January lO, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
41 
IVIag-grots Injurlngr Ferns (J. Thirty Years' Subscribe?''). —The 
house in which your Ferns are growing is infested with a destructive 
weevil—a brownish beetle-like creature not often seen in the daytime, 
as it feeds in the dark. If with the aid of a light you can catch the 
weevils, by shaking the plants over a white sheet, for better seeing the 
enemy fall, you may then prevent the deposition of eggs which hatch 
out the maggots. Lemon oil is said to destroy them without injury 
to the plants. See also what is said on corrosive sublimate in answer 
to another correspondent. 
Red Spider on Vines (^Subscriber), — Vines that are infested 
with red spider may, after having been pruned and all loose bark 
removed, be washed thoroughly with a solution of softsoap, 4 ozs. to a 
gallon of water. Apply with a brush, reaching well into every crevice 
and angle, being careful not to damage the buds, but wash the rods or 
canes well about the “eyes.” The washing does much good, especially 
if used tolerably hot, but not over 120°. After this the Vines may be 
dressed with Gishurst or other approved insecticides, which, to be safe 
and eflfectual, must be used according to the printed instructions 
accompanying them. 
Potting: Amaryllises (N. S. P.). —The bulbs may either be potted 
now or in February, but if the operation is carried out at the present 
time the soil must not be more than moderately moist, and after potting 
water should be withheld uutil they are started into growth, an indica¬ 
tion that they are becoming active at the roots or fresh ones being 
emitted. The worst possible place for them is the hot-water pipes, as 
the soil will not only become too dry, but be subject to varied heat, 
which is not favourable to a free production of roots, on which the 
future growth in a great measure depends. Place them in the manure- 
heated frame, and keep them without water, the bulbs being potted in 
moderately moist soil, until they are advanced for flowering and pushing 
fresh growth, when they can be gradually withdrawn from the hotbed 
and placed in the house. The steam will not hurt the bulbs, only it 
must not be rank or excessive. 
Berried Solanums (A???ateur). — You had better not cut back 
your plants until April, as you have only a window in which to keep 
them, then by the time fresh growths push the weather may be warm 
enough for their being placed in a very sheltered position outdoors, 
protecting them from frosts which may occur in May, and cutting 
winds. More than half the old soil should be removed from the roots after 
fresh growth starts, repotting flrmly in good turfy loam, a sixth part of 
crumbled manure, and a tenth of wood ashes. The pots may be plunged 
just over their rims in a sunny border for the summer, standing them on 
smaller pots in the ground to prevent worms passing to the roots. They 
must be watered as needed, which will not be half so frequently as if 
the pots were exposed. Clear soot water is good for Solanums when the 
pots are filled with roots. Some persons plant them out towards the 
end of May, lifting carefully, and potting firmly in September, watering 
well, sprinkling the foliage, and letting the plants stand in the shade 
for a time for keeping the leaves fresh and inciting quick root action. 
We have seen fine plants grown in that way, but all persons do not 
succeed alike. You might try both methods, and so gain experience 
that would be useful to you in after years. 
Preventing: Eelworm In Tomatoes — Corrosive Sublimate 
(F. W,). —As you do not find corrosive sublimate solution at a strength 
of 1 oz. to 30 gallons of water in the least injurious to delicate plants in 
pots, such as Adiantums and double Primulas, you may safely use it for 
disinfecting soil intended for Tomatoes at the rate of 1 pint of the 
solution to each superficial foot of soil placed level and 15 inches in 
depth, sprinkling with the solution, and when soaked in mix the soil 
thoroughly, so as to incorporate the whole evenly. If there be a 
suspicion of eelworm in the soil you may use the corrosive sublimate 
solution at double strength, 1 oz. to 15 gallons of water, sprinkling on 
each square foot about 1 pint of the solution, which will impregnate 
the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches if it bo moist (as it should be) at 
the time, and if the whole be turned in the course of a few hours after¬ 
wards, the admixture will be assured. Tomatoes will bear an even 
stronger solution, but it is not wise to apply it, for the nitrifying 
bacteria are certainly retarded, if not destroyed, by the dressing. The 
manure you mention will be a valuable one for Tomatoes, 4 ozs. per 
square yard not being too heavy for a first dressing, and pointing into 
the soil before planting ; afterwards use 2 ozs. per square yard, and 
wash in. 
Peach Tree Buds Falling: (A)txious). —The buds on the shoot 
sent were essentially faulty, and did not contain the rudimentary parts 
of the flower. One of the specimens, examined carefully by the micro¬ 
scope, had no stamens, and in another there were the usual staminate 
parts, but without any trace of the pistillate organs. There was not 
any evidence of parasitic attack from either vegetable or animal micro¬ 
organisms. The cause of the buds falling is this imperfect flower- 
formation in embryo, for what the bud is in that state so will the 
blossom develop, but as the buds are defective they are shed by the tree 
similar to other abortive embryos. It is a very interesting and little 
understood phenomenon, though occurring to a greater or lesser extent 
annually in gardens where Peach and Nectarine trees are grown under 
glass. The soil being moist now will not save the defective buds from 
collapse, as the mischief is caused at a much earlier date—that is, when 
the transformation takes place from a wood to a blossom bud, and 
is one of those things that neither science nor practice can unravel 
satisfactorily. We may say, however, that certain things are known 
to induce perfect bud formation, and their neglect its opposite, the 
chief consideration being a firm and rather strong soil, which lies com¬ 
pactly, promoting a fibry root formation, stout, short-jointed wood, and 
double or triple buds at most joints. The remedy for refractory trees 
is lifting, firm and rather strong loam, with judicious after manage¬ 
ment. That is the course we advise, as the wood is somewhat long-jointed, 
rather sappy, or not well ripened, but this is not the sole cause of the 
buds falling, as over-maturity of the buds is a common cause of many 
failures in early Peach forcing. 
