Jnne 25,1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
523 
the other, containing a delicious, white, sweet, siibacid pulp, and a large 
somewhat obovate brownish seed. The Chinese preserve the fruit during 
winter by drying it in the same way as Prunes, and they use it in their 
tea, to which it communicates its fine subacid flavour, which is preferred 
to the sweetness of sugar. In the dried state they have of late years 
been imported to this country ; and although they are necessarily in¬ 
ferior to the fresh fruit, still they preserve much richness of flavour. 
The Li-tchi is cultivated extensively in the southern provinces of China, 
and the northern provinces of Cochin China, as it is impatient of either 
too much heat or too much cold ; and the fruit is produced in the greatest 
perfection in the provinces of Fo-ki-en, Quan-tong, and Quan-si. Sup¬ 
plies of the fruit are packed in tin cases with spirits and honey, and 
transported to Pekin for the Emperor’s use ; and even the trees them¬ 
selves are conveyed thither ; being sent off when in flower, the fruit is 
generally ripe on arrival at Pekin. When eaten to excess, the Li-tchi is 
said to create an eruption over the whole body. Cultivated in this 
country the plant requires a stove temperature, or it will grow in a warm 
conservatory. A sandy fairly substantial loam is required with good 
drainage, and plenty of water when the plant is growing. 
Weevils on Vines (6^. R.'). —There are several weevils that 
are hurtful to Vines. The most injurious and prevalent species on 
Vines are the clay-coloured Vine weevil (0. picipes), pitch brown, 
sometimes approaching clay yellow, upper surface tubercled, minutely 
scaled grey or yellow, length one-third of an inch ; the black Vine 
weevil (0. sulcatus), dark brown or black, with tufts of grey hairs 
on the wing cases, a little longer than the preceding ; and 0. ligustici, 
black, with greyish scales. The beetles feed on buds, young shoots, and 
leaves. Rhynchites betuleti, blue shining green combined, one-third to 
half an inch long ; the females make conical habitations for the larvie 
by rolling the leaves together, which should be removed and burnt. The 
beetles also are injurious by gnawing the young leaves for their own 
food. All the species have similar habits. The beetles conceal them¬ 
selves* by day in holes in walls, under loose mortar, and in the soil. 
They come out at night to feed, and as they must creep up the Vines or 
crawl over walls remedial measures may take the form of preventing 
their gaining access to the Vines. This may be effected by drawing a 
line of sticky material, as softsoap, Davidson’s composition, or Wilson’s 
sticky oil, on paper around the stems to prevent injury to the bark, 
making a similar line around the walls. This, however, is not very 
effective, as the black Vine weevil travels over sticky bands, and gas tar 
is not safe to use in vineries. All points considered the Ijest plan is 
capture. The beetles fall very readily oS their food plants when these 
are shaken, or when a light is introduced into their vicinity. Cloths or 
newspapers should be laid on the borders, floors, and stages before dark, 
and after dark proceed with a lantern to shake the Vines, and the fallen 
beetles can be swept up or collected in the sheets or paper, and be 
destroyed in boiling water ; or they may be shaken into rough trays of 
w’ood, tarred inside. This repeated a few times will effect a clearance of 
the beetles, but the larvm remain in the soil, and will in due course turn 
into beetles and repeat the injury. Dressings of quicklime and soot, 
1 peck each per square rod, are useful ; but we prefer superphosphate of 
lime and nitrate of potash, say 2 to 3 lbs. the former, and half a pound 
to 1 lb. the latter per square rod, alternating the dressings with nitrate 
of soda, giving the latter when the Vines are bursting into leaf, and at 
intervals of about six weeks up to the fruit stoning, and half a pound 
each time per square rod. Apply the superphosphate when the buds of 
the Vines begin to swell, again when the Grapes have been thinned, and 
when they begin to show colour. The two first dressings will help the 
current crop, and the latter the buds for next year’s crop as well as 
proving inimical to the larvje. Thorough cleanliness is a great point, 
therefore have all holes in the brickwork filled up with good mortar or 
cement, remove all loose mortar, and have the walls thoroughly white- 
w^ashed at the proper time, the border duly freed of the loose surface 
soil and a fresh surfacing given, making all clean and orderly. 
ITames 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. 
(6’. H. H .').—Spirrea hypericifolia. (T. i?.).—Viburnum Lantana. 
(-V.)—The Orchid is Dendrobium fimbriatum oculatum; it is neither 
very scarce nor valuable, and there are several others of similar colour. 
{T, W. G.'). —The Cypripedium Lawrenceanum is a fairly good variety, 
but not unusual. The numbers were detached from the other specimens. 
The light flower is Dendrobium japonicum, the other was not recog¬ 
nisable. (A’. Z.).—The flowers were packed in cotton wool, and arrived 
in a shrivelled condition, also no numbers were attached. One appears 
to be Odontoglossum Sanderianum, the other Odontoglossum cordatum. 
