March 28,1S95. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
Heating- House (A. F.). —A flow and return on each side of the 
house would give sufficient heat for Tomato culture from March to 
November, inclusive, but there is always an advantage in having ample 
piping; therefore the additional flow and return would be advisable, 
and a necessity for winter work. The pipes should be 4-inch, and may 
be arranged as shown in the sketch on page 136, the boiler being at the 
lower end of the structure, and the flow and return pipes on each side 
placed one over the other. The other two pipes may be on the same 
level or nearly so, following the incline of the ground, having an air tap 
at the highest point, or on the upper part of the cross piece, similar 
means being employed on the side pipes, but these should be air pipes 
and always open. 
Packing Fruit (^E. C.). —American Apples are sent to this country 
in barrels, the fruit being firmly pressed down without any packing. 
Each barrel holds about three bushels. Much fruit is sent from Kent 
to London in round, very strongly made, bushel baskets. French Plums 
are sent in deal boxes, differing in size, many being about 2 feet long, 
18 inches wide, and 9 inches deep; but choicer fruits are sent in much 
smaller boxes containing two or three layers of fruit, packed in soft 
paper shavings, the boxes also being lined with paper, the ornamental 
or “ laced ” margin of which is brought very neatly over the fruit, 
giving the boxes a very attractive appearance. Some of the smaller of 
these, a foot in length or less, are extremely tasteful, and not a few 
purchasers consider them worth more than the fruits they contain. 
Black muscat (Hamburgb) Grapes Blackened (/. Jf.).—The 
berries just set are not infested by any parasite, but have the cuticle or 
skin destroyed by some corrosive substance, which appears to be that of 
the fumes of sulphur. It is not necessary for the Grapes to be near the 
pipes, as the fumes pervade the house, and are often more disastrous at 
the top of the structure than near the pipes, as the moisture is greater 
and it takes most effect in consequence. There is a disease to which 
this Grape is liable that causes the berries when just set to turn black 
and drop off. This can be traced to a wet and sodden condition of the 
soil, the Vines having no roots but the thick woody portions, and much 
of these decayed. In that case the malady is internal, the berries black 
or discoloured right through ; but in yours the internal tissues are quite 
healthy, the ovules being fertilised, and even swelling to some extent. 
We therefore consider the fumes of sulphur have produced the mischief, 
which does not arise until the berries are set. Perhaps the roots are not 
in good condition, in which case the mischief would be intensified. 
Toung Cucumber Beaves and Tendrils Turning Yellow 
(F’. W .').—The symptoms you describe are not those of “yellows,” but 
of eelworm or defective root action, but which we cannot say in the 
absence of specimens. We have known the appearance you describe 
follow a check, such as a sudden change from dull and cold to bright 
weather, also a supply of cold water, or an excessive supply of this 
making the soil sodden, with a consequent loss of roots, causing 
the foliage to die back and the growths to become stunted. The 
sulphate of iron is useful against eelworm, which we fear the symptoms 
indicate, and you should use kainit at alternate waterings, not employing 
more than | oz. in a gallon of water, and apply a gallon of such solution 
per square yard with a fine-rose watering can. The turfy loam ought 
to have been disinfected before use, as there is great danger in using 
fresh-cut loam, and the mixing with fresh horse droppings would 
aggravate the evil, while the burnt ashes from a smother heap and the 
old mortar rubble would to some extent counteract it. Possibly by the 
use of the kainit and sulphate of iron you may overcome the eelworm 
before it has taken possession of the plants and commenced breeding, 
when there is no cure. 
Vines Flagging (^E. JB.'). —Having regard to the extreme severity 
of the weather in March, and the consequently cold border, it would 
have been better for the Vines if they had not been started quite so 
soon, or been brought on more slowly. The growths have been sup¬ 
ported by the nutritive matter that was stored in the buds and stems 
last summer, and if this is exhausted before fresh root action commences 
the leaves are bound to flag under the influence of the sun. Maintain 
a somewhat moist atmosphere by damping the house frequently, and 
only provide sufficient heat for sustaining health, not forcing growth. 
Admit no air by the front sashes to dry the atmosphere, and thus 
increase transpiration from the leaves, and on sunny days, when there 
are signs of flagging, sprinkle the glass with limewash with the aid of 
a syringe. By the methods advised we hope you will be able to keep 
the Vines fresh, and in the meantime every day will bring the roots into 
more active operation. The border should receive all the sun possible, 
removing the mulching (if any) to permit this, but casting it on when 
the sun leaves the border to prevent radiation on cold nights. Heavy 
mulchings on Vine borders that need the sun’s warmth may be injurious 
at this season of the year. 
Moles In an Orchard (^Annoyed ').—There is no plan equal to 
trapping, the traps being set in the main runs and in proper form. If 
the traps are properly set in the main runs, which are usually found in 
ditches or by the sides, or on banks where they must cross into the 
enclosure from surrounding land, they are so much concerned about 
feeding on reaching their foraging ground that they rush headlong into 
the traps. There is an art in catching moles, and it consists in a study 
of their habits, and these acquired it is easy to set traps so as to capture 
them. Poisoned worms have been used for the extermination of moles, 
the poison being introduced into the body of the living worm, and that 
dropped in the main run.- The poison used is strychnine, but it is not 
easily introduced to the body of the worm except by experts. Twigs of 
common Elder introduced into the main runs will effectively bar the 
entrance of the moles into the orchard, or even leaves or growing shoots 
of that tree and dwarf Elder have a similar effect. The moles abhor 
both. We have kept them from ploughing up flower beds and raising 
their hillocks on lawns by merely thrusting living (dead are useless) 
pegs or small stakes into the runs where they entered the ground from the 
park and woodland adjoining. 
