April 2, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
28i 
classification. There a-e, however, only about six species, with their 
numerous varieties, that are of any commercial value, or worth cultivating 
with a view to profit. Three of those species are essentially basket Willows, 
and the other three are adapted for poles and timber trees, and they differ 
so much in character and constitution that the treatment and soils adapted 
for one are very unsuitable for the others. The three forms or species of 
basket Willows most in use are Salix viminalis, S. triandra, and S. purpurea, 
and their numerous varieties. Salix viminalis, or the Osier proper, is the 
most important variety under consideration. The six best varieties of it 
are known by the trade names of White Osier, Brown Osier, Merrins Osier, 
Basford Osier, Belgian Osier, and Longskin Osier, and this number is suffi¬ 
cient for all practical purposes of the basket maker. The S. viminalis, or 
Osier proper, is the best adapted of all Willows to the rich soils found on 
river margins, where it is subject to occasional floods. It is a vigorous 
grower, very hardy, and must be well fed by the deposits of floods or by 
artificial irrigation, to maintain it in continued perfection. S. triandra 
yields the best results when planted in a rich loamy clay. It is a native of 
Northern Europe, and very hardy in constitution. The wood is harder than 
the wood of the Osier, and it is slower in taking root; but when it has 
■obtained a good hold in suitable land it will last longer without replanting, 
and under favourable conditions it is a very profitable Willow to grow. The 
six best varieties to cultivate are known under the following trade names :— 
Brown Norfolk, Green Norfolk, Italian, Black German, Black Mule, and 
French. The third group of basket Willows, S. purpurea, is of more slender 
habit, and are more precarious to grow than those previously named ; 
indeed, it may almost be said that none but professional Willow growers 
can deal with them profitably. They grow well in sandy loam, and will do 
moderately well in a gravelly soil.” 
Azaleas not Flowering {Merchant). —The chief cause of the buds 
turning “deaf” is from their not being sufficiently ripened, and the check 
consequent on removal from the pit being such that the buds are stopped in 
their formation. Unless the plants are in need of larger pots we should not 
shift them, of which we can form no opinion, but if they have not been 
potted this last three years they would be probably improved by fresh soil. 
If they need repotting, and are not flowering, we should shift them at once. 
The sides of the ball may be loosened a little with a pointed piece of wood, 
yet not to any great extent, and draining the pots well, ram the soil about 
the balls as firmly as possible. Good fibrous peat with a sixth of sand 
intermixed will grow them well. Encourage growth by a rather close and 
moist atmosphere, syringing them in the morning and early afternoon, 
shading in the middle of the day from bright sun for a few hours, and keen 
well, supplied with water. When the plants have made a good growth 
admit air more freely, and by degrees harden off, by which time, or early in 
July, the buds will be set, and in the absence of a suitable house or pit they 
may be stood outdoors in a sheltered situation, and if shaded from midday 
sun it will be an advantage. They should be housed before frost. If the 
plants are not potted procure some Standen’s manure, and apply to the 
surface of the pots according to the directions. Your other questions were 
answered last week. 
Removing Hyacinths and Tulips (F. D. L.). —As the removal of the 
plants is compulsory we should certainly endeavour to preserve them for 
flowering this spring. First prepare a site where the soil is deeply worked 
and free, dig out a trench across it, then with a steel fork dig up each plant 
separately, carry it with the mass of soil secured, place in the trench, cover¬ 
ing the roots immediately with fine soil. If this work of removal is well 
and carefully done, the plants are heavily watered, also shaded if the sun 
is bright, and sprinkled occasionally so that the flagging of the leaves is pre¬ 
vented, the flowers will expand. It is quite common to divide Tulips when 
the colour of the flowers is visible, and “ make up ” pots of them so that the 
blooms are exactly of the some height and size for exhibition. We have 
often seen prizes awarded to Tulips prepared in that way, and Hyacinths 
are amenable to the same treatment; but everything depends on the care 
that is exercised in the removal, and the good attention afterwards bestowed 
on the plants. 
Culture of Dendrobium nobile (T. IF.). — As the plants cease flowering 
they can be repotted and encouraged to make strong growth in a temperature 
of about 60°, an early vinery being a very suitable house for them. A 
compost of peat, sphagnum moss, and charcoal may be employed, providing 
good drainage, and being careful not to bury any portion of the pseudo¬ 
bulbs. Supply water liberally while growth is advancing, and when the 
pseudo-bulbs have reached their full size gradually inure the plants to a 
lower temperature, but let them be placed near to the glass and well exposed 
to the sun, as next to obtaining a vigorous growth it is of great importance 
to insure a thorough maturation, for upon this depends the satisfactory 
flowering next season. Some experienced growers remove the old pseudo¬ 
bulbs, but we should not advise you to adopt the practice, as without a 
particular system of treatment the results are often unsatisfactory. Small 
jars or glasses partly filled with treacle or be°r serve as traps for ants when 
placed about on stages or plunged in beds. If the nest can be found pour 
a kettle of boiling water into it. 
Pears not Ripening (IF. M.). —Grown in some soils this Pear (Easter 
Beurre) seldom ripens well, the quality being almost invariably inferior, 
and it appears quite certain your tree does not occupy its space profitably. 
