June 20, 1395. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
555 
advanced condition of the buds, giving them the lightest position 
possible. Primula sinensis alba plena, grown well, affords a quantity of 
flowers for cutting, as also does the Cyclamen persicum vars. of the 
improved strains, which may be raised from seed. Roman Hyacinths 
procured early, potted and grown on, will flower about the new ye it or 
from December, and are amongst the flnest plants for cutting. 
Cinerarias, sowing seed early and growing the plants in frames, give a 
quantity of useful flowers during the winter. Eupatorium riparium is 
very free flowering, plants being rooted early in the spring and grown 
on give a number of sprays. Christmas Roses (Helleborus niger and 
var. maximus) in strong clumps, lifted and potted in early autumn, 
flower finely under glass. There is also Calla (Richardia) sethiopica, 
grown well during the summer and potted up in late summer, flower 
well during the winter. These are some of the most desirable, but their 
winter flowering depends on the good management during the summer 
previous. 
Insects on Pseudo*bulb and Root Stem of Xieella alblda 
(^J, F.'). — The insect on the pseudo-bulb is white scale (Aspidistus 
orchidarum) ; that on the root, stem, and part of pseudo-bulb which has 
been covered by the potting material is the somewhat uncommon 
Orchid-root mealy bug (Dactylopius orchidarum), a singular insect with 
a dirty yellow body, surrounded by a broad white border in divisions, 
with ribs like a fan ; long, somewhat stout antennae, having three pairs 
of legs, rather thick and hairy, and an enormous beak with which to 
bore into the stems. It is just visible to the naked eye, and as seen 
through a pocket magnifier somewhat resembles a small mealy bug. 
It is an interesting but very destructive pest. The best means of 
riddance is to shake the plants out and wash them carefully with hot 
water, but not hotter than the hand can be borne in it half a minute, 
using a brush so as to dislodge the pests, then use an insecticide against 
the scales and mealy bugs, dislodging, and washing again in clean warm 
water. Methylated spirit may also be used, merely moistening a small 
brush with it, and then dressing the affected parts. There is danger of 
injuring the young roots if the methylated spirit contains a large amount 
of spirits of tar, but we have not found any bad consequences follow 
when the spirit was diluted with an equal amount of soft water. By 
either process both insects may be destroyed. Ants do not do any good, 
they feed on the secretion of the other pests, scavenging being the 
measure of their usefulness. 
Tomato Diseases (^^Southampton'). —There is no doubt your plants 
are attacked by two distinct kinds of fungi—a slime fungus, which is 
taken from the soil by the roots, the Potato fungus which is produced by 
spores coming in contact with the leaves under favourable conditions 
for germination. Many Tomato growers have found by costly experience 
that it is necessary to change the soil, in some places every year, in 
others every two years, according to its nature and other circum¬ 
stances. It is also known that one form of disease is communicable 
by seeds in which fungus spores rest. Why one plant should be taken 
before another is as unexplainable as the precise reason why one person 
takes the influenza before another or any other contagious malady. It 
is a question of the fitness of the subject or plant, as the case may be, as 
a “ host.” For practical purposes it is enough to know that your houses 
“ swarm ” with fungus spores, and if the atmospherical conditions, and the 
state of the plants, are favourable for their germination they will germi¬ 
nate, otherwise they will not. This is what all experience teaches both in 
nature, as displayed by outdoor crops, and in cultivation under glass. 
With suitable houses the Potato disease fungus is practically controllable. 
With fungus in the soil the case is more difficult to deal with. As you 
have evidence satisfactory to yourself that the plants you are destroying 
“ have been infected, not from the soil, but from other diseased plants in 
the house,” so much the better, as we should regard it, having the future 
in view, as the lesser of two evils, however great, and much to be 
regretted, the present may be. Your houses will ne^ to be thoroughly 
cleansed and disinfected when they are empty, and it would be 
extremely prudent to remove as much of the soil as you can and bring 
in fresh. If this is moderately fertile and made firm, also the ventilation 
is as it should be for promoting firm growth—“ hard ” stems and leaves, 
we should have small fear of the Phytophthora taking possession of the 
plants. We have just been inspecting Tomato plants in three houses at 
Chiswick. They are quite different in character, as containing far more 
woody tissue, than those you have sent. We have not the slightest fear 
that the Chiswick plants will be invaded by the Potato fungus. They 
are this year grown in pots, but these are only half filled with soil till 
many fruits are set. They are thus “ firm,” short-jointed, and fruitful, 
and not until good crops are swelling is more soil added. Most persons, 
we do not say all, whose plants are smitten with disease grow them too 
luxuriantly and “ soft ” in their early stages. One of the largest 
Tomato growers in England, and who has had profitable crops and no 
disease for twenty years, almost, as many persons think, starves his 
plants till a good set of fruit is swelling, then, and not till then, 
feeding them. Nothing would induce him to change his method, 
because it pays. The formula for making Bordeaux mixture has been 
given again and again. The full strength has been found to injure 
tenderly grown Tomato plants. The strength recommended by Mr. 