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. 
(/. H.). —Chimonanthus fragrans. (A. B.). —1, Cypripedium insigne, 
very poor form ; 2, Dendrobium cretaceum ; 3, Lselia anceps. 
(B. O. K). —1, Petasites fragrans, the Winter Heliotrope; 2, Zygope- 
talum Mackayi: 3, Catasetum citrinum. (M. S. T.). —1, Dicksonia 
antarctica ; 2, D. squarrosa. The Bouvardia is Alfred Neuner. (Igno- 
ra??ms). —1, Polypodium aureum ; 2, Polystichum aculeatum ; 3, Asple- 
nium diversifolium ; 4, Nephrolepis tuberosa. (Richard), —1, Anthu- 
rium Scherzianum ; 2, Asparagus plumosus. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Peter Barr & Sons, 12, King Street, Co vent G&xdLQn.—'Vegetable a?id 
Floioer Seed Guide, 
George Bunyard & Co., Maidstone.— Descriptive Seed Catalogue, 
Wm. Cuthbertson, Rothesay, N.B.— Seed and Plant List, 
W. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate.— Descriptive Seed Catalogue, 
W. Drummond «k Sons, Stirling.— Seed List, 
Thomas Methven & Sons, Edinburgh.— Catalogue of Garden Seeds. 
Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross.— Seed Catalog?w. 
Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough.— General Seed List. 
Robert Veitch & Sons, Exeter.— Catalogue of Seeds. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 9th. 
Market quiet. Heavy supplies of Grapes still on hand, prices unaltered. 
FRUIT 
f. 
d 
b. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
a. 
d 
Apples, per half sieve 
1 
6 
to 4 
6 
Lemons, case . 10 
0 to 15 
0 
„ Nova Scotia, per 
Peaches, per doz . 0 
0 
0 
0 
barrel. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Plums, half sieve ., .. 0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes, per lb . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each ., 2 
0 
6 
0 
Gobs per 100 lbs . 
21 
0 
23 
0 
Strawberries per lb . 0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
t. 
d 
s. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
1 
0 
to 0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 0 
2 
to 0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel . 3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen . 1 
0 
0 
6 
Oelery, bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per cwt . 2 
0 
4 
0 
Ooleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle . 1 
0 
1 
5 
Oucumbers, dozen .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Seakaie, per basket .. .. 1 
3 
1 
9 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzouera, bundle .. .. 1 
6 
0 
P 
Herbs, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb . 0 
3 
0 
0 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel . 1 
6 
3 
0 
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 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
■OUT FLOWERS. — Orchid Blooms in variety. 
S. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
6 
0 
to 8 
0 
Poinsettia, dozen blooms .. 4 
0 to 6 
U 
Azalea, dozen sprays .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 2 
0 
4 
0 
Asparagus Fern, per bunch 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen ., 0 
6 
1 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch ,. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 0 
6 
2 
0 
Oarnations, 12 blooms 
1 
6 
3 
0 
„ Yellow, dozen ,. .. 2 
0 
3 
0 
Ohrysanthemum3,doz.bchs. 
4 
0 
12 
0 
„ Safrano (English),doz. 1 
3 
2 
0 
„ doz. blooms 
1 
0 
4 
0 
., Mar6chal Nisi, doz... 3 
0 
6 
0 
Eucharis, dozen. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„ (French), ye.low, doz. 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
blooms. 1 
6 
2 
0 
Geranium, scarlet, doz. 
„ (French), Red, dozen 
bunches. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
blooms .2 
0 
2 
s 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Smilax, per bunch .. .. 4 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium' longiflorum, per 
Stephanotis, dozen sprays 4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Tuberoses. 12 blooms.. .. 0 
4 
0 
6 
Marvuerites, 12 bunches .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Violets (English), dozen 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches. 1 
6 
2 
6 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Violets (French), Parme, 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
2 
6 
4 
0 
per bunch .5 
0 
6 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Violets (French), Czar, per 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunch .2 
0 
3 
0 
Primula (double), dozen 
Violets (French), Victoria, 
sprays . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
dozen bunches. 2 
0 
2 
6 
a. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) dozen 6 
Aspidistra, per dozen .. 18 
Aspidistra, specimen ant 5 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 4 
,, large, per doz. 9 
Cyclamen, per dozen .. 9 
Dracaena, various, dozen .. 12 
Dracaena viridis, dozen .. 9 
Erica, various, per dozen .. 9 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 6 
Evergreens, in var,, per 
dozen.8 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0toI8 
0 
0 
36 
0 
(small) per hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
10 
6 
Ficus elastica, each .. ., 
1 
0 
7 
0 
0 
8 
0 
Foliage plant?, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
12 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
0 
30 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, in var.. each .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
0 
18 
0 
„ (.specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Poinsettia, per dozen 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Primulas, per dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
24 
0 
Solanums, per dozen .. .. 
10 
0 
12 
0 
