March 24, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
281 
Portland cement (which must be fresh) one part, gravel screenings, as 
used for paths, or preferably granite, two parts, and never found it 
flinch in frosty weather. 
Clerodendron Balfourlanum (^H. S .').—For shows late in August 
there is some difSculty in keeping plants back that have been grown and 
subjected to rest early in the previous season. When plants are needed for 
showing late they must be encouraged to grow after flowering early, and 
not compelled to rest too soon. There is a fear of losing this plant if 
kept during the resting period in a lower temperature than 50°. Under 
stove treatment it takes from the time it is started into growth about eight 
weeks to bring it into full flower. Ten weeks are necessary when plants 
are started earlier in the year. If your plant is started about the 
end of the first week in June you may either push it forward or retard 
it as desired, as the temperature and the season, whether bright or the 
reverse, will influence the growth. 
Gas Iilme rresh from Purifiers (Learner ).—The gas lime 
directly after its use as a purifier is a mixture of calcium hydrate 
(slaked lime) and calcium carbonate, with sulphite and sulphide of 
lime. The sulphite and sulphide are animal and vegetable poisons, and 
as such are destructive of parasitic fungi and injurious insects, and are 
largely used on bare ground for that purpose ; but they are both con¬ 
verted into sulphate of lime by exposing the gas lime to the action of 
the atmosphere for some weeks or months. The gypsum (sulphate of 
lime) is a plant food, and the carbonate of lime (the hydrate becoming 
a carbonate) is useful in manufacture of plant food, but has not the 
value of either quicklime or chalk. Gypsum supplies plants with lime 
and sulphur, suiting Brassicas and Leguminous plants, and is usefully 
applied to soils poor in lime. It also absorbs ammonia, and is useful on 
that account where there is likely to be a loss of this valuable volatile 
substance. 
I.awn Infested with Daisies (Doctor ).—If the soil is deficient in 
lime, a sprinkling of that substance in a fresh state would be useful, but 
it must not be hot, or it will temporarily disfigure the lawn, and we 
should apply a mixture of lime, soot, and dry wood ashes, in equal parts, 
at the rate of a peck of the mixture per rod (30J square yards). This will, 
perhaps, brown the lawn a little by killing the moss, but it will encourage 
the growth of the grasses and Clovers and prove bad for the weeds. 
After the first rain it may be well rolled, and as often afterwards as 
desirable to insure a firm bottom. Then you may follow this dressing 
with one of sulphate of ammonia during moist weather not later than 
early June, at the rate of three-quarters pound per square yard, mixing 
it wdth sand to insure its even distribution, or if the soil be light and the 
grass weak use nitrate of soda instead. But we prefer potash or 
ammonia salts for lawns, as nitrate of soda encourages grass at the 
expense of the Clover and a fine swaid. If you write us fully before 
autumn, and state the nature of the soil, we shall be pleased to assist with 
further information. 
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, 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. 
(J. A, II.). —1, Asclenias curassavica ; 2, Appears to be a Melastomaceous 
plant, but the specimen sent was not sufficient for identification. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— MARCH 23ed. 
Market quiet with supplies running short. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Apples, J-sieve. 
1 
0 to 4 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
2 
6 
to 4 
0 
Apples, Canada and Nova 
Lemons, case . 
15 
0 
2) 
0 
Scotia, per barrel .. .. 
12 
0 
25 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. ., 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Cobs, Kent, per 100 lbs. .. 
0 
0 
45 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. ,, 
0 
9 
to 2 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 to 0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
5 
Carrots, bunch. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. ,. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . 
I 
3 
1 
6 
Seakale, per basket .. .. 
1 
6 
1 
9 
Herbs, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel. 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Lettuce, score . 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
0 
0 
4 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arbor Vitse (golden) dozen 
6 
0tol2 
0 
Foliage plant? van, each.. 
