August 4, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
113 
being scalded to the extent of 40 per cent. It is a serious loss, and all 
the more deplorable as timely attention to the ventilation would have 
prevented the mischief. 
FiJmy Ferns and Water Lilies (21 2?.).—The answer to your 
inquiry has been unavoidably delayed. Six good Hymenophyllums are 
H. ciliatum, a native of the West Indies ; C. aemissum and C. dilatatum 
of New Zealand ; H. flabellatum, Tasmania ; H. hirtellum, Jamaica ; H. 
pulcherrimum, New Zealand ; H. unilateral, Scotland ; and H. tun- 
bridgense, found at Tunbridge Wells. The following Trichomanes are 
good—T. angustatum, West Indies ; T. radicans (the Killarney Fern), 
T. reniforme, New Zealand ; T. achillemfolium, [Borneo ; T. alatum, 
Jamaica; T. anceps, Trinidad; T. fimbriatum, a climbing species, 
West Indies ; T. rigidum, West Indies and other places ; T. scandens, 
West Indies ; T. Yollingeri, Java. Amongst Todeas the best are 
T. hymenophylloides and T. Fraseri, New Zealand; T. Wilkesiana, 
Fiji Islands ; and T. intermedia, New Zealand. Of Water Lilies you 
oould not do better than grow Nymphasa alba and the common 
yellow form. N. odorata (sweet scented) is also hardy ; white, tinged 
with red. This is very much like N. alba, and there is another form 
tinged with pink named rosea. N. pygmaea is fragrant, white, but a 
small species. N. tuberosa is faintly scented ; flowers 4 to 7 inches 
across, and much after the style of N. alba and N. odorata. The first is 
a native of North America, the second Northern Asia, and the third 
the North-Eastern United States. We do not know where you could 
■obtain the Nymphasas, but Filmy Ferns can be obtained from 
advertisers. 
Ferns for Rockery (A. J. 2b).—The following Ferns you will 
find suitable: — Athyriums coronatum, corymbiferum, diffusum, 
Fieldiae, grandiceps, multi ceps, multifidum plumosum, Pritchardi and 
Victorias ; Blechnums Spicant, crispum, multifurcatum and imbricato- 
erectum. Cystopteris Dickieana; Lastreas cristata, abbreviata cristata, 
grandiceps, furcans, and Bollandiae ; Lycopodium alpinum ; Osmundas 
regalis and cristata, Polypodiums, Dryopteris bifidum, and cristatum ; 
Polystichums corymbiferum, cristatum, curtum, grandiceps, Haleanae, 
plumosum, proliferum, Wollastoni; Scolopendriums bimarginatum, con¬ 
tractual, corymbiferum, glomeratum, flabellatum, lacinatum, bimar¬ 
ginatum, multifidum, reniforme, and irregulare. You could plant 
amongst these not only Auriculas, but Primroses of different kinds, 
Snowdrops, Scilla siberica, and hardy Primulas of sorts. If not too shady 
varieties of Iris germanica and Liliums would do well. Small-leaved 
Ivies such as Caenwoodiana, planted amongst the Ferns, would soon give 
the whole a natural appearance. We do not advise you to place amongst 
the stones old tree roots ; they soon decay and afterwards spoil the 
appearance of the whole arrangement. 
The Fixation of Nitrogen ( Student ).—You should read an 
interesting article on this subject in the “ Journal of the Boyal Agricul¬ 
tural Society ” for December, 1891, signed J. B. Lawes and J. H. Gilbert. 
