October 16, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
347 
which do not attain their perfect maturity in the open air in this 
country. The fruit should be allowed to hang as long as it is likely to 
derive any benefit in the way of ripening, and when it is ready the 
bunches are to be gathered and laid carefully, so as not to bruise the 
berries. The berries are to be picked separately from the stalks, dis¬ 
carding all that are in any way decayed. Measure the fruit as it is put 
into the fermenting tub, and to every fifteen gallons of fruit add one 
gallon of soft water. Stir and bruise the fruit, and after standing for 
twenty-four hours, strain and press the fruit through a hair cloth or 
coarse canvas bag subjected to pressure. Now test the liquor by the 
saccharometer and bring up the gravity to 120 by the addition of sugar, 
every pound of sugar raising the density 35 or 36. Let the whole be 
well stirred, and add one ounce of argol to every three gallons of must. 
Stir the must every day, morning and evening, and when the density 
falls to 80, and the fermentation becomes languid, the cask is to be 
bunged up and the wine bottled off in the month of March following. 
Argol can be had from chemists, and perhaps a saccharometer too, or 
from Messrs. Cetti, Glass Merchants, Lambeth. 
Injured Cyclamens (P. C .).—The grub3 you send are the larvae 
of the destructive weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, a brownish black 
beetle-like creature, which eats Vines, Loses, Ferns, and most other 
plants, feeding at night and hiding in the soil and other obscure places 
in the daytime. The insects should be sought in spring with the aid of a 
light, and as many as possible caught and destroyed. They deposit eggs 
just within the surface of the soil in pots and borders, and the maggots 
resulting devour almost any kind of roots with which they come in con¬ 
tact. They are very difficult to destroy. You might make a few experi¬ 
ments with some with different insecticides, such as Lemon oil, Fir-tree 
oil, and petroleum solutions, of a strength that could be safely applied 
to the roots of plants. In the case of your Cyclamens, however, we 
suspect the only effective means of dealing with them will be to shake 
all the soil from them, well wash the corms and roots with a safe insecti¬ 
cide, apply bruised charcoal to the eaten parts, and repot in fresh soil 
free from the maggots. If there is the slightest suspicion of any being 
in the new compost, it should be baked sufficiently to destroy all grub 
life, then made properly moist before using. The heating to which the 
soil is subjected will not impair it, but, on the contrary, increase its 
fertility. 
Plum Trees not Bearing 1 (W.E .).—Many Plum trees produce 
blossom, but from various causes fail to bear fruit. Your trees, we 
presume, produce no blossom. They may have grown too luxuriantly 
and not ripeued the wood sufficiently for blossom formation. It is not 
improbable, also, that you have been too free with the use of the knife, 
for the more some Plum trees are cut the less they bear. You do not 
indicate the form of the trees. If they are standards or bushes the 
pruning should be practically limited to thinning, not cutting back to 
spurs ; if trained to walls or as espaliers the summer growths from the 
main branches should be pinched in June and subsequently, not allowed 
to grow until the autumn. It is evident, also, that the root action is 
too powerful, and if you dig a deep trench 3 feet from the stems, and 
undermine the trees, you will most likely find some strong roots striking 
down more or less vertically, and if so sever them, fill in the soil again 
with some mortar rubbish and wood ashes intermixed, and press it 
under and round the roots firmly. Do not dig the ground near the 
stems, but scrape some of the old soil away and add vegetable refuse 
for iuciting a mass of fibrous roots near the surface, and the growths of 
the trees will then be more sturdy and fruitful in character. 
Pruning- Fruit Trees (St. Julieri ).—We are obliged by your 
letter and sketches and now understand the case. You state in your 
letter that we were wrong in our supposition on a former occasion. 
We ought not to be compelled to base replies on supposition, but 
inquirers should make clear each case on which information is desired. 
We were certainly not wrong in the principle embodied in our reply. 
If a bud dies through any cause, obviously it cannot grow, but if sound 
and good it will push the more strongly the more the stem is cut back. 
We are not satisfied now that the leader of your espalier was cut back 
low enough for insuring two side growths and a leader. You appear to 
have cut it to the wire, whereas, if your sketch is right, the leader 
was previously cut considerably below the wires. If one or two shoots 
push strongly near the top of a cut back leader the growths are apt to 
draw the sap from the buds below, and these remain dormant. We 
have no doubt, the tree being healthy, if the leader were cut back into 
the two-year-old wood, that fresh growth would issue, but we do not 
perceive the necessity for doing so, for if you cut back both the leader 
and the side branch to good buds on sound wood close to the wire, 
growths may be expected to push in the spring, one of which can be 
chosen for training to the right, the other to the left, and the third to 
extend, if you have other wires to furnish, if not, only two shoots are 
needed, and all others should be suppressed. We are now alluding to 
the tree represented in the larger sketch. If a shoot push very strongly 
from one side, and weakly from the other, pinch the strong when it has 
made four or five leaves, and make it start again, as it will, and give the 
weak a chance to extend. If more than one shoot push after pinching, 
reserve the most promising for extension, pinching the others as soon as 
they make three small leaves, also any after growths that issue to one 
leaf. When a branch on one side of a tree is not strong enough, while 
another on the opposite side is too strong, elevate the weak and depress 
the strong, more or less according to the disparity between them, and 
their strength will become more equalised. Now we turn to the small 
sketch. What you describe as the leader is correct, and as all the wires 
are furnished, it ought not to have been allowed to extend. Cut it out 
at once close to the top horizontal branch, and permit no more vertical- 
growths from the top of the tree. In respect to oblique cordon trees 
we say that, as a rule, more is lost than gained by shortening the 
leaders; but there are exceptions to every rule. For instance, a leader 
may be obviously unripe to the tip, or may terminate in a fruit bud, in 
which cases cutting back to a good wood bud is essential for the pro¬ 
longation of healthy growth. This must be left to individual judgment. 