2 
Oto 10 
0 
Azalea, per plant .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Genista, per dozen 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Cineraria, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Hyacinths, per dozen.. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Cyclamen, per dozen ., .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Lily of the Valley, per pot 
1 
3 
2 
0 
Daffodils, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, dozen 
24 
0 
42 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Erica various, per dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
1 
0 
21 
0 
. av eiiiaiis. dozen ,. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
10 
6 
63 
0 
Euonv HI u s , var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
G 
0 
24 
0 
Solanum, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Fenns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips, dozen pots .. ., 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Ficus eiastica, each .. .. 
1 
6 
7 
0 
Bedding plants in variety, in boxes, from Is. to 4s. 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms rather scarce in variety. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 to 
5 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
3 
0 
to 4 
0 
Azalea, dozen sprays .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mimosa or Acacia (French) 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
2 
0 
3 
0 
per bunch. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Carnations, Malmaison, 12 
Narciss (French) dozen 
blooms . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunches . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Cineraria, dozen bunches.. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Narciss (various), Scilly 
Cyclamen, dozen blooms .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
dozen bunches. 
O 
0 
4 
0 
Daffodils (double), dozen 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
9 
0 
12 
0 
bunches . 
2 
6 
4 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Daffodils (single),doz. bnch. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Eucharis, dozen. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Euphorbia jacquinieeflora 
„ Red, per doz. blooms.. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
dozen sprays. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Epiphyllum, dozen blooms 
0 
6 
0 
9 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
2 
6 
6 
0 
Freesia, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Snowdrops, dozen bunches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias, per dozen 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. ., 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Hyacinths, dozen spikes .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Tulips, dozen blooms.. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
White Lilac (French) per 
blooms . 
5 
0 
8 
0 
bunch. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium (various) dozen 
Violet Parme, French bchs. 
2 
0 
S 
0 
blooms . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
„ „ small bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
sprays . 
0 
6 
0 
10 
„ English, doz. bunch. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
W allfiowers (foreign), dozen 
bunches . . 
6 
0 
12 
0 
bunches . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
GREEN CROPS. 
That it was a mistake to lay down entire farms to permanent 
pasture has long been in evidence, especially during the prevalence 
of weather extremes, such as the drought of the autumn and 
winter of 1890-91, and the prolonged severity of the winter, 
which, according to the calendar, ends in the third week of the 
present month. Hayricks waste fast under the incessant demands 
made upon them now ; graziers of grass farms are almost at their 
wits’ end to keep stock alive, to say nothing of the maintenance 
of condition. The outlook for them is indeed gloomy ; a late 
spring is now a certainty. Upland pastures are bare, it is only on 
water meadows or sewage farms that there is herbage in anything 
like sufficient quantities for grazing. If good hay had been made 
last season cattle might have made out on a moderate quantity ; as 
it is, they are on short commons of washed-out hay, and are so 
enfeebled that many have died outright from debility and 
exhaustion. It is indeed matter for regret that ensilage makes 
way so slowly among us. It is all very well to term it “ nasty,” 
and to give preference to “a good bit of hay,” hut last year 
it could not be had, a lot of inferior hay being made at four 
or five times the cost of good silage. 
Sheep on grass farms are also low in condition ; the cold wet 
summer and autumn told upon them, the poor herbage resultant 
from such weather was not sufficiently nourishing, ewes especially 
became so enfeebled that lambs come weak, and losses among them 
are heavy. All this points to a fault on grass farms, which urgently 
demands recognition in that best of all forms, an applied remedy. 
The fault is a want of arable land for the growth of sufficient corn 
and straw for feeding purposes and litter, as well as of auxiliary 
green crops. Rye for spring, Tares for spring and summer, 
Lucern from spring till autumn, cattle Cabbage for the last 
three months of the year, followed by Thousand-headed Kale 
from Christmas till the present time, or even later. Dairy farmers 
having an abundant supply of Early Drumhead Cabbage at 
Michaelmas for the cows are rewarded by a milk yield that is 
wonderfully well sustained in comparison with the failing yield 
then had from cows on pasture only. This crop is sown in drills 
in April or early in May, so that it receives no check from trans¬ 
plantation. If transplanting must be done, then sow in a seed bed 
at once, sow also a bed of Late Drumhead at the same time for the 
successional crops. Early sowing of the late large-growing 
