488 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 23 , isss 
straw step, and we are sure that after a little experience gained 
in managing the bees on the bar-frame system, so much more 
pleasure will be given by the moveable-comb system than by the 
fixed unget-at-able skep, that the latter will soon disappear from 
the garden.—P. H, P. 
TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 
H. & F. Sharpe, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire .—List of Potatoes. 
* Y- P 
m 
(tocorrespondents.) 
1 hiwimwii/iwr 
*** 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 will write privately to any of our correspon¬ 
dents, as doing so subjects them to unjustifiable trouble and 
expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions relat¬ 
ing to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, and 
should never send more than two or three questions at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the post, 
and we do not undertake to return rejected communications. 
Book (IF. Cheshire).— The work you refer to is reliable and satisfactory, 
especially the later edition revised by Dr. Masters, which is thoroughly 
modernised. 
Culture of Fruit Trees ( E. D. Carlish). —We doubt if you can find 
information on the culture and pruning of fruit trees more sound and concisely 
rendered than in our small manual, “ Fruit Gardening for the Many,” which 
can be had post free for 4 fyl. in stamps. The instructions for pruning apply 
almost equally to trees in the orchard house ; but on this method of culture 
Rivers’ work, “ The Orchard House and Miniature Fruit Gardening,” published 
by Longmans, is the best guide. 
Lichens on Wall Trees (/. IF. Hall).— The lichen which is infesting 
your trees is usually most prevalent in districts where the soil is not well drained 
and the situation sheltered by trees or hills, which prevent the free dispersion 
of atmospheric moisture. We have known it eradicated by removing the trees 
from the walls and washing the masonry, also the trees, with lime toned with 
soot to subdue the white colour, which is to some persons objectionable. That 
excessive moisture contributes to the increase of the epiphyte is apparent from 
the fact that it is more abundant on the west than the east aspect of the wall. 
The bulk of the rain coming from the west causes that side of the wall to be 
much the wetter. 
Selection of Pears (G.P., Hants ).—The following varieties may suit you, 
being of good quality, hardy, and fruitful. For planting against the wall with 
a west aspect:—Glou Morceau, Bourrd Superfin, Josephine de Malines, Bergamot 
d’Esperen, Beurre d’Aremberg. Durondeau, Nonvelle Fulvie, Emile d’Heyst, 
Olivier de Serres, Marie Benoist, Marie Guise, Marie Louise, and Winter Nelis. 
They must be on the Quince stock, except the last named, which succeeds best 
on the Pear. Ten feet apart is too short a distance for the Pear stock. It is 
optional whether you have the pyramids on the Pear or Quince stock. The 
following succeed as pyramids Marie Louise, Beurre d’Amanlis, Pitmaston 
Duchesse, Beurre Hardy, Beurrd Diel, Doyeund du Comice, Baronne de Mello, 
Comte de Lamy, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Madame Treyve, Beurre Giifard, and 
Williams’ Bon Chretien. 
Uses of Sunflowers (J. Clark).— If you had sent us a copy of the article 
to which you refer we should have been better able to determine whether the 
“ claims have been exaggerated.” Some of the uses of this now popular flower 
may be enumerated. In France the leaves are used as forage for cattle, who are 
said to eat them with great relish and avidity. The stalks make an excellent 
fuel, and yield a large quantity of potash after they are burned ; or, if not wanted 
for that purpose, the ashes may be used as manure by sowing it over the land or 
mixing it in the manure heap. In Portugal the seeds are used to make a whole¬ 
some and nutritious bread, and, when roasted, they form an excellent substitute 
for coffee ; in some parts of the continent a land of bouilli is made of them, 
which serves as food for infants. They also yield by expression a fixed oil, little 
if at all inferior to olive oil, which is used in some parts of Europe both for burn- 
ing in lamps and for other domestic purposes to which olive oil is applied, and 
for making soups. As food for poultry they have been found to be very nutri¬ 
tious. One acre will produce 50 bushels of seed, yielding 50 gallons of oil and 
about 1500 tbs. of oilcake, and the stems will yield about 10 per cent, of potash. 