Preventing- Mildew on Vines (J. B.'). —The Vines, if they 
have not started into growth, may be washed with a 10 per cent, 
solution of sulphate of iron (green vitriol or copperas), applying it to 
the rods with a brush. The walls should be whitewashed, using the 
copperas solution 1 lb. to a gallon of water for mixing with the lime, or 
a good handful of flowers of sulphur may be mixed with each ^ilful of 
limewash. The sulphur will give off some fumes under the action of 
the sun, which are inimical to mildew. The border may also be sprinkled 
with the sulphate of iron solution, a 3-gallon wateringcanful being 
sufficient for 90| square yards. House sewage would not produce 
mildew, but in excessive quantity, and applied cold, might favour its 
development. The blue mould on the cuts indicates a damp atmosphere, 
and possibly this is the only mildew that has infested the Vines. Indeed 
we have a strong suspicion that this so-called saprophyte is a parasitic 
fungus on Vines, as we came across some last year producing growths 
or conidia bearing bypbm from living tissue. It would be advisable to 
keep the Vines rather dry as regards syringing, and use the sulphur on 
the hot-water pipes very carefully, as it may produce rust in the berries, 
which is quite as bad as mildew for spoiling Grapes. 
ZQTames 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 paper is damp. 
(<9. E. W.). — Epidendrum vitellinum, good form. QB. B. J.')- — 
1, Senecio Ghiesbreghti; 2, Cardamine hirsuta ; 3, Helleborus olympicus; 
4, Daphne Mezereum. (JF. 6*.). — Rhododendron fragrantissimum. 
[R. B.'). —1, Odontoglossum luteo-purpureum ; 2, Dendrobium nobile 
nobilius; 3, Cattleya Percivaliana. (H, B. M.'). —1, Doodia caudata ; 
2, Adiantum capillus-Veneris ; 3, Polypodium pedatum. (^Sunbeam'),— 
A, Acacia pulchella ; B, A. Drummondi. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— March 27th. 
Teade and prices remain substantially the same as before. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, per halt sieve 
„ Nova Scotia, per 
barrel. 
Oobs, per 100 lbs. 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. . 
Beet, Red, dozen.. 
Carrots, bunch. 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. . 
Celery, bundle. 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .< 
Endive, dozen . 
Herbs, bunch . 
Leeks, bunch . 
Lettuce, dozen. 
Mushrooms, punnet ,. 
10 
d. 
H. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
6 
to 4 
6 
Grapes, per lb. 
1 
6 
to 3 
6 
Lemons, case .. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
0 
21 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
1. 
d. 
6 
to 2 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
to 0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel .. .. .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
0 
6 
0 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
6 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
5 
0 
5 
0 
Seakale, per basket .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
3 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Tomatoes.per lb. 
0 
2 
0 
6 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
lVBRAGB -WHOLBSALB prices.—out flowers.—O rchid Blooms in variety. 
Lrum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Lzalea, dozen sprays .. . • 
l.sparagus Fern, per bunoh 
louvardias, bunch .. .. 
lamations, 12 blooms 
aaffodils, (dbl.),doz. bchs. 
„ (single), doz. bchs. 
ilucharis, dozen. 
Jardenias, dozen .. .. 
3 cranium, scarlet, doz. 
bunches. 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
Lilium longiflorum, dozen 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches. 
Orchids, dozen blooms .. 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
Primula (double), dozen 
sprays . 
.rbor Vitae (golden) dozen 6 
Lspidistra, dozen .. ..18 
ispidistra, specimen plant 5 
Lzaleas, each .3 
linerarias, per doz- 
lyclamen, dozen .. 
•racaena, various, dozen 
iracsena viridis, dozen 
Irica, various, dozen 
luonymus, var., dozen 
Ivergreens, in var., dozen 6 
erns, in variety, dozen .. 4 
9 
9 
12 
9 
9 
6 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
6 
to 3 
0 
Rosea (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
to 1 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen 
1 
6 
2 
6 
0 
3 
0 
„ -yellow, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ Safrano (English), 
0 
3 
0 
dozen. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
6 
6 
0 
„ (French), yellow, doz. 
0 
6 
0 
blooms. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
0 
6 
0 
„ (French), Red, dozen 
0 
6 
0 
blooms . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Smilax, per bunch .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
8 
0 
Tuberoses. 12 blooms.. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
6 
0 
Violets (English), dozen 
U 
G 
0 
bunches. 
1 
6 
2 
6 
G 
3 
0 
Violets (French), Parme, 
per bunch . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
6 
0 
Violets (French), Czar, per 
6 
12 
0 
bunch . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
u 
9 
0 
Violets (French), Victoria, 
dozen bunches. 
2 
6 
4 
0 
6 
1 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
d. 
fl. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns (small', per hundred 
4 
0 
to 6 
0 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
0 
10 
6 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
6 
4 
0 
Genistas, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
0 
12 
0 
Hyacinths, dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
18 
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 
24 
0 
Primulas, dozen. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
18 
0 
