March 5, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
203 
Grapes in February (S. H. Contich). —We are obliged by your letter, 
but we were correct in telling you that the Grapes sold in London during the 
month named were ripened in the autumn. We are quite familiar with the 
system of forcing Vine3 in pots to have the fruit ripe in February ; but we 
also know that as compared with the method of ripening the crop in autumn 
and keeping the fruit till spring, it is not worth practising from a com¬ 
mercial point of view. Very early Grapes are forced in some gardens for 
private use, but the fruit thus ripened in February is not anything like so 
large and well coloured as that ripened in the autumn, while the autumn 
crops are at least ten times heavier than those from Vines forced through 
the winter. 
Tropaeolum speciosum (K .).—This is the name of the species that grows 
so well in Scotland and produces such a brilliant effect on walls. It is quite 
hardy and is increased by division of the fleshy roots. We have not raised 
plants from seeds, but if we attempted to do so should sow in pots of peat 
and loam in a frame in April. If any of our readers have established plants 
from seed we shall be obliged by their communicating their experience for 
the benefit of others. 
Seedling Cineraria {F. Z.). —We received the flowers quite right and 
have been awaiting the arrival of a letter pertaining to it. The only letter 
we have received from you on the subject reached us last Saturday, the 
28th inst. Judging by the individual flower, we are glad to describe the 
variety a very good one and worthy of preservation if the habit of the plant 
is satisfactory. It does not, however, surpass, if equal, the best named 
varieties. 
Hardy Annuals for Baskets (A Young Gardener). —Eccremocarpus i* 
not an annual, but the plants will flower late in the season in which the 
seed is sown in heat in the spring. The mention of this suggests that you 
desire strong growers, and among the best of these are the Canary Plant 
(Tropjeolum pereg inum); other forms of Tropseolums, commonly called 
Nasturtiums, would answer, with Convolvulus, Convolvulus major, and 
Sweet Peas ; but without good culture, and especially care in watering and 
preventing the formation of seed pods, none of them would continue very 
long in beauty. The Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Nummularia) is excellent 
for baskets in the open air, especially in shaded positions; and drooping 
masses of Toad Flax, Linaria Cymbalaria, have a pretty effect. 
Tree Ferns (G). —We have frequently seen the dead trunks of Tree Ferns 
employed for growing other Ferns of various kinds, the tops of the trunks 
being scooped out and filled with suitable compost. Any kinds of Ferns 
suitable for the temperature of the house may be thus “ mounted,” regardless 
of their genera. Small trunks in cases we have seen covered ornamentally 
with Filmy Ferns. 
Hose-in-Hose Cowslips (L. B.). —We are not able to inform you from 
whom you can obtain seed of the strain referred to, and the best advice we 
can give you is to purchase a few plants and raise seed from them. Possibly 
as the season advances some growers who may have good stocks of these 
pretty and curious flowers may advertise plants or seed. We think we know 
the individual to whom you refer, and have applied to him for seed, but he 
has none for disposal; in fact, he appears to be in very much the same 
position as yourself, having lost the plants, and would like to raise others 
of the same character. 
Manures for Grass and Fruit Trees {Inquirer). —The formula 
on page 142 we consider preferable to the other to which you refer for 
grass, but as the same kinds of manures have not the same effect on all soils 
you will not greatly err by trying both with the object of ascertaining which 
answers the best in your particular case. No one can recommend any par¬ 
ticular kind of liquid manure for fruit trees without knowing the nature of 
the soil and the condition of the trees, and it would be very easy to waste 
money in this method of applying stimulants. Many trees, no doubt, might 
be improved by such assistance, but at least an equal number would be 
injured rather than benefited. Top-dressings of ground bones or super¬ 
phosphate of lime are suitable for fruit trees that require more nourishment 
than the soil affords. The fertiliser alluded to can be had from agricultural 
manure dealers in nearly all market towns. 
