. I fidgetty about changing their names. I trust, however, that you are too well and happily domiciled to be influenced like some of them; and I hope you will not take it amiss if I heartily wish that you may retain unaltered your present attractive and homely name until you have doubled or trebled your present age, growing stouter 'typically' as you advance in years. have little doubt that since your first appearance many a cottage gardener has, by his industry, perseverance, and your aid, become taught many a country gentleman the pleasure and advantage of a country gentleman; but of this I am certain-that you have being a cottage gardener.”—W. W. 66 Now, strange as it may seem, these remonstrant and kindly expressed letters reconcile us to the addition to our title, for they do not foreshadow a single evil that will follow upon the change. We can assure our friends that we do not intend to dress in future "in silk and satin," and we shall stick as heretofore "to the corduroy and good Yorkshire broadcloth." Moreover, we are not spending money upon "a new front," nor do we think the addition to our old front will induce " a smash;" neither shall we be grieved by being called THE COTTAGE GARDENER in spite of us," nor do we fear ceasing being "familiar as household words:" indeed every letter shows that we are associated with the "blithe blink" of their writers' ain firesides," and that's a guarantee to our remaining there "to the end of the chapter." As to the "unity of future volumes" with their predecessors, we have made arrangements for that; and if we are fidgetty," like ladies of "twenty-five to " change our name,' it is only because we have a good match in prospect and the preceding approval of our friends. 66 The chief difficulty has been to select from the matches proposed. One old friend, writing from Cheltenhamthat town of connubialities-placed before us no less than fifteen which he considered eligible, and very mature deliberation only induced us to accept the name under which we this day appear. "But what is the real inducement to the change ?" asks a lady; and this letter embraces our reply-it is. from one of long experience in the literary world. "I am greatly pleased to see that you are following the right policy-namely, increasing the size of your Journal as it prospers, and thus giving the public a share in its success: this will induce still further good feeling among its subscribers. I have long felt how entirely it has outstripped its original cognomen; COTTAGE GARDENER,' when, in truth, it circulates more largely and it is not conducive to your own interest to call it 'THE than any other journal among professional gardeners and the gentry who delight in gardening. And let me appeal to your self-esteem by observing that when quoted from, there is not much dignity in your appended name.”—J. S. Now, we have not a single additional reason to add to those stated by our friend; and having thus made our public confession, we will at once conclude with this monition by a high authority, "Be not given to change, but never hesitate from changing if the purpose be honest, and the object truth." No. 653.-VOL. XXVI., OLD SERIES. THE above woodcut is a representation of a specimen Pelargonium that was exhibited and presented to Her Majesty the Queen. This picture will give our readers an idea how such a plant can be grown; and I think they will all agree that it was as good and as perfect a specimen as could be wished for. The method by which such a plant can be produced may not be so well known; but by tolerable care and earnest perseverance through all the stages and points of culture, any one possessing a good greenhouse, and a cold pit or frame, may grow one or more equally fine. In order that any amateur or gardener having the means and the laudable ambition to try to produce such a specimen may succeed, I will state the results of my experience; and the first advice I would give them is that they lay this down as a law, like that of the Medes and Persians, to be unaltered or undeviated from-Never let the leaves of plants intended for specimens touch the leaves of neighbouring plants. As they grow larger they must have more space, and that space will not be wasted; for one shapely, wellgrown, and freely-bloomed plant will give more pleasure to the spectator with good taste than half a dozen drawn plants, though, as far as space is concerned, they may produce equally as many blossoms. Another primary rule of almost equal importance is so to place the plants that every leaf shall have an equal share of light. It is well known that light is necessary to keep the leaves healthy and of an equally deep green colour. To manage this with the greatest ease, a spanroofed house running east and west is the best form. In such a house the greatest number of leaves receive their share of sunlight. In a lean-to house, the plants, in order that the leaves may all enjoy the same advan tage, must necessarily be turned round frequently, which, under ordinary circumstances, is a considerable trouble. This trouble might be in great measure avoided by placing each plant in a feeder with holes in it to let out the water; and the feeder and pot set upon a round, flat, piece of wood set on a pivot, like the top of a musicstool. If this piece of wood