June 8, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
469 
Foxglove and other plants with irregular monopetalous corollas, as in 
Linaria vulgaris var. Peloria, are not uncommon. In the Foxglove you 
have sent, the corolla has become greatly enlarged and split into 
spreading segments, attractively spotted. A very handsome flower of 
the same character was illustrated in the JoiLrnal of Horticulture of 
August 6th, 1891, page 121. We have seen numbers of such flowers 
periodically during the last thirty years, but varying somewhat in size, 
form, and marking. They are floral curiosities, and some of them of a 
distinctly pleasing character. The precise cause of such changes has 
not been revealed. 
Thrlps on Vines (i2. M. Rl ).—No greater mistake can be made 
than to allow these insects to increase till Vines are seriously infested 
before resorting to repressive measures in earnest. Early attacks are 
visible enough to watchful eyes, and if the first few leaves affected are 
sponged with a solution of softsoap and tobacco water a horde of insects 
may be prevented. Fumigation will destroy thrips and not injure Vines 
or Grapes if tobacco or the best tobacco paper be used. Campbell’s 
rolls, McDougalTs sheets, and Lethorion cones have all been found satis¬ 
factory. The smoke must be cool, two or three moderate fumigations on 
consecutive nights being safer than one dense volume of smoke. The 
fumigations must be repeated in a week. If the insects reach the 
berries and footstalks the crop of Grapes will be spoiled. As you only 
allude to one house we should make a determined effort to sponge every 
leaf, stem, and stalk. We have known a couple of men set to work at 
6 P.M., continue till dark, commence again at 4 A.M.. and thus banish 
the pest and save a house of Grapes from ruin. The men were in 
earnest, and succeeded in their object as earnest men are apt to do. We 
have known not only crops of Grapes spoiled but Vines ruined by inva¬ 
sions of thrips that drained them of their juices—evils which might 
have been prevented by quick perception, prompt action, and stern 
resolution to conquer the invader. 
Weevils on Pear Shoots and Hut Iieaves (.7. Hiarti ).—The 
green weevils are Rhynchites betuleti, which are very abundant this 
year on Hazel, but they prefer Hornbeam, and among garden trees Pears 
and Vines. The females form conical habitations for the larvae out of one 
or more leaves rolled together, and caused to wither by their stalks being 
partly gnawed through ; the larvae are full fed by the time the part has 
fallen off, when they crawl into the earth and become pupae, and finally 
the weevils emerge, generally in the following spring. The best remedy 
is to capture the weevils by shaking the trees over cloths, promptly 
collecting the weevils and placing them in a pail smeared inside with 
gas tar, or containing a mixture of softsoap and petroleum, giving a 
smart “whip” with a birch switch. The curled up withered leaves 
should be removed and burned. Syringing or spraying the trees with 
a petroleum and softsoap mixture, say J lb. softsoap dissolved in a 
gallon of boiling water, adding a wineglassful of petroleum, and churn¬ 
ing with a force pump five minutes ; or place in a 2 gallon stone bottle, 
move up and down or to and fro a similar time, then add 3 gallons of 
hot water and mix thoroughly, using as a spray or through a fine rose 
syringe when cool enough (90° to 100°). Spraying with Paris green is also 
effectual, but it must be used weak over trees with hairy leaves, such as 
Nuts. Pears will stand a mixture of 1 oz. to 20 gallons of water. 
Gloxinias Falling- (J. H. H).—A great deal depends on the 
provision afforded for growing these plants, and on this point you give 
no indication. The plant you send has had its growth arrested, and the 
variety is inferior. There may, as you suggest, have been some eiror in 
watering, or the position may not have been suitable. We doubt if this 
particular plant had been overwatered. If it was transferred from a 
small pot to a larger there is the possibility of the soil having been 
rather too dry at the time of shifting, but we cannot be certain about 
this; in fact, in the absence of any information about the treatment 
accorded it is as difficult to indicate the precise cause of an evil in 
plants, as it is for a doctor to determine the seat of disease without 
knowing anything about his patient. Gloxinias do not thrive on a dry 
open stage, but require a humid atmosphere till in flower. They like a 
close damp base and a genial temperature of 60° to 75° when growing, 
but corms will start into growth in a temperature of 55°. They object 
to full exposure to hot sun, and frequent syringings are not good for 
them. They will not make free progress if either too wet or too dry 
when shifted, nor if insufficiently or excessively watered afterwards. 
All the plants do not require water at the same time. When the soil is 
at all pasty to the touch it is wet enough ; only when it is sufficiently 
dry to crumble should water be given, and then it ought to be supplied 
copiously. Light surface sprinklings are delusive and dangerous, for if 
the soil is dry towards the bottom of the pots and wet on the top the 
plants must fail. They should be examined for watering twice a day. 
The soil must be suitable. We have known serious plant failures this 
year through too much chemical manure having been mixed with the 
compost. In a suitable house few plants are more easy to grow than 
Gloxinias, and not many are more beautiful when the varieties are 
good and as well grown as Sir William Pink’s, described on page 455. 