If the soil is light, on gravel, and especially if the tree does not grow freely, 
we should give it a few good soakings with liquid manure during the 
season, and cover the surface of the soil over the roots with manure. We 
should also gather the fruit, or some of the crop, sooner, as it is known that 
in some localities late hanging is not advantageous, but the reverse. Then 
in preserving the fruit it is quite easy to afford too much light and venti¬ 
lation, under the influence of which there is a steady transmission of 
moisture from the fruit. You will very probably find the Pears keep 
better in a place such as a cellar that is not positively dry, and to which 
little or no light has access. Then in the spring if you place the fruit in a 
close box in a temperature of 80° upwards, it may possibly ripen and give 
you satisfaction. If after trying what we recommend the fruit still remains 
worthless, we should either dig up the tree or shorten the branches and 
graft with a good variety that ripens well in your district. 
Self-Taught Gardeners {Improver ).—You say you have “ had the misfor¬ 
tune to educate yourself, that you have a great desire for learning, and that 
you have always employed your spare time in reading, writing, spelling, 
drawing, music, and in learning grammar.” Further, you intimate “ your 
great ambition is to write a letter that would meet the approval of an 
editor, but the more you see and read of others the greater your own 
ignorance appears ; and you conclude by asking if we think you will ever be 
likely to attain your object ?” If you are stilt young and continue in the 
sensible course on which you have commenced perseveringly we see no 
reason why you should fail. We may state for your encouragement that 
some of the best gardeners and writers on practical horticulture are self- 
taught men. When they were twenty years of age some of them could not 
write so correctly as you have written to us. Still, your letter is 
not a finished example of composition. Your penmanship is fairly 
good, grammar only slightly faulty, but one word is incorrectly spelt. 
Your consciousness of your own shortcomings is a hopeful sign, but 
there are two other sentences in your letter that we would refer to, and one 
of them does not indicate a strong determined mind. You say you “ cannot 
break yourself of slang.” You will have to do so before you can write 
acceptably to educated persons. In another part you observe you “ want to 
be a good talker.” If you can converse clearly and intelligently you may 
pass over the “ talking ” exercise for a time. We could name a few 
gardeners who are quite notorious for “ talking,” and there their fame 
rests ; while some of the most effective workers and finished writers are 
comparatively silent men. Cultivate a correct and agreeable form of ex¬ 
pression by taking as writing lessons passages from good authors, noting 
their construction of sentences and choice of words. You will find the most 
effective writers and speakers employ simple terms. If a short word and a 
long one will equally express your meaning choose the shorter. These are 
the lines on which we advise you to proceed, and if you make the same pro¬ 
gress that others who have been similarly circumstanced have done you will 
not consider it a “ misfortune ” in having had to “ educate yourself.” A 
gratifying example of the effects of self-teaching has been brought to our 
notice only this week in the appointment of one of the members of our staff 
to a position that few gardeners attain. He has, however, taught himself 
much more than the routine duties of gardening—mathematics, mensuration, 
surveying, geometrical and freehand drawing, while a good knowledge of 
vegetable physiology and agricultural chemistry have in turn been acquired 
by persevering endeavour. We are proud of such men, and wish them and 
all others who engage with similar earnestness in self-improvement much 
success. 
Names of Plants.—We only undertake to name species of plants, not 
varieties that have originated from seed and term d florists’ flowers. 
Flowering specimens are necessary of flowering plants, and Fern fronds 
should contain spores. Specimens should arrive in a fresh state in firm 
boxes. Slightly damp moss or soft green leaves form the best packing, 
dry cotton wool the worst. Not more than six specimens can be named at 
once. {F. S .).—Lamium maculatum aureum, the Golden Dead Nettle. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET— April 1st. 
We have no alteration to make from last week. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d 
Apples .. .. 
2 
6 
to 4 
6 
Oranges. 
.. 100 
4 
0 to 
7 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
.. bushel 16 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
perdoz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. 
per 100 lbs. 
55 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Currants, Red 
.. i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,, dessert ,. 
dozen 
2 
0 
6 
0 
,, Black 
.. | sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
1 
s 
2 
0 
Figs .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums . 
h sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes .. .. 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Strawberries.. .. 
10 
0 
12 
6 
Lemons .. .. 
, •. case 
10 
0 
15 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
3 
0 
7 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Artichokes 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Lettuce. 
. dozen 
l 
0 to 
1 
6 
Asparagus 
.. bundle 
7 
0 
8 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
100 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
4 
Beet, Red 
.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. £ sieve 
2 
6 
S 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
S 
2 
0 
,, Kidney . 
cwt 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera .. .. 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts dcz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. rer basket 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Cucumbers 
.. each 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Shallots. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Endive .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
brshel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Heros .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
TRIFLES. 
Not without hesitation do we put at the head of I'll is 
paper a word to which we have much dislike if taken in the 
ordinary sense of things of little value ; but there it is, and 
•t will be indeed well chosen and well placed if it ans wers 
1 our purpose of drawing more than ordinary attention to 