had notches made on its edge, a long and strong stick with a flat, sharp end could be inserted in one of the notches, and by pushing sideways the plant would of course move round. By this simple and cheap contrivance a man would be able in a few minutes to turn round the plants in a good-sized house, thus saving a large amount of time; and he would also avoid any danger of breaking the leaves or branches with his arms-a danger that often occurs when the plants have to be turned round in the ordinary way. Equally important for the health of plants is that each should have its due supply of fresh air on all favourable occasions. Fresh air is as necessary for plants as for animals. Where too great a number of plants are crowded into a house, they will be injured in health just like human beings. The gas they emit should be expelled from the house, and fresh pure air admitted for the plants to inspire; due regard being paid that the admitted air is not too cold, being warmed as it enters by passing over a heated surface, such as a flue or hotwater pipes. Soil. Every cultivator who has had any experience and exercises his thinking powers, soon finds out that different plants require different soils. Pelargoniums require a strong soil-that is, good sound loam, such as will grow Melons. The top spit of a pasture will answer well. Let it be carted home and laid up in a long ridge so as to expose as large a surface to the air as possible. Keep it clear of weeds, and let it be turned over two or three times. To two parts of this loam add one part of two-year-old cowdung, well turned over frequently. Old hotbed dung treated similarly will do nearly but not quite as well. Then add about one part of river sand and bits of charcoal mixed. Let all these ingredients be kept in separate heaps till wanted for potting, then mix them in the above proportions and use them moderately dry. This compost should be used to grow and bloom the plants in. For the winter season use a small quantity of leaf mould instead of the dung. Fresh soil is always to be preferred, for old soil is apt to become cloddy and sour. Procuring the Plants.-The best time to procure young plants is in April. Plants struck early the previous season are the best to commence with to lay a foundation for specimens. Choose such as are dwarf--that is, with a centre or main stem about 2 inches high, and branching from it three shoots as near each other as possible. If, however, the plant is stout and with leaves nearly down to the pot, then one or two shoots would do; but, then, these must be stopped in close to obtain three shoots of equal strength to form the frame of the future specimen. Supposing the plants have to be procured from a respectable nursery man at a distance-some one that grows specimens himself, you might safely leave the choice of the plants to him, only acquaint him in your order-letter with the purpose for which you require the plants. In 60-sized pots is the best size to commence with. When the plants arrive place them in your greenhouse for a week or ten days to recover from the journey. In the meantime prepare your soil and mix it thoroughly, but do not sift it. Any rough pieces you may meet with lay on one side, they will be useful to put upon the drainage. Place this compost in a warm place to become aired and moderately dry previously to using. Look out also the proper-sized pots for this first shift. Large 48's, if the plants are strong and healthy, will be the suitable size. Have ready also a quantity of broken pots for drainage. If oyster-shells can be had they answer well to place over the hole at the bottom of the pot. Potting.-Pelargoniums grown for specimens require potting twice in the year; the first potting being in the spring, and the second in the autumn. It is with the spring potting that we must first have to do. All being ready, bring the young plants to the pottingbench, fix upon one to begin with, and put the drainage in a suitable-sized pot for it. Place first either a large crock or an oyster-shell over the hole; then lay a few largish crocks upon that, and then some smaller ones above them-the whole to occupy about three-fourths of an inch. Place a thin layer of moss upon the drainage, and upon that either a sprinkling of soot or charcoal dust. After that place a thin layer of the rougher parts of the compost, and finally a layer of soil. Then turn the plant out of the pot, pick out from it the old drainage, and loosen part of the roots, spreading them out over the new soil as much as possible. Then see that the collar of the roots is just below the rim of the pot, and fill in around the ball with the fresh soil, pressing it down gently as it is put in. When the pot is full give it a smart stroke or two upon the bench to settle the soil, level it neatly, leaving it about half an inch below the rim of the pot. That finishes the potting of one; and when all are finished similarly, then give a good watering with tepid water and replace the plants in the greenhouse, bearing in mind my first warning-to give them plenty of space; also place them as near to the glass as may be convenient to give them proper attention in watering. For a month or five weeks, whilst new roots are running into the fresh soil they will not need a large supply of water; but when the roots reach the sides of the pots, and the leaves and shoots are advancing in growth, then water will be required in abundance. They should never be allowed to flag. After a hot sunny day let the plants, in addition to water at the roots, have a gentle dewing with the syringe: exercise discretion, however, in this point. No drops of water should be on the leaves the morning following: therefore the syringing should be used to the extent only that the water may be evaporated by the time the sun rises. T. APPLEBY. (To be continued.) MAUVE AND MAGENTA. The beauty of these colours has often been dwelt upon, and now we have a most interesting treatise on their preparation from the pen of Mr. Robert Hunt, so well-known for his researches concerning the nature and properties of light.