February o, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
117 
Sulphate of Iron for IVIlxlng' with Sewagre —As you 
will notice the iron sulphate is for mixing with sewage for immediate 
application, and where it is given at frequent intervals. The quantity 
named is quite sufficient for the purposes indicated, as in powerful 
supplies it is highly prejudicial. As a disinfectant it may be used at 
the rate of 1 lb. to a gallon of water for saturating sawdust or similar 
material to take away bad smells. As a surface dressing the iron 
sulphate should be applied carefully and evenly distributed in moist 
weather only, at the rate of a quarter of an ounce per square yard. 
The Winter IVloth (J. N .').—All experiments up to this date have 
failed to destroy the eggs of the winter moth, except by killing trees as 
well, hence it is useless to apply any insecticides for that purpose now. 
Paris green, applied at the end of March or early in April and con¬ 
tinuously as required, will keep the trees clean if the mixture is used as 
has been directed in the Journal of Horticulture. The strawsoniser is 
answering well in some parts of Australia in destroying locusts ; where 
this cannot be used a new engine by Boulton & Paul, with one of Stott’s 
sprayers, will prove extremely useful, in this apparatus it is impossible 
for the Paris green to settle, but is kept in constant suspension by an 
ingenious internal contrivance. The slacked lime and soot you suggest 
are utterly useless for application to destroy the eggs. The winter 
moth is very much to the fore now in some parts, and it is an open 
question when the insects cease depositing eggs. The mixture you 
mention as having been recommended on page 427, of our issue of May 
22nd, 1890, answered well applied in spring for destroying the young 
caterpillars before they do any material damage—not the eggs. 
IVIlxlng Steamed Bone-flour with Stable Drainings {F. S.y 
—The phosphate of lime in steamed bones is more soluble than in raw 
bones. Genuine steamed bones should contain GO per cent, of phosphate 
of lime, and nitrogen equal to 2 per cent, of ammonia. Steamed bone- 
meal or flour decomposes within twelve months of its anplication to the 
soil. The steamed bone-meal, therefore, is not slow in action ; but it is 
made quicker by dissolving, in which form it is a poorer manure than 
genuine dissolved bones. By saturating bone-meal with stable drain¬ 
ings fermentation renders the insoluble constituents soluble, thereby 
becoming available plant foods, hence are more valuable for quick 
returns.* You may use the steamed bone-flour as you propose—viz., 
saturating it with stable drainings, but instead of adding soil to make 
a thick paste use dry wood ashes in about the same proportion as the 
steamed bone-flour. Dried, as it soon would be under cover, it would 
be available for use as guano. If you resolve on using soil let it be clay 
dried and reduced to powder ; but you will not get the same amount of 
ammonia in steamed bone-flour by that process as by fermenting raw 
bones mixed with clay, and watering the mixture with stable drainings. 
Bones fermented in that way contain 49 per cent, of phosphates, and 
the organic matter contains 4 2 per cent, of ammonia. Your second 
letter would have been willingly answered this week if it had been sent 
sooner. 
Camellia Buds Palling (IF. J1 Z?.).—The misfortune is usually 
the result of defective root action, which may be induced by a variety 
of circumstances, the most common cases occurring in plants that are 
placed outdoors after the buds are set. The pots from exposure to sun 
or drying atmospheric influences become heated or much dried, and the 
roots near the sides perish. Sometimes the soil becomes dry, and the 
plants suffer more outdoors on account of the greater evaporation from 
them than under glass. This causes a check, resulting in the buds being 
cast at a later period. A frequent cause of the buds failing is a 
saturated condition of the soil effected by rain during cold wet periods. 
Also placing outdoors causes the buds to be more or less indurated, so 
much so that their sap vessels become contracteJ, and the sap is diverted 
from the bloom to the wood buds, growth extending and buds falling in 
consequence. The sudden change, too, that the plants experience when 
placed under glass in the autumn, especially in a dry house, often causes 
the buds to fall, and to prevent this many gardeners syringe the plants, 
and keep the atmosphere somewhat moist for a time after housing. 
Noxious fumes are very injurious to plants, but they usually first affect 
the tender foliage, and it is likely if they had damaged your Camellias 
they would have cast their leaves as well as the buds. Camellias are 
amongst the best of plants for enduring “ fumes and smoke,” therefore 
we do not think they have caused the buds of your plants to fall as 
suggested. 
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 preserved. (J. A?.).—Mere de M4nage. (G. T.'). — 1, Beurre d’Arem- 
berg ; 2, Easter Beurrd ; 3, Winter Nelis. (J. F. t? ).—1, Old Nonpareil ; 
2, Bess Pool ; 3, Alfriston ; 4, Dumelow’s Seedling ; 5, Northern Green¬ 
ing ; 6, Court of Wick. (A. S. F.). —The Grape is not Alnwick 
Seedling, but Alicante. 
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 s’x specimens can be named at once, 
and the numbers should be visible without untying the ligatures, 
it being often difficult to separata them when the paper is damp. 
(J. «A.).—Yes, they are all Bromeliaceous plants related to the Pine 
Apple. 1 is Tillandsia Lindeni ; 2, Tillandsia usneoides ; 3, Tillandsia 
zebrina ; and 4, Pitcairnia fulgens. (IF. B .').—The Winter Aconite, 
Eranthis hyemalis. (5. M. It.'). —1, Pilea muscosa ; 2, 'fradescantia 
zebrina ; 3, Selaginella apus. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Febeuart 4th. 
Market very quiet, with short supplies, particularly of vegetables. Grapes in goodi 
supply. 
