Sepietaber 25, 1884, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
297 
and the pruned roots made firm rather than light,'and supported if the whole 
space is not occupied with a wall of turf. Be careful that the soil is not too 
wet when used, neither must it he dry, but just moist enough to be used 
pleasantly as if you were potting plants with it. If the work is done now 
the Vines are in leaf fresh roots will form at once and be ready for active 
work in the spring. At the same time you had better consider whether it 
would not be advisable to remove some of the surface soil from the border 
down to the roots, yet without seriously disturbing them, adding fresh com¬ 
post, and covering the whole surface with manure. The condition of the 
border and the state of the Vines must be your guide in this respect. As 
soon as the fruit is cut from the late Vines complete the work. If shortening 
the roots should cause the slightest signs of the foliage flagging, water the 
old border well and syringe the Vines occasionally for a week or more if needed. 
Destroying Caterpillars (A. Mason). —IVe have seen excellent results by 
dusting the plants of Cabbages and Winter Greens with soot. Caterpillars 
can also be destroyed by first making them wet, then dusted with hellebore 
powder 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 rrse is not recommended when the produce is advancing to a size ready 
for gathering. 
Destroying Weeds (C. Dixon). —Perhaps the paragraph you refer to is 
the following ; if not, it may possibly afford you the information you require. 
Where there are but few weeds upon the walks they are best hand weeded, 
but where they are very green they may be destroyed with coarse common 
salt applied during dry hot weather, enough being given to whiten the 
surface. Boiling water freely applied through a rose watering pot on a sunny 
day will do much towards clearing walks and pavements of weeds, and the 
remedy will be more effective and lasting by adding powdered arsenic at the 
rate of 1 lb. to twelve gallons of water. As the arsenic is a strong poison 
it should not be used where fowls or game have access to the walks, or they 
may be poisoned with the grit they pick up. Soda boiled in water at the 
rate of 3 lbs. to six gallons of water is also very destructive to weeds. Crude 
carbolic acid at the rate of 1 oz. per gallon of cold water and carefully dis¬ 
tributed over the walks is perhaps the simplest and best remedy of all for 
both weeds and mosses. Whatever is used, care must be taken to ward it off 
with sloping boards from both the tops and roots of the Box edgings as well 
as the turf. 
Turf from Bog {Irish Siibscriher). —If the “dry turf mould from the 
surface of a bog ” has been exposed to the air for a considerable time and 
sweetened it will be useful for mixing with the strong loam of flower beds, 
as, being composed of vegetable matter, it will act as a mild manure and also 
improve the textui’e of the soil mechanically. 
Polygonum cuspidatum {Idem). —Though this is quite hardy, and when 
in good condition a distinct ornament for the lawn, we should scarcely expect 
it would show to advantage in a position exposed to violent winds. We 
have never seen it so fine as when sheltered by shrubs and trees. 
Cheap Structure for Stove Plants and Cucumbers {0. Hardy). —Tour 
letter shall have our attention, and a cheap and useful pit will be described 
perhaps next week. 
Single Dahlias {J. B.). —The flowers are bright, varied in colour, and 
attractive; and though the varieties are worth preserving we suspect they 
possess little or no commercial value, as not one of them, we think, would 
win a certificate at a National Dahlia Show, or from the JFloral Committee of 
the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Coal Ashes for Earth Closets {Inquirer). —The same post that brought 
your letter brought us the means of answering it. In the circular accom¬ 
panying Morrell’s Patent Self-acting Ash-closet system, which appears ex¬ 
cellent, we find the following extract from Dr. Stockhardt’s “ Chemistry 
of Agriculture.” “ Coal- Ash. —Notwithstanding that this ash is frequently 
so little valued as to be thrown away, it deserves to be made use of in 
agriculture, in the first place because it contains, besides small quantities 
of alkalies, lime and sulphuric acid (gypsum), consequently direct susten¬ 
ance for plants ; in the second place, because from the same circumstance, 
as also from the clay it contains, it has the power to deprive putrefying 
substances of their odour, and to fix their ammonia, so that it cannot 
evaporate.” We also find an extract from the “ Quarterly Review,” namely 
—“ A correspondent of the “ Paris Journal of Agriculture,” seeing the 
amount of ashes thrown away annually, and considering that Sir 
Humphrey Davy and other chemists have found by analysis that ashes con¬ 
tain many substances which contribute to vegetable life, such as sulphate 
of potash and lime, various compounds of acids and minerals, carbonate of 
lime, alumini and silica, has made some interesting experiments. In the 
autumn he filled three flower pots with coal ashes, without any admixture 
with any other substance ; in the one pot he sowed Wheat, in the other 
Oats, and in the third Strawberry seeds. The pots were then placed in a 
garden and left to themselves. In the month of March the plants were in 
a very thriving condition, and in April were luxuriant. The Wheat and 
Oats ripened perfectly, the grains being largte and heavy, and the straw, 
in the case of the Wheat, 55 inches, and that of the Oats 43 inches 
high. The Strawberry plants continued to flourish until October, when it 
was necessary to transplant them ; and after being planted out on the open 
ground, they succeeded so well that the writer says they surpassed all other 
seedlings.” The reason of the Strawberries succeeding may be attributed 
to the probability that they would produce a large number of fibrous roots 
in the ashes, and the more of such roots the better the plants would grow 
when placed in good soil. There is not a doubt that ashes from earth 
closets are good for applying to land, and for heavy soils they are particu¬ 
larly valuable. 
