366 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 5, 1881. 
examination it appears that they have been devoured by the caterpillar of some 
moth. This has probably kept itself concealed during the day, perhaps under 
the earth. It is curious how, whether making holes in the leaves or incisions 
at the edges, the caterpillar has avoided the ribs. There can be no remedy 
except searching carefully for it, and removing leaves that have been so far 
bitten as to have their vitality impaired. 
Vines Dying (H.E., Crouch End ).—In the first place we have to inform 
you that your Vines, even when alive, were in a very weak and unsatisfactory 
state. The growth has been weak and the wood not matured last year. It is a 
disappointment to you, no doubt, that the rods have died ; but you have not 
sustained any great loss, for canes so badly grown, either through unsuitable 
soil or unskilled attention, could never have produced satisfactory crops of fruit. 
So long as the roots and the lower parts of the Vines are healthy, the occurrence 
which you regret may prove of advantage rather than otherwise, as you may 
hope to encourage the growth of young canes that will be far better than the 
old rods; in fact, if such Vines were ours, and alive, we should cut them down 
with the object of obtaining more healthy and fruitful wood. We attribute 
the cause of death to the dressing you have applied coupled with the weak 
condition of the Vines, and it is a matter of chance that all of them were not 
killed. You have used the softsoap mixture at least four times stronger than 
you ought to have done. The maximum strength recommended for dressing 
Vines in winter is 8 ozs. dissolved in a gallon of water, while you have used 
1 lt>. of the soap to half a gallon. Of this strength the powerful caustic pro¬ 
perties of the potash, which is a large ingredient in the soap, could not fail to 
injure the bark and arrest the flow of sap. The tobacco water was also too 
strong by half. Half a gallon of boiling water poured on 2 ozs. of strong 
tobacco would have produced liquor quite strong enough. In future do not 
exceed this strength, nor 3 ozs. of soft soap to the same quantity of water. 
The other ingredients may remain as before, as they will not do harm, nor, we 
think, much good. We have no difficulty in keeping our Vines clean without 
painting them with lime, sulphur, soot, clay, &c.; but some gardeners we know 
attach value to such a dressing, and so long as they produce fine Grapes we do 
not dissuade them from adopting the practice. Our verdict, then, is that you 
have accelerated the death of youi Vines by a powerful dressing of soft soap— 
namely, a pound of soap to half a gallon of water. 
Onions for Pickling (Inquirer). —We know of no better mode of culture 
for securing a plentiful supply of small, firm, round bulbs than that adopted by 
tiiose market gardeners near London who grow Onions largely for the purpose 
in question. Their plan is to trench a piece of ground sufficiently deep that a 
thickness of 3 or 4 inches of the subsoil is placed on the surface. The seed is 
sown very thickly indeed, and on this account and the land being poor the 
plants grow weakly, producing thin necks, rush-like foliage, and very small 
bulbs. We have seen a ton of bulbs produced on a piece of ground, and scarcely 
one of them larger than a Cob Nut: thus grown, or starved, the bulbs mature 
early and are harvested during hot weather in summer. The crop is grown in 
an open and sunny position, and better results are obtained than by sowing 
under trees—a plan that is adopted with a fair amount of success in some 
gardens. The present is the time for sowing the seed of the small Silver-skinned 
variety. The ground prepared as above described is, when manured and turned 
over again, in splendid condition for almost any crops that require deep and 
good soil. 
Seedling Gloxinias and Cinerarias ( Merrick ).—We never received 
flowers in worse condition than the Gloxinias you have sent. Inserting their 
stems in bits of Rhubarb stalks was of no use in preserving the freshness of the 
flowers, as the ends protruded through and were in contact with the dry cotton 
wool. This material, as we have before stated, extracts the moisture from 
flowers, and those that are packed in it invariably arrive in a withered state. 
Soft green Spinach or other leaves are much preferable for packing, damp moss 
being secured round the stems of the flowers. The flowers of your seedlings are 
of great size and substance, and the colours, so far as we can judge, are varied 
and good. We think the varieties possess considerable merit, and the plants 
have certainly been admirably cultivated. The double Cineraria is very fine, 
and much resembles Mr. Thomas Lloyd that was certificated last year. 
Insects on Strawberries (C. M.). —These are the maggots of a crane 
fly, most probably Tipula oleracea; the species was very injurious during the 
spring of 1880. One of the more prominent points in Miss Ormerod’s report on 
the injurious insects of 1880 has reference to the profusion with which Tipula 
oleracea appeared in many districts, attacking not only grasses and cereals, but 
also damaging crops of Cabbages and Peas in several places, and sometimes 
attacking Strawberries. A succession of experiments showed that this grub has 
astonishing powers of defying poisonous applications to the soil. It has been 
suggested to apply at night (when the maggots are stirring) carbolic acid 
much diluted, or the ammoniacal liquor from gasworks. A solution of hellebore 
might also be tried, as Mr. Witherspoon has said, “ in soil saturated with helle¬ 
bore no insect can live, and yet plants are not injured ; ” but he has not tried 
its effects on the phylloxera. It would be interesting to know if he has tried it 
on the maggot of the Tipula, and this pest, we believe, is often more difficult to 
kill than phylloxera. You might try the remedy yourself of the strength named 
on page 321, and if this does not have the desired effect increase the strength 
and oblige us with the results. 
Names of Plants (IP. Muir). —Odontoglessum maculatum. (C. II.). — 
Omphalodes verna. (E. M .).—The large white flower is Magnolia conspicua ; 
the brown flower is Fritillaria Meleagris ; the double mauve flower is Cardamine 
pratensis flore-pleno ; and the Primula was too small for identification, but 
resembles P. intermedia. All the numbers were displaced from the specimens, 
but the above will possibly be clear to you. (IF. II. TP.).—1, Centradenia rosea ; 
2, Goldfussin, isophylla ; 3, Unrecognisable without flowers; 4, Rhynckosper- 
mum jasminoides; 5, Mikania pulverulenta; 6, Hibiscus Cooperi. (A Sub¬ 
scriber). —1, Berberis dulcis; 2, Cotoneaster micropliylla. (G. 0. S.). —For- 
sythia viridissima. 
