372 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t May 3 , im. 
no doubt, will be variable, according to seasons and culture, and we do not 
hesitate saying it is one of the very finest white-edged flowers in cultivation. 
Vine Culture (II. S.). —We are glad our advice has proved so serviceable 
to you, and we are not surprised that you have found the works of Mr. Barron 
and Mr. Taylor useful. No one seeking information on Vine culture could fail 
to profit by the sound teaching in those volumes. We scarcely understand 
your question relative to estimating the weights of bunches of Grapes. l)o you 
mean the sizes of the bunches when ripe, or, say, immediately after they are 
thinned ? On this matter very much depends on the way in which the bunches 
are thinned. We have known bunches of Black Hamburghs 6 or 7 inches long 
and 4 to 5 inches across the shoulders weigh a pound when the fruit was ripe, 
and we have know'll others half as large again no heavier, the difference being 
that in one case the interior of the bunch was crowded with berries, and in the 
other there were no berries that were not plainly visible, few being left in the 
centre of the clusters. Those persons who wish to make a great display without 
overcropping the Vines adopt the latter practice, and the crop to a casual 
observer appears much heavier than it is. Try both practices and weigh the 
fruit; you will then better comprehend the matter than it is possible for you to 
do at present. As to your other question, you cannot do better than write to 
Mr. Pettigrew, Bowdon, Cheshire. 
Chrysanthemums ( Excelsior ).—The time for placing plants outdoors 
can only be satisfactorily determined by their condition and the state of the 
weather. They should never be stood in the open air until they have been fully 
exposed for a time night and day by the removal of the lights from the frame ; 
at the same time they must not be allowed to become unduly crowded. When 
first taken from the frame it is a safe practice to place them near a wall where 
some protection, such as a blind or mats stretched over them, can be given 
against cutting winds and frosty nights. In your district we should scarcely 
feel it safe to expose the plants to the full inclemencies of the weather before 
the 20th of this month ; but you must be entirely guided by the circumstances 
indicated. The varieties you mention are fairly representative, and nearly all 
of them will make good specimens. You have, however, no Anemone Pompons, 
of which such varieties as Antonius and Marie Stuart among others are 
attractive as specimens, the large-flowered Anemone sorts not being so well 
adapted to this purpose. You have only one Pompon, and you might well add 
in this class Mdlle. Marthe and Bob, both of which make handsome specimens. 
To the reflexed varieties, of which you only name one, you might well add King 
of the Crimsons, Chevalier Domage, and Mrs. Forsyth ; and of Japanese one 
of the best for specimens is La Nymphe ; and good additions to the incurved 
varieties would be Lady Hardinge, Mr. G. Gleuny, Prince of Wales, Venus, and 
White Venus. Then there is what are termed the Hybrid Pompons, and for 
decorative purposes there are no Chrysanthemums in cultivation more effective 
and useful than the Crimson Julie Lagravere and the blush-tinted Sceur Melanie. 
Those named or any of them would greatly improve your collection. If you 
wish to have a large-flowered Anemone variety try Fleur de Marie. 
Protecting Tree Stems ( D. Edwards). —The method to which you 
allude of encasing the stems of late-planted trees with hay or straw bands is 
an excellent one. We have proved its value 
repeatedly in the case of standard Peach trees 
against hot south walls, and last year with 
a standard Marechal Niel Rose. This having 
been planted late in a hot position it was on 
the point of death, and as a last attempt to 
save it the stem and lower portion of the 
Rose were encased in liaybands, which were 
saturated occasionally—indeed, the stem was 
kept moist. The result more than exceeded 
our anticipations, for in a short time healthy 
young shoots were produced, and before the 
summer was over we had a vigorous tree. A 
correspondent has recorded in this Journal 
that he well remembered seeing two clumps 
of Sycamores planted on two mounds during 
March ; a dozen trees were planted in each 
clump, but whatever happened to prevent, 
there was one clump only with the stems 
covered with liaybands as above described ; 
and, strange to say, eleven out of the twelve 
grew, while only two out of the correspond¬ 
ing clump made a growth. Some planters 
fix a sort of collar round the stem at the 
top of the haybands, which, if close-fitting, 
serves to convey the water down between the 
stem and its covering, as represented in the 
figure. 
Meetings of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society (A Constant Reader).— 
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 
May 8th, and if you desire to exhibit some 
__flowers the best course would be to write 
r —Mr. Barron, Superintendent Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society’s Gardens, Turnham Green, 
stating what you intend showing, and be will 
no doubt send you an exhibitor's ticket. 
There are no fees, but the flowers must be 
addressed to Mr. Barron at the South Kensington Gardens, where the meetings 
are held. 
