Jane 18, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
517 
in bloom, running it down deep enough to take the plant up with a good 
ball of earth round the roots, and transplant them where wanted as soon as 
possible, watering daily through a fine rose until they are established and 
rain falls, after which they may be safely left to themselves. Any turf or 
weedsin which they are growing when lifted should be cut off with a sharp 
knife instead of pulling them out, so as not to disturb the little ball of earth 
each one should possess ; also to plant a little deeper. We have found suit¬ 
able places for them at or near the base of rockeries, as there is usually more 
moisture than when near the top ; they also do well transplanted in grass, 
but of course it must not be cut with a mowing machine or scythe till the 
foliage has died. We have a number of them in long grass near the lawn, 
in which hundreds of Bluebells, Narcissus, Snowdrops, Crocus, Squills, and 
oHmr bulbs are planted, and are usually all mown down about haymaking 
time. Some of this Orchid that were planted this time last year are now in 
flower, with from eighteen to twenty-four flowers on a spike, the latter 
number on the strongest bulbs. One was planted on the top of the rockery 
two years ago between the crevices of stones; it flowered the year after, 
but it has not done so well this year. No doubt last summer was too dry, 
as another planted at the same time lower down, where there is more 
moisture, has a spike of eighteen flowers, and is certainly stronger and finer 
than when planted there. An annual top-dressing of leaf soil suits it, as it 
does most other plants on the rockery. Other British Orchids now in and 
showing flower are Ophrys muscifera, Ophrvs aranifera, Opbrys apifera, 
Orchis mascula, O. maculata, 0. latifolia, 0. Morio, 0. pyramidalis, Gymna- 
dema conopsea, and Aceras anthropophora. All the above were dug up 
and planted when in full bloom, and have not in the least degenerated; 
but some, particularly Orchis mascula, O. latifolia, 0. maculata, and the 
Aceras, are much finer than when planted two years ago. The Bee Orchis 
(0. apifera) is about the same, but the three bulbs that were planted 
together and had three spikes last year, this year has only two. We have 
several clumps of Orchis maculata with twenty or more spikes in each, 
with several varieties as regards colour. A good quantity of decayed leaf 
soil was well mixed in when the rockery was made, and in it they seem to 
delight, many of the spikes being more than 18 inches high, and with 
more than fifty flowers on each. This is one of the best species from a 
cut flower” point of view, and anyone fortunate enough to find a wood 
wffh plenty of them growing in, and with permission to dig them up, may 
safely do so when in full bloom, planted them in a good place in the 
kitchen garden, where they may be allowed to remain, and will be re¬ 
warded with plenty of flowers annually. The colour of this species varies 
from nearly white to crimson, £hus showing that some hardy Orchids are 
as variable as some of the exotic kinds, notably Odontoglossum Alexandra. 
Several firms who make a specialty of hardy plants also cultivate and sell 
British and other hardy Orchids, and some species, particularly the North 
American Ladies’ Slippers, have been greatly improved by cultivation. 
Unhealthy Vines—Aerial Roots (G. E. B .).—The Vines, of which you 
have sent samples both of old wood and this year’s laterals, are certainly in 
an enfeebled state, and we suspect this has been brought about mainly by 
mismanagement in the house. It is not unlikely the Vines were overcropped 
when young ; but whether they were or not, they have not been judiciously 
ventilated, the atmosphere has been too moist, and the foliage probably 
overcrowded; at any rate, it has been, and is, imperfect, and scarcely any 
nutrient matter has been stored in the stems. The wood produced last year 
was certainly not matured, this being apparent by an examination of the 
spurs, and the growth of the present year is defective, and cannot be well 
fed by such flimsy leaves. Their want of texture and long thin stems, with 
the clusters of adventitious roots, force us to the conclusion that the ill- 
condition of the Vines is mainly the result of faulty ventilation and mis¬ 
management of the growths and foliage in summer. It is quite true that 
aerial roots are consistent with good crops of Grapes. We have seen very 
fine crops with adventitious roots clustering from the Vine rods ; but the 
Vines were strong and healthy, with dark stout-textured leaves and plenty 
of active roots working freely near the surface of a good border. It is quite 
a different matter when debilitated Vines produce these roots in abundance 
year after year, as they then certainly indicate, and have in fact contributed 
to defective root-action in the soil. In the case under consideration the 
Vines were not a doubt good originally, and the border may have been 
good, yet it must never be forgotten that the effects of the best possible 
border may be nullified by mismanagement of the growths. Many borders 
are also mismanaged. You say the one in question has been “ attended to.” 