The pith of the Sunflower has been recommended bv M. Percy for the prepara¬ 
tion of moxa, for which it is well adapted by the nitre it contains enabling it 
to burn without being blown upon. 
Planting Vines (TF. /.).—Your proposed method of preparing the Vines in 
turves is good. The precise time for planting will depend on the temperature 
that you can easily maintain in the house, as, when growth fairly commences, 
the young Vines must receive no check, but must have a warm genial tempera¬ 
ture constantly and a very light position. If these conditions can be insured 
you may start the eyes in January. We should only have the border 3 feet wide 
the first year, the front consisting of a w all of turves, additions being afterwards 
made yearly. Relative to analysing the soil, that is a question for you to deter¬ 
mine ; but if you have it done, and afterwards grow Grapes as well as the two 
authorities you name who did not adopt such a scientific test, you may be 
satisfied, and you cannot err by following the instructions of either of them. 
There is no doubt a competent analyst in connection with the Durham Univer¬ 
sity. Dr. Voelcker of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, also analyses 
soils.. The cost varies with the nature of the analysis, and can be obtained from 
chemists who undertake work of this nature. You must remember, however, 
that the best mixture that can be compounded will not avail to produce good 
Grapes if other details of management are not correctly carried out. Some 
gardeners can grow far better Grapes without any prepared border than others 
can with the most elaborate mixtures and expensive arrangements. 
Origanum Sipyleum (IF. T. G. IF.)—This is the name of youi plant that 
is known in some districts by the popular name of the Hop Plant. It is of easy 
culture, requiring ordinary loamy soil. It is a native of the Levant, and is only 
hardy in sheltered places in the south of England, and is generally best wintered 
in a frame, greenhouse, or window of a dwelling. Being of a stubby habit it 
does not die down ; the parts bearing the inflorescence of course die and should 
be cut off to where the growth is healthy. It may be planted out or plunged in 
the garden during the summer, and taken in on the approach of cold weather in 
the autumn. It is one of the Marjorams, most of which are more or less fra¬ 
grant, hence some of the species are used as culinary herbs. 
Forcing Asparagus (IF. Brown, Herts ).—When the roots are taken to a 
hotbed the bottom heat should never be above from 75° to 80° ; if there is the 
least danger of the heat being more the roots should merely be left on the sur¬ 
face, and be slightly covered after watering, and then 2 or S inches more cover¬ 
ing should be put on as the heat declines. The details of these matters afe of 
primary importance to the inexperienced. For an earjy Asparagus feed we 
seldom use a hotbed all of fresh materials, but select an eld hotbed which has 
been used for Cucumbers or Melons. The soil is taken oS, also the most decayed 
part of the dung ; that which is not quite rotten is stirred, mixed with hot tree 
leaves or other fermenting material, and 2 inches or so of the dung placed on 
the surface. On this are packed the numerous spreading roots, taking care not 
to let them get dry, putting in the first row as close as it is possible to do with¬ 
out the buds touching. A little leaf soil and sandy loam is scattered on the 
long roots, then the next row of roots is placed over them with the buds on a 
level with the first row. In this way a large number of roots can be packed in 
the space of a single light of 6 feet by 4. When all the roots are packed in, a 
sprinkling of light soil is thrown over them, and water is giyen at a temperature 
of about 65°, so that the fibres of the long roots may have no check. When sure 
that there is the proper heat (50° to 60°) add a couple inches or so of covering, 
for, where green shoots are preferred, covering for blanching is quite unnecessary. 
Pruning Vines (IF. R. S .).—You may prune your Vines at once, and as 
they have been so much infested with thrips wash the rods thoroughly with a 
strong solution of Gishurst or softsoap ; a strength of 6 to 8 ozs. of soap to a 
gallon of water will not be too much. Then turn the Vines outside, protecting 
them with hay only during severe weather. A few degrees of frost will not 
injure them. The woodwork of the house should also be thoroughly washed 
with strong soapy water, and the glass with clear water previously to filling it 
with plants, the walls also being cleansed and limewashed if that is suitable. 
A few days of labour devoted to that v'ork will be well and profitably applied ; 
indeed if you do not cleanse the house completely now you will next year have 
the same trouble with thrips that you have recently experienced, and the insects 
if not checked will ruin your Vines. 