* "A piece of wood and a lump of coal," observes Mr. Hunt, the same family-they are very near relations. The coal we burn, "have no particular resemblance to each other, but they belong to and which is dug from a thousand feet below the present surface of the earth, with most laborious toil and under circumstances of peculiar hazard to the miner, was once a forest growing in laxuriant beauty, in the splendour of a tropical sun. Myriads of ages have elapsed, mountains have been worn down, and their debris strewn over the buried forests. Hundreds of yards in thickness of sandstone and shale have to be pierced ere we reach our buried treasure, more valuable far than the "hoarded gold" of the enchanter Merlyn. In the deeps and in the darkness of these rock formations chemical changes have gone on, resulting in the production of that coal which gives to our country her commercial supremacy, and to our ladies-Mauve and Magenta." mination we all know that a most pungently-smelling tar is proWhilst converting that coal into gas for the purposes of illuduced; but, offensive as it is, "the chemist's magic art" "has extracted from it several essences remarkable for their fragrance; and from the same black tar-to touch which was to be defiledby a process of transmutation, the chemist has evoked a colour which has carried joy to the hearts of the Cardinals of Rome, and administered pleasure to the fashion-rulers of our own and other lands." From the tar a blue colouring matter was first obtained, to which the name of Aniline has been given, because Anil is the name of a plant yielding Indigo. Aniline combines with sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol), taking the form of crystals which become red by exposure to the air; "and here is developed the secret of its producing the exquisite reds and purples of which we write." "Mr. Perkins was the discoverer of the original Mauve, He to assist him in his investigations of the products from coal. was a student of Dr. Hoffmann's, and employed by that chemist The preparation of Aniline was described by Dr. Hoffmann, and he first showed that its presence could be detected by the violet colour it gave when treated with chlorine. This was the key to everything that has since been done, and it is not a little curious to see how the changes have been rung by the chemists on oxidising agents. A few examples will suffice: : Salt of Aniline, with Bichromate of Potash... Mauve and Perkins' Purple. Ditto Ditto Bichloride of Mercury... Magenta, and other Reds. Bibromide of Tin Fuchsiacine, &c. Pink, Red, and Purple, Sol- reason for so doing. Our purpose is answered if we have suffiThis list might be considerably extended if there were any ciently explained the sources from which are now procured this class of charming colours, before which the boasted Tyrian or imperial purple must pale. The colour obtained from the shellfish does not appear to have been a permanent colour; though costly, it was evanescent. The Mauve and Magenta are permanent colours. Light does not bleach them; the weaker acids do not stain them; the colour is dependant on the oxidation of the base of it, whereas, in nearly all other colours, the action of oxygen is to destroy the colour." This essay, entitled "Mauve and Magenta" is published in the St. James's Magazine, the first Number of which has appeared this month. When we knew that the editorship of this periodical was entrusted to Mrs. all we expected that it would be characterised by a just appreciation of the beautiful, and a mingling of information with amusement. We are not disappointed, for it is one of the best of the monthlies. REDLEAF AND ITS GARDENING.-No. 1. As it is universally admitted that a bright day enhances the pleasure of all out-door gatherings, so does a fine neighbourhood improve the effect of well-directed skill towards embellishing a particular spot. As an instance of this, whoever has looked down from the Crystal Palace on the beautiful terrace below, without at the same time casting their eyes over the picturesque landscape by which that garden is surrounded? These natural advantages are so obvious, that we often look with pity on a good residence and grounds improperly placed for benefiting by the natural beauties by which it is surrounded. This defect, however, in no way affects the position chosen for the mansion and grounds of the place now under notice; for nothing possibly could be more judicious, even in a neighbourhood abounding in good positions. The mansion and grounds