Febraary 18, 1802. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
187 
Partnership In a Wursery Business (£r. L. cannot 
•suggest any other method than advertising, and if you state your require¬ 
ments clearly you will receive plenty of applications. It will not be 
difficult then for you to ascertain the hona fides of those desirous of 
obtaining the use of your capital. Some of the wholesale seed firms 
could possibly assist you with information on that point, or Messrs. 
Protheroe & Morris could be applied to. 
Grapes with Thick Skins (/. M.). —A tough skin is a criterion 
of good Grapes and one of the best safeguards against disease ; but the 
defect ismanifestlynotintlieskin,forthatisred—the berries are shanked 
and the juice is sour. Though the Grapes were a good colour last 
year they simply shanked later, hence the hard, tough skin, and un¬ 
eatable flesh. There is no remedy but lifting the Vines and planting 
in a properly prepared border, the present one being too heavy and 
too rich for the formation of roots, and also too cold and wet. 
Iilmlngr Potato Ground (./. dressing of lime would, no 
doubt, be an advantage and enable you to do without manure for a year, 
provided the soil is in good condition, for lime does not supply the place 
of manure, though often more advantageous through its rendering inert 
matter available. For Potatoes, the lime should be applied during dry 
weather in March, placing it fresh from the kiln in small heaps con¬ 
venient for spreading, covering with soil. When fallen and whilst hot, 
or at least in powder, spread it evenly on the ground, and the working 
in will be effected by preparing the land for the Potato. For corn 
(you do not state what kind of cereal) the lime should be applied some 
little time in advance of sowing, say in September for Wheat and in 
February or as soon as the weather is favourable for Oats and Barley, as it 
is important that the weather be dry, applying it as advised for Potatoes. 
Harrowing in, or not more than ordinary ploughing, will mix the lime 
sufficiently with the soil and bury it deep enough. Three tons per acre 
are sometimes applied, and is a very moderate dressing, six tons being an 
average application, as most soils are too poor to bear more in ordinary 
husbandry from the meagre and distant manurial dressings. Ten tons 
per acre is a full and proper application for strong loam, especially to 
soils rich in humus that have not been limed for many years. 
Culture of Browallla elata Ql. IF.).—You will find the plant 
a useful one if you follow the instructions here given, as it may be had 
in flower all the year by sowing a pinch of seed in February and again 
early in August ; but it is as a winter and spring-flowering plant that 
it is most deserving of culture. The blue Phlox-like flowers, which 
proceed freely from the tops of the side shoots, contrast effectively when 
associated with flowering plants of light and bright shades of colour. 
A stock of this beautiful and very easily managed plant can readily be 
raised from seed sown in 4-inch pots previously crocked and filled to the 
rim with a light compost consisting of three parts of sandy loam and 
one of leaf mould. Cover the seeds lightly with some fine soil, then put 
the pots in heat and cover them with a square or two of glass and a 
little moss, which must be removed as soon as the seedlings appear 
through the soil. From this time the seedlings should be gradually 
inured to light and air to prevent them from making a weakly 
growth, and with this object in view the plants should be grown on 
shelves near the glass. A board resting on a few flower pots on bricks 
in an early Melon or Cucumber frame would be a most suitable place 
in which to grow the plants in their earlier stages, protecting them 
from the ravages of slugs by dusting a mixture of fresh soot and 
quicklime along the board on each side of the plants. Three plants in 
a pot will be sufficient, and the superfluous ones should be pulled out 
before they become crowded, and be transplanted in 4-inch pots if 
necessary to increase the number of plants. The latter should have a 
small stick about 18 inches long put to each plant for support, and be 
kept well supplied with water at the roots, and damped overhead with 
tepid water on bright mornings and afternoons, as much with a view 
to promoting a healthy growth in the plants as to prevent the attacks 
of red spider. If larger plants are desired a portion of the stock 
should be shifted into 6 or 8-inch pots ; and those in the 4-inch pots 
should be top-dressed with a mixture of pulverised horse droppings and 
loam when the plants attain a height of 10 or 12 inches. This will 
enable them to develop finer heads of flower than would otherwise be 
secured. 
ITames of Fruits (K. J. 11.') —The Apple is Scarlet Nonpareil, 
the Pear is not recognisable. 
Ifames 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 can 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. 
(^F. H .).—Your “ Chinese Sacred Lily ” is, no doubt, one of the Poly¬ 
anthus Narcissus, and the cause of the buds decaying is the excessive 
moisture. Place some soil about the bulbs, and give them a drier, 
warmer position. {J. M.B.). —1, Begonia maculata ; 2, Pteris umbrosa ; 
3, Insufficient without flowers ; 4, Selaginella lepidophylla ; 5, Appa¬ 
rently a small frond of Thamnopteris nidus ; 6, Cyrtomium falcatum. 
