December SO, 1886. ] 
593 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Mildew on Clematis (L. B). —Mildew is usually more prevalent when 
the roots of Clematises are in dry or impoverished soil than when they have, 
what they enjoy—a good f eding ground. It is not easy to place fresh soil 
in contact with the roots, and the water you have applied may not have 
descended far below the surfac”. The soil is almost certain to he dry below in 
a border planted with Ferns, and to which the roots of a Yew have access. 
You might try the remedy for renovating shrubs published on page 568 
last week ; also give much more water in summer and some liquid manure. 
You mutt remember the roots of such a large plant extend to a considerable 
distance, and therefore watering or adding fresh soil near to the stem 
alone will be quite inadequate for effecting the desired object. 
Vines with Loose Bunches (A Young Gardener ).—When the bunches 
are unsatisfactory pruned on the close or spur system there is necessity for 
change, and you could not do better than prune to the best bud—the 
“ round and plump ” at the third or fourth joint; in preference to those at 
the base, which are “ small and pointed.” As to the looseness of the bunches, 
that depends in a great measure upon the vigour of the Vines and ripeness 
of the wood. With the wood well lipened compactness of bunch may he 
relied on from all the eyes or buds, and sometimes gross Vines will give 
loose bunches from the base buds ; but such are rare as compared with 
bunches from eyes further from the base, which are not only very much 
largtr but correspondingly looser, and usually have more seedless berries. 
This advice is not in conflict with that of either of our correspondents to 
whom you refer, and we have not a doubt that both of them would act alike 
if they had to prune the Vines in your charge. The chief points to bear in 
mind are to prune to the best buds only where the wood is ripe, not where 
it is immature; and to pay especial attention to disbudding in the spring 
to prevent overcrowding of the growths and foliage in the summer. 
Grapes Unsatisfactory (T. II.). —There was some little delay in the 
delivery of the Grapes, but if our reply had been published a week sooner 
it would not have bem of any greater value in this case. We have no doubt 
as to the cause of the “ bad state ” of the Grapes. You say “ the borders 
were all newly made in the early spring of this year, and the Vines started 
in February.” Making new Vine borders implies that the Vines were 
taken up and replanted, or at least nearly the whole of the roots were 
subjected to considerable disturbance and some mutilation. When this is 
done in “ early spring,” and the Vines “ started in February,” the stored-up 
sap or nutrient matt r is drawn out of the rods too early and too quickly, 
and before there has been anything like adequate root-action for imbibing 
the requisite nourishment for supporting the growths. In other words, 
there has been a serious check in the food supply needed by the Vines, 
because of defective root-action, and Vines subjected to the treatment 
indicated could only support a very light crop indeed. Had they been 
allowed another month’s rest or more—indeed started in a natural way 
without any forcing, fresh roots would have formed well as soon after the 
production of shoots, and the Vines would have been in a much better 
condition than they now are. We advise you to let them rest a3 long as 
possible, and crop lightly next season, and their lost vigour may he to a 
considerable ext-nt restored. 
Galls on Gardenias ( W. D.). —The galls upon the roots sent appear to 
be the abodes of a mite, one of those which, unlike most of its brethren, 
goes through distinct transformation. These are at present in the nymph 
condition, but would develop fu'ly in spring, and then proceed to scatter 
themselves and propagate; but their history is at present very obscure, and 
they generally are so sluggish that their travelling about seems unlikely, 
yet this must occur when fresh galls are produced. It is a species belong¬ 
ing to the genus Tyroglyphus ; this, or one closely allied to it, has been taken 
in gads upon Vine roots, which has been erroneously attributed to 
phylloxera. Another Tyroglyphus frequently infests Mushrooms. So little 
is as yet known about these creatures, even amongst entomologists, that it 
is difficult to suggest remedial meas -res. We should consider the ad¬ 
visability of raising plants from a clean stock, and grow them in soil that 
has be‘n subjected to a roastiDg process in some such as described by Mr. 
A. Pettigrew in his excellent article on Cucumbers on page 558 last week. 
The infested plants, also the soil in which they are established, we should 
consign to the fire, as according to your description of them they are 
unsightly and may be expected to get worse. You might experiment on 
one or two of them with a rather strong petroleum mixture, commencing 
with a wineglassful of the oil briskly stirred in a gallon of soft water; it 
may possibly, however, require a stronger dose to destroy the encased 
enemy than will be good for the plants, and we suspect the stamping out 
process will have to he resorted to sooner or lab r. 
Names 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 or soft green leaves form the best packing, dry 
cotton wool the worst. Not more than six specimens can be named at once. 
( W. H., Blac/cheath). —Epidendrum ciiiare. (G. S.). —We do not undertake 
to name varieties of florists’ flowers. (J. H., York). —1, Pitcairnia fulgens ; 
2, Ficus Parcelli; 3, insufficient without flowers. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. — December 29th. 
Hothouse Grapes are reaching us in large quantities at scarcely remunera¬ 
tive rates. Nova Scotia and Canada Apples in good supply. 
FRUIT. 
a. 
d. 
S. 
rt. 
3. 
d. 
8 . 
a 
Apples 
6 to 4 
0 
Melon . 
