September 21, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
279 
usually found in pots for different sized plants is a safe rule of guidance. 
Planting ont is a labour-saving process in watering—a point of greater 
importance in extensive trade collections than in private establishments. 
The atmospheric conditions of the houses are specially appropriate for 
the well-being of the plants. The best way of raising Orchids from seed 
is to sow all that is found in the pods as resulting from careful fertilisa¬ 
tion. To attempt to separate the weak from the strong grains, as 
revealed by a powerful magnifying glass, would be somewhat too 
tedious. The seed is cast on the sphagnum round established plants, 
and if good, and the essential conditions of moisture and temperature 
maintained, germination follows in due course. The most careful 
skilled attention is needed, transplanting and establishing the seedlings 
being an extremely delicate process. The plants flower in from ten to 
fifteen years after sowing the seed, the majority b ing no better than 
the parents, perhaps worse. Raising Orchids from seed reminds us 
of digging for diamonds—an enormous amount of rubbish has to be 
removed, but now and then a gem of the first water is found, the lucky 
owner rejoicing accordingly in the reward for his enterprize and perse¬ 
verance ; but many diamond searchers are not lucky, and it is the same 
with Orchid raisers, and experts have the best chances of success. 
Slrex glgas (J. Young Eutomol^gut ).—The Sirex gigas is found 
in the north of Europe ; it has been taken in England, but very rarely ; 
it is a British species, and is sometimes taken in Scotland. It is likely 
to be met with in Pine forests, as the female seems to prefer that wood 
to deposit her eggs in. The male is considerably smaller than the female, 
and has no sting. The sting of the female consists of three parts—a 
sheath which divides into two parts or valves, and a fine instrument 
somewhat resembling a needle ; it is with this instrument it wounds its 
enemies, and the sting is said to cause excruciating pain. The microscope 
discovers this part to be beset with a number of very minute teeth, like the 
edge of a saw ; with this sdng the creature can pierce the wood of sound 
trees ; for we suspect it does not always deposit its eggs in such as are 
decayed, but rather in such as will supply the larva with nourishment 
when it is hatched. The eggs are laid in clusters of 200 or 300 together; 
they are of a pale yellow colour, about the thirtieth part of an inch 
in length, and shaped like a weaver’s shuttle. The larva lives in the 
body of the tree, enlarging its habitation as it increases in size, for it 
never leaves the tree till it becomes a winged creature. The larva when 
full grown is about inch in length, and as thick as a goose quill. It 
is a heavy sluggish creature, almost cylindrical, the head very small, and 
the whole of an uniform pellucid yellowish colour. It has a small spine 
at the end of the body like those by which the larva of some spinges are 
distinguished ; this spine is also a striking character in the perfect 
Sirex. In the pupa the form of the winged creature is more visible 
than in the larva state; it is of a browner colour than the larva, and the 
rudiment of the sting and legs are very visible. 
XTamlngr Fruits—A Roundabout Procedure. — A correspon¬ 
dent informs us that he usually sends his Pear problems to a friend, and 
if neither he nor his man can name the fruit, it is at once sent by the 
friend to this office. Our correspondent further states that he does not 
wish to trouble his friend at present, so sends fruit direct to us, with a 
request that we send the names by post. This is an improvement on 
the roundabout way, but we only name fruit through these columns for 
the convenience of regular subscribers, who are the growers of such 
fruit, and not collectors of specimens from non-subscribers. This latter 
procedure is wholly irregular, and we trust that none of our readers will 
allow themselves to be made the mediums in infringing our rules. 
Thames of Fruits. — Notice. —Special attention is directed to the 
following decision, the object of which is to discourage the growth of 
inferior and promote the culture of superior varieties. In consequence 
of the large number of worthless Apples and Pears sent to this office to 
be named., it has been decided to name only specimens and varieties of 
approved merit, and to reject the inferior, which are not worth sending 
or growing. 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. They should he sent on the first indication of change 
towards ripening. Dessert Pears cannot he named in a hard green 
state. (_E. M .')—The clustered fruits are varieties of the Siberian 
Crab, the smaller form with narrow leaves being Pyrus Malus 
prunifolia, and the other P. M. baccata. You are probably right in the 
names of the Apples. (./. C. M !).—We cannot name the Apples. The 
larger ones are essentially faulty, and the others not worthy of names 
or cultivation. {J. E!). — 1, Probably Golden Reinette, but not 
sufficiently matured for positive identification ; 2, Dr. Harvey. The 
Pears were unripe and in a condition which rendered naming them an 
impossibility. (Z). 3/.).—1, Souvenir du Congres ; 2. Williams’ Bon 
ChrStien ; 3, Immature ; 4, Probably Beurrd de Capiaumont, and 
certainly not Van Mons Ebon Leclerc. The Apple is Five-crowned 
Pippin. (/Z. T. //.).—1 and 5, Gathered before ready, consequently 
unrecognisable ; 2, Mbre de Mbnage ; 3, Wyken Pippin ; 4, Small fruit 
of Lane’s Prince Albert. (^B. IF.). —12, Cobbam, a good Apple ; 14, 
Dumelow’s Crab. The others cannot be named ; they are probably 
local kinds, and we do not wish to see any more of them. The 
Crab was quite rotten. If your object is to grow fruit for sale 
increase the varieties which thrive best in your soil, whether 
you can get the names or not. We should be sorry to purchase 
trees of such varieties. {T, S.j. —1, Probably Beurr6 Superfin, 
but the stalk end containing the most characteristic feature of the 
variety was quite rotten; 2, Beurib d’Amanlis. (6*. J.'). —1, Cox’s 
Pomona; 2, Kirke’s Fame; 3, Northern Greening; 4, Nonesuch; 5, 
Sturmer Pippin; 6, probably a small fruit of Court Pendfi Plat. 