(F. J ).—Both specimens are very unsatisfactory fragments, and we can 
only suggest that you send better examples if you wish to have the 
names. (7. iY).—The seeds are unrecognisable in the absence of any 
particulars. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
John Watkins, Pomona Farm, Withington, near Hereford.— Catalogue 
of Seed Potatoes. 
W. T. Falconer Manufacturing Co., Jamestown, New York.— 
Catalogue of Bee Hives, Sections, <5’c. 
J. Carter & Co., 237 and 238, High Rolborn.—Catalogue of lested 
Grass and Farm Seeds. 
Alex. Dickson & Sons, Newtownards, Co. Down, lrQ:\^.n.A.— Catalogue 
of Fruit Trees, Conifers, and Roses. 
Thomas Knight, Ashton-under-Lync.— of Garden and 
Flower Seeds. _ 
COVENT GABDEN MARKET.— February 17th. 
MA.RKBT still quiet, with supplies generally shorter. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
1 
15 
4 
3 
Apples, Oanada and Nova 
Scotia, per barrel .. .. 
Cobs, Kent, per 100 lbs. .. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. 
Celery, bundle. 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
Cucumbers, dozen .. . 
Endive, dozen . 
Herbs, bunch .. ,. . 
Leeks, bunch . 
Mushrooms, punnet 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
1 
0 to 4 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
Lemons, case . 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
12 
0 
25 
0 
U 
0 
40 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
TBa 
rETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
4 
to 0 
6 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch . 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
u 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Seakale, per basket .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
d. 3. d. 
6 to 3 0 
0 2) 0 
0 9 0 
0 6 0 
d. s. d. 
2 to 0 0 
3 0 5 
3 0 
0 0 
3 0 
1 6 
0 0 
1 9 
0 0 
0 0 
0 6 
0 4 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Azalea, dozen sprays .. .. 
Bouvardias, buuch .. .. 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
Christmas Roses, dozen 
blooms . 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
blooms . 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
bunches . 
Cyclamen, dozen blooms .. 
Eucharis, dozen .. _.. 
Euphorbia jacquiniseflora 
dozen sprays. 
Epiphyllum, dozen blooms 
Freesia, dozen sprays 
Gardenias, per dozen 
Hyacinths, dozen spikes .. 
Hyacinths (Roman) dozen 
sprays. 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
blooms . 
Lilium (var.) dozen blooms 
Lily of the Talley 12 sprays 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
Arbor Tit® (golden) dozen 
Azalea, per plant .. .. 
Cyclamen, per dozen .. .. 
Drao®na terminalis, dozen 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
Epiphyllum, per pot .. .. 
Erica gracilis, per dozen .. 
„ hyemalis, dozen .. 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
ATERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms rather scarce in variety. 
s. d. s. d. 
4 0 to 6 0 
10 16 
0 6 10 
2 0 3 0 
10 16 
0 9 3 0 
12 
0 
0 6 0 9 
0 10 
3 0 
Fern, dozen 
s. d. s. d 
Maidenhair 
bunches . 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
Mimosa or Acacia (French) 
per bunch. 
Narciss (French) dozen 
bunches .2 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
„ scarlet, 12 bunches 
Poinsettia, dozen blooms.. 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
„ Rod, per doz. blooms.. 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. ., 
Tulips, dozen blooms.. .. 
White Lilac (French) per 
bunch. 
Tiolet Parme, French bchs. 
,, Czar ,, ,1 
„ „ small bunches 
„ English, dozen 
bunches . 
0 to 9 0 
6 3 0 
16 2 0 
6 0 
15 0 
9 0 
9 0 
0 9 
3 0 
16 2 0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. d. s. 
6 0tol2 
3 
15 
42 
21 
2 
12 
18 
18 
21 
18 
d. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 
Hyacinths, per dozen.. .. 
Lily of the Talley, per pot 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
Myrtles, dozen. 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Poinsettias, per dozen 
Solanum, per dozen .. .. 
Tulips, dozen pots .. .. 
d. s. d. 
6 to 7 0 
10 0 
9 0 
2 0 
9 0 
9 0 
21 0 
6 0 
15 0 
12 0 
9 0 
AGRICULTURE IN 1891. 
The complete agricultural returns issued in the first week^ of 
this month possess more than ordinary interest, as showing 
certain important changes in the agricultural situation to which it 
is desirable to call attention. Whether or not the changes may be 
generally regarded as progressiTe is doubtful, but it cannot be 
denied that they certainly betoken recognition by tillers of the 
land that the days of high prices for corn are gone never to 
return. Profitable corn-growing is known to be still possible in 
this country under conditions unknown to farmers twenty years 
ago. Then corn was so dear that plenty of labourers and horses 
could be employed profitably ; now it is so cheap that the area of 