(^Inquirer'). —1, Polypodium aureum ; 2, Adiantum pedatum; 3, Adiantum 
assimile ; 4, Insufficient; 5, Iris virginica. (Z.).—Clematis montana. 
Hives and Bees (^l)iquirer ').—Your name and address are requi¬ 
site, not for publication, but for the purpose of you receiving a reply 
that will be useful. 
Young- and Brone-breeding Queen (Z McK, B .').—As the 
queen did not arrive we cannot say positively whether she was young or 
old, but as she was a drone breeder was in all likelihood an unfertilised 
one. After bees are supplied with eggs and larvre ten days is sufficient 
for the evolution of a queen if larvae is chosen six days old from the 
laying of the egg. Sixteen days is the time necessary for the developing 
and evolution of the queen from the laying of the egg—three days 
in the egg, fully four in the larval state, and eight in the sealed cell. 
You did quite right in removing the queen. A good queen cannot be 
determined by appearance, not until proven or by dissection. It is 
cheering to hear of your good success with filled frames and supers. Here 
it is warm, but so droughty that bees get very little from the few flowers 
in bloom. In fact so parched is the country that unless rain come 
speedily there will be no honey, and but poor crops of most things. 
COVBNT GARDEN MARKET.— June 24th. 
Basineaa brisker, -with good supplies, 
■which are lower. 
Prices generally unaltered, excepting Peaches, 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples, Tasmanian, case 
6 
0 to 14 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 to 9 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Peaches, per doz. 
3 
0 
n 
0 
Kentish Cobs. 
40 
0 
50 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Lemons, case.. 
15 
0 
20 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
1 
6 
5 
(> 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. c!. 
Asparagus, per bundle 
0 
6 
to 2 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet 
0 
8 
to 0 
10 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
6 
0 
6 
6 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen., .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt . 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Celery, bn udle .. .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
3 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. ., 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers, doz . 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Scorzonera,bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen ,. .. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs, bunch .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. ,, 
6 
0 
6 
0 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
0 
10 
1 
0 
Lettuce, dozen . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Turnips, Wnch .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
4 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS 
. 
Orchid Blooms very good, rather plentiful. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
to 6 
0 
Mimosa (French), per 
Azalea, doz. sprays .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunch.. 
1 
3 to 1 
6 
Bluebells, dozen bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Myosotis, dozen hunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Narciss (double white) 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
dozen bunches .. .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Cornflower, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pffionies, dozen bunches 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Pansies, dozen hunches.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gardenias, per doz. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 hunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Gladiolus (white), dozen 
„ scarlet, 12 bnehs 
3 
0 
6 
0 
bu aches. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Pink (various) doz. hobs. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Iris. (Various) doz. bobs. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
PrimuIa(double)12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum, doz. hunches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac (English) per 
Ranunculus, doz. bnohs. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bunch . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
„ (French') per bunch 
5 
0 
6 
0 
„ fmixed), per doz... 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
„ Red (English) per 
blooms. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
dozen blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium (various) dozen 
„ Red, 12 his. (Fnoh.) 
1 
0 
2 
0 
blooms. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
„ TeUow, dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
hunches. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Spirasa, per bmich .. .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Sweet Peas, doz. bunches 
3 
0 
G 
0 
hunches. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Sweet Sultan, doz. bnehs. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Wallflower, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. a. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 
6 
0 to IS 
0 
Geraniums, Ivy, per doz. 
4 
0 to 6 
0 
Arbor Vitffl (golden) doz. 
8 
0 
8 
0 
Heliotrope, per doz. .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Arum Lilies, per doz. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Hydrangeas, per doz. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Begonias (various), per 
Lilium longiflorum, per 
dozen . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
dozen . 
18 
0 
80 
0 
Calceolarias, per dozen .. 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Lobelia, per doz . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Cineraria, per doz . 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Coleus (various), per doz. 
3 
0 
9 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 
24 
0 
42 
0 
Musk, per doz . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ viridis, dozen . . 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Erica, various, dozen 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var., each. . .. 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Enonymns, var., dozen . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 
6 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, per 
Fairy Roses, per doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
dozen . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Saxifraga -DYramldalis, per 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 
1 
6 
7 
0 
doz.12 
0 
11 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Spirsea, per doz. 
8 
0 
12 
u 
Fuchsia, per doz. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Stocks, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Genista, per doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Tropeeolums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Bedding plants (in variety) in boxes, from Is. to 3s.; in pots, per doz.. Is. to 28 
SMALL FARMS. 
There is something very tempting about the mere mention of 
a small farm, for does it not give rise to visions of peace and 
plenty, of ease, quiet, and contentment, of pure air, and pure food, 
most of which is grown on the farm ? Milk, cream, butter, eggs, 
poultry, delicious little porkers, home-cured hams and bacon, 
pigeon pies, and what not, all ai'e forthcoming from the farm, 
together with home-made bread from home-grown Wheat. Truly 
the picture is a tempting one, all the tnore so because it appears to 