Exhibiting Fruit (D. B.). —In the absence of any stipulations to the 
contrary, such as one bunch of Grapes or one Melon to form a dish, more 
than one in each case can be staged without the exhibitor rendering himself 
liable to disqualification, provided the duplicate examples are of the same 
variety ; but when it i3 necessary to “ make up ” dishes in the manner indi¬ 
cated the fact is not suggestive of superior cultivation, a point that would 
not be overlooked by the judges. If it were necessary to stage three small 
Melons to form one dish it would be regarded as a very weak dish indeed, 
and would tell heavily against a collection of fruit. 
The Vine Weevil (J. L .).—The specimens you have sent are of Curculio 
Betuleiti, which is very destructive to the young leaves and growths of 
Vines on which the weevils feed during the night. We know of no more 
satisfactory method of eradicating the pests than by searching for them 
with the aid of a light and picking them off by hand. Some persons recom¬ 
mend spreading a sheet, then shaking the Vines briskly ; but we have for¬ 
tunately not had occasion to try this plan. Possibly, if you were to tie 
cotton wool round the stems of the Vines and smear it with tar it would 
check the movements of the pests. We should also clear away the soil 
from round the stems, adding fresh, and sprinkle the border if it is inside 
the house with petroleum mixed at the rate of a wineglassful to a gallon of 
soapy water, as the insects lurk in the soil during the day. 
Seeding Primulas {Primula). —Healthy plants with active roots are 
essential, and if sown rather late so that they flower in spring instead of 
winter they will seed all the more freely. Plants in a weak state are prac¬ 
tically exhausted with flowering, and cannot support seeds, which is more 
exhausting still. With healthy plants flowering now all that is needed is 
the.liberation of the pollen and its application to the stigma of the flowers. 
To insure this it is advisable to use a camel-hair brush, but we have known 
the seed set freely by simply shaking the trusses during the forenoon of fine 
days. There is no “ difference between male and female Primula flowers,” 
as all the organs of fructification are present in each flower. There are 
what are known as the pin-eyed and thrum-eyed flowers ; in the former the 
pistil protrudes beyond the stamens, and in the latter the stamens are longer 
than the pistil, which is hidden in the tube. The others seed the more 
freely, but are not considered so attractive. When the pistil is not visible a 
little careful manipulation is needed for the pollen to reach the stigmas, 
and occasionally the tube is split open for this purpose in the case of special 
varieties. 
Sowing Rhododendron Seed {Birdie). —Peat should be broken up and 
placed in a cold frame to the depth of about 2 inches, that placed upon the 
top being very fine. The surface must be pressed down and made as level 
and even as possible, and the seed sown towards the end of this month. It 
mu-t not be covered, but after sowing give a good watering with a fine-rose 
can. Great care must be taken that the surface never approaches dryness, 
not even after the seedlings appear. The lights of the frame in which the 
seed is sown should be whitewashed and kept close to prevent evaporation, 
and even when this is done it will be necessary to lay mats over the frame 
during very bright weather. As soon as the surface of the soil is green 
a little air must be admitted to prevent the seedlings damping off. They 
must be gradually exposed to light and air until the lights can be drawn 
off ; this should be done at first during dull or showery weather, but care 
must be taken that the soil in which the plants are growing does not become 
saturated. When the seedlings are large enough, say during the early part 
of July, they should be pricked off into other frames or boxes, where they 
can be shaded until established and protected with lights during the winter. 
It is not necessary to prick off the seedlings singly ; on the contrary, they 
may be transplanted in little patches, leaving an inch or a little more clear 
space between each patch of plants. The next season they will fill up this 
space. They should remain undisturbed during the winter, giving them the 
protection of mats or fern during severe weather. In spring, when all fear 
of frost is passed, the young plants may be transplanted 6 inches apart, so 
that a small hoe can be used amongst them. 