Roses in Pots (A Lady). —On page 445 of the last issue of this Journal you 
will find a thoroughly practical article upon the culture of Roses in pots, which 
contains all the information you require. If you have not seen that number it 
can be had from this office post free for 3Jtf. The Strawberry plants have been 
treated judiciously, and you can have them transferred from their present 
position to the houses as required. 
Dwarf Kidney Beans (A Subscriber ).—Your letter is very indefinite. Do 
you require plants or Beans ? Inquire of some market gardener or greengrocer 
in your neighbourhood. 
Exhibiting Fruits (S. Clarke ).—As the wording of the schedule is for 
“collection of fruit consisting of eighteen kinds, not necessarily their own 
growth,” you would have been justly disqualified for showing a bunch of black 
and a bunch of white Grapes as two kinds of fruit. Had the schedule mentioned 
two varieties you would have been right. The framers of schedules ought to be 
careful in this matter. 
Names of Plants (IF. T. G. IF.)—The plant of which you sent a specimen 
is Origanum Sipyleum. See reply above. ( [R. L.). —1, Pteris tremula; 2, Pteris 
umbrosa ; 3, Pteris serrulata cristata ; 4, Blechnum brasiliense ; 5, Doodia as- 
pera. (i/. N.). —1, Salvia Bethelli; 2, Salvia splendens ; 3, Salvia Pitcheri; 
4, Adiantum macrophyllum ; 5, Lumaria gibba; 6, Oestrum aurantiacum ; 7, Ges- 
neria zebrina. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— November 22ND. 
Large quantities of Grapes are reaching us, keeping prices low, and meeting 
with a quick sale. Heavy consignments of Nova Scotia Apples to hand, arriving 
in good condition. 
FRUIT. 
Apples. 
Apricots. 
Cherries. 
Chestnuts. 
Currants, Black., 
it Red.... 
Figs. 
Filberts. 
Cobs. 
Gooseberries .... 
Grapes . 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
4 sieve 
2 
Oto 7 
0 
Lemons. 
case 20 
0to30 
0 
doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Melons. 
each 
2 
0 
3 
0 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nectarines. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
bushel 10 
0 
12 
0 
Oranges . 
100 
6 
0 
10 
0 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
dessert . 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Pine Apples, English lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
100 lb. 45 
0 
50 
0 
Raspberries. 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
e 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Strawberries .... 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
lb. 
1 
0 
6 
e 
VEGETABLES. 
8 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d 
dozen 
a 
Oto 4 
0 
Lettuces . 
score 
1 
otoi 
6 
Asparagus. bundle 0 0 0 0 
Beans,Kidney.... 100 1 0 0 0 
Beet,Red. dozen 10 2 0 
Broccoli. bundle 0 a 16 
6 2 0 
6 10 
6 2 0 
4 0 0 
0 8 0 
6 2 0 
0 4 0 
4 0 6 
0 2 0 
8 0 0 
6 0 0 
2 0 0 
3 0 4 
Brussels Sprouts.. J sieve 1 
Cabbage. dozen 0 
Capsicums. 100 l 
Carrots . bunch 0 
Cauliflowers. dozen 2 
Celery. bundle 1 
Coleworts....dor. bunches 2 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers. each 
Endive. dozen 
Fennel. bunch 
Garlic . lb. 
Herbs . bunch 
Leeks. bunch 
Mushrooms .punnet 1 0 
Mustard* Cress .. punnet 0 2 
Onions. bch. 0 6 
Parsley. doz.bunches 3 0 
Parsnips. dozen 1 0 
Peas . quart 0 0 
Potatoes. cwt. 6 0 
Kidney. cwt. 6 0 
Radishes.... doz. bunches 1 0 
Rhubarb. bundle 0 4 
Salsafy. bundle 1 0 
Scorzonera . bundle 1 6 
Seakale . basket 2 6 
Shallots. lb. o 3 
Spinach . bushel 3 0 
Tomatoes . lb. 0 4 
Turnips . bunch 0 2 
8 0 
0 4 
0 0 
6 8 
0 4 
0 
