JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
37G 
March 3rd. From the descriptions there given you will be able to determine 
whether your plants are correctly named. The Chionodoxa is quite hardy, but 
a large quantity of Scilla bifolia has found its way into gardens under the above 
name, and beautiful though that bulb is, it cannot be accepted as a substitute 
fer its charming relative. If grown out of doors the Chionodoxa can be treated 
similarly to the Scillas, and the same remarks apply to its cultivation in pots, 
which perhaps if you have only a few bulbs will be the best to adopt. One 
bulb in a small 69-size pot would be sufficient, and half a dozen in a 48-size pot. 
Rich light fibrous loam, with leaf soil, well-decayed manure and sand, form 
a suitable compost, well draining the pots. The Freesia may be treated in pre¬ 
cisely the same manner. Both after having been buried in cocoa-nut fibre refuse 
and ashes should be grown in a greenhouse, though the Freesia should have 
the warmest position. This will answer the inquiry of another correspondent, 
“John George.” 
Bones as Manure (F. J. J .).—They form a valuable and lasting manure 
on account of the abundance of phosphate of lime they contain. They are sold 
in a broken state “ as half-inch bones ” by manure dealers for agricultural and 
horticultural purposes, also in the form of meal; they are further reduced to 
superphosphate of lime by the action of acids. For your Roses you cannot use 
anything better than bonemeal, mixing it with the compost at the rate of a 
fifteenth part of the bulk used, or one potful of meal to fifteen of soil. After 
the Roses are established further applications can be sprinkled on the surface of 
the pots as often as required for maintaining the vigour of the plants. 
Alpine Strawberries (J . -S.).—It is a wonder that the second packet 
containing fruit did not, as you say, “come to grief” like the other. Had the 
fruit been packed so that it could not move, which would have been the case 
had the box been firmly filled up with leaves, it would have reached us in good 
condition ; but half filling a tin box with Strawberries and sending it through 
the post can only have one result—namely, the fruit by being dashed from side 
to side arrives little better than a mass of pulp : this was so in your case, and 
the escaping juice had converted a portion of your letter into a mass of pulp 
too. You have done well to direct attention to Alpine Strawberries ; when 
well grown the.y are useful for dessert in the autumn, and to many persons 
are very acceptable. We regret the failure you have incurred. You cannot 
do better than continue the culture of a fruit you have found so serviceable, 
and we doubt not that you will, profiting by past mishaps, be able to send us 
good examples another year. 
Variations in Apples (.V. II .).—The three samples of fruits you send 
from the same tree represent an interesting case of bud-sporting. They are 
quite dissimilar, and a less observant person than yourself might have attributed 
the result to grafting, but the fruits before us are evidently' variously developed 
(as to colour) forms of the same variety. Some varieties of Apples now in cul¬ 
tivation originated from bud sports. One instance occurs to us—namely, the 
Scarlet Golden Pippin, which sported from the normal variety in the garden of 
Mr. Mathew in the Carse o’ Gowrie about half a century ago, and was per¬ 
petuated by grafting. We have little doubt that if you were to graft some stocks 
with scions from the branch that produces the highly coloured fruit that you 
would establish a distinct and beautiful variety of Barton Freebearer, and 
which by its rich colour would probably be acceptable for market purposes. 
Both the dessert Apples are Court Peudfl Plat, the slight difference in form 
being possibly the result of the influence of the stock. The other variety we 
recognise as the Irish Reinette of Lancashire. With the information relative to 
Dumelow's Seedling we were quite familiar. We are obliged by your letter in 
reference to The Domino and Lord Lennox Apples, and we shall be glad to 
know the origin of the varieties, or, failing this, the origin of their names. 
Various (TI. J. O ).—The seeds of Apples and Pears may be sown as soon 
as the ground is iu a dry free-working condition in spring. The seedlings will 
do for stocks, but if you want dwarf early-fruiting trees the Apples must be 
worked on Paradise and the Pears on Quince stocks. The word “ bothy ” is 
Scotch, and applies to a plain dwelling on an estate for the accommodation of 
single men, of which the rooms or bothies in gardens for y’oung men afford 
examples. “ The Botanical Magazine ” is published monthly by L. Reeve & Co , 
Henrietta Street, Co vent Garden, London, price with coloured plates, 3s. 6<i., 
uncoloured, 2s. 6 d. 
Names of Fruits (F. IF. 2Y.)—1, Thompson's; 2, Comte de Flandre ; 3, 
Fondante d’Automne ; 4, Beurre Charneuse; 5, Dumelow’s Seedling ; 6, Lincoln 
Codlin. (<S. it. K). —1, Reinette de Caux ; 2, not known, not Blenheim Pippin ; 
3, Gravenstein ; 4, Reinette Diel; 5, not known, probably local. ( W. N.). —The 
Apple is the Scarlet Pearmain, the Pear not known and worthless. (<?. B. C’.).—- 
1, not known; 2. Pearson’s Plate; 3, Hoary Morning. (A. ,S'.).—The Apple is, 
we think, Lord Suffield, but the specimens are not quite characteristic ; it is 
either that or a variety named Domino, which is a favourite m the midland 
counties. We do not recognise the Pears, both of which are inferior, and we 
should not consider worth the space they occupy. 