Abbey, whose formula you require, will be found on page 282, March 28th 
of the present year. The preparation of carbonate of copper solution is 
given in the same paragraph; anti-blight is also referred to, but neither 
one nor the other can restore plants in which the fungus is so firmly 
established as those which you have sent. We are thoroughly convinced 
that if the advice there given had been followed at the time and subse¬ 
quently, in conjunction with otherwise good cultural management, that 
your plants would not be in the sad condition they are now. Preventive 
measures can alone be effectual in combating successfully fungoid 
enemies that attack Tomatoes and other plants. 
IVames of Plants.—We only undertake to name species of plants, 
not varieties that have originated from seeds 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 naper is damp. 
(J. J. C .).—1, Viburnum Lantana; 2, specimen insufficient; 3, Viburnum 
Opulus. (A. McMillan). —Bouvardia trifolia. (Somerset). —Roses are 
florists’ flowers, that can only be named by comparison in a large 
collection. (B. F.). —1, Veronica buxifolia; 2, Dianthus sylvestris ; 
3, Heuchera sanguinea; 4, Geum miniatum ; 5, Inula glandulosa; 
6, Linaria dalmatica. (R. O.). —1, Cypripedium barbatum ; 2, Oattleya 
gigas ; 3, Epidendrum vitellinum majus. (F. C .).—Specimen insuffi¬ 
cient, send when in flower ; 1, possibly a Cotyledon ; 2, a Crassula. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 19th. 
Heavy supplies of Strawberries from all four counties—Hants, Essex, Middlesex, 
and Kent—to hand, completely glutting our market, and prices have fallen considerably. 
Grapes have suffered in consequence, and are with difficulty cleared. Peaches have been 
in demand, coming short. 
FRUIT. 
1. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples, Nova Scotia, 
per 
Gobs. per 100 lbs. .. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
barrel.. 
10 
Oto 21 
0 
G-rapes, per lb. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
„ Tasmanian, 
per 
Lemons, case .. .. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
case .. *. 
5 
0 
11 
0 
Peaches, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Asparagus, English, 
per 
St. Michael Pines, each 
2 
0 
6 
0 
bundle . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. .. 
• • 
0 
2 
0 
8 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
0 
6 
to 0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 to 0 
u 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel .. .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
s 
Celery, bundle .. .. 
I 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 
0 
4 
0 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers, dozen .. 
• • 
1 
6 
3 
6 
Seakaie, per basket .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen .. .. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera, bimdle .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Herbs, bunch .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Leekn^ bunch -- 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel .• 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lettuce, dozen .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Tomatoes,per lb. .. 
0 
4 
0 
7 
Mushrooms, punnet .. 
• • 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
AYBBAQB WHOLESALE PRIOES.—OUT FLOWERS.—Orchid Blooms in variety. 
8 
d 
8. d. 
s. 
d. 
t. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
3 
0 
to 4 0 
Pansies, various, dozen 
Azalea, dozen sprays .. .. 
0 
6 
1 0 
bunches. 
1 
0 to 2 
0 
Asparagus Pern, per bun oh 
2 
0 
3 0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 
0 
6 
1 0 
Primula(double), doz. spys. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
6 0 
Ranunculus, doz. bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Eucharis, dozen. 
4 
0 
6 0 
Boses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Gardenias, dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 0 
„ Moss (French) per doz. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Geranium, scarlet, doz. 
,, Tea, white, dozen 
1 
6 
2 
s 
bunches. 
6 
0 
8 0 
„ Yellow, dozen (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
4 
0 
4 6 
„ Safrano (English), 
Lilium candidum, dozen 
dozen. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
blooms . 
1 
0 
2 0 
„ Yellow, dozen blooms 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Lilium long iflorum, dozen 
3 
U 
4 0 
„ Red, dozen blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
1 
6 
3 0 
Smilax, per bunch .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Spiraea, dozen bunches .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
banches .. . 
6 
0 
8 0 
Stephanotis, dozen sprays 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Orchids, dozen blooms .. 
1 
6 
12 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
4 
0 
s 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
6. 
d. 
8. d« 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor Vitse (golden) dozen 
6 
Oto 12 0 
Hydrangeas, per dozen .. 
12 
Oto 42 
0 
Aspidistra, dozen .. .. 
18 
0 
36 0 
Lobelia, per dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
5 
0 
10 6 
Lycopodiums, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Calceolaria, per doz. 
6 
0 
9 0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Coleus, per doz. 
6 
0 
9 0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracsena, various, dozen .. 
12 
0 
30 0 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Dracaena viridis, dozen .. 
9 
0 
18 0 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 0 
Pelargoniums, per dozen .. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 0 
„ scarlets, per 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 0 
dozen .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Ferns (small'i per hundred 
4 
0 
6 0 
Rhodanthe, per dozen ,. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ficus elastica. each .. 
1 
0 
7 0 
Roses, per dozen. 
8 
0 
24 
0 
Foliage plants, var. each 
2 
0 
10 0 
Schizanthus, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Geraniums, Ivy, per dozen 
7 
0 
10 0 
Spiraea, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
10 
0 
H eliotrope, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
8 0 
GARDENERS' CHARITABLE AND PROVIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution.— 
Mr. G. J. Ingram, 50, Parliament Street, London, W.C. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
Secretary, Mr. W. CollinB, 9, Martindale Road, Balham, London, S.W. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Yvs-d.—S ecretary, Mr. A. F. Barron, 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, London, W. 
