May 8, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
375 
Double Daisies {S. J. IF.).—If all the twelve varieties have turned out 
to he “ rubbish ” we are strongly of opinion that the fault is in the soil or in 
the treatment to which the plants have been subjected. The best of varie¬ 
ties are very unsatisfactory in poor soil, or if they have been removed at the 
wrong time and not become established. Florists attach fanciful names to 
Daisies. There is a very fine white variety known as Victoria, The Bride, 
and Giant White ; there is also a large deep red quilled variety known under 
the name of Rob Roy and Giant Red ; also a mottled red-and-white variety 
that is very good. Those are the most effective we know, and are very fine 
when produced in the best condition ; but grown under unfavourable cir¬ 
cumstances they are inferior, and may be characterised as “rubbish.” Stipa 
el ;gantissima is similar to S. pennata, and requires the same treatment. It 
is hardy, but not more beautiful than S. pennata. 
Soil for Chrysanthemums (IF. J.). —You Write so intelligently, and 
appear to have such a thorough grasp of your subject, and as a consequence 
recognise the importance of proceeding cautiously, that we have no fear you 
will make any serious mistake in the soil you decide to use. As to the pre¬ 
pared composts, everything depends on the quantity of urine that was used 
in the soil; still, as it was safe for Cucumbers, and ip likely to answer for 
Fuchsias, it will be safe for Chrysanthemums. The question is whether the 
lightness of the loam will unduly impair its lasting qualities. We fear this 
would be so, and though the plants may grow well for a time, their strength 
will not be sustained. We should consider the advisability of drying some 
clay and pounding it for adding to the compost. You will be the bgst judge 
on this matter, also of the quantity to use, as we cannot with Sufficient 
exactitude comprehend the nature of loam that we have not seem We think, 
too, a little lime rubbish and wood ashes would be an advantage, as we 
suspect that nitrogenous matter unduly preponderates in the compost, and 
might produce succulent growth. You can pot the firmer by such additions 
without impairing the porosity of the soil, and firm potting with light loam 
is desirable. If you can burn, or rather scorch some clay or heavy soil, then 
crush it, this would undoubtedly be good for mixing with the light and rich 
compost. Our reply is in the form of suggestions, and we can safely leave 
you to make the best use of them under the circumstances. 
Vines not Thriving ( G. McG.). —It is seldom that young Vines grow 
freely when planted in old Vine borders, unless stations of fresh soil are pre¬ 
pared for them, and they are then really in new miniature borders formed in 
the old. The failure, of which we have seen many instances, is more decisive 
if a considerable length of young cane is left when planting, as frequently 
must be the case for it to reach within the house or the wires, and severely 
shortening such newly planted Vines in the autumn previous to their inser¬ 
tion is always an advantage. When the roots do not readily take possession 
of the soil, and they certainly will not enter the old soil of a Vine border 
freely, the sap is extracted from the canes by the numerous buds more 
quickly than it is supplied by the roots. The growth is then stunted, pre¬ 
mature ripening takes place, and not infrequently a species of fungus attacks 
the foliage, as in the example before us. The rusted or warted appearance 
of the leaves is, however, mainly due to excessive transpiration and the con¬ 
sequent shrinking of the tissue owing to the relatively weaker root-power 
and a deficiency of sap to compensate for moisture that has been lost. Sul¬ 
phur will destroy the fungus, but that, we fear, will not be sufficient to induce 
the Vine to grow freely. In such paralysed Vines a healthy lateral not infre¬ 
quently issues from the lower part of the rod, and when this is so it is a good 
plan to cut the Vine down to that portion, and healthy growth may follow. 
If the growth has several expanded leaves the rod may be cut down now 
and little bleeding will follow, as the healthy lateral will take the sap and 
grow more strongly in consequence. Under any circumstances such stubborn 
Vines may be cut down in the hope of a free-growing cane issuing from the 
base, but if cut below the leaves the operation must be deferred till the 
autumn. 
Names of Plants ( E. M. G., Limerick). —All plants that have been 
received at this office have been attended, but we do not remember any 
specimens with your name attached. (E. Moore). —The Daffodil is the 
double yellow variety of Narcissus incomparabilis, known as Butter and 
Eggs. ( J. F.). —2, Saxifraga oppositifolia ; 4, Trollius europseus ; 6, Caltha 
■pilustris flore-pleno (double Marsh Marigold) ; 7, Ranunculus aconitifolius 
flore-pleno (Fair Maid of France) ; 8, Ajuga reptans. The other specimens 
were insufficient for recognition. (IF. S.). —1, Davallia divaricata ; 2, Asple- 
Tiium flabellifolium. (D. H .).—Specimen much withered, but apparently it 
is Scilla bifolia alba. ( L. C. H. R.). —A very poor specimen, resembling 
Dondia Epipactis. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— May 7th. 