From oblique cordon trees planted two years ago fruit was exhibited at 
the late Guildhall Show, won a prize in great competition, and a dish 
was chosen from the collection and sent, with other superior examples,, 
to the Queen. The same advice we gave in the management of the trees 
in question we have given to you, and now we hope have adduced proof 
that it was not very erroneous. 
Names of Fruits.— The names and addresses of senders of fruit 
to be named must in all cases be enclosed with the specimens, whether 
letters referring to the fruit are sent by post or not. The names are 
not necessarily required for publication, initials sufficing for that. Only 
six specimens can be named at once, and any beyond that number cannot 
be preseved. ( Diantlius ).—A, Dumelow’s Seedling; B, Beauty of 
Kent; C, Mere de Manage ; 13, Hollandbury; the others not known. 
(Exe). —1, not known ; 2, Fearn’s Pippin ; 3, Winter Greening ; 4 r 
Small Mere de Manage ; 5, Golden Winter Pearmain. ; 6, Fondante 
d’Automne. (C. IF T.). —1, Koyal Russet; 2, Blenheim; 3, Golden 
Russet ; 4, Hormead Pearmain ; 5, Court Pendu Plat ; 6, not known. 
(G. Sims), —1, Blenheim Pippin ; 2, Colonel Vaughan ; 3, Duchesse 
d’Angouleme. (TF. S., From?). —1, Flanders Pippin ; 2, Hawthornden ; 
3, Stubbard ; 4 and 5, probably local varieties. The Apple sent sub¬ 
sequently is Bess Pool, true and good. ( George Fairbairn ).—We think 
your seedling very promising, and worth sending a little later, say to the 
December meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society. (R. C. Kingston). 
—3, Court Pendu Plat ; 4, Cox’s Pomona ; 5, Round Winter Nonesuch ; 
6, Dutch Mignonne ; 7, Sykehouse Russet; 9, Cockle’s Pippin. (J. P). — 
Beurre Hardy. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— October 15th. 
Market still very quiet, -with supplies more than equal to the demand. 
FRUIT. 
0. 
d 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. a. 
Apples, J sieve. 
2 
6 
to 6 
0 
Lemons, case .. .. 
35 
Oto 45 
0 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Melons, each .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
O 
Canada, per barrel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„ Tasmanian, p. case 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches, dozen.. 
3 
0 
12 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
0 
9 
8 
0 
Piums, A sieve .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Kentish Filberts, 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
50 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
„ Cobs „ 
50 
0 
60 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
• # 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
i 
6 
to 2 
0 
Asparagus, bundle .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. ., 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel.. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bun 
she s 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts, J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
„ New, per lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Salsafy, bundle 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, doz. 
2 
0 
S 
6 
Seakale, per bkt. .. 
0 
0 
0 
n 
Endive, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. .. 
0 
3 
0 
O’ 
Herbs, bunch. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel ,. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Leeks, bunch .. .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
0 
6 
0 
s 
Lettuce, dozen.. 
0 
9 
1 
s 
Turnips, bunch .. 
• • 
0 
0 
0 
4 
CUT FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
8. d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
4 
0 to 
6 0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 to 6 
O 
Asters, per bunch, French 
1 
0 
1 6 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
„ English, 12 bnchs. 
4 
0 
9 0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch 
0 
6 
1 0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
1 
0 
3 
o 
Carnations, 12 bunches .. 
6 
0 
9 0 
Pansies, dozen bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Chrysanthemum, 14 blms. 
1 
0 
3 0 
„ scarlet, 12 bnchs 
3 
0 
6 
O 
„ 12 bunches 
4 
0 
12 0 
Pinks (various), doz. bchs. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Cornflower, doz. bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
Primula(double)12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Dahlias, dozen bunches.. 
2 
0 
4 0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 0 
,, Red (Eng.), 12 bch. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Forget-me-not, doz. bnch. 
1 
6 
4 0 
„ Red, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Gladiolus, 12 bunches .. 
6 
0 
12 0 
„ Yellow. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Gypsophila, per bunch .. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Stocks, dozen bunches .. 
0 
0 
0 
O' 
Lapageria, 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 0 
Sweet Peas, 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0- 
Lavender, dozen bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
8 
(1 
9 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
5 
0 
6 0 
Violets (Parme) 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Lilium, various, 12 blms. 
1 
0 
2 0 
„ (dark) . 
1 
0 
2 
O 
„ longiflorum,12 blms. 
4 
0 
6 0 
„ (English), doz.bnch 
1 
0 
2 
O 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s. d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 
6 
Oto 12 0 
Geraniums Scarlet, p. doz. 
2 
0 to 
6 
0 
Arbor Vitae (golden) doz. 
6 
0 
8 0 
Heliotrope, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Asters, dozen pots .. .. 
6 
0 
9 0 
Hydrangea, doz. pots .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Calceolaria, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Lilium lancifolium, doz. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Chrysanthemum, per doz. 
6 
0 
24 0 
„ longiflorum, doz. 
0 
0 
0 
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 
Draciena terminalis, doz. 24 
0 
42 0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
12 
0 
24 0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Erica, Cavendishi, per pt. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Musk, per dozen 
0 
0 
U 
0 
„ various, dozen .. 
12 
0 
18 0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 0 
Nasturtiums, dozen pots 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 0 
Palms, in var., each.. 
2 
6 
SI 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 
4 
0 
18 0 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 
1 
6 
7 0 
Rhodanthe, per dozen .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
3 
0 
10 0 
Stocks, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Fuchsia, per doz. 
4 
0 
9 0 
Tropfeolums, various, per 
Geraniums, Ivy, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 0 
dozen . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
