April 7 , 189?. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
269 
vine Iieaves Scorcbed (^W. B .').—The leaves you have sent 
have been scorched with the sun. This not infrequently occurs when 
bright days follow a dull period, unless great attention is paid to venti¬ 
lation. The leaves before us are defective in tissue, and appear as if 
they had been grown in a too confined atmosphere. Possibly your 
method of ventilation is not the best, or the house has been kept closed 
too long in the morning. Early ventilation is of great importance in 
Grape growing. The few roots sent are not healthy. Lime water 
would not do any harm. Either the soil is unsuitable or your manage¬ 
ment faulty ; but you do not say one word about either. If you like 
to write more fully, describing the Vines, soil, and cultural routine, 
we may, perhaps, be able to give you a little useful advice, and shall 
be very pleased to do so if we can. 
Blsbuddlner Vines (BlackrocJi ).—There is no practical ground 
for your fear that by disbudding there will be any scarcity of laterals in 
subsequent years. As a rule there are too many rather than too few 
growths retained on Vines. When laterals are secured in the right 
positions on young canes spurs are formed by winter pruning, and on 
these spurs more buds form than are wanted. If in time the spurs 
become very long, and the best growth from one of them left for bearing 
is distant from the base, then, as Mr. D unkin pointed out in his article 
on page 235 last week, a young shoot may also be retained at the base, 
or as near the main rod as possible, pinching this growth at the second 
or third leaf according as there is room for the development of the 
foliage, then provision is made for shortening the spur and securing a 
strong lateral, as gardeners say, “ nearer home.” Perhaps you had 
better read Mr. Dunkin’s article again, and also read in connection 
with it another, that will soon appear, on stopping and tying the 
laterals of Vines. 
The Date Plum (^Essex ).—Diospyros Lotus is the European Lote 
or Date Plum, and grows wild in countries bordering the Mediterranean. 
It produces fruit of the size of a Cherry, of a yellow colour and a 
sweet astringent taste, and it has been recommended as a cure 
for diarrhoea. D. decandra, a native of Cochin China, bears a large 
berry, of a yellow colour when ripe, with an austere and somewhat sweet 
taste and disagreeable smell; but it is eaten and sold in the markets in 
the northern provinces of Cochin China. The wood, when of sufficient 
age, is of a fine, compact, regular grain, heavy, very white, veined with 
black, and sometimes black at the heart, and is highly esteemed for 
cabinet-work. The fruit of D. psidioides, a native of Peru, is an inch in 
diameter, with an ungrateful smell and an insipid taste. D. Kaki, a 
native of Japan, produces a fruit like a yellow Plum, which the Japanese 
eat to such an extent as sometimes to cause an attack of diarrhcea. It is 
sometimes imported to this country from China as a dried sweatmeat. 
It is preserved in the same manner as the Fig. 
Apple Wheeler’s Russet (J. F. E .').—You ask if this is a 
distinct variety. Our reply is that it is both distinct and good as a late 
dessert Apple. It is described and referred to in the Fruit Manual as 
follows :—“ Fruit medium sized, 2f inches broad, and 2^ inches high ; 
roundish ovate, and somewhat irregular in its outline. Skin entirely 
covered with pale yellowish grey russet, with reddish brown where 
exposed to the sun, strewed with russety freckles. Bye small and 
closed, with short segments, set in a narrow and plaited basin. Stamens 
median, tube funnel-shaped. Stalk from half an inch to an inch long, 
slender, inserted in a round, narrow, and deep cavity. Flesh greenish 
white, firm, juicy, brisk, and sugary, with a rich, vinous, and aromatic 
flavour. Cells ovate, axile, closed. A valuable and highly flavoured 
dessert Apple of the first quality. It is in use from November to April, 
and, as Mr. Lindley says, when ripened and begins to shrivel it is one of 
the best Russets of its season. The tree is a free grower, healthy, and 
hardy, but does not attain above the middle size. It is generally a good 
bearer, and succeeds well in almost any soil, provided it be not too 
moist.” A few days ago Mr. Robert Fenn sent us fruits of this Apple, 
which is his favourite variety at this season of the year, and he knows 
what is good as well as most people. 
Under Gardener’s Duties (JJnder Gardener ').—These vary under 
different circumstances. In some gardens they are clearly defined and 
limited wholly to garden work ; in others a young man may be asked to 
do something occasionally outside the garden. If he refuse obviously 
he must take the consequences. There can be no doubt that as a rule 
the more obliging a young man is and the more willing to do what he 
may be asked, the more his services are appreciated and the better his 
prospects. You were asked, not by the gardener, but by the gentleman 
who paid for your services, to look after a brood of chickens. You 
refused and gave up your situation. Many a young man would have 
done what was asked of him, then, after a time, if he found the situation 
not agreeable woufd have given proper notice to leave. This would have 
been better than refusing to oblige an employer, and forthwith resigning. 
The manner of refusal is also an important factor. It may be done 
courteously or more or less offensively, and as your late employer told 
the nurseryman you were disobliging he would not be likely to ignore 
the intimation. We are inclined to suspect you did not adopt the most 
prudent course under the circumstances. Most of the leading gardeners 
of the day w'ere ready and willing when young to do anything that 
could be reasonably required of them, and the knowledge and experi¬ 
ence they gained on subjects outside their strict gardening duties 
proved of great advantage to them in after life. 
spawning* Mushroom Beds ( Youngster ).—When the heat of a bed 
is declining, and a thermometer with its bulb inserted 2 inches below the 
surface of the bed indicates a temperature of 80°, lumps of spawn may 
be safely inserted ; but not if the temperature of the bed is still rising, 
as it may increase to such a degree as to kill the mycelium. When the 
spawn is inserted it is advisable to cover the bed with litter to prevent 
the surface drying, also the heat of the bed can be kept nearly uniform 
by regulating the thickness of the covering. If a thermometer laid on 
the surface under the litter registers 60° it will be quite right, a degree 
or two above or below that temperature not being material. If the 
manure is in good condition, and the spawn good also, the latter will on 
examination of a lump or two in three or four days to a week after 
insertion be found to be moving, the mycelium spreading and taking 
possession of the surrounding manure. The soil should then be added 
and the beds covered as before to prevent evaporation from the surface. 
