December 1, 18S2. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
495 
Diseased Parsnips (B. II.). —The specimens are cankered in 
much the same way as occurs in the roots of Parsley, also Carrots, and 
many other umbelliferous plants. The want of certain mineral soil con¬ 
stituents, or an excess of others, will produce the gangrene. Wet gaining 
access to the internal tissues enlarges the ulcers, because a fungus 
accompanies the decay and “ eats up ” the contents of the ruptured cells, 
leaving the attacked portion of the root brown and black on the surface. 
The tissues of the attacked part of the root are permeated by a mass of 
mycelium, evidently that of Protomyces macroporus, but there are no 
“ fruits” of that or any fungus on the specimens, which may be due to 
the care taken in washing the roots and so obliterating the traces. The 
rains alone are sufficient to account for the abnormal condition of the 
Parsnip roots, as the prolonged and excessive moisture would tend to 
greater alkalinity, especially in the richer and lower portions of the 
ground, and so cause the ulcers on the skin and the spread of the 
gangrene. Wild Parsnips are subject to a similar ailment, also Hem¬ 
locks, which often have the roots much gangrened and black from the 
devastation of fungi. There is no remedy for the diseased roots, and the 
only preventive is to trench the ground, so as to bury the spores of fungi 
that rest in the upper layer. A change of ground is also beneficial, and 
a dressing of lime or gypsum would correct the soil’s alkalinity. 
Trapa bicornis (Binningham). — You appear to think the 
managers of the Birmingham Show make a mistake in admitting articles 
for sale that are not appropriate with its objects. We have often noticed 
show rooms resemble bazaars, and the public after paying for admittance 
being tempted to buy curios and novelties of various kinds. What you 
send is not a bulb, and perhaps the vendors who had such a brisk sale 
for the curiosity described it in ignorance of its real nature. Trapa 
bicornis is a Chinese water plant, introduced to this country in 1790. 
The name Trapa is an abridgement of calcitrapa, the Latin name of a 
dangerous instrument called caltrops, furnished with four spines, which 
was formerly used in war to impede the progress of cavalry. T. natans 
is a curious aquatic with long brown and green roots and floating leaves, 
with petioles inflated into a tumour, as in the marine Alg®. The seed is 
larger than the kernel of the Filbert, with two cotyledons, one large, and 
the other very small, and not increasing in size during the germination. 
Hence Gasrtner considers this plant like the Ne'lumbium, as in a sort of 
middle state between the Monocotyledon® and Dicotyledon®. The 
nuts are farinaceous, and are esteemed as nourishing and pectoral. The 
skin with the spines being removed, there is a white sweet kernel within, 
somewhat like a Chestnut. They are sold in the market at Venice under 
the name of Jesuits’ Nuts. They are also much eaten in Switzerland and 
the south of France. Some of the canals at Versailles are covered with 
the plant; and Neill informs us (Hort. Tour.) that the nuts are some¬ 
times served up like Chestnuts. Pliny says that the Thracians made 
them into bread ; and Thunberg states that the seeds of Trapa 
bicornis are commonly put into broth in Japan. In this country the 
plant is generally kept in a cistern in the stove, and so treated was 
fruited by A. B. Lambert, Esq., in 1815, and specimens of the fruit sent 
to the Horticultural Society. T. bicornis is cultivated by the Chinese in 
marshes, and the nuts are used as food. 
The Cobham Apple (J. T., Fifeshire). —The Apple that has been 
forwarded to us from your manse garden is the true Cobham. We say 
“ true ” because we have seen Apples so named that were not, but 
Blenheim Pippins. You rightly consider your Apple “ one of the finest 
grown.” It is indeed a valuable Apple, and we are pleased to see the 
good bright specimen from the north. We cite what Dr. Hogg says 
about this Apple in the Fruit Manual: —“Fruit large, ovate, hand¬ 
somely and regularly formed. Skin clear yellow, tinged with greenish 
patches, and strewed with dark dots ; on the side next the sun it is 
marked with a few faint streaks of crimson. Eye large and open, like 
that of the Blenheim Pippin, and set in a wide and plaited basin. 
Stalk short, deeply inserted in a round cavity, which is lined with rough 
russet. Flesh yellowish, tender, crisp, sugary, and juicy, with a rich 
and excellent flavour. A very valuable Apple, either for the dessert or 
culinary purposes ; it is in use from November to March. This variety 
has all the properties of the Blenheim Pippin, and is much superior to 
it, keeps longer, and has the great advantage of being an early and 
abundant bearer. I met with this excellent Apple in the neighbourhood 
of Sittingbourne, in Kent, about the year 1842. The account I received 
of it was, that the original tree grew in the garden of a cottager of the 
name of Pope, at Cellar Hill, in the parish of Linstead, near Sitting- 
bourne. It was highly prized by its owner, to whom the crop afforded 
a little income, and many were the unsuccessful applications of his 
neighbours for grafts of what became generally known as Pope’s Apple. 