We know of several instances where Vine borders have been attended to by 
digging and making the surface so light that the best roots were positively 
driven out of it. Alight loose dry surface is the most effectual factor in 
sending the roots downwards ; they will enter the worst of subsoil if it is 
moist, no matter how good the soil is above if it is loose and dry. We 
venture to say the border referred to is practically destitute of active 
feeding roots anywhere near the surface. If it is not, so much 
the better, and the Vines may be invigorated by top-dressings of 
manure, and by permitting as manv leaves to expand as can be fully 
exposed to the direct action of light and no more, ventilating more 
freely, and especially very early in the morning, and maintaining a 
genial, buoyant atmosphere. If there are few or no roots in the border, as 
we suspect is the case, the Vines should be lifted partially or entirely, and 
the roots placed in fresh soil. Early in October would be a suitable time, 
keeping the foliage fresh by shading and syringing, so as to induce the 
extension of fresh roots before winter. That is the point to insure, the 
retention of the leaves after lifting; then the sooner it is done the better, 
because of the longer time provided for root-extension. Vine borders should 
be firm and moist on the surface in summer, and they then become netted 
with fibres, and it is only then a question of feeding them, regulating the 
growths for the unobstructed development of the foliage, keeping the 
leaves clean, and maturing the growths for good crops of Grapes to be 
produced without any shanked berries. Thousands of Vines are spoiled 
by allowing them to produce too many laterals by half, with hundreds 
of leaves that can never perform their functions of elaboration and 
secretion. The leaves then become so many exhausters instead of food- 
producers, for they are continually appropriating from the border and 
giving nothing in return to the Vines. We have entered somewhat fully 
into this question, which is a typical one, and our remarks equally answer 
aflother inquirer (“ B. T. V.”) who has sought information on Vines that 
“ once bore freely but now do very little good, producing poor crops of 
shanked Grapes.” Vines (Black Hamburghs) trained on the spur system, 
should not be much less than 4 feet apart, the laterals 18 inches asunder 
on each side of the canes, and the roof wires 18 inches from the glass, 
for the production of first-rate Grapes, and such they will produce for years 
under good management. See also reply to “ R. H. T.” 
Names of Plants.—We only undertake to name species of plants, not 
varieties that have originated from seed and termed 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. 
(V. J .).—It is impossible to name diminutive specimens sent loose in a 
matchbox. We are always willing to oblige our correspondents if they 
exercise a little care in the matter of packing, so that the specimens reach 
us in a recognisable condition. (A. J. B.). —The yellow flower is Galium 
cruciatum, the other is Lychnis vespertina. (H. O., Bomsey). —1, Oncidium 
sphacelatum majus; 2, Ceanothus rigidus. (B. P.). —1, Magnolia conspicua 
variety; 2. Magnolia acuminata. ( J.R. ).—1, Alchemilla arvensis ; 2, Vicia 
hirsuta; 3, Valerianella olitoria ; 4, Sisymbrium officinale; 6, Anthemia 
arvensis. (B. H. N.). —1, Ornithogalum umbellatum ; 2, Habenaria bifolia, 
which is frequently found in Beech woods. 3, Orchis maculata. (M. F. B.). — 
The flowers were much withered through being packed in dry cotton wool, 
and were in consequence almost unrecognisable. As nearly as we could 
determine them, however, they were Clematis montana (white), and Cam¬ 
panula glomerata (purple), the single leaf of the succulent plant being quite 
insufficient. 
Supering Bees.—All you can do is to put on a veil and gloves and pro¬ 
ceed quietly with the work. Any semblance of bustling exasperates bees. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 17th. 
Market heavily supplied with both fruits and vegetables, and business brisk. Large 
consignments from the Channel Islands reaching us, consisting of Grapes, Tomatoes, 
and new Potatoes. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples .. .. 
i sieve 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Lemons. 
.. case 
5 
0 to 21 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges. 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. 
per 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
perdoz. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Currants, Red 
J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen 
dozen 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„ Black 
| sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,, dessert 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Figs .. .. 
dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
2 
0 
S 
0 
Gooseberries .. 
. . 
4 sieve 
2 
0 
S 
0 
Strawberries.. 
.. lb. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Grapes .. .. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
..each 
3 
0 
7 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8 
d 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Artichokes ,. 
dozen 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Lettuce. 
. dozen 
l 
0 to 2 
0 
Asparagus 
bundle 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
0 
1 
4 
Beans, Kidney 
100 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Brussels Sprouts 
, , 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
8 
2 
0 
,, Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
S 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery .. .. 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts dez. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. per basket 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots. 
0 
s 
0 
0 
Endive .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
e 
Herbs .. .. 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. lb. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Leeks 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
6 
0 
0 
THE HAY HABVEST. 
{Continued from page 495.) 
That a strong green succulent growth of Grasses and 
Clover in full bloom affords at that precise stage of growth 
the best possible materials for making good hay is established 
beyond dispute. It is nevertheless equally certain that much 
Grass is left uncut long after it has passed the flowering 
stage, often till the seed is falling and the stalks are brown 
and sere, under the mistaken idea that by so doing more and 
better hay is obtained than when it is cut earlier. This, 
however, is only one of the many ways in which grass re¬ 
served for hay is mismanaged, and it is quite in keeping 
with complaints made recently of bare pastures and no hay. 
Nor can we wonder that there is no hay if good people will 
persist in turning cattle upon grass in April and expect to 
obtain a crop of hay from it in June. Let us be consistent, 
and at least give the grass for hay as fair treatment as any 
other crop. Briefly stated, fair treatment consists in a 
dressing of farmyard manure by the end of September, or of 
artificial manure in February, when the sheep are taken off, 
and the graas is then left untouched by sheep or cattle till 
