February 23, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
165 
IVIoss on Iiawn —As the soil is of a somewhat clayey 
nature, it would be much benefited by a dressing of lime applied in a 
freshly slaked state ; it would destroy the moss and improve the soil, 
though it may brown the grass more or less. Little browning, however, 
would occur if the lime was slaked off the ground, and when cool dis¬ 
tributed evenly by hand at the rate of a peck per square rod, the lime 
having been passed through a sieve with ^-inch mesh to rid it of stones. 
Air-slaked lime, that is, freshly burned lime, placed in a shed so that air 
can act upon it freely, and when fallen to a powder may be used as 
before advised. Another plan is to take equal parts of air-slaked or 
freshly slaked lime, wood ashes from twigs as hedge clipping or “ draw¬ 
ings” of brick ovens, and soot, all perfectly dry, mix, and apply at the 
rate of a peck per rod. This is one of the best manures for lawns, and 
equally good against moss and worms. It is best applied early in 
spring, say Februaiy or March. Lawn sand is used to destroy Daisies and 
other weeds. It must be applied in strict accordance with the instruc¬ 
tions ; it generally browns the grass, but this soon recovers and grows 
vigorously afterwards. 
Carnations Dying- (^Mrs. Savory'), —We are sorry for the misfor¬ 
tune that has befallen your plants. As you say the specimen sent is one 
of the best we are obliged to advise you to burn every one of them. 
They are devoured by a fungus (Helminthosporium), and every vestige 
should be burnt for destroying all the spores possible. It is stated in the 
“ Carnation Manual ” (Cassell & Co.) that Mr. Charles Blick, gardener 
to Martin Smith, Esq., banished the fungus by persistently sponging the 
plants with a weak solution of Gishurst compound, but this would be 
long before the attack was so deeply rooted as in your p’ants. Sulphur 
has no effect in destroying the fungus, but precipitated carbonate of 
copper and ammonia solution might prove a deterrent, as it is against 
fungus on Tomatoes. We are not aware that precipitated copper 
carbonate is kept in stock by chemists, and it is best to manufacture it at 
home. Procure 3 lbs. of copper sulphate, and dissolve it in hot water in 
a tab. In another vessel dissolve 3J lbs. of washing soda in hot water. 
When cool pour the soda solution slowly into the copper solution, then 
add water until the tub is full. Stir the solution thoroughly and let it 
■stand twenty-four hours, then syphon off the clear liquid and add fresh 
water. Stir again and allow the solution to stand twenty-four hours, 
syphon off the clear liquid as before, then remove and dry the sediment, 
which is carbonate of copper. The half of a petroleum cask answers 
very well for precipitating the copper, and a syphon is easily formed of 
half-inch garden hose. There will be 1 to 1^ lb. of copper carbonate. 
The liquid ammonia, strength 26°, may be procured of any chemist. 
Where there is little use for an instrument to apply fungicides and 
insecticides a syringe specially made for spraying answers very well. 
As a syringe “ Stott’s ” is efficient for spraying. A close damp atmo¬ 
sphere favours the growth of the fungus. 
Pruning- “ Malden ” Trees (^J. JB.). — Maiden trees of one 
season’s growth have only one stem. For forming bushes this should be 
cut down to within a foot from the ground, and three or four branches 
encouraged equi-distant, and as nearly uniform in strength as possible. 
In the autumn, after the leaves fall, these branches should be cut back 
to about a foot, and the tree will then form sufficient branches for a 
good foundation and a free open bush for bearing. These main branches 
should be more, rather than less, than a foot apart, and the tips of the 
branches only shortened in the interest of symmetry and uniformity. 
The side growths issuing from these main branches may be shortened in 
summer—say in June—to six good leaves, and any further growths 
pinched to one leaf, these summer-pruned shoots to be cut back to 
about an inch of the base in winter. When the branches of trees are 
very wide apart, and the summer growths not so strong as to crowd the 
trees, early summer pruning is not required. Some of the most fruitful 
trees we know have the main branches 2 feet asunder. They have 
never been shortened, except about twice after planting ; and they are 
only pruned once a year—in the autumn. The heavy crops of fruit keep 
the growth in subjection. These are not pigmy trees, but large and 
very real fruit producers. Naturally formed bush trees are the easiest 
of all to magage, and if the growth is too exuberant in the third year 
it is an excellent plan to carefully dig up and replant the trees. The 
simple method of forming ordinary open bush trees applies to all 
kinds, but Pears, Plums, and Cherries are often grown as pyramids, and 
then a central leader must be secured to a stake, and side branches at 
the same time encouraged, not less than a foot apart, and the lower ones 
longer than those above t’nem. You have done right in planting 
“ high ” in your strong soil, and in a few years replanting will probably 
be found highly advantageous in fruit production. If fruit buds form 
at the extreme ends of branches, those ends must be cut back to the 
smaller growth buds if further extension is desired. “ Seedling Apple ” 
stocks are “ free ” stocks, and in growth more resemble the character 
of the Crab than the more precocious Paradise stock. They will 
probably answer in your soil, especially if the trees are replanted, 
should undue luxuriance render this desirable in the course of two to 
four years. The chief desiderata in fruit culture are surface roots, firm 
yet stout wood, the branches so thinly disposed that the sun can shine 
between them right through the trees, and cleanliness. Secure these 
essentials and you will have plenty of blossom buds, to be followed by 
crops of fruit, birds and weather permitting. 