Names of Plants (J. S. B ).—Astrantia major, see above. (S. //.).—The 
specimens were very small and not well packed, but we recognise the purple 
flower as Aster amelloides, and the rose-coloured one as Aster novi-belgii rubra. 
The other was quite withered. (./. S.). —1, Begonia natalensis ; 2, Begonia Wel- 
toniensis; 3, Selaginella Braunii; 4, Nephrolepis tuberosa. (£?. P., Hants ).— 
1, we do not recognise ; 2, Myrtus apiculata ; 3, Abelia rupestris. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET—OCTOBER 18TH. 
A STEADY trade doing, with prices well maintained, English Pines being in 
good demand. Vegetables in good supply. 
VEGETABLES. 
Artichokes. 
Asparagus. 
Beans,Kidney.... 
Beet, Red. 
Broccoli. 
Brussels Sprouts.. 
Cabbage . 
Capsicums. 
Carrots . 
Cauliflowers. 
Celery. 
Coleworts... .doz. 
Cucumbers. 
Endive. 
Fennel. 
Garlic . 
Herbs. 
Leeks. 
dozen 
bundle 
100 
dozen 
bundle 
i sieve 
dozen 
100 
bunch 
dozen 
bundle 
bunches 
each 
dozen 
bunch 
ft. 
bunch 
bunch 
8. d. 
8. 
(1. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Lettuces .... 
i 
OtOl 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms 
i 
0 
i 
6 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard* Cress ..punnet 
0 
2 
0 
8 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Parsley. 
doz.bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Parsnips .... 
1 
0 
2 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Peas . 
0 
10 
6 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Potatoes .... 
6 
0 
7 
0 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Kidney.... 
6 
0 
8 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Radishes.... 
doz .bunches 
1 
0 
0 
6 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Rhubarb.... 
0 
4 
0 
6 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Scorzo'nera 
1 
6 
0 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Seakale .... 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots .... 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Spinach .... 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. 
0 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips .... 
. bunch 
0 
2 
0 
4 
[ October 19, 1882. 
FRUIT 
8. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
9. 
d 
Apples. 
i sieve 
2 
0 to 7 
0 
Lemons. 
case 20 
0to30 
0 
Apricots. 
doz. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Melons. 
each 
2 
0 
3 
e 
Cherries. 
J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
o 
10 
o 
Chestnuts. 
bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges . 
100 
fi 
0 
10 
6 
Currants, Black.. 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
4 
0 
12 
0 
„ Red.... 
j sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 
u 
r» 
1 
0 
dessert. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Filberts. 
ft. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Pine Apples, Enj 
;lish ft. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Cobs . 
loo ft. 
0 
0 
4.5 
0 
lt>. 
o 
o 
0 
o 
Gooseberries .... 
j sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Strawberries ... 
. lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes . 
a. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
THE DEVON BREED OF CATTLE. 
Cattle are generally divided into three varieties—The Short¬ 
horned, originally found in the northern and north-eastern 
counties of England ; the Middle-horned in the western part 
of England, in Wales, Scotland, and Susses ; and the Long¬ 
horned in the midland counties and in Ireland, all agreeing 
that the Middle-horned, which includes the Devons, are descend¬ 
ants of the aboriginal breed of Great Britain. From the earliest 
records the Devons can be traced as the distinct breed peculiar 
to the county from which they derive their name, and of the 
portion of Somersetshire adjoining it, where from time imme¬ 
morial they existed alone, their handsome red curly coats being 
so well adapted to protect them in the cold moist climate of their 
hill country. 
Mr. Youatt, one of our earliest writers, in his excellent work 
on cattle says—“ The slightest observation will convince us that 
the cattle in Devonshire, Wales, and Scotland are essentially the 
same. They are Middle-horned, tolerable but not extraordinary 
milkers, and remarkable rather for the quality than the quantity 
of their milk, active at work, with an unequalled aptitude to 
fatten. They have all the characteristics of the same breed 
changed by soil, climate, and time. We may almost trace the 
colour—namely, the red of the Devon, the Sussex, and the Here¬ 
ford ; and even where the black alone are now found the memory 
of the red prevails, and has a kind of superstitious reverence 
attached to it in the legends of the country. In many parts of 
Scotland and in Wales the milk of the red cow is considered to 
be a remedy for every disease, and a preservative from evil.” 
In viewing this choice breed of cattle as compared with other 
varieties, they may be placed amongst other cattle, as the South 
Downs are amongst other breeds of sheep ; for as the South 
Down is the choicest of all the tribes, so are the Devon cattle in 
comparison with all other cattle. Whether we view them for 
grazing purposes and the profitable consumption of grass and 
other cattle food, or whether we take them as valuable for the 
butcher, they stand in the highest position. The South Down 
sheep always obtain the highest quotation in the mutton market, 
and it is the same with the Devon cattle—they always secure the 
highest quotation in the heef market; for not only is the flesh 
of South Down sheep of the best quality, but the joints are of 
moderate size and weight, in the same respects the Devon beef is 
specially noted for its beautifully mixed and marbled fat and 
lean. The size comparatively of the joints is small and of a 
moderate weight, which to the consumer is often a matter of great 
importance in household management. 
In describing the style and outline of the Devon breed of cattle 
we cannot do better than quote from Mr. J. Tanner Davy’s, as 
given in the “ Devon Herd Book,” he being the original Editor. 
