April 17, 1884. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
315 
in a gallon of water, and apply this to the beds. It may possibly destroy the 
insects and induce the growth of Mushrooms. It must not be given to plants 
in pots, nor to seedlings in boxes. We doubt very much if the insects are 
the cause of the seedlings disappearing. The evil is more likely to be the 
result of some defect in ventilation or watering, or both. 
Amaryllis aulica ( Miss Milward). —The above is the name of the species 
of which you have sent a flower, and we are glad to hear of your success in 
cultivating it. It is very free and useful, and has contributed markedly 
in imparting vigour to the much grander varieties that are now being 
established. 
Hellebore Powder and Caterpillars (U. M. S.). —The trees are syringed, 
one person carefully holding up the branches, so that all the parts are made 
wet, then the powder is applied through a dredger like a pepper-box, but 
with larger apertures through which it can pass freely ; it then adheres to 
the leaves and caterpillars, and does not leave many of the latter alive. The 
hellebore can be mixed with water and applied in the form of “ tea ” with 
the syringe. Its use is not recommended when the fruit is advancing to a 
size ready for gathering. Waldsteinias can be obtained from nurserymen 
who advertise hardy flowers in our columns. It is contrary to our rule to 
recommend dealers, on the ground that it would be most unfair to do so. 
Cutting down Dracaena Draco ( G. S .).—The wood is probably too hard 
towards the lower portion of the stem for it to produce roots, but if you 
partially cut it nearer the top, say a foot or two below the leaves, you will 
no doubt be more successful. The moss placed round the stem must be kept 
constantly moist for several weeks, but in the event of that failing your only 
course is to cut the upper part off as suggested, though the experiment will 
be a hazardous one. The position you name would be a suitable one, and if 
there was any chance of success it would be attained by placing the stem in 
the bed of cocoa-nut fibre refuse. 
Fungus in Vinery (S. E. ).—We are very glad to hear that our advice 
has proved so useful to you. The Vines, judging by the samples before us, 
have certainly improved wonderfully. So long as they make free progress 
we should refrain from closing the house in the afternoon with much moisture, 
but we should be content with damping it occasionally and maintaining a 
genial and buoyant atmosphere. The Vines will probably recover without 
the ammoniacal liquor ; at least we think you may venture to try them. 
Hardy Carnations and Picotees (S. H .).—The following varieties will 
probably suit your purpose. Carnations and Picotees are naturally later in 
blooming in the north than the south irrespective of varieties. We name 
one variety in each class. Carnations: Admiral Curzon, scarlet bizarre ; 
Rifleman, crimson bizarre ; Falconbridge, pink and purple bizarre ; James 
Douglas, purple flake ; Clipper, scarlet flake ; John Keet, rose flake. Picotees: 
J. B. Bryant, heavy red edge ; Mrs. Bower, light red ; Mrs. A. Chancellor, 
heavy purple ; Her Majesty, light purple ; Mrs. Payne, heavy rose ; Mrs. 
Allcroft, light rose. 
Names of Plants (II. A'.).—A variety of Odontoglossum Wilckeanum. 
( Constant Reader). —1, Aucuba japonica (male plant) ; 2, Lonitera tatarica ; 
3, Primula cortusoides. (W. S.). —The blue flower is Charieis heterophylla, 
the other is Eupatorium riparium. ( S. S.). —1, Chorozema ilicifolia ; 2, 
Monochaetum sericeum; 3, Alonsoa incisa; 4, Diosma ericoides ; 5, For- 
sythia viridissima; (5, Agathsea coelestis. (W. M., Brockley). —Caltha pa- 
lustris. (J.H .).—The red flower is Echeveria retusa, the white onejEupa- 
torium riparium, and the other is Russelia juncea. (Somerset). —Ferns.—1, 
Resembles a variety of Nephrodium molle; 2, Pteris longifolia. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— April 16 th 
All branches of the trade dull, with good supplies, Strawberries especially meeting 
with little demand. Prices without alteration. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Apples. 
A sieve 
l 
6 
to 5 
0 
Oranges. 
.. 100 
6 
0 to 10 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
bushel 10 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
l 
6 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Filberts. 
.. ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cobs . 
per lb. 
1 
S 
1 
6 
Plums and Damsons .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes. 
5 
0 
10 
0 
Strawberries.. 
.. ft. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Lemon .. .. 
,. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
2 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Artichokes .. .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
i 
0 
to 1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
100 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red .. .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions . 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts .. 
4 sieve 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums .. .. 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney .. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
„ New .. .. 