Trade somewhat better, but prices seriously affected all round. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Apples. 
J sieve 
1 
6 to 5 
0 
Oranges. 
6 
0 to 10 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
bushel 10 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
per doz. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Filberts. 
.. lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
5 
o 
Cobs . 
per lb. 
1 
s 
1 
6 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Grapes. 
.. lb. 
8 
0 
5 
0 
Strawberries.. 
2 
0 
6 
o 
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 
0 
9 
to 1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
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 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
8 
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 .. . 
.. lb. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
dozen 
2 
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 
8 
0 
6 
Seakale. 
basket 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Shallots. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Leeks . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Tomatoes 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
1 
1 
6 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
THE SHROPSHIRE BREED OF SHEEP. 
We have always felt great interest in this breed of sheep, 
and it is with great pleasure that we enter upon the consideration 
of their origin and progress. Although these were originally a 
horned race, yet they were black in the face, which circumstance 
has greatly facilitated the introduction to our notice and for the 
use of the home farmer of a type of stock with a great similarity 
to the South Downs in the hands of some breeders; in others, 
however, they muoh resemble the Hampshire Downs. 
As the origin of this breed was for many years a disputed 
question we are bound to allude to it. Some writers who assert 
that the original Shropshire Down sheep were a pure original 
breed, and this is no doubt correct, but it must be remembered 
that they were a horned breed with black faces; whilst other 
authorities, acknowledging their excellent style and character, 
they cannot allow them to be a pure breed. Our opinion is they 
are not a pure breed but cross-breed, and our information goes 
to show that they were obtained from the original Longmynd or 
old Shropshire sheep. Plymley in his “ General View of the 
Agriculture of Shropshire,” published in 1803, says, “There ii 
a breed on the Longmynd with horns and black faces that seems 
an indigenous sort. They are nimble, hardy, and weigh near 
10 lbs. per quarter when fatted. Their fleeces upon an average 
may weigh 2^ lbs. The farmers of the hill country seem to 
think the greatest advantage they derive from the access of 
foreign stock is from the cross of the South Down with the 
Longmynd sheep. The produce they state to be as hardy and 
to bite as close as the Longmynd sheep, and the weight of the 
carcase is increased.” This seems good evidence as to the ori¬ 
ginal characteristics of the old Shropshire stock, and it is also 
undoubted evidence that between sixty and seventy years ago this 
cross with the South Down and the Longmynd was a favourite. 
That this practice was continued for a considerable number of 
years cannot be doubted, for it was well known that first-class 
flocks of pure South Downs were kept in Corve Dale, and annual 
ram sales were held for many years until they were gradually 
superseded by the improved Shropshii-e Down, as many first-class 
breeders of Shropshire Down sheep resided at Corve Dale. 
We have quoted evidence relating to the breed of sheep in 
the district of Corve Dale, yet we have important information 
relating to the breed from different parties in the district of 
Morfe Common. At a meeting of a farmers’ club held in the 
county Mr. T. Meire some years ago observed, “ It is not at¬ 
tempted to deny that the Shropshire is a cross-bred sheep. The 
original breed was horned, and the first attempt at improvement 
was to get rid of these incumbrances, and there is no doubt that 
this was effected by a cross of the Southlown.” Again, Pro¬ 
fessor Wilson’s report of the breeds of sheep in the Journal of 
the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. xvi., states,^ “ On Morfe 
Common near Bridgnorth, which contains about 600,000 acres, 
there are about 10,000 sheep kept during the summer months, 
which produce wool of a superior quality. They are considered 
a native breed—are black-faced or brown, or a spotted-faced 
horned shee ', little subject either to rot or scab—weighing, the 
wethers from 9 to 11 lbs. per quarter after being fed with Clover 
and Turnips, and clipping nearly 2 lbs. per fleece, exclusive of the 
inferior portions, which may be taken at one-seventh of the whole.” 
Probably each of these districts in reference to which we 
have quoted contributed largely to the original stock as the agri¬ 
culture of the county advanced, and the breeds became more 
valuable for their mutton as well as for their wool. It is well 
known the Morfe Common sheep wei’e crossed with other breeds 
than the South Down, but more particularly with the long-woolled 
Leicesters and Cotswolds. The admixture of such different 
blood produced a corresponding variation in the character at 
that time of the breed of Shropshire Downs, and had tended 
very much to sustain the hesitation which existed until i860 to 
allow them a. place or class as a distinct breed at the meetings 
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England previous to the 
meeting held at Warwick in that year. 
Few have enjoyed better opportunities of estimating the 
quality and characteristics of this breed of sheep than ourselves, 
by having performed the office as one of the three. Judges of 
short-woolled sheep appointed at four separate meetings of the 
Royal Agricultural Society of England—viz., at Salisbury in 
