September 4 , 1890. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
215 
Prizes at Shows (R. D.~). —The rules to which you refer are 
conflicting, and need careful revision. According to rule 4 the judges 
have the power “ to recommend prizes for any article they may deem 
worthy,” which evidently means that the Committee will decide 
whether they can be granted or not, as is customary at other shows. 
The question for the Committee to decide is not concerned with the 
“merit” of the exhibit, but as to whether the award is in accordance 
with their rules. Without seeing a schedule we cannot express an 
opinion upon this subject. 
Epacrises ((?. —For soil good fibry peat must be provided, and 
sharp silver sand mixed with it to keep it open. Efficient drainage, 
efficient watering, and firm potting are also necessary. When once 
plants which are firmly potted in peat become dry ordinary waterings 
are not sufficient to moisten the soil thoroughly. They must be watered 
again and again until the water pours from the hole in the bottom of 
the pot. Indeed if the dryness is allowed to go too far there is nothing 
for it but steeping the pot in the cistern until the air balls, which are 
displaced by the water, cease bubbling up. After the ball is thoroughly 
soaked no more water should be applied until necessary, when a thorough 
supply should be given. This is one of the secrets in successful Epacris 
growing. Another, as we have said, is firm potting. Another consists 
in growing them in an airy greenhouse, where as little fire heat as 
possible is used, and where a constant circulation of air is kept up on 
all favourable occasions. After the flowers have faded the growth 
should be cut back. Erect kinds should be cut back close to the old 
wood, and drooping kinds scarcely so far back. After they are cut back 
they should be kept rather close until they begin to grow again, when, 
if necessary, they should be potted into larger pots. After they have 
fairly recovered from cutting back and potting they should be plunged 
in ashes out of doors for the summer. By the end of September they 
should again be housed. They are rather difficult to raise with ordinary 
appliances, and raising plants from cuttings is hardly worth an amateur's 
trouble, for your flowering plants may be purchased very cheaply. The 
amateur should purchase his plants when in bloom, so as to suit his 
taste, or a respectable nurseryman will generally advise him as to the 
best kinds to buy. We, however, name a dozen good varieties. E. But¬ 
terfly, E. campanulata and campanulata alba, E. Fireball, E. hvacinthi- 
flora fulgens, E. Ingrami, E. impressa, E. Lady Panmure, E. Lowi, 
E. miniata splendens, E. odorata alba, E. Sunset, E. Vesta. 
Gloxinias from leaves (i?. J/.).—Various methods are followed 
in multiplying Gloxinias by this means. Some make incisions in the 
main veins on the lower surface of the leaves, and lay them flat on a 
bed of silver sand in the propagating house. Over the cuts small 
pebbles are placed to prevent the leaf shifting until roots are formed, 
and in the course of time small crowns are formed, and each makes 
separate plants, which will flower the following summer if carefully 
ripened and preserved over the winter. Another plan is to cut up the 
leaves into slips, following the direction of the veins, and running the 
knife out without damage to the margin. This operation should be 
performed with a very keen edged knife, so that the tissue of the leaves 
is not lacerated. By this means the leaves may be divided into a number 
of wedge-like pieces, narrowing to the bases. These are inserted into 
pots Ailed with silver sand intermixed with a little peat soil ; and after 
moistening the body of the compost cover with a bellglass, or place the 
tops inside the glass case if the house is furnished with such. Keep 
moderately close, and never wet the leaves while applying water to the 
roots, at the same time being careful that the cuttings do not suffer from 
damp. Under such favourable conditions roots will soon be formed, to 
be succeeded by bulbs and minute leaves ; but it is the best plan to pot 
off singly as soon as well rooted, so that the progress of the two latter is 
not checked, and that plump tubers may be produced before the fall of 
the year. After the rooted portions of the leaves have been put sepa¬ 
rately into pots, have them watered and returned to the place they 
formerly occupied, and give them the same watchful attendance as 
hitherto, not once allowing the soil to get dried, which would permanently 
cripple their growth, until indications of their going to rest are shown 
at the end of summer. No more water will be required after such 
symptoms, except enough to prevent the soil from getting dust dry, and 
thereby causing them to shrivel. 
CTames of Plants. —We only undertake to name species of plants, 
not varieties that have originated from seed and termed florists’ flowers. 
Flowering specimens are necessary of flowering plants, and Fern fronds 
should bear spores. Specimens should arrive in a fresh state in firm boxes. 
Slightly damp moss, soft green grass or leaves form the best packing, dry 
wool the worst. Not more than six specimens should be named at once, 
and the numbers should be visible without untying the ligatures, 
it being often difficult to separate them when the paper is damp. 
(7’. C. A).—1, Leycesteria formosa ; 2, Hieracium aurantiacum ; 3. 
Echinops ruthenicus; 4, Erigeron speciosus ; 5, Sedum spectabile. 
(IF. IF.).—1, Adiantum caudatum ; 2, Asplenium bulbiferum ; 3, 
Davallia Mooreana. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET. —September 3rd. 
Market quiet, with no alteration. 
FRUIT. 
e. 
a. 
P. 
a. 
8. 
a. 
8. 
a. 
Apples, | sieve. 
3 
6 
to 6 
0 
Lemons, case. 
10 
Oto 15 
0 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Melons, eacb. 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Canada, per barrel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„ Tasmanian, p. case 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches, dozen. 