(/Z. C.'). —1, Bergamotte Dussart, a Belgian Pear; 2, Duchesse 
d’Augouleme ; 3, Summer Thorn. (jF. B ). —1, 2, and 5, not known, no 
stalks to assist in the identification of the fruits; 3, M^re de Mbnage; 
4, Cellini; 6, probably Loddington Seedling, but no stalk. (Ji E, S.'), 
—1, Cellini. The others cannot be named, not being well grown 
specimens, and all of them have been dragged from the trees too soon. 
(tZ. G. P.'). —Winter Hawthornden. (ZZ. //.).—Apple Ribston Pippin, 
Pear Autumn Bergamot. (J. D j. —1, Beauty of Kent; 2, probably 
local, resembles Tower of Glamis ; 3, Beauty of Hants. (^Knehha ').— 
I, Hollandbury ; 2, the two specimens are very unlike, but bear a general 
resemblance to Dutch Mignonne ; 3 and 4, not known, probably local. 
The Pears were hard, and not ready for naming. Hard Pears. —We 
have several boxes of Pears that it is quite impossible for anyone to 
name with any approach to accuracy. They have been sent weeks, and 
some of them months, too soon for the purpose in question. 
UTames 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. 
(ffiames Boyd'). —We regret that the plant which you have taken such 
creditable pains to describe cannot be identified from the leaves, though 
special endeavours have been made to determine its name. (^H. C. L .).— 
Funkia grandiflora. (Zl. ilZ. B.). —Odontoglossum crispum. (ZZ J.) — 
Brassia Lawrenceana. (Z?. ZZ.).—1, Clematis coccinea ; 2, We kept the 
spray of this in water to enable the buds to open which they failed to 
do, without blooms it cannot be identified ; 3, Oolutea arborescens; 
4, Ceanothns azureus; 5, An Azalea, but must have flowers; 
6, Tropaeolum speciosum. (C. E. B. B.). —Specimen insufficient, pro¬ 
bably Tropaeolum Ball of Fire. (ZZ. A. C .).— 1, Flowers shaken off; most 
likely Pelargonium Scarlet Unique ; 2, P. quercifolium ; 3, Helenium 
pumilum. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. —September 20th. 
Market quiet; prices remaining the same with exception of Gobs, which are finding 
their level at a slight reduction. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
d 
s. 
d. 
Apples, per bushel .. .. 
1 
0 to 6 
0 
Peaches, per doz. 
1 
6 to 8 
0 
Cobs . 
25 
0 
27 
6 
Plums, per half sieve 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Grapes per lb. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Lemons, case . 
10 
0 
15 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
d, 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
0 
3 
to 0 
4 
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 
6 
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 
4 
6 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle ,, .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs, bunch .. .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel. 
8 
0 
0 
0 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Lettuce, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet ,. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
AVERAGE 
WHOLESALE 
PRICES.—OUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Asters (English) doz. bches. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Myosotis, dozen bunches .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
3 
0 
12 
6 
Carnations, dozen bunches 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
bunches .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
bunches. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Chrysanthemums, doz. bis. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Primula (double), dozen 
Cornflower, dozen bunches. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
sprays •. . • .. . • 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Bucharis, dozen. 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Lilium lanoifolium, dozen 
„ Red, doz. bunches .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
blooms . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
2 
u 
Lilium longiflorum,perdoz. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
O 
0 
4 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor Vitie (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns (smalD pf r hundred 
4 
0 to 6 
0 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 
1 
u 
/ 
6 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Asters, dozen pots .. .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Fuchsia, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Balsams, per dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Ivy Geraniums. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Campanula, per dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Lilium lanoifolium per doz. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilium Harrissi, per dozen 
12 
0 
24 
0 
„ large plants, each 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
4 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, per 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen ., 
6 
0 
12 
0 
dozen. 
18 
0 
42 
0 
Mignonette, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena viridis, dozen .. 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonym us, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, in var.. each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
„ (specimens) ., .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