We make a short extract :—The results of this new series of experiments, 
taken together with those of the quantitative series, serve further to 
show that there is intimate connection between the gain of nitrogen by 
Leguminosas and the development of nodules on their roots. The 
alternative explanations of the fixation of free nitrogen seem to be—1, 
That, under the conditions of the symbiosis, the plant is enabled to fix 
the free nitrogen of the atmosphere by its leaves. 2, That the nodule- 
organisms become distributed within the soil, and there fix free nitrogen ; 
the resulting nitrogenous compounds becoming available as a source of 
nitrogen to the roots of the higher plant. 3, That free nitrogen is fixed 
in the course of the development of the organisms within the nodules, 
and that the resulting nitrogenous compounds are absorbed and utilised 
by the host. It certainly seems to us that the balance of the evidence 
at present at command is much in favour of the third mode of explana¬ 
tion. Indeed, there seems little or nothing in the facts to lead to the 
conclusion that under the influence of the symbiosis the higher plant 
itself is enabled to fix the free nitrogen of the air by its leaves. Nor 
does the evidence point to the conclusion that the nodule-bacteria 
become distributed through the soil and there fix free nitrogen, the 
compounds of nitrogen there produced being taken up by the higher 
plant. It seems more consistent, both with the experimental results, 
and with general views, to suppose that the nodule-bacteria fix free 
nitrogen within the higher plant, and that the nitrogenous compounds 
produced are absorbed and utilised by the plant. In other words, there 
does not seem to be any evidence that the higher chlorophyllous plant 
itself fixes free nitrogen, or that the fixation takes place within the soil ; 
but it is much more probable that the lower organisms fix the free 
nitrogen. If this should eventually be established we have to recognise 
a new power of living organisms—that of assimilating an elementary 
substance. But this would only be an extension of the fact that lower 
organisms are capable of performing assimilation work which the higher 
cannot accomplish ; whilst it would be a further instance of lower 
organisms serving the higher. Finally, it may here be observed that 
Loew has suggested that the vegetable cell, with its active protoplasm, if 
in an alkaline condition, may fix free nitrogen with the formation of 
ammonium nitrite. 
Names 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 suflicing for that. Only six 
specimens can be named at once, and any beyond that number cannot 
be preserved. (N. J .').—The Apple is Early Red Margaret. 
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 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. 
(G. J. 2?.),—The Fern is Adiantum Waltoni if in full growth the fronds 
attain about feet in length, including stalks, but A. temulum if 
the fronds are not more than 15 inches long, including the stalks. 
A. Waltoni is a garden hybrid raised among A. eemulum, of which 
Brazilian species it seems to be a gigantic form. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August 3rd. 
Heavy supplies now to hand of sieve fruit, realising fair prices. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
a. 
Apples, Tasmanian, case 
2 
6 
to 5 
0 
Lemons, case . 
19 
0 to 15 
0 
Cherries, per half sieve .. 
2 
6 
7 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Currants, Red, half sieve.. 
3 
0 
3 
6 
Peaches, per dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
8 
0 
„ Black, half sieve.. 
4 
9 
5 
3 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
3 
0 
G 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Strawberries, per lb. 
0 
3 
1 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
0 
3 
to 0 
4 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 to 0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
l 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
s 
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 
6 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
6 
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 
3 
0 
4 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
s. 
d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
to 4 0 
Maidenhair Fern, doz. bchs. 
4 
0 
to 6 
0 
Asters, French, bunch 
0 
6 
1 0 
Myosotis or Forget-me-not, 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 0 
dozen bunches. 
o 
0 
3 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
0 
6 
2 0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
i 
0 
3 
0 
Carnations, Malmaison, 12 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
2 
0 
8 
0 
blooms . 
1 
6 
S 0 
Pansies, dozen bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Carnations, dozen bunches 
4 
0 
6 0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Cornflower, dozen bunches 
1 
6 
3 0 
„ scarlet, 12 bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Eschscholtzia, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
3 0 
Pinks, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Eucharis, dozen. 
2 
0 
4 0 
Poppies (var.), doz. bunch 
1 
6 
6 
Fuchsias, per bunch .. 
0 
6 
1 0 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Gypsophilas, French, 
„ (outdoor), doz. bunch. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
large bunch . 
0 
9 
1 0 
„ Red, per doz. blooms.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gypsophilas, English, 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
small bunch. 
0 
3 
6 0 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
Stocks, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
blooms . 
2 
0 
4 0 
Sweet Sultan, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lilium (var.) dozen 
Sweet Peas, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
blooms . 
0 
6 
2 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
4 0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 0 
Lobelia, per dozen 
3 
0 
to 6 
0 
Begonia, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Calceolarias, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
6 0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cupressus, large plants,each 
2 
0 
5 0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
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 
Euonvrn us, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 0 
„ (specimens) .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
2 
6 
4 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 0 
„ per dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ (small) per hundred 
8 
0 
12 0 
Rhodanthes, per dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. 
1 
6 
5 0 
Trailing plants (various), 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 
2 
0 
10 0 
per dozen. 
3 
0 
9 
0 
Fuchsia, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
8 0 
Tropaeolum or Nasturtiums 
Geraniums, Ivy. 
4 
0 
6 0 
per dozen. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Hydrangea, per dozen 
9 
0 
15 0 
ARABLE OR PASTURE? 
Not difficult to answer is the question which this week forms 
the title of our article, to those who “ watch the times,” and pay 
heedful regard to home requirements, which are a safe basis for 