Stock for Plums (W. E.). —The Damson, White Pear Plum, 
Bt. Julien, and Mussel stocks are all used for Plums. Damson and 
White Pear Plum may be termed dwarfing stocks, and as such only 
suitable for garden trees—half-standards, bushes, pyramids, cordons, 
espaliers, and strong-growing varieties which it is desirable to dwarf. 
Except in free, rich soils, neither is good for the very prolific kinds of 
Plums as standards on grass, they simply bearing themselves to death. 
St. Julien is, perhaps, the best stock for the Early Rivers, as well as 
others (where the ground is kept bare, as in market gardens, and the 
soil is rather strong and not deeply cultivated), on account of its 
fibrous root formation. For standards, especially for orchards in grass, 
the Mussel stock answers well, and that we advise for your purpose. 
The Sloe stocks, so-called, are very little used by nurserymen. The 
Blackthorn or Sloe (Prunus spinosa) makes a dwarfing stock very liable 
to push infinite suckers ; the Bullace (P. instititia) forms a better stock 
for dwarfing purposes, yet it throws up suckers much more freely than 
the common or wild Plum (P. domestica), all merely sub-species of 
Prunus communis, which is found wild here and there throughout 
Europe and North Africa. The Sloe, however, is confined to Europe, 
but the Bullace, according to Hooker, extends to North Africa and the 
Himalaya. It would be better to procure some Mussel stocks, as no 
reliance can be placed on the Blackthorn. The large, round, red Plum, 
which comes into use with Rivers’ Prolific, or soon after, may be Early 
Orleans. It is a favourite in the London markets, but the tree is not 
a great cropper, and requires a warm strong soil. A far more profitable 
Plum is the Czar, which is nearly as early as Rivers’ Prolific, round, 
purplish red, and carries a fine bloom. The tree is a very free grower, 
of upright habit, and produces its fruit in clusters profusely. Sultan 
may be termed an improved Prince of Wales, the tree being, unlike that 
variety, a free grower, and not liable to collapse suddenly when it gains 
a good size. Goliath is also a purplish red Plum, second early, and a 
heavy cropper ; but it is addicted to dying suddenly, like Prince of 
Wales, when the tree becomes of profitable size. Emperor is later, has 
roundish-oval, large, Orleans-like fruit, the tree being vigorous, and pro¬ 
duces fruit abundant. This is an old variety, known in North Wales as 
Denbigh, where it succeeds admirably, but is known as Cox’s Emperor 
generally. Rivers’ Monarch is a valuable late Plum that will force 
itself into popularity. 
Thames of Plants (^6. E ). —1, Ornithogalum nutans. 2, Specimen 
damaged, kindly send another and give particulars as to the habit of the 
plant. (^E. (S'.).—Dendrobium speciosum, probably var. Hilli, 
CO VENT GARDEN MARKET.— February 22nd. 
No alteration. Market steady, -with prices firm. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples, half sieve .. .. 
1 
0 to 3 
6 
Lemons, case . 
10 
Oto 15 
0 
„ Nova Scotia, per 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
barrel. 
12 
0 
17 
0 
Peaches, per dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cobbs, Kent, per 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
125 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each ,, 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
0 
6 
3 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
0 
6 
to 1 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
to 0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
1 
0 
u 
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 
5 
0 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
8 
0 
12 
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. 
3 
0 
3 
6 
Lettuce, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d 
Arbor Vitse (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 
2 
© to 10 
0 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Genista, per dozen 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Hyacinths, dozen pots 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Azalea, per dozen .. .. 
24 
0 
42 
0 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
Cineraria, per dozen .. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
pots. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Cupressus, large plants,each 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Cyclamen, dozen pots 
9 
0 
18 
c 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
lli 
0 
Dracaena terminalis. dozen 18 
0 
42 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var.. each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonvmus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
,, (specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Primula, single, doz. pots 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Solanums per dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns (small) per hundred 
6 
0 
8 
6 
Tulips, dozen pots .. .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 
1 
6 
7 
6 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—OUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Biooms in variety. 
Anemones (French), dozen 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
bunches. 
2 
0 
to 6 
0 
Mimosa, French, per bunch 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Narciss, var., French, dozen 
Azalea, dozen sprays.. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches . 
Bouvardias, bunch ., ,. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
Camellias, doz. blooms ,, 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bimches 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
bunches. 
bunches . 
Daffodils, double, dozen 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Primroses, dozen bunches 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
bunches. 
Daffodils, single, dozen 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Roses (French), per doz. .. 
,, „ boxes, 109. 
bunches. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ (indoor), dozen 
Eucharis, dozen. 
Gardenias, per dozen 
Hyacinth, Roman, 12 sprays 
Lilac, white, French, per 
bunch . 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
biooms . 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
sprays . 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches. 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
6 0 
3 0 
6 0 
12 0 
1 0 
5 0 
12 0 
1 6 
9 0 
G 0 
„ -- 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
Snowdrops, dozen bunches 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms., 
Tulips, dozen blooms 
Violets, Parme, French, per 
bunch . 
Violets, Czar, French, per 
bunch . 
Violets, Victoria, French, 
dozen bunchei ,. .. 
d. s. d. 
0 to 6 0 
0 16 
0 6 0 
0 12 6 
0 12 0 
0 
0 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
G 
9 0 
3 0 
1 0 
6 0 
8 0 
4 U 
9 0 
3 0 
6 0 
2 6 
1 6 
2 0 
2 0 3 0 
1 6 
1 6 
2 6 