.. ft. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. 
dozen 
3 
0 
3 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy.. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
6 
Cucumbers .. .. 
each 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Seakale. 
basket 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Shallots. 
.. ft. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Leeks . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. ft. 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
0 
IMPROVING AND REGULATING THE SUPPLY 
OF FRESH BUTTER. 
It will be found in considering this subject that both the 
dairy farmers and consumers are greatly interested in a new 
departure whereby the dairymen may increase their produce, 
improve and regulate the supply, with advantage to themselves 
and the satisfaction of the consumers. Some facts in connection 
with the popular mode of treatment of their cows by the dairy 
farmers are so generally adopted by pursuing an old system as 
to amount to a prejudice, although it is equally injurious to 
themselves and the consumers of fresh butter; for any system 
which prevents the farmer from obtaining full commercial 
profits, and at the same time diminishes the supply of his 
products to the consumers, must be discredited by every 
sensible and practical farmer. Notwithstanding these facts, 
they are entirely unheeded by the majority of the dairy 
farmers ; and the consumers, particularly in the winter months, 
are thrown back upon a supply from abroad which is commonly 
called “ Bosh,” and for some time was sold as salt butter. 
Although we have adulteration Acts,” which were ostensibly 
enacted for the purpose of securing the consumers against 
imposition, it has been found that the Acts are so worded as 
not to protect the consumers so long as it is not sold as 
butter, and could be by analysis shown not to be injurious to 
health. 
It is notorious that large factories in America exist for the 
manufacture of oleo-margerine, which is now an article of 
commerce sold to almost every nation that furnishes the imports 
which supply the consumers of this country; and it is also 
stated that in some dairy districts where the cows are let for 
the season to dairymen who manufacture fresh butter for sale, 
that since the introduction of oleo-margarine, where there is no 
restriction to the contrary, the article is used, and the cows are 
let at £2 sterling more money per head per annum than at any 
previous time before this article came into use. This fact points 
to the idea that dairymen who rent their cows make use of this 
material for the purpose of adding to their produce of butter, 
even during the summer, and thus the quality of the article, 
although increased in supply, is greatly deteriorated. In most 
cases, however, it does not answer a good purpose, and if it has 
not succeeded in the past how is it possible that it can prove 
beneficial in the future to the consumers or those engaged in 
producing butter for sale either abroad or in this country ? 
Much has been revealed lately upon this subject ; but the 
following, which appeared in the Standard newspaper of March 
24th last is very remarkable:— 
“A Committee of the New York Senate has reported the 
results of an inquiry into the adulteration of dairy products. 
The details are disgusting and alarming. Of thirty samples of 
butter two-tliirds were only remotely traceable to milk. The 
refuse fat of pigs and bullocks was the chief and most savoury 
ingredient; but often spoiled greases were used which had been 
deodorised by nitric and sulphuric acids of a strength sufficient 
to induce lingering diseases. The material was also found to 
contain ingredients which are fatal to infants. The doctors, 
upon oath, declared that the consumption of this compound had 
a distinct bearing upon the death rate. The Committee advises 
the total prohibition of the manufacture of oleo-margerine. 
The interest in this subject is not merely local, as the exports 
in February included nearly a million pounds of butter, and 
over three millions of cheese.” 
We forbear dwelling on the effects likely to arise from a 
statement which speaks for itself, and proceed to consider the 
best mode of improving and regulating the supply of home-made 
fresh butter. Fresh butter maybe improved in various ways; 
but more especially by careful feeding with suitable materials 
at the best time and with judicious allowances, but also with 
pure fresh water available at all times, whether the cows are 
housed or feeding in the pastures. This refers to the feeding 
in summer time; but it should be remembered that in the case 
of a short supply of grass in the pastures supplementary food 
should be given twice a day, both of green fodder crops and 
crushed Oats or Wheat (of each 3 or 4 lbs.), given at each milking 
time in these moderate quantities. In feeding during the winter 
months it is necessary to consider the opportunities available 
for obtaining food of our choice. For instance, we are satisfied 
that as to the experiments relating to ensilage, especially that 
obtained from the best field Grasses and Glovers; but that 
made from Maize being the most valuable of all, especially 
for butter-making, though the crushed Oats or Wheat must 
not be omitted, for the firmest and best quality butter will 
be obtained from the feeding with Oats or Wheat. Still, as 
ensilage is by no means available for all dairy farmers it is 
important to consider the next best foods for use in the absence 
of pasture grass, and that which we find to be best is pasture 
hay well secured, with Potatoes of the large cattle-feeding 
varieties passed through Gardner’s cutter and mixed with 
crushed Oats and Wheat, with some malt dust. In the absence 
