JiUy 24, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
85 
*All correspondence should be directed either to “The Editor 
or to “The Publisher.” Letters addressed to Dr. Hogg or 
members of the staff often remain unopened unavoidably. We 
request that no one Avill write privately to any of our correspon¬ 
dents, as doing so subjects them to unjusti'tiable trouble and 
expense. 
Mildew on Vines in a Greenhouse {F. J.). —The appearance of this 
fungus is probably due to an excess of moisture in the atmosphere, too low 
a temperature, and insufficient ventilation, all of which are conducive to 
attacks of mildew. The plan of combating it now is to dust the leaves 
with flowers of sulphur, which should remain on them for a day or two, and 
then be syringed off. At the same time increase the ventilation and lessen 
the supply of moisture in the house, and if the weather should become cold 
and damp employ a little fire heat occasionally. 
Strawberries Failing {T. Smith ).—The fruit you sent was shaken to 
pulp. Some Strawberries are more liable to be attacked by mildew than 
others, and certain? positions in gardens are also more favourable to the 
germination of the spores than others are. If we had one variety of Straw¬ 
berry alone that became infested we should certainly destroy it, as there is 
no lack of varieties for producing a supply of first-class fruit. 
Mildew on Peas (J. //.).—Your Peas are infested with mildew, which 
is difficult to destroy. We have checked it, however, by syringing them 
with a solution of salt and softsoap, half an ounce of the former and 
2 ozs. of the latter dissolved in a gallon of water and applied at a tempera¬ 
ture of 120°. Prevention is much better than cure, and this consists in 
having the ground trenched and enriched to a depth of 2 feet and supplying 
liquid manure occasionally in dry weather. In all probability liquid manure 
given in sufficient quantity to penetrate below the roots would benefit your 
Peas considerably. 
Scale on Acacias (A Lady). —We know of no better remedy than the 
petroleum and softsoap mixture, prepared as recommended to an inquirer 
last week in our answers to correspondents, under the heading of “Pines 
and Vines,” only in your case half the quantity of softsoap and half that of 
petroleum there given will probably suffice. If your plants are in pots 
they may be laid on their sides, turning the plants round and syringing 
them heavily. The mixture must be constantly and violently agitated 
during its application, and it should not be used in the morning, but after 
the sun has left the plants in the afternoon ; if it shines on them while wet 
with this solution the foliage is liable to receive injury, but not otherwise. 
Maggots in Water-tub {Old Woman). —These are thelarvte of an insect 
called Gristalis tenax, one of the drone flies, and which is in its mature con¬ 
dition harmless, and a haunter of garden flowers. This larva is also styled 
the rat-tailed maggot, from the peculiar telescopic apparatus by which it 
breathes. It is, in fact, a creature of high utility, one of Nature’s scavengers, 
whose life-work it is to decompose offensive matters, and turn what might 
be otherwise poisonous into harmless gases. No injury could possibly be 
done by it to growing plants, since these are not its food, yet it might seem 
objectionable to use water containing the insect as an application to plants, 
and in that case either whatever has given the species a lodgment must he 
thrown away, or the creatures scooped out with a close hand net, which 
might probably be done. Nothing could be added of sufficient potency to 
kill them in the water without rendering it dangerous for garden uses. 
Tbe Cabbage Palm {J. R .).—The Palm which bears the above popu’ar 
name is Areca oleracea. It is a native of the West Indies, a lofty tree 170 to 
200 feet high, and 7 feet in circumference at the base ; for 25 or 30 feet the 
bark is of an ash-grey colour, but from that to the. top it is of a beautiful 
deep sea green. The leaves, when fully grown, are 20 feet long and aie com¬ 
posed of a single row of leaflets, some of which are 3 feet long and H inch 
wide, arranged on each side of the great midrib. AVhen the herbaceous parts 
of these leaflets are removed, the inside exhibits numerous long fibrous 
filaments, which being spun are used for making cordage of all kinds, and 
fishing nets that are considered stronger than those made of any other 
material of a similar nature. The footstalk of the immense leaves have 
great broad bases, which quite envelope the trunk, and which being in the 
form of a hollow trough are used by the negroes as cradles for their children ; 
on the inside of the very young footstalks are tender pellicles, which when 
dried are said to serve for writing paper, and the inside skin of the green 
leaves is said to supply the same material. The terminal bud called “ the 
cabbage ” lies among many thin, snow-white brittle flakes, and tastes like an 
Almond, but sweeter ; this substance is boiled and eaten with meat in the 
West Indies in the same manner as Turnips and Cabbage, and it is con¬ 
sidered not only a luxurious but an extravagant dish, seeing the removal of 
the terminal bud involves the destruction of the tree. The flower stalk, 
before the bursting of the spathe, is pickled while young and tender. The 
tranks serve as gutterings, the pith makes a sort of sago, and the nuts yield 
oil by decoction similar to that of Elmis. The woody portion of the trunk 
is very hard, but so thin that it is not adapted for timber purposes, the only 
use to which it is applied being for walking sticks and ramrods. After the 
trees are felled a sort of grabs are bred in the pith, which are eaten ar.d 
esteemed a great delicacy in Martinique and St. Domingo ; they are 
about 2 inches long, and the thickness of a finger ; strung on wooden 
skewers and placed before the fire, as soon as heated they are strewed 
over with raspings of crust, pepper and nutmeg; this powder absorbs all 
the fat, which would otherwise escape, and when properly roasted they are 
served up with orange and citron sauce. 
Dr. Hogg Grape {M. C. T. B.). —The following description is given in 
ilr. A. F. Barron’s “Vines and Vine Culture:” —“A round white Muscat 
Grape ; midseason ; first-class ; one of the best-flavoured and best-consti- 
tutioned of the smaller Muscat Grapes; very deserving of cultivation. 