Bees — Various (Buzz). —1, Removing the stock immediately after the 
swarm has left will occasion the least loss. If many bees return to the old spot 
place a little brood in an empty hive on their old stand, and bring them home 
in the evening and add them to the swarm. 2, Propolis is gathered in autumn 
principally; if new cotton be used under the quilt it will cost little and save 
much inconvenience. Bees propolise most where there is bad fitting. If any 
ray of light can be discerned they make every effort to stop all crannies. 3, We 
have found Arnica montana more generally useful than anything else we have 
tried as a remedy for stings ; it is almost always a specific. Put ten or twelve 
drops of the tincture into a wineglassful of water, and keep a linen pad soaked 
with the lotion upon the puncture. Where this has been done promptly we 
have never known of any discoloration of the eyes or any obstinate swelling. 
Dr. Pine’s lotion is spoken well of by some, others have found it inoperative. 
Ledum palustre of the homoeopathic chemist, or Urtica urens, are both occasion¬ 
ally most serviceable. 4, Comb honey for food should be placed in the middle 
after being uncapped if the stock is fairly strong. Read an article in this issue. 
The maker you mention supplies the form recommended. We could hardly pub¬ 
licly suggest a name. 5, If bees are now allowed to store and seal syrup the 
combs so sealed would not be admissible in the extractor. AVc are so arranging 
that the store is continually returned to the brood nest, so that in most of our 
stocks brood is found in every comb. Our very strongest stocks have so little 
honey that four or five days’ bad weather would reduce them to extremities. We 
have not fed at all with syrup as yet, but if bad weather < a ne on we should be 
compelled to do so immediately. 6, The less smoke the better, is our motto ; 
but at the same time very irritable colonies cannot be handled in comfort 
without a good deal of it. With those that have a bad reputation it is wise to 
smoke moderately at the mouth one or two minutes before opening, and then 
more vigorously above as the quilt is being lifted. A veil should be worn in 
manipulating vicious bees in frame-hives. Is the smoker you use of g«od form ? 
Bingham or the “ cold draught ” would give you an easy victory over hornets. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— Mat 4. 
A vert fair business doing during the week, Grapes of good quality reaching 
us in better supply, and being quickly cleared at lower prices. Strawberries a 
ready sale. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
2 
6 
Melons . 
0 
0 to0 
0 
Apricots. 
box 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nectarines.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries. 
V ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges .... 
4 
0 
8 
e 
Chestnuts. 
bushel 12 
0 
16 
0 
Peaches .... 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 14 
0 
12 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Filberts. 
r ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
dessert .... 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Cobs. 
ft 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples 
.... V ft 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gooseberries .... 
J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Strawberries 
.... per ft. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Grapes . 
ft 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Walnuts .... 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons. 
^ case 
12 
0 
18 
0 
ditto . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8 . d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
F. 
d. 
2 
0 f.o 4 
0 
lUnslirooms 
1 
0 1.0 1 
<5 
Asparagus . 
bundle 
a 
0 
5 
0 
Mustard* Cress .. punnet 
0 
2 
0 
8 
Beans, Kidney ... 
100 
l 
0 
1 
6 
Onions . 
3 
6 
5 
0 
Beet, Red . 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
pickling .. 
0 
0 
0 
Q 
Broccoli . 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Parsley . 
doz.bunches 
6 
0 
0 
0 
Brussels Sprouts. 
i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips .... 
1 
0 
2 
0 
0 
6 
1 
o 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Carrots . 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Potatoes .... 
8 
9 
4 
0 
Capsicums . 
$>■ 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Kidney.. .. 
4 
0 
4 
6 
Cauliflowers . 
dozen 
0 
0 
3 
6 
Radishes.. .. 
doz .bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Celery. 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
o 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Coleworts _ doz. 
bunches 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers . 
each 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Endive . 
dozen 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Seakale . 
8 
0 
3 
8 
Fennel . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Garlic . 
. ¥>■ ft. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Spinach .... 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
C 
Turnips. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks. 
. bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Vegetable Marrows each 
0 
0 
0 
0 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY. 
(Continued from page 346.) 
In continuation of our observations upon the advantages and 
economy in construction of tillage implements and their converti¬ 
bility for different operations we will take Howard’s Champion 
plough as an illustration, although various other makers offer 
ploughs of somewhat similar advantages, notably Messrs. Ransome, 
Head, & Jefferies. We find that many of the best ploughs may be 
used, not only as ploughs under varying circumstances of soil and 
situation, but also be made the basis of fittings for numerous 
kinds of tillage work. We will notice first the plough frame 
being fitted with digging breasted turn-furrow, and subsoil tines 
attached for pulverising the soil in the act of turning the furrow ; 
and this in some cases goes far towards saving afterwork in scari¬ 
fying, a matter of considerable economy on some land. On the 
removal of these fittings, however, we have a framework suffi¬ 
ciently powerful and substantial to allow of its being used for 
subsoiling purposes, wdth a subsoil frame instead of the ordinary 
plough body, and yet being as light of draught as can be obtained 
under the circumstances of severe strain upon the implement. 
The next metamorphism which the plough may undergo is by 
fittings for Potato-raising with double lifting frame, which in use 
and drawn by a pair of horses will raise 3 or 4 acres of Potatoes 
in a day. It leaves fewer tubers in the ground, and they are 