0 
0 
0 
»t 
Nova Scotia and 
Oranges 
... 100 
6 
0 
12 
o 
Cherries 
Canada, per barrel 10 
0 
13 
0 
Peaches . 
per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cobs 
. ioo lb. 60 
0 
70 
0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Figs 
6 
0 
9 
Plums. 
£ sieve 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Grapes 
6 
3 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
2 
0 
‘6 
0 
Lemons 
0 
16 
0 
Strawberries .. .. 
per lb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
Artichokes .. 
.. dozen 
8. 
1 
d. s. 
0 to 0 
d 
0 
Lettuce .. .. 
8. 
1 
d. 
0 to 
8. 
1 
d 
6 
Asparagus 
.. bundle 
0 
0 
0 
G 
Mushrooms .. 
.. punnet 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
.. per lb 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mustard and Cress punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
.. dozen 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Onions .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. 4 sieve 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Parsnips .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes.. .. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney 
.. cwt. 
4 
8 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Rhubarb .. 
.. bundle 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy .. . v 
bundle 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
.. bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Soakale .. .. 
per basket 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Cucumbers 
.. each 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Shallots .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Endive .. .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Spinach .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 
3 . bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
These prices are subject to great alterations towards the end of the 
week on account of Church decorations 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
s. a. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi .. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 0 
Ficus elastica .. each 
l 
6 to 
7 
0 
Arbor vitae (golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 0 
Fuchsia .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ (common) dozen 
6 
0 
12 0 
Foliage Plants, var. each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Azalea .. .. per dozen 24 
0 
42 0 
Hyacinths .. per dozen 
9 
9 
12 
0 
Bedding Plants, var. doz. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Hydrangea .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Begonias .. .. dozen 
4 
0 
9 0 
Ivy Geraniums per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemum .. dozen 
4 
0 
12 0 
Lilium auratum per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cockscombs per dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Lobelias .. .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cyperus.dozen 
4 
0 
12 0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, dozen 30 
0 
60 0 
Mignonette .. per dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„ viridis .. dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Musk .. .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Erica, various .. dozen 
9 
0 
12 0 
Myrtles.dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ hyemali3 per dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Palms, in var. .. each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
„ gracilis per dozen 
9 
0 
12 0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonymus, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 0 
Poinsettia .. per dozen 12 
0 
0 
18 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
6 
0 ' 
24 0 
Primula sisensia per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ferns ,in variety .. dozen 
4 
0 
18 0 
Solanums per doz. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
CUT FLO WEBS. 
8 
d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Abntilons .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 to 4 0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Arum Lilies .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
6 0 
Marguerites.. 12 bnnohes 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Asters .. .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
Mignonette .. 12 bunches 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Azalea .. .. 12 sprays 
1 
0 
1 6 
Narciss, Paper-white, bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Bouvardias .. per bunch 
0 
6 
1 0 
„ White, English, bunch 
1 
8 
1 
6 
Camellias .. 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Carnations .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
8 0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
5 
0 
9 
0 
„ .. 12bunohes 
0 
0 
0 0 
Roses .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemums 12 bcbes. 
6 
0 
12 0 
„ (indoor), per dozen 
0 
6 
2 
0 
„ 12 blooms 
0 
6 
2 0 
„ Tea. dozen 
0 
9 
3 
G 
Cornflower .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ red .. .. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Dahlias .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
Parme Violets (French) 
4 
0 
5 
9 
EpiphyUum .. doz. blooms 
0 
6 
0 0 
Poinsettia .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Eucharis .. per dozen 
4 
0 
8 0 
Primula (single) per bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Gardenias 12 blooms 
6 
0 
12 0 
,, (double) per bunch 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Gladioli .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pyrethrum .. 12 hunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hyacinths.Roman, 12 sprays 
1 
0 
1 6 
Stocks, various 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lapageria, white, 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 0 
Tropasolum .. 12 bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Lapageria, red .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 0 
Tuberoses .. 12 blooms 
1 
9 
2 
0 
„ longiflorum, 12 blms. 
6 
0 
8 0 
Violets .. .. 12 bunches 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lilac (white), French, bunch 
6 
0 
8 0 
„ Czar, French, pe tunch 
1 
6 
2 
Q 
the live stock at the homestead should be selected and bred 
with all possible care. It costs as much—often very much 
more—to feed an inferior animal as it does to feed a well 
bred one, for we must not forget that a tendency to lay on 
flesh and fatten quickly is peculiar to certain breeds, and is 
developed by careful selection. Experience derived from our 
own practice, and close observation of the practice on the 
numerous farms we visit, as well as the testimony of many of 
our best farmers, all combine to prove the truth of this. 
Take, for example, pigs, whether kept for home consumption 
or for market careful selection is equally important. For 
porkers we require compact chubby little animals, and they 
are undoubtedly the most profitable pigs for market. In an 
account of his practice recently published by Mr. J. A. Smith 
of Rise Hall, Akenham, Ipswich, he tells us, “ Although I 
have given both the Berkshire and Midland Whites a fair 
trial, they will not compare with the Suffolk Black breed. 
The former require more food to produce a given result; 
indeed, they will starve on the sour grain which my store 
sows chiefly live upon. Then they will not stand exposure 
on the Clover bogs or pasture ; but I admit that if grown to a 
large size they are of more value per lb., owing to the large 
A WELL-STOCKED HOMESTEAD. 
Whether for market or home consumption the whole of 