If the covering is too thick, and the surface of the bed kept too warm— 
approaching 70°—the spawn will probably soon spread on the surface, 
its presence there in large quantity not indicating a productive and 
long-lasting bed. Warm water is not, as a rule, used by market 
gardeners in watering Mushroom beds, except it is warmed by exposure 
to the sun in tubs or tanks. Under good management they do not 
need watering in cold weather, as if the manure and soil are properly 
moist when used, sufficient moisture can be conserved by the covering 
and damping the litter as may be needed. 
irames 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. 
(H;, Surrey). —1, Insufficient; 2, Adiantum pedatum ; 3, Lycaste 
Harrrisonim ; 4, Selaginella Kraussiana. (A. K.). —3, Rhododendron 
hirsutum ; 4, Asplenium bulbiferum. The other fragments of leaves 
are totally insufficient for identification. (^Subsoriber, Ugbroo'ke). — 
1, Berberis aristata ; 2, a Callitris (?) ; 3, Erica codonodes ; 4, Cephalo- 
taxus Fortunei ; 5, Retinospora, probably plumosa ; 6, Berberis 
Darwini. 
COVBNT GARDEN MARKET.— Apeil 6th, 
Business steady, with supplies, though moderate, quite equal to the demand. 
FETJIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Apples, 4-sieve. 
1 
0 to 4 
0 
Lemoas, case . 
15 
0to2) 
0 
Apples, Canada and Nova 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
u 
9 
0 
Scotia, per barrel .. .. 
12 
0 
25 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Cobs, Kent, per 100 lbs. .. 
0 
0 
45 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
2 
6 
4 
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 
6 
u 
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 . 
1 
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 
AVERAGIB WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
s. d. s. d. 
Lrum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 2 0 to 5 0 
Jouvardias, bunch .. ,.0 6 10 
tarnations, 12 blooms .. 2 0 3 0 
tarnations, Kalmaison, 12 
blooms . 30 60 
tineraria, dozen bunches.. 6 0 9 0 
tyclamen, dozen blooms .. 0 3 0 6 
lafEodils (double), dozen 
bunches . 20 40 
laffodils(single),doz.bnoh. 3 0 6 0 
Ducharis, dozen. 4 0 6 0 
iuphorbia jacquiniaefiora 
dozen sprays. 2 0 3 0 
freesia, dozen bunches .. 2 0 4 0 
xardenias, per dozen .. 3 0 6 0 
lyacinths, dozen spikes .. 3 0 4 0 
liilium longiflorum 12 
blooms . 40 60 
xilium (varions) dozen 
blooms . 20 40 
jily of the Valley, dozen 
sprays . 0 6 0 10 
laidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches .60 90 
PLANTS 
d. s. d. 
0tol2 
rbor Vitae (golden) dozen 
zalea, per plant .. 
ineraria, per dozen .. 
yclamen, per dozen .. 
aflfodils, per dozen .. .. 
racaena ferminalis, dozen 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
rioa various, per dozen .. 
. hvemaiis, dozen .. 
uonym us, var., dozen .. 
vergreeas. in var., dozen 
ems, in variety, dozen .. 
icus elastica, each 
s. 
6 
2 
6 
9 
9 
24 
12 
9 
12 
6 
6 
4 
1 
3 
9 
12 
12 
42 
24 
12 
18 
18 
21 
18 
7 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 3 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 1 
Mimosa or Acacia (French) 
per bunch.1 
Narciss (various), Scilly 
dozen bunches.2 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 6 
„ scarlet, 12 bunches 4 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 1 
„ Red, per doz. blooms.. 3 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 1 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 2 
Snowdrops, dozen bunches 1 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms., .. 1 
Tulips, dozen blooms.. .. 0 
White Lilac (French) per 
bunch.4 
Violet Parme, French bohs. 2 
,, Czar ,, ,, 1 
„ „ small bunches 1 
„ English, doz. bunch. 1 
Wallflowers (foreign), dozen 
bunches .1 
IN POTS. 
s. 
Foliage plants, var., each., 2 
G-enista, per dozen .. .. 6 
Hyacinths, per dozen., .. 6 
Lily of the Valley, per pot 1 
Lycopodiums, per dozen ., 3 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 6 
Myrtles, dozen.6 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 1 
„ (specimens) .. ..21 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 4 
Spiraea, per dozen .. .. 8 
Tulips, dezen pots ,. .. 6 
Bedding Plants in variety in pots and in boxes. 
d. s. d. 
0 to 4 0 
6 3 0 
6 2 0 
0 4 0 
0 9 0 
0 6 0 
6 0 9 
6 3 0 
0 6 0 
0 3 0 
0 6 0 
6 2 0 
0 2 0 
6 1 0 
0 5 0 
0 3 0 
0 2 0 
6 2 0 
0 16 
0 3 0 
d. 8. d. 
0 to 10 0 
0 10 0 
0 9 0 
0 16 
0 4 0 
0 12 0 
0 9 0 
0 21 0 
0 63 0 
0 6 0 
0 12 0 
0 8 0 
