November 17, 1S92. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
451 
Apples in Wet land (Z. F.'). —Your orchard probably needs 
draining. We have seen Bramley’s Seedling Apple free from canker 
when growing in an Osier bed and bearing excellent crops of fine fruits. 
As dessert Apples we have found both King of the Pippins and Wyken 
Pippin to answer as well as any in a damp situation. The last-named 
variety is one of the latest and is very good. 
Arrangement of Peach Trellises (S. J. A.). —In large and lefty 
structures the cross trellis system answers very well, more fruit being had 
probably than in any other way, but the colour is not so good as when 
grown under more direct exposure to sun on the ordinary arched trellis 
and unshaded walls. We have many times stated that Mr. Iggulden’s 
“ Tomato Manual ” can be obtained from this office post free 
for Is. l^d. 
The Silver Tree (Z. B.').— The plant of which you sent a leaf is a 
member of the natural order Proteacese, and is known to botanists as 
Leucadendron argenteum. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, 
where it is known to the Dutch colonists as Witteboom, or Silver Tree, 
a name which it owes to the silvery appearance of the leaves. The plant 
is in cultivation, and may be seen at Kew and in a few other establish¬ 
ments where large collections of old and curious plants are grown. It 
was introduced towards the close of the seventeenth century, so that it 
is by no means a novelty. Leaves are imported for decorative purposes 
with the Cape Everlasting Flowers, and may be frequently seen in 
Covent Garden Market. A figure of the plant was published in the 
“ Botanical Register ” in 1826, but it does not show the peculiar white¬ 
ness of the foliage. 
Upper Branches of Peach Tree Dying (Nemoj. —It is not 
unusual for Peach and Nectarine trees to lose the upper branches where 
the soil is gravelly, through the long-jointed and immature nature of the 
growths. The only remedy is lifting, shortening the long and strong 
roots, and laying them in firm soil near the surface. Tnis should be 
attended to as soon as the leaves are mature and have commenced falling. 
If the soil is very open it would be desirable to supply some stronger 
loam, or preferably clay marl, dried, pounded, and well mixed with 
the soil to a depth of 18 inches. In lifting particular care should be 
taken of the fibry roots, and all should be spread out evenly in the top 
6 or 9 inches of soil, so as to insure surface rootage, and the roots should 
be encouraged to multiply there by light mulchings of short manure, and 
copious watering in dry weather. Make the soil firm so as to induce a 
sturdy thoroughly solidified growth, and it will not die back. 
Alicante Grapes Coated with Honeydew ( Honeydew ). — 
Honeydew is not a disease, and is seldom occasioned by anything but 
insects. Only two or three parasites that we are aware of produce 
honeydew on Grapes. The worst is mealy bug, but we cannot account 
for the Grapes being satisfactory “in the vinery and on the table until 
the foliage begun to ripen.” As you do not know the cause nor the 
cure we cannot assist you to “ an idea ” without particulars or a specimen 
of the Grapes. What little information is given leads us to infer that 
the Vines are attacked by mealy bug. The latter, however, would show 
on the leaves or Grapes before they were ripe, though its secretions 
might not be so pronounced as to render the Grapes not fit for table till 
the foliage was ripening. That we surmise is the case, as this, the most 
loathsome of insect pests, infests the Vine and renders the Grapes useless 
for table. The other most prevalent pest causing honeydew is scale ; it is 
not half so bad as mealy bug, and can only exist where proper measures 
are not taken to prevent its attacks. Yellow thrips also disfigure the 
bunches, but is somewhat uncommon. 
The Use of IVIllfoils (A. M. C.f —The Milfoils contain an essential 
oil and a bitter resinous substance. The Common Milfoil (Achillea 
millefolium) or Yarrow possesses these properties in as great a degree 
as any of the species. It is, as you may have observed, very common 
in pastures and by roadsides in this country, and was long considered as 
a noxious weed ; but of late years it has been recommended in mixtures 
of artificial grasses for permanent pasture. The whole plant is medi¬ 
cinal. Both the flowers and leaves have an agreeable, though feeble, 
aromatic odour, which continues af ;er drying, and a bitter, astringent, 
pungent taste. The aromatic properties are strongest in the flowers, the 
bitter in the leaves. The virtues are owing to a volatile oil, a bitter 
extractive, and tannin. It contains also a peculiar acid, called achilleic 
acid. The oil is obtained by distillation, and is of a beautiful azure 
blue colour, with the peculiar flavour of milfoil. In former times the 
plant was greatly esteemed as a vulnerary, and it is still esteemed as a 
mild aromatic tonic and stimulant. In the province of Dalecarlia, in 
Sweden, the inhabitants use it in the making of beer as a substitute for 
Hops, in order to increase its intoxicating powers. The Scotch High¬ 
landers make an ointment of it, which dries and heals wounds. A. age- 
ratum is the Sweet Maudlin, and grows abundantly in the south of 
Europe. It has a sweet smell and a bitter, aromatic taste ; but though 
at one time regarded as medicinal, it is not now considered to possess 
any properties worthy of notice. Ptarmica vulgaris, or Sneezewort, is 
also a native of Britain, growing in moist meadows, by the sides of 
ditches, and in shady woods. The plant is slightly odorous ; the taste 
of its leaves is feebly aromatic and somewhat acrid, having a resemblance 
to that of Tarragon. Its roots and leaves, dried and reduced to powder, 
are frequently employed, like snuff, to excite sneezing, and its root, 
when bruised, acts on the salivary glands, and has been applied in cases 
of toothache. The young, tender shoots are put into salads to correct 
their coldness. P. nana and P. atrata are substituted for the true genipi, 
which is P. moschata; but all are used by the Swiss mountaineers as tea, 
and the last particularly is esteemed as an excellent sudorific, and as 
furnishing the liqueur Esprit d’lva. 
