288 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t April«, lm. 
mous spikes,” while our correspondent states that he counted “ over six dozen 
in an 8 -inch pot.” Wo have seen spikes grown by “ It. T.,” and i£ you can have 
samples sent to us from the grower to whom you refer we will tell you which are 
the finer. 
Marechal Niel Rose Withering (E. Mason). —We have never had so 
many inquiries relative to the failure of this Hose as during the present week, 
and we are not sure that you do not indicate the cause of failure in more than 
one case. Alone of those who have sought information you say your Rose is 
planted in an outside border and the stem brought within the house like a Vine. 
If this is so in other instances where the growths have withered we have no 
doubt whatever as to the cause of the injury. It is the action of the late severe 
frost and extreme cold winds on the exposed stem chilling and checking the 
flow of sap No injury might result so long as the plants remained dormant, 
unless the frost was unusually severe, but after the sap commences to flow even 
a slight frost is liable to do injury when the stem is exposed. We have known 
a valuable plant killed by frost in this manner, and have seen Vines seriously 
injured. All stems both of Vines and Roses grown in the manner indicated 
should be encased in haybands at all times, and especially should the coverings 
be made effective at the commencement of growth in the spring. 
Pruning Azaleas ( E. B.). —As a rule these plants need but little pruning, 
and all that is required can usually be done with the finger and thumb. This 
appears to have been 3 -our practice, but you have commenced pinching too soon. 
When the flowers fade they should be picked off to prevent the formation of 
seed pods, but the growths starting from the base must be carefully preserved. 
If the plants grow quickly and vigorously the young shoots, or the strongest of 
them, may be pinched when about 2 inches long, If this is done early in the 
season the succeeding growths will have time to mature and form flower buds. 
Weak shoots must not be pinched at all, or the plants will not flower freely 
another year. You certainly did wrong by pinching the growths in the manner 
you state ; only exceedingly vigorous plants could endure such close pinching 
without injury. 
Potatoes (TV. J. P., Lancashire). —It is most difficult, if not impossible, for 
anyone to name Potatoes from half a dozen tubers. You sent five tubers, and 
they have been very carefully examined. Onr opinion is that three of them are 
Mona’s Pride, and the other two resemble Myatt’s Prolific. Mona’s Pride has 
purple sprouts, those of Myatt’s being faintly tinted with purple. Even if the 
two tubers that resemble Myatt's were taken out of the centre of a heap or sack 
their growths would necessarily be more or less white; but if all the tubers you 
have sent have been similarly exposed to light, then they represent two varieties. 
Taking the tubers before us as a fair sample, our opinion is that the bulk con¬ 
sists of Mona's Pride, the remaining portion being Myatt's Prolific, this being 
as good, if not better, than the other for growing on farms. Both are early 
varieties, though not quite so early as the old Ashleaf, but are more prolific. 
Roses not Expanding (J. F. M., Herts). —We are sorry to see such 
unsatisfactory buds and abortive flowers as you have sent us. There is a very 
expressive but not over-elegant term, “ Gardener’s Greed." This we believe to 
be a case that comes under that denomination. The plant, like many others 
of this grand but much-abused Rose, has been overcropped, and has not 
sufficient strength to support the numerous blooms. The same result then 
follows as in the case of overcropped Vines—namely, failure. Further, the buds 
some time ago received a check in some way ; if near the glass they were possibly 
frozen, or the house may have been too damp—certain it is that they have been 
injured. We are sorry to see such a mass of decay, and the more so as this we 
consider the finest variety of Mardchal Niel. The plant should be pruned 
rather severely as soon as the flowers have faded, with the object of encouraging 
the production of strong growths. We presume it is planted out, and vigorous 
root-action should be promoted by fresh soil and manure. 
Rose Leaves Falling (F. J. J.). —It is not unusual for the old leaves of 
Marechal Niel to wither when fresh growths are advancing; we may, indeed, 
say it is quite usual for them to do so, and natural. They, however, sometimes 
fall prematurely from plants that are overcropped with flowers. The leaves 
you have sent indicate a lack of vigour in your plant. In all probability it 
would be well to remove as much surface soil as you can without seriously dis¬ 
turbing the roots, and add fresh compost—turfy loam, to which a fifteenth part 
of bonemeal is added, or the quantity of Clay’s Fertiliser recommended on 
page 246. You would thus encourage the production of fresh roots for appro¬ 
priating the food you could afterwards apply in liquid form. Making the soil 
quite black with soot—that is, spreading it on nearly an eighth of an inch 
thick, and applying water at a temperature of 100°, is excellent for root-bound 
Roses. We have seen water applied at a temperature of 13U° every time it was 
given for several days consecutively, and the growth of the plants was vigorous 
and of that deep dark green hue that cultivators like to see. 
Annual Marguerites (C. E. B.). —The plant referred to is Chrysanthe¬ 
mum segetum, that grows wild in corn fields in some districts, usually where 
the soil is somewhat moist. It has bright yellow flowers, single, 2 inches in 
diameter, which were in dexiand last year for various decorative purposes, many 
being used in some of the designs at the exhibition of table decorations at the 
Royal Botanic Gardens last July. Sow the seed in the open ground in deep rich 
soil, thinning out the plants freely when they are large enough to be handled. 