The proprietor of Pope’s cottage built a row of other dwellings adjoining, 
in the gardens of which there were no fruit trees, and, for the sake of 
uniformity, he cut down Pope’s Apple tree, notwithstanding the offer 
of 20s. a year more rent to spare it. The tree, being condemned, was 
cut down in 1846, at which period it was between fifty and sixty years 
old. The name of Cobham was given to it by Kirke, the nurseryman at 
Brompton.” It may be added that Mr. Fairbeard, the raiser of the 
Champion of England Pea, obtained grafts from the old tree that was 
cut down, and thus secured the variety. You will not err by increasing 
the number of trees by establishing grafts on young stocks. This variety 
differs from Beauty of Hants, which is also a good Apple, and the trees 
bear well in a young state. 
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. (N. Cutter ').—1, Beurrh Bose ; 2, Marie Louise; 3, Winter 
Nelis ; 4, Glou Morpeau ; 5, Not known, worthless ; 6, Knight’s Monarch. 
(A. M. 31.). —1, Comte de Flandres ; 2, New Hawthornden ; 3, Cats- 
head ; 4, Cobham. (Herbert).— 1, General Todleben ;3, Spanish Warden ; 
4, Golden Noble ; 5, Lord Suffield ; 2 and 6, Probably continental 
varieties, and of little value in this country. (F. J, G.). —1, Nec Plus 
Meuris; 2, Worthless ; 3, Swan’s Egg; 4, Probably Louise Bonne ; 5, 
Not in condition to be named ; 6, Blenheim Pippin. Your specimens 
are very inferior. [(Henry Jones), —Pitmaston Golden Wreath is the 
conical Apple and Aromatic Russet the round one. (C. II.). —Man- 
nington’s Pearmain. (J. II.).— 1, Cox’s Pomona ; 2, Kentish Fillbasket ; 
3, Possibly a highly coloured Prince Albert; 4, Hoary Morning. (J. J, 
Craven).— 1, Brown BeuriA ; 2, Not known. Graft the tree with a 
better variety. (J. H., Sussex).—I, Sussex Peach ; 2, Not known ; 
probably local ; of no value. 
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. 
(J. .R.). —1, Begonia, probably ricinifolia ; 2, Specimen insufficient, must 
have flowers ; 3, Dictyogramma japonica; 4, Adiantum cuneatum 
grandiceps; 5, Lastrea setigerum; 6, Arabis alpinus variegatus. 
(W. E.). —1, Polystichum aculeatum lobatum ; 2, Lastrea filix mas; 
3, Polystichum angulare ; 4, Lastrea propinqua ; 5, Polystichum angulare 
incisum ; 6, Lastrea filix mas cristatum. (3Iay). —Cupressus, probably 
Lawsoniana (no particulars of habit given) ; 2, Euonymus europmus 
(Spindle Tree) ; 3, Begonia nitida ; 4, Jasminum nudiflorum ; 5, Wood- 
wardia fadicans ; 6, Appears to be a Goniophlebium. Your questions 
will be attended to. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —November 30th. 
Trade slow, good supplies with no alteration in prices. 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
0 
6 
to 0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 0 
2 to 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
l 
0 
0 
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 
Ooleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, buudle.1 
0 
1 
s 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Seakale, per basket, .. .. 3 
Shallots, per lb.0 
0 
0 
0 
Herbs, bunch .. ,. .. 
0 
3 
0 
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 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples, half sieve .. .. 
1 
0 to 3 
6 
Lemons, case .15 
Oranges, per 109 .. .. 4 
0 to 35 
0 
,, Nova Scotia, per 
barrel. 
0 
9 
0 
12 
0 
17 
0 
Peaches, per dozen .. .. 0 
0 
0 
0 
Cobbs, Kent, per 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
100 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 3 
0 
6 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE FRIGES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
3 
0 
to 6 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
3 
0 to 12 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
bunches . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
blooms . 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Poinsettia, per bloom 
0 
4 
0 
9 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
Primula (double) 12 sprays 
0 
6 
0 
9 
bunches , . 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Pyrethrum doz. bunches .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Eucharis, dozen. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Roses (.French), per doz. .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
,, ., boxes, 100. 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Hyacinth Roman, 12 sprays 
0 
9 
1 
0 
„ (indoor), dozen 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Lilac, white, French, per 
„ Red, per doz. blooms.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunch . 
4 
6 
6 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilium longiflorum 12 
„ Yellow, dozen .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
blooms . 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
4 
0 
9 
Lilium (var.) doz. blooms 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Violets, Parme, French, per 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
5 
0 
10 
0 
bunch . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, doz. bchs. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Violets, Czar, French, per 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bunch . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Violets, Victoria, French, 
Mimosa, French, per bunch 
1 
0 
1 
6 
dozen bunches .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) dozen 
6 
Oto 12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 1 
6 to 10 
6 
Begonia, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each.. 2 
0 
10 
0 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Heliotrope, per dozen .. 6 
0 
9 
0 
„ large plants, each 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 3 
0 
4 
0 
Cupressus, large plants.each 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 6 
0 
12 
0 
Dracama terminalis. dozen 
13 
0 
42 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 6 
0 
12 
0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen.6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonvmus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 1 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
21 
0 
,, (specimens) .. ..21 
0 
63 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 6 
0 
9 
0 
„ (small) per hundred 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Primula, single, doz. pots 4 
0 
6 
0 
Solanums, per dozen .. .. 9 
0 
12 
0 