Sulphur-and-Lime Preparation for Mildew {E. Belton). —Perhaps the 
following may answer your purpose—at any rate, it is worth trying. Take 
a pound of flowers of sulphur and a pound of quicklime powdered, add them 
together with sufficient w'ater to form a paste, add a gallon of water, put the 
whole in an iron saucepan or kettle, and boil for twenty minutes. When cool 
and settled pour off the clear liquid and store it in a bottle. Use at the rate 
of one-quarter of a pint to 3 gallons of water, and thoroughly wet the whole 
of the wood and leaves with the mixture, repeating the application if needed. 
Names of Fruits. — Correspondents sending fruit to be named should 
enclose their names and addresses (not for publication) with the fruit, 
whether they send a letter by post or not. No more than six specimens 
can be named at one time, and surplus fruit cannot be preserved for 
naming in future issues. Pears should be sent when approaching ripeness, 
as hard green examples of dessert sorts are not in condition for naming, 
though they maybe occasionally identified. {0. D .).—1, Catshead ; 2, Boston 
Russet; 3, Wykeham Pippin; 4, Court of Wick. {Lady King). —Your fine 
Apple is reserved for further careful examination, and in the meantime we 
shall be greatly obliged if you can favour us with any particulars relative to 
the history of the variety, also if it is known by any particular local name. 
(J. M.). —2, Specimen undeveloped ; 3, Wyken Pippin ; 4, Lord Grosvenor. 
{H. J. J.). —A Dumelow’s Seedling and Calville Blanche. Pears. —1, Knight’s 
Monarch ; 2, Passe Colmar; 3, Beurrd Sterckmans; 4, Glou Morgeau. 
{R. S., Ayrshb'e). —No. 4 resembles the Lothian Pippin, the others are pro¬ 
bably local sorts that have never had any authoritatively recognised names, 
and are very inferior. {T. S .).—Calville Rouge d’Etd. {II. D.). —Transcen¬ 
dent Crab. {J. Hartland). —No. 1 is undoubtedly Williams’ Bon Chretien, 
the other is over-ripe ; it is perhaps the summer Bon Chretien. {J. C. IF. 
and Sons), —A small fruit of Tom Putt. 
Names of Plants {G. B., Dorhing). —The true name of the Bouvardia is 
jasminiflora, and the other name is no doubt a mis-rendering of that The 
first name applies to the flowers alone, and the second to the whole plant, 
(i?. A. H .).—Prunella vulgaris, commonly called Self-heal, (ff^ D.). —Eucomis 
punctata. {J. B .).—Verbascum virgatum. {N .).—Stanhopea insignis lutea. 
{York Villa). —The specimen you sent was so completely withered in the 
wool with which it was packed that we cannot give the slightest idea re¬ 
specting its name. Orchids require very careful packing, as the flowers of 
many are extremely fragile. If you send another flower in a small tin box, 
with damp moss instead of wool, your plant shall be named. (.4. Cole.) — 
The Pancratium which you say has been sent has not been received. 
{J. IV. L.). —Oncidium ornithorynchnm. [Reader). —1, Pyrethrum uliginosum ; 
2, Chrysanthemum maximum : 3, Euphorbia exigua ; 4, Taxus adpressa. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— September 24th. 
Prices remain about the same. The supply of soft fruit is now almost over. The 
market is well supphed with home-grown Apples. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples. 
J sieve 
2 
6 
to 4 
6 
Oranges. 
.. 100 
8 
0 to 12 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
jierdoz. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. per 100 lbs. 
50 
0 
69 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Currants, Red ., 
h sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„ Black .. 
J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Plums . 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes. 
0 
6 
2 
6 
Strawberries.. 
.. lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons.. .. 
., case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
B. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Artichokes 
. dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Lettuce. 
. dozen 
1 
0 to 
1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
0 
1 
6 
Beet, Red 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Brussels Sprouts 
. i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
s 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Potatoes. 
. cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
„ Kidney . 
. cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
. 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 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
. each 
0 
2 
0 
4 
Shallots. 
.. lb. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes 
.. lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Leeks .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
MICHAELMAS. 
WAYS AND MEANS. 
The near approach of Michaelmas marks the most important 
period of the year for the farmer. He is brought fairly face to face 
with results, for another twelvemonth’s work is at an end. The crops 
sown in the autumn of last year and the spring of the present year 
are for the most part matured and cleared from the land, most of the 
young live stock is weaned, and poultry-rearing is at an end till 
moulting time is over. Well is it therefore now to carefully consider 
results in relation to the arrangement of the work of the coming 
year, in order to see what to repeat, what to alter, and how improve¬ 
ments may be effected with safety. Hard times teach stern lessons, 
and it must be patent to the most sluggish minds that farming on 
the lines of a past generation leads to failure and bankruptcy very 
frequently. We must make every stroke tell home ; we must be apt 
to learn and prompt to apply every lesson of real improvement and 
progress. What, it may be asked, has all this to do with the home 
farmer, whose legitimate work is to provide an ample supply of farm 
produce for consumption at the mansion of his lord and master ? 
Like so many other things, such a line of argument in relation to 
the duties of the home farmer has become obsolete, for now he but 
too frequently has farm after farm thrown upon his hands by dis¬ 
heartened or bankrupt tenants, which only a few years ago the only 