Plums £ sieve. 
1 
0 
8 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
0 
9 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Kentish Filberts, 100 lbs. 
50 
0 
52 
6 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
s 
0 
6 
0 
„ Cobs „ 
55 
0 
57 
Strawberries, per lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Artichokes, dozen .. .. 0 
Asparagus, bundle .. 0 
0 to 0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
l 
6 
to 2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 0 
3 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 1 
0 
0 
0 
a 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts, J sieve 0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
l 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 0 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. .. 2 
4 
0 
0 
,, New, per lb. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle.1 
0 
1 
3 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, doz.2 
0 
3 
6 
Seakale, per bkt. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen.1 
0 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
Spinach, bushel .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs, bunch.0 
2 
0 
0 
1 
0 
a 
0 
Leeks, bunch.0 
a 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Lettuce, dozen.0 
9 
1 
s 
Turnips, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
P. 
d. 
6. 
d. , 
S. 
a. 
p. 
a. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 2 
0 to 
4 
0 
Lilium, various, 12 blms. 
„ longiflorum,12blms. 
0 
6 to 1 
0 
Asters, per bunch, French 0 
9 
1 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ English, 12 bnchs. 3 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
6 
» 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 0 
Carnations, 12 bunches .. 4 
6 
1 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
0 
6 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„ 12 blooms .. 1 
0 
2 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Calceolaria, doz. bunches 3 
0 
6 
0 
Pansies, dozen bunches .. 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Chrysanthemum, 11 blms. 1 
0 
3 
0 
0 
9 
1 
0 
„ 12 bunches 4 
0 
12 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 bnchs 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Cornflower, doz. bunches 1 
8 
3 
0 
Pinks (various), doz. bchs. 
Primula(double)12 sprays 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Dahlias, dozen bunches.. 2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Eschscholtzia, 12 bunches 0 
0 
0 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 3 
0 
4 
0 
„ Moss (Eng.), 12 bch. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Forget-me-not, doz. bnch. 1 
6 
4 
0 
,, Red (Eng.). 12 bch. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Red, 12 blooms . . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gladiolus, 12 bunches .. 4 
0 
9 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Gypsophila, per bunch, Fr. 1 
0 
1 
6 
,, Yellow. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Iris, various, dozen bnchs. 0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 2 
0 
0 
0 
Stocks, dozen bunches . . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Sweet Peas, 12 bunches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Lavender, dozen bunches 8 
0 
5 
0 
1 Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
3 
0 
9 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
a. 
8. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 6 
Arbor Vitoe (golden) doz. 6 
0 to 12 
0 
Geraniums Scarlet, p. doz. 
2 
Oto 6 
0 
0 
8 
0 
Heliotrope, per doz. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Asters, dozen pots .. .. 3 
0 
6 
0 
Hydrangea, doz. pots .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Calceolaria, per doz. .. 4 
Chrysanthemum, per doz. 6 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium lancifolium, doz. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
0 
24 
0 
„ longiflorum, doz. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Climbing Plants, various, 
Lily of the Valley, 12 pots 
0 
0 
0 
0 
dozen pots.4 
0 
9 
0 
Lobelia, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cyclamen, per dozen .. 0 
0 
0 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Deutzia, 12 pots .. .. 0 
0 
0 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 24 
0 
42 
0 
Musk, per dozen 
Myrtles, dozen. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 12 
Epiphyllum, per dozen .. 0 
0 
24 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Nasturtiums, dozen pots 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Erica, Cavendrshi, per pt. 0 
0 
0 
0 
Palms, in var., each.. .. 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 
2 
6 
21 
0 
„ various, dozen .. 12 
0 
18 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Euonymus, var., dozen . . 6 
0 
18 
0 
Rhodanthe, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Evergreens, in var., do'en 6 
0 
24 
0 
Saxifraga pyramidalis, 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 4 
0 
is 
0 
per dozen . 
0 
0 
0 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 1 
6 
7 
0 
Spiraea, 12 pots. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 2 
0 
10 
0 
Stocks, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Fuchsia, per doz.4 
0 
9 
0 
Tropseolums, various, per 
Geraniums, Ivy, per doz. 3 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE. 
It has been laid down that changes in agriculture are merely 
the result of circumstances, and are not to be regarded as a sign of 
progress. To this dictum we take decided exception, for if such 
changes are made with the judgment and caution which mark the 
actions of men of light and leading in agriculture, then assuredly 
they mark time in progress better than anything else can do. No 
better proof of this can be had than the agricultural returns of 
Great Britain just issued by the Agricultural Department, for 
they show change and real progress in a manner not to be mistaken 
or set aside by any carping critic. 
Of the changes in cropping the most remarkable is the decline 
of Wheat and Barley, and the steadily progressive increase in the 
culture of Oats. We need hardly remind our readers how persis¬ 
tently we have advised the extension and improvement of Oat 
cultivation, and it is indeed gratifying to find our views so entirely 
in accord with those of farmers generally. An increase this year 
of 14,294 acres of Oats on 1889, and of G452 in that year on 1888 
shows conclusively that Oats bid fair to become our leading cereal. 
To emphasise this view we have a decrease of 63,018 acres of 
Wheat in comparison with last year, and 177,901 acres less than 
1888, and 10,352 acres of Barley less than 1889. The Wheat area 
is the smallest since 1887, and if the average computation of the 