You will there find a suitable soil mixture. Mr. Hunt attributes much 
of his success to the non-removal of the old soil from the corms ; but 
some persons have not succeeded so well as he has when trying that 
plan, and he -vv'ould not fail if he abandoned it, though he would be 
foolish to do so. It is only wise to change methods that do not prove 
satisfactory, and some persons attain their object in one way, some in 
another. Another point worth mentioning is this—plants from some 
strains of Gloxinias are “miffy,” andean only be made to grow freely 
by experts who have the best means at command, while plants from a 
different strain grow like Cabbages if a fair chance is afforded them. 
Again, we have to remember that a fungoid disease attacks many plants, 
but those of a robust character, through inherent vigour and good 
culture, are the least likely to be affected. You would perhaps do well 
to raise a fresh stock from seed if you have the requisite convenience, 
or purchase good corms in the spring ; they are inexpensive. 
Anlsantlius splendens (6'. A’.).—This is a greenhouse Iridaceous 
plant from the Cape of Good Hope, and is usually increased by offsets. 
Sow the seeds in pots, pans, or boxes of soil composed of sand, loam, and 
peat in equal parts, to be watered well before sowing, and the seed 
covered its own thickness with fine soil, and then with squares of glass. 
A shaded position in a frame would be suitable, as the soil would not 
dry so rapidly as in a sunny house, and it must be kept constantly 
moist. When the seedlings appear remove the glass and assign them a 
position where they can have sun and air. When large enough they 
can be transplanted in other boxes, and eventually be placed singly in 
pots. A frame is a suitable place for growing them in summer, and 
they can be wintered in a greenhouse. 
Hames 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. 
(^F.H.K .').—Cape Spurge, Euphorbia Lathyris. (^E. SI). —Lselia pur- 
purata. (7’. F.). —Orchid, Brassia verrucosa, poor form ; yellow flower. 
Acacia cultriformis ; basket plant, Saxifraga sarmentosa ; Fern, As- 
plenium lucidum. (A. R.). —1 and 2, Forms of Saxifraga MacNabiana ; 
3, S. melliana ; 4, S. hypnoides var. ; 5, Specimen insufficient; 6, S. cunei- 
folia. (J. L .).—Eriophorum polystachyum (Cotton Grass). (J, W. L,), 
—Bignonia lactiflora. (IF. H .).—We do not know a plant “ commonly 
called Rose Noble.” Possibly some of our readers may be able to give 
you its botanical name. 
COVENT GARDEN MA.RKET.— 7th. 
Heavy supplies of all kinds reicliing us, and readily cleared at slightly reduced 
rates. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
Apples, half sieve .. .. 
0 
0 to 0 
0 
Lemons, case .. .. .. 
10 
0 to 13 
0 
„ Tasmanian,per case 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Oranges, per 10J ., .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
,, Nova Scotia, per 
Peaches, per doz. 
3 
0 
12 
0 
barrel. 
12 
0 
ir 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Grapes per lb. 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Strawberries, per lb. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Asparagus, per bundle .. 
1 
6 
to 4 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
to 0 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Onions, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
5 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Carrots, bunch. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Celery, bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
„ new . 
5 
0 
1) 
0 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Cucumbers, dozen . • .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. ., 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Seakale, per basket .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
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 
4 
0 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Souvardias, bunch .. 
Calceolaria, dozen bunches 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
Carnations, dozen bunches 
Cornflower, dozen bunches. 
Eucharis, dozen. 
3-ardenias, per dozen 
[ris, various, doz. bunches 
Liilac, white, French, per 
bunch . 
hilium candidum, dozen 
blooms . 
Cilium longiflornm 12 
blooms . 
Cily of Valley, doz. bunches 
Haidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches. 
darg-uerites, 12 b-unches .. 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRIOES.—OUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety, 
s. d. s. d 
1 6 to 3 0 
0 6 10 
4 0 6 0 
10 3 0 
3 0 6 0 
2 0 3 0 
3 0 4 0 
10 3 0 
6 0 12 0 
3 0 5 0 
0 6 10 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 . 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 3 
Myosotis, dozen bunches .. 1 
Harciss. var., French, dozen 
bunches .1 
Orchids, per dozen blcoms 3 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 6 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
buuches.3 
d. s. d. 
0 to 6 0 
6 3 0 
0 4 0 
0 12 6 
0 9 0 
Pinks, dozen bunches 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
Pyrethrum, dozen buuches 
Roses (French), per doz. .. 
„ (indoor), dozen 
„ Red. doz. bunches .. 
„ Tea, wi ite, dozen .. 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
S pinna, dozen bunches .. 
Sweet Sultan, doz. bunches 
Tutcroms, 12 bloom-.. . • 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
8 0 
2 0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor Vitm (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Lilium Harr'ssi, psr dozen 
12 
0 to 24 
0 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Lobelia, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ly( opodiiims. per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Maiguer.te D iisy. dozen ., 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Calceolaria, per dozen 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Miguouette, per doz. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Dracmna terminalis. dozen 18 
0 
42 
0 
Musk, per dozen. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„ viridis, dozen ., 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas, various. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Nastuitiums, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Euonvm us, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, ill 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, per dozen.. 
8 
0 
15 
0 
Ferns (small’i pr r Inndred 
5 
0 
8 
0 
scarlet, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. 
1 
6 
7 
6 
Petunia, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each. , 
2 
0 
10 
0 
„ single, in boxes .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Fuchsia, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Saxifrage . 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Genista, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Spiraea, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Ivy Geraniums . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Bedding plants in variety. 