VEGETABLES. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
. . 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel.. .. 
Brussels Sprouts, J sieve 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
. • 
Carrots, bunch ., .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt, .. 
• • 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. 
« . 
Celery, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Salsafy, bundle .. 
. • 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle ,. 
. • 
Cucumbers, doz. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Seakale, per bkt. .. 
. • 
Endive, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. .. 
• • 
Herbs, bunch .. .. ,, 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. 
• « 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
• • 
Lettuce, dozen . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Turnips, bunch .. 
• • 
FRUIT. 
B. 
d. 
R. 
d. 
Apples, J sieve . 
1 
6 
to 6 
0 
Lemons, case .. .. 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Melons, each .. .. 
. . 
Canada, per barrel 
15 
0 
26 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
« . 
Grapes, per lb . 
0 
9 
3 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
Kentish Cobs „ 
45 
0 
50 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
« . 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
Arum Lihes, 12 blooms .. 
A’alea, cloz. sprays .. 
Bouvardias, bunch 
Camellia, white, per doz. 
„ red „ 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
Chrittmas Roses, dozen 
blooms. 
Chrysanthemum, 12 bchs. 
Daffodils, doz. blooms .. 
Epiphyllum, doz. blooms 
Eueharis, dozen .. .. 
Gardenias, each .. .. 
Hyacinths (Roman), doz. 
sprays . 
Lapageria, 12 blooms 
Lilac (Frenchl per bunch 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
blooms. 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
sprays . 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunces. 
d. B. d. 
0 to 4 0 
0 9 
8 0 
1 0 
0 4 
3 0 
3 0 
0 6 
2 0 
4 0 
6 0 
0 9 
4 0 
2 0 
G 0 
2 0 
0 6 
6 0 
5 0 
1 6 
4 0 
6 0 
9 0 
1 6 
9 0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
Mimosa (French), per 
bunch. 
Narciss (Paper - white), 
French, doz. bunches .. 
Do. Do. English, 
per bunch . 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
„ scarlet, 12 bnchs 
Poinsettia, dozen blooms 
Primula(double)12 sprays 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
„ Red, 12 bis. (Fnch.) 
„ Tea, white, dozen,. 
„ TeUow, dozen 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
Tulips, per dozen .. .. 
Violets (Parmel, per bch, 
„ fdark), per boh... 
„ (English), doz.bnch 
Wallflower, doz. bunches 
B. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 6 
Arbor Vitse (golden) doz. 6 
Azalea, per phnt .. .. 2 
Cineraria, per doz.9 
Climbing Plants, various, 
dozen pots.0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 24 
„ viridis, dozen .. 12 
Epiphyllum, per dozen.. 0 
Eiica, various, dozen .. 12 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 6 
Evergreens, in var., do^en 6 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 4 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 1 
Foliage plants, var., each 2 
Genista, per doz.9 
Geraniums Scarlet, p. doz. 0 
Hyacinths, doz. pots .. 8 
PLANTS IN POTS 
d. s. d. 
0 to 12 0 
0 8 0 
0 3 6 
0 11 0 
0 0 
42 0 
24 0 
0 0 
18 0 
18 0 
24 0 
18 0 
7 0 
10 0 
18 0 
0 0 
10 0 
Lilium lancifolium, doz. 
,, longiflorum, doz. 
Lily of the Valley, per pot 
Lobelia, per doz. 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
Musk, per dozen .. .. 
Myrtles, dozen. 
Nasturtiums, dozen pots 
Palm 8, in var., each.. .. 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 
Poinsettia, per doz. 
Rhodanthe, per dozen .. 
Stocks, per doz. 
Tropseolums, various, per 
dozen . 
Tulips, dozen pots .. .. 
B. 
d. 
B. 
a. 
1 
6 
to 2 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
8 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
8 
9 
1 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
4 
0 
0 
2 
0 
3 
1 
u 
1 
u 
1 
6 
0 
0 
2 
0 
2 
6 
0 
3 
0 
0 
5 
0 
6 
0 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
0 
0 
4 
B. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
15 0 to 20 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
9 
u 
2 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
D 
B. 
d. 
B. 
2 
0 
e 
d 
3 
0 
6 
0. 
1 
9 to 2 
0 
9 
0 
5 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
1 
0 
1 
6 
9 
0 
18 
U 
3 
0 
6 
n 
0 
6 
1 
O' 
0 
6 
1 
S' 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
2 
6 
15 
Q 
2 
6 
4 
0 
1 
0 
2 
9 
4 
0 
6 
O' 
2 
0 
3 
s 
1 
0 
2 
Q 
3 
0 
e 
U 
B. 
d. 
p. 
a. 
0 
0 
to O’ 
Q 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0. 
3 
6 
0 
12 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
9 
6 
0 
12 
9 
0 
0 
0 
n 
2 
6 
21 
a 
0 
0 
0 
Q 
9 
0 
15 
U 
0 
0 
0 
f> 
0 
0 
0 
0* 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
9- 
O' 
LIQUID MANURE. 
The general principles which should influence the use- of 
manures are broadly the maintenance of fertility in the soil in such 
a manner that each crop shall be fully nourished from seed 
germination to full development. We strive especially to restore 
to the soil mineral constituents withdrawn from it by recent crops r- 
and also to store it with the nitrogenous food that is so essential an 
element in free robust growth. But it is rather a moot point when 
to apply nitrogen because of its liability to be lost in the waters of 
drainage if used long before there is active root growth in the soil. 
It is for this reason that nitrate of soda is so frequently recom¬ 
mended for a surface dressing, and such advice is sound if due heedi 