Growth free and vigorous, producing firm moderate-sized wood, which always 
ripens well; very fruitful. Leaves medium-sized. Bunches long, measuring 
from 12 inches to 18 inches, and tapering to rather a narrow point; shoulders 
long and rather loose, drooping, always well set. Berries medium-sized, 
round, on strong stalks. Skin membraneous, very clear, almost transparent, 
and, when quite ripe, assuming an amber tint. Flesh firm, very sweet, and 
w'ith a rich Muscat or Frontignan flavour. This is a seedling raised by the 
late Mr. Pearson of Chihvell about 1869 from Duchess of Buccleuch, and was 
exhibited before the Fruit Committee in 1871, when it was awarded a first- 
class certificate. It is now very general in cultivation, taking the place of 
Chasselas Musque. Succeeds well in any ordinary vinery, but requires a 
little more heat than the Black Hamburgh to ripen it thoroughly. It is, 
however, one of the hardiest of its class.” It is the finest of the wdiite 
Frontignan Grapes, eijualling Chasselas Musqud in flavour, but superior to 
it in size of bunch and berries, and the latter never crack their skin as that 
variety does. 
Potting Cyclamens {W.B. S.). —The following extract from our“ Green¬ 
house Manual ” may be of service to you :—“ The time of starting the estab¬ 
lished plants is in the end of July, the beginning of August, or later, for 
after the plants have flowere 1, or whether they flower or not, they are kept 
under glass until the middle of June, and then plunged in frames or out of 
doors. Drying-off the roots or corms impairs the vitality of the corm, and 
destroys the majority of the roots, which are as perennial as the corms. 
From the end of July they should be examined frequently to see when they 
begin to grow, and if the soil is dry at that time water is given. Withdraw 
the pots from the plunging material, take the plants to the potting bench, 
turn them out of the pots, remove as much of the old soil as will come away 
fieely without injuring the roots, and repot in the same size of pot. After 
repotting place the plants in a cold frame, keep them close and moist for a 
few' days, and then admit air freely. Take care not to overwater, and 
sprinkle overhead every afternoon on closing the frame. By the middle of 
September they will be growing freely ; the pots will be full of roots, and the 
plants may be shifted into 6 or 9-inch pots, or be flowered in those in which 
they were first potted ; in either case they may be removed to a house with a 
temperature of 55° at night, placing them near the glass, and admitting air 
fi'eely. A stove, or any house where there is a temperature of 55° at night, 
is suitable. Here they may remain until they flower, when they should be 
removed to a house with a temperature of 45° to 50°. Two parts of light 
fibrous loam, one of sandy peat, one of leaf soil, and a sixth part of silver 
sand and small charcoal, forms a suitable compost.” This manual would 
probably be of great use to you, and can be had from this office post free 
for lOd. 
Nectarine Leaves Skeletonised {B. L .).—The injury to the foliage is 
neither caused by insects nor fungus, but is the result of defective root- 
action or a deficiency of food for maintaining the trees in a healthy state. 
Of this we have no doubt whatever, and if jou lift the roots and place them 
in fresh loam with a mixture of calcareous matter, and at the same time 
accord the trees otherwise good management, they will produce very different 
foliage, stouter and greener, that will resist the effects of the sun. The 
transparent patches in the leaves show a deficiency of chlorophyll. There 
is, indeed, little or no substance there, and those weak parts shrivel and drop 
out. We have only once before seen a similar case, and the trees were com¬ 
pletely restored by the means above indicated. If there is no fruit on the 
trees you may lift them at onc’, and keep the foliage fresh by syringing and 
shading until nevv roots form and take possession of the fresh soil; or the 
lifting may be done immediately the crop is gathered. If it must be post¬ 
poned, the best thing you can do in the meantime is to apply liquid manure 
copiously to the roots, ventilate early in the morning, and m very hot weather 
shade the foliage slightly either by spreading netting on the glass or sprinkling 
it with limewash applied with a syringe. The trees have probably been 
overcropped. They are certainly in an enfeebled state, and urgently need 
renovation. An abundance of fresh roots working freely in good soil will 
have a magical effect, and if you can carry out our suggestions this summer 
yon will probably have healthy trees next year. , 
Name of Plant {Clifford ).—Galega officinalis alba. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— July 23rd. 
Heavy supplies of soft fruits to hand, 
meeting a depressed 
market. 
Prices 
again 
lower. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples . 
. i sieve 
1 
6 
to 5 
0 
Oranges . 
.. 100 
6 
0 to 10 
0 
Cherries . 
. J sieve 
7 
0 
12 
0 
Peaches . 
perdoz. 
4 
0 
12 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
. bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Currants, Red 
. J sieve 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„ dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
5 
0 
„ Black . 
, J sieve 
3 
0 
3 
3 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Figs . 
dozen 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Raspberries .. 
per lb. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Grapes . 
. .. Ib. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Strawberries .. 
.. lb. 
0 
2 
0 
9 
Lemons .. .. 
,. Case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
S t. Michael Pines 
. .each 
2 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES 
8 . 
d. 
s. d. 
8 . 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Artichokes 
,. dozen 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
0 to 
1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
0 
9 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Bed 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions . 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
S 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kiiiney .. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Carrots .. 
0 
8 
0 
4 
„ New .. .. 
cwt. 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Cauliliowers .. 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Coleworts dcz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
6 
Cucumljers 
. each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots . 
.. lb. 
0 
3 
O: 
Endive .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes 
.. lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Leeks . . .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Lettuce .. ., 
1 
0 
1 
6 
„ New,. .. 
bunch 
0 
6 
0 
0 