of Redleaf, the seat of W. Wells, Esq., is on one of those eminences which form so pleasing a feature in the landscape of the south-western part of Kent. The ground is sufficiently undulating to be pleasing to the eye, without being too abrupt and precipitous to impede cultivation. Oak timber of the best description is sufficiently grown to give a clothed character to the district, without at the same time concealing the cultivated portion. The soil being a sort of yellow sandy loam, evidently impregnated more or less with irony matter, and resting on a sort of sandstone, which in some places crops out to the surface. But there are some stiff clays; and on the grounds at Redleaf, a natural slope facing the west consists of tolerable peat, or what in every sense answers as a substitute for it, so far as the welfare of the Rhododendrons and other things is concerned. The mansion is a modern brick building, to which considerable additions have been recently made by its spirited owner. The approach is from the north-east, the principal fronts being on the east, south, and west sides. The situation being elevated, the ground inclities rapidly to the west, and more gently and with some variation to the south, the east side being more level. The gardens and dressed grounds extend mostly to the south, south-east, and south-west of the mansion. The west side more quickly blends in with the park, which runs as a valley for some distance between the beautifully timbered ridges which flank it on either side, This valley extends for many miles, the view from this point being very interesting; the ridge forming the right flank presents many portions of its rocky surface to the eye, and the judicious mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees gives it a pleasing effect. The natural sloping ground uniting this ridge with that on which the mansion stands contairs the natural peat alluded to, and is planted with Rhododendrons of good kinds, which seem so well at home that they ripen seed and sow themselves, plants of various sizes appearing amongst the Fern and other herbage, for this is not dressed ground. Some excellent specimens of Cryptomeria japonica and Picea cephalonica were growing amongst these Rhododendrons in luxuriant health, and some others of the Pinus tribe had been introduced with good effect, and with every prospect of their doing well. In the foregoing outline of the natural features it will be seen that the most of the dressed ground is to the south of the mansion, and to the south-east and south-west of it; and although the whole, in farming phrase, may be said to lie within a compact ring fence, yet each department is separated from its neighbour by a sort of natural barrier, by which, on looking over the place, the visitor comes suddenly on some feature he had no reason to expect. These natural boundaries, or what, by a judicious assistance of art, seem to be natural divisions, often consisted of a projecting mass of natural rockwork, to which an excellent mode of appending other stones and tasteful planting gave an idea that Nature had done the whole. In another place an irregular mass of Hollies forms an impenetrable screen between two objects, both in themselves good, yet advisable to conceal from each other. At the same time care has been taken not to allow these barriers to interfere with the good view of distant scenery that every now and then claims attention; for be it observed, that with the exception of a Dutch flower garden and conservatory attached, the whole of the other portions of the grounds present that easy natural style which ignores straight lines, perfect levels, and geometric figures. The engravings taken of different views of the grounds, which ! we shall place before our readers, in many instances fall short of conveying a just conception of this remarkable place, and the taste and skill by which it has arrived at its present condition; but they may, nevertheless, be acceptable as conveying some idea of the beauties of the grounds. Fig. 1 is a view of what for distinction we may call the "English Garden," which consists of a large space of nearly a circular shape. The view being from the west presents a mass of natural rock on the left, or north side, with a fine Magnolia conspicua in the centre, and an equally fine Cryptomeria japonica, and other plants equally good. The whole of this space is well-kept turf with a walk surrounding it. On the outer side of this walk, on the south side, is a border of Roses backed by choice shrubs; and a series of oval-shaped beds (not shown in the figure) form a sort of chain on the grass on the inner side. The walk ascends to the top of the rocky eminence on the north side, and enters a summer-house (as shown in the engraving), the exterior of which presents some of the features of a Swiss cottage. Internally it is fitted up by the floors and walls being inlaid with woods of different kinds arranged in geometric patterns, but no varnish or French polish to destroy the character for natural simplicity which it is intended to convey, the roof being shingles. An inner compartment contains some fine specimens of porcelain and other rarities. The position of the summer-house-on a ledge of rock over looking a garden containing some excellent specimens of