Enemies of Mushrooms {J. E .).— In the last edition of Wright’s “ Mush¬ 
rooms for the Million ” you will find more than “ one suggested remedy ” for 
the destruction of snails, woodlice, and other pests. Solutions of salt, 
hellebore, and quassia are all referred to, also Mr. Bateson’s sugar and 
plaster of Paris application. We cite from pages 93-94 :—“ Slugs and snails 
are often very annoying. If the beds are carefully examined at night with 
the aid of a lantern in all probability a number of the depredators may be 
caught and destroyed. Heaps of brewers’ grains or bran placed near the 
beds will, if examined after dark, often be found covered with snails, and if 
these in turn be covered with salt they will do no further damage. Wood- 
lice are occasionally troublesome : pieces of parsnip boiled in a solution of 
arsenic are readily eaten by them, and this forms their last meal. The 
poisoned baits should be placed in small flower pots and must be kept from 
fowls. When a number of small thread-like creatures appear (Millipedes) 
their presence indicates that the manure has not been sufficiently heated 
and purified. They are difficult to destroy without injuring the beds. A 
suggested remedy is to mix two ounces of hellebore powder into a creamy 
paste, then stir it well into a gallon of water, and pour it on the beds ; if 
Mushrooms are growing, it must be poured between them, not on them, as 
the hellebore solution is poisonous. Occasionally a number of active and 
very minute insects infest Mushroom beds, and especially if the manure is 
too dry; from 1 to 2 ounces of salt dissolved in a gallon of tepid water will 
usually destroy the insocts, and may improve the beds; if this fails, the 
hellebore mixture may be tried, or a solution of quassia, made by boiling 
an ounce of quassia chips in a gallon of water for twenty minutes, and applied 
in a tepid state ; but, as above advised, it must not be poured on, but be¬ 
tween any Mushrooms that may be appearing. Mr. Charles Bateson says :— 
‘ If sugar and plaster of Paris are mixed together in any proportion, strewn 
about an inch thick all round and on the top of the bed, the insects will 
speedily disappear ; at least I have found this simple mode efficient. They 
eat it for the sake of the sugar, and I suppose the plaster of Paris must 
harden in their stomachs and so kill them.’ Mr. Bateson’s remedy is worth 
trying.” 
Names of Fruits {C. S .).— No. 1 , Spanish Warden ; 2, Ne Plus Meuris. 
The plant is Peperomia fcaundersi. {A. Haggart). —1, Ribston Pippin ; 2, 
Reinette de Canada ; 3, Herefordshire Costard ; 4, New Noithern Greening ; 
5, Hoary Morning ; 6, Not known. {A. B.). —Dumelow’s Seedling. {J. W-). 
—No. 1, Not known. 2, Powell’s Russet. Duke of Devonshire is very 
good, but we think it is inferior in flavour to Powell’s Russet. 
Name of Plant {James Pound ).—Pellsea rot undifolia. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET.— March 4th. 
BUSINESS comparatively stagnant. Prices unaltered. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples. 
A sieve 
2 
6 
to 4 
6 
Oranges.. .. 
.. ..100 
4 
0 to 
7 
0 
Chestnuts 
bushel 16 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. per 
100 lbs. 
55 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen 
.. dozen 
i 
0 
3 
0 
Currants, Red . • 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,, dessert 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
6 
0 
„ Black .. 
| sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English .. id. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Strawberries.. 
.. ..lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons.. .. 
.. case 
10 
0 
15 
0 
St. Michael Pines ..each 
3 
0 
7 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Artichokes .. .. 
dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Lettuce .. .. 
1 
0 to 
l 
6 
bundle 
7 
0 
8 
Mushrooms .. 
..punnet 
0 
0 
1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
100 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Mustard and Cress punnet 
0 
2 
0 
4 
Beet, Red .. • • 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Ouions .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts .. 
{ sieve 
2 
6 
S 
0 
Parsnips .. .. 
.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes .. .. 
4 
0 
5 
Capsicums .. .. 
100 
1 
8 
2 
0 
,, Kidney 
.. cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Rhubarb .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy .. .. 
i 
0 
0 
0 
Celerv . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
.. bundle 
1 
6 
0 
6 
Coleworts dcz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. 
p er basket 
i 
0 
1 
0 
Cucumbers .. .. 
each 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Shallots .. .. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach .. .. 
. brshel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Herns . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes 
. .. lb. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Leeks . 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