If we desired a bed of “ Corn Marigolds,” the popular name of the plant, 
we should sow in rows a foot apart, and thin out the plants to 6 inches asunder. 
Scale on Camellias {Ignoramus).— We have carefully examined the 
leaves you have sent, and we have no doubt whatever that the glutinous matter 
on them is caused by insects, and is not an exudation from the plant. When 
sap globules appear on the foliage of some plants, such as Vines and Azaleas, it 
is indicative of vigour. The plant from which the leaves and shoot before us 
were taken is the reverse of vigorous. It has in all probability been allowed to 
produce too many blooms and become partially exhausted. Its enfeeblement 
lias been increased by the scale insects appropriating the already insufficient 
supply of sap. We are almost certain these are very numerous. If the plant is 
large there are thousands of them, as on the small shoot you fortunately sent 
we counted ten fine specimens. Closely examine the base of the buds through a 
magnifier and you will have no difficulty in finding these filthy insects. You 
say the leaves have been sponged “ thoroughly clean.” That must have been 
some time ago, and although you may have cleansed the leaves you certainly did 
not remove the insects from their axils. It is there and in the scales of the 
buds that they congregate, secreting themselves so as to be almost invisible, 
except to a sharp and educated eye. In this case you had better dissolve 2 ozs. 
of soft soap in a gallon of rain water, then add an ounce of petroleum, mixing 
or incorporating the fluids by violent agitation. Then brush the insecticide 
well into the axils of the leaves and round the buds and the base of the young 
growths; sponge also all the foliage, and give the plant a good syringing, but 
by some means prevent much of the solution reaching the roots. You had 
better also repot or top-dress your plant by removing some of the soil and add¬ 
ing fresh compost to the roots. It must be syringed frequently, kept moist and 
shaded, and next year should not be allowed to carry so many blooms. The 
variety generally flowers very freely, and we have known many plants exhausted 
by the want of timely removal of a number of buds. You had better adopt 
measures for preventing the insects on the infested plant spreading to other 
Camellias in the house, or they will soon all be in the same unfortunate condition. 
Rabbits and Shrubs (G. C. A.).—Your letter shall be answered next week. 
Thanks for the enclosure. 
Names of Plants (Rev. A. K. C .).—A small flower of Deubrobium fim- 
briatum, an East Indian species, which you may grow either in a basket or 
pot. 
Bees Dying (T. Williams).—It you had said when you commenced feeding 
and the quantity of food you gave we could have better understood the case. 
Our impression is that you did not commence feeding soon enough. Certain it 
is your bees have been starved to death by want of an adequate supply of proper 
nourishment. 
Decayed Comb (Clifton ).—If the fallen combs are as you say rotten 
remove them, and either unite the bees with another stock or feed them well. 
See Mr. Pettigrew’s article in our present issue. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET—April 4TU. 
Odr market has been a little more active without alteration in prices. Some 
good new Grapes are to hand. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
f. 
d. 
S. 
d 
Apples. 
} sieve 
2 
0 to 7 
0 
Grapes . 
n>. 2 
0 to 8 
0 
.per barrel 20 
0 
40 
0 
Lemons. 
case 
10 
0 
20 
0 
Apricots. 
doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
New Grapes .... 
lb. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nectarines. 
dozeu 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chestnuts. 
bushel 10 
0 
1*2 
0 
Oranges . 
100 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Cnrrants, Black.. 
$ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ Red.... 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
dessert. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Filberts. 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples, English lb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
100 ft- . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Raspberries. 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Gooseberries .... 
i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Strawberries .... 
oz. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
VEGETABLES. 
s 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d 
2 
0 
score 
1 
Otol 
6 
Asparagus, English bundle 12 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms . 
punnet 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Asparagus, French bundle 25 
0 
30 
0 
Mustard* Cress . 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
8 
Beans,Kidney... 
mo 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Onions. 
bushel 
2 
3 
2 
6 
Beet, Red. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Parsley. doz.bunchts 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Brussels Sprouts. 
j sieve 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Peas . 
quart 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Potatoes . 
cwt. 
6 
0 
7 
0 
Capsicums. 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Kidney . 
cwt. 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Carrots . 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Radishes_ doz. bunches 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers. 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy . 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Coleworts_doz. 
bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera . 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers . 
each 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Seakale . 
basket 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Endive. 
1 
u 
2 
0 
lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Fennel . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes . 
lb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Leeks. 
. bunch 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
3 
A 
11131 
K HOME FARM K 
ejvssX - a 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
ENSILAGE. 
(Continued from page 269.) 
Although we have stated various points connected with the 
construction of the silo, yet we may have to remark upon it again 
further on. We, however, now desire to refer to- the various 
modes adopted for filling the silo. It is important that every¬ 
thing be in readiness for the operation before commencing the 
work. When once filling is commenced the sooner it can be com¬ 
pleted the better ; for in the case of all green or succulent forage, 
heating, which must be avoided, will commence immediately the 
bulk has accumulated, and at the end of each day’s work the 
covering planks should be put on. 
In order to show the practical advantages of certain kinds of 
fodder for ensilage we will first name coarse water meadow 
grasses, and even sedges, which grow on the edges of the water 
carriers or banks and borders of brooks and rivers, for these when 
in full leaf will make useful ensilage. We have often known 
them cut up with straw in the summer time, mixed and given as 
chaff to dairy cows, and answer well for producing milk : these 