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 sufficing for that. Only six 
specimens can be named at once, and any beyond that number cannot 
be preserved. (F. Danberry ).—Nos. 2 and 3 are Marie Louise ; 4, un¬ 
developed ; 5, Yellow Ingestrie ; 6, Court of Wick. There are no numbers 
on the others. (Z. J .).—1 and 2, Scarlet Nonpareil; 3, Dumelow’s 
Seedling; 4, Beurrfi Diel. (IF. IF C.~). —1, Beauty of Hants; 3, Old 
Pomeroy ; 4, Hoary Morning ; 5, Clifton Nonesuch ; 6, Adams’ Pearmain. 
QF. J. G.~). —1, Cellini ; 2, Gloria Mundi ; 4, Ribston Pippin. (T. Steven ). 
—You are in error ; we did not name No. 4 Golden Knob. No. 1 now 
sent is Golden Knob ; 2, Cox’s Orange Pippin ; No. 4, Birmingham 
Pippin, The No. 4 sent last week was a Pear, and as such duly named. 
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. 
( Gifford') .—1, Dichor'sandra undata ; 2, Correa alba ; 3, A florist’s 
variety of Coleus ; 4, Sonerila margaritacea ; 5, Ophiopogon Jaburan 
variegatum. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
J. P. Abraham, Colombo, Ceylon.— Tropical Plants , Seeds, Bulbs , fyc. 
Dicksons, Limited, The Nurseries, Chester .—Select Fruits, and Forest 
and Ornamental Trees, fyc. 
Fisher, Son & Sibray, Handsworth Nurseries, Sheffield.— Fruit, 
Forest, and Ornamental Trees, fyc. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET.— November 16th. 
Market quiet, with supplies more than equal to demand. 
FRUIT, 
s. d. s. d. 
Apples, half sieve .. .. 1 0 to 3 6 
,, Nova Scotia, per 
barrel..12 0 17 0 
Cobbs, Kent, per 100 lbs. 0 0 100 0 
Crapes, per lb. 0 6 2 0 
Lemons, case .. .. 
Oranges, per 100 
Peaches, per dozen .. 
St. Michael Pines, each 
8 . 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 0 
Beet, Red, dozen.1 
Carrots, bunch.0 
VEGETABLES, 
s. d. 
to 0 
0 
0 
3 
1 
4 
3 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
Salsafy, bundle .. 
Scorzonera, bundle 
Seakale, per basket 
Spinach, bushel . 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
Celery, bundle . 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
Cucumbers, dozen .. , 
Endive, dozen . 
Herbs, bunch .. .. .. 0 
Leeks, bunch .0 
Lettuce, dozen.0 
Mushrooms, punnet .. .. 0 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES—OUT FLOWERS 
Orchid Blooms in variety, 
s. d. s. d. 
0 to 6 0 
6 0 9 
3 0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
Onions, bunch. 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
0 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
blooms .16 40 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
bunches .60 12 0 
Eucharis, dozen. 3 0 6 0 
Gardenias, per dozen ..2 0 4 0 
Geraniums, scarlet, 12 bchs. 6 0 8 0 
Hyacinth Roman, 12 sprays 0 9 10 
Lilac, white, French, per 
bunch .4 6 6 0 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
blooms . 9 0 12 0 
Lilium (var.) doz. blooms 3 0 5 0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 10 0 12 0 
Maidenhair Fern, doz. bchs. 4 0 6 0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 2 0 4 0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
Mimosa, French, per bunch 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
bunches. 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
Pyrethrum doz. bunches .. 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
„ Red, per doz. blooms.. 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
Tuberoses. 12 blooms.. 
Violets, Parme, French, per 
bunch . 
Violets, Czar, French, per 
bunch . 
Violets, Victoria, French, 
dozen bunches 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
bor Vitas (golden) dozen 
gonia, per dozen .. 
rysanthemums, per doz. 
„ large plants, each 
;pressus, large plants,each _ 
■acsena terminalis, dozen 18 
„ viridis, dozen .. 9 
lonvmus, var., dozen .. 6 
-ergreens. in var., dozen 6 
rns, in variety, dozen .. 4 
; (small) per hundred 6 
d. s. 
0 to 12 
12 
9 
3 
5 
42 
24 
18 
21 
18 
8 
d. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 
Heliotrope, per dozen .. 
Lycopbdiums, per dozen .. 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
Mignonette, per dozen 
Palm3, in var.. each .. 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Solanums, per dozen .. .. 
s. 
d. 
g. 
d. 
15 
Oto 35 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
0 
2 to 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
5 
2 
0 
3 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
5 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
1 
6 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
3 
0 
3 
6 
0 
2 
0 
6 
0 
3 
0 
4 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
3 
0 to 6 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
3 
0 
12 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
6 
0 
9 
3 
0 
6 
0 
0 
9 
2 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
4 
0 
9 
3 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
2 
6 
1 
6 
2 
6 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
1 
6 to 
10 
6 
a 
0 
10 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
1 
0 
15 
0 
21 
0 
63 
0 
6 
0 
9 
u 
9 
0 
12 
0 