Araucarias, Rhododendrons, with some Camellias and Azaleas on the approach to it-is beautiful in the extreme, as it is not crowded. The rock itself is in some places clothed with dwarf-growing Rhododendrons, with a little Ivy and other things, but in no instance crowded nor yet showing the equally objectionable feature of having been cut to keep it in bounds. Sufficient of the rock is shown to produce a pleasing effect, which is in some degree increased by a noble Oak tree shown in the foreground, and I have no doubt but in summer the beds will be rich with the choicest bedding plants; but at all times the scenery is attractive, and, secluded as it appears to be from the outward world, it is easy to picture the conjectures a playful imagination may bring up to second objects in themselves approaching so near the ideal of perfection. The above is a west view from the mansion, which has, in some measure, been explained before. The valley, which near the mansion does not exceed a quarter of a mile in width, widens out in the distance, the extreme view being, I believe, upwards of twenty miles. The rocky ridge on the north side near the house presents among other very noble trees some fine Oaks mingled with Scotch Firs, and now and then a Cedar of Lebanon jutting out in a manner that promises at some future day to rival the Oak in its proportions. The grounds immediately in front of the mansion at this side present no particular object, but shelving down to the park seem to unite with it; the fence being in most places concealed by the inequalities of the ground, a piece of water in one place forming the boundary. The park, wisely, is not encumbered by trees in this direction, the ridges at right and left constituting sufficient shelter; but on the northern slope against a mass of rock, a rifle-butt stood out conspicuously, showing that even in this "happy valley" the laudable desire of uniting, in case of need, to defend our common country against all invaders is not forgotten, and, assuredly, no object can be more praiseworthy. The natural hill or slope to the north of the house contains the peat earth before alluded to; and being planted with choice things, with occasional common ones as nurses, will at some future time be an important feature.-J. ROBSON. (To be continued.) EXHIBITION OF UNFORCED HYACINTHS. MESSRS. ARTHUR HENDERSON AND CO., PINE APPLE PLACE NURSERY, EDGEWARE ROAD. YESTERDAY, and during the last days of March, the good people of London had access to the first public exhibition of unforced Hyacinths on record. Miss Burdett Coutts and Madame Van der Hoop were hardly in their carriages from the Messrs. Cutbush's brilliant entertainment up at Highgate when I heard of their resolve to meet some of their best admirers among the fashionables of the West End, at Pine Apple Place on the following week on free-and-easy terms, without forcing and without restraint. It is quite true that I was already "engaged" for a very different party on the south side of the Thames, as you will probably hear next week, and rejoice; but I could not resist the temptation of going to see the present fashion, the prevailing colours, and the style of getting up a soirée of Hyacinths, without forcing any one to it or for it. Nothing sweeter or more gay was ever seen in London before, and certainly nothing more charming. But believe me not, go and see for yourself. bedding Hyacinths, not in ribbon setting as at Highgate, but flanked with the best and gayest early Tulips. On the same front, and cross-cornered fashion, you will find that brilliant sameness of dress peculiar solely to that sweet class of bulbous flowers called Polyanthus Narcissus-one of the most beautiful and melancholy of all our classic names for flowers, and just as true as Ovid has made it melancholy. This was my nursery for dressing and decorations when I first took to the fashions, and to ladies' colours and fancies. If you go you will find there every dress, and all the styles of dress, which I chronicled from the assembly at Highgate, are perfectly true to the letter and to the last shade of colour. You will also find on the south front of the exhibition-room and on the farthest half of it from the entrance, a complete assortment of The exhibition is held in the Lapageria-house, the Lapageria rosea covering the whole extent of the farthest end of the house to the extent of 20 feet in width, 9 feet in height, and runs along the rafters on both sides of the span roof to the extent of 15 feet more by the time it is in bloom. Over and above all that liberty a sucker-like shoot darts up here and there from the crown of the roots in early May, and runs its course to the extent of 20 feet by the end of August, and then blooms on like the free branchy growth of the head itself till the turn of the new year-the most splendid object in cultivation, and the coldest greenhouse is fit for such another display of hanging Lilies in bells and wreaths of the richest crimson softened down with tints of gold, and of vermilion in pudibundus shading. There is a large slate platform down the centre of this house, and others of the like material along both sides of it, with an ample passage all round; and the whole is filled with Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissuses alone, barring a thick, close |