Disbudding Peacli Trees (E. D. 0.). —There are no better instructions 
on this subject than those that have been given from time to time in our 
“ Work for the Week” columns, and if you examine a few back numbers you 
will find more information than we can possibly give you on this page. We can 
only say briefly that under ordinary circumstances five-sixths of the shoots need 
removal, but this must be done gradually over a period of as many days, com¬ 
mencing as soon as the growths have fairly started by removing those on the 
under sides of the branches, with any that are ill placed and likely to come in 
contact with the trellis. One growth should always be retained at the base of 
each fruit-bearing portion of young wood, this portion being cut out after the 
crop is gathered, and the other trained for bearing next year. A shoot should 
also be secured beyond the fruit to be stopped or trained according as there is 
space on the trellis. Only a sufficient number of shoots should be retained to 
fairly cover the trellis without any overlapping of foliage, overcrowding being a 
great and too common error in training Peach trees under glass. The trees 
may be kept clean by daily syringiugs and occasional light fumigations—not to 
destroy insects, but to prevent their appearance. When we see Peach trees 
infested with aphides we know there has been some neglect. It may have been 
unavoidable by a press of other duties, but it is certain the trees have not had 
the attention they ought. If insects become established soft soap and tobacco 
water, nicotine soap, or Gishurst compound are all effective remedies when 
properly applied according to the recommendations that have been man} 7 times 
given, and which are printed on the tins or boxes in which the articles are sold. 
The petroleum remedy, as described by Mr. Taylor on page 149 is also safe and 
good, and so is dredging the shoots with tobacco powder after syringing the 
trees. The cheapest work detailing the process of disbudding fruit trees is our 
“ Fruit Gardening for the Many,” which you can have post free from this office 
for 4,Jd. The best book cn fruit culture under glass is Mr. D. Thomson s work, 
published by Blackwood & Sons, the price of which is 7s. 6 d. 
Soil for Ferns (Idem).—A. good compost for the majority of Ferns is half 
turfy loam, the remaining half composed of equal parts of peat and leaf soil, 
with sand aud broken charcoal to render the whole porous. Some persons use a 
greater proportion of peat with good results, but everything depends on its 
quality. Others use no peat at all; and for free-growing Ferns, especially that are 
in good health, peat is not requisite, loam, vegetable soil, and gritty matter 
affording them better support. 
Names of Plants (F. C. IF.).— 1, Sedum aizoideum variegatum ; 2, Leu- 
cojum vernum; 3, Muscari botryoides ; 4, Epimediuin alpinum. (IF. A'-).—- 
1, Rhododendron Gibsoni; 2, R. formosum ; 3, R. Veitchianum ; 4, II. huttalli. 
(S. T.). —Fritillaria Meleagris ; 2, Scilla siberica. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— MAY 2ND. 
The supplies of produce continue good, prices being generally maintained, 
and business active. 
FRDIT. 
8. 
d. 
s. d. 
s 
d. 
S. 
d 
Apples. 
\ sieve 
2 
0 to 7 0 
Grapes . 
lb. 5 
0 to 12 
0 
o 
40 0 
0 
2U 
0 
Apricots. 
doz. 
0 
0 
0 0 
New Grapes 
lb. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Cherries. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Nectarines.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chestnuts. 
b'ushel 10 
0 
12 0 
Oranges .... 
.... 100 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Currants, Black.. 
j sieve 
0 
0 
0 0 
Peaches .... 
.... dozen 
0 
0 
0 
„ Red.... 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pears,kitchen .. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
dessert .... 
.... dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Filberts. 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pine Apples, English Id. 
i 
6 
2 
0 
Cobs. 
looib. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Raspberries . 
lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Gooseberries .... 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 0 
Strawberries 
.... oz. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
VEGETABLES. 
8 
d. 
8. d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d 
2 
0 to 4 0 
1 
3 to 2 
0 
Asparagus, English bundle 12 
0 
0 0 
Mushroom a 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Asparagus,French bundle 25 
0 
30 0 
Mustard & Cress .. punnet 
0 
2 
0 
3 
Beans,Kidney.... 
100 
2 
0 
0 0 
Onions. 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Beet, Red. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 0 
Parsley. 
doz.bunches 
6 
0 
b 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 6 
Parsnips .... 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Brussels Sprouts.. 
i sieve 
D 
6 
2 0 
Peas . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 0 
Potatoes .... 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Capsicums. 
100 
1 
6 
2 0 
Kidney.... 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Carrots . 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 0 
Radishes.... 
doz. bunchts 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers. 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 0 
Rhubarb .... 
. bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery. 
bundle 
i 
6 
2 0 
Saisafy. 
. 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 .... 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 0 
Shallots .... 
. lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Fennel. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 0 
Spinach .... 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
2 
0 0 
Tomatoes .. 
. lb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Leeks. 
bunch 
0 
8 
0 4 
Turnips. 
.. bunch 
0 
2 
3 
0 
POULTRY AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 
PLOUGHING-IN OR FEEDING GREEN CROPS. 
{Continued from page 353.) 
Having given considerable space and attention to the value of 
green and root crops ploughed in as representing their value 
for that purpose by the practical agriculturists, we shall now 
endeavour to show how far the ideas and experience of profes¬ 
sional chemists and analysts support the results obtained by 
practical farmers. For this purpose we introduce very important 
tables containing the analysis of various crops, showing to a certain 
extent how far green crops in their death and decay will be 
enabled to furnish manure for the growth of cereals and other 
crops usually grown for sale by the home farmer. These are 
taken from the Agricultural Gazette of the 2nd June, 1879, aud 
contributed by Mr. It. Warrington and other analysts, to which we 
ask particular attention, as the tables are supported and confirmed 
by Dr. Voelcker to a great extent. 
