April 6, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
271 
Tbe Uses of Primula Iioaves (^Novice ).—The following extract 
from “ The Vegetable Kingdom” will corroborate what you have heard 
in regard to the uses of Primula leaves. “ The leaves and root of the 
common Primrose (Primula vulgaris), dried and reduced to powder, cause 
sneezing when snuffed up the nostrils, and the root itself acts as an emetic. 
The fresh roots of the Cowslip or Paigle (P. veris), smelt like Anise and 
Garlic, and are also sternutatory when dried and reduced to powder. They 
contain a bitter substance similar to senega, a little arnathasine, a yellowish 
somewhat concrete essential oil with the odour of fennel, malate and 
phosphate of chalk, pectic acid, and a matter soluble in alcohol. They 
are a popular remedy as a nervine tonic, and applied as a relief for 
pains in the joints. In some countries the leaves are used as a salad 
and pot herb ; and they also serve as food for the silkworm before those 
of the Mulberry have expanded. The flowers are fragrant, and make a 
pleasant wine, which has the flavour of muscadel, and is said to be 
sedative, diaphoretic, and soporific; they have also a rough, bitterish 
taste, with a fine fragrance, which they communicate to water and 
alcohol ; mixed with honey, an agreeable drink is prepared from them 
in Sweden, and in spring large quantities of the flowers are dried and 
kept for future use. Vinous liquors impregnated with them, by tincture 
or maceration, and infusions of them drunk as tea, are supposed to be 
mildly corroborant, antispasmodic and anodyne. Boerhave and 
Linnaeus both asserted that they soothe pain and procure sleep. At 
Samara in Eussia, the young scapes or flower stalks are eaten as an 
antispasmodic. The leaves of the Auricula (P. auricula) are used in 
the Alps as a remedy for coughs.” 
Vine Shoots Blackened (J, J .").—The insect with a large head, 
long body (abdomen), and transparent wings is an Bmpis fly, and 
preys on moths, which it catches while on the wing, and retains in the 
clasp of its long and slender legs, while the proboscis is draining the 
moth of its life blood. The dark brown and comparatively long insect 
is the devil’s coach horse beetle, which feeds on the larvas of various 
ground insects, especially that of the black Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus 
sulcatus). This is your specimen (the smallest and shortest), and the 
cause of the small holes in the Vine leaves. The remedy for this pest is 
to lay sheets beneath the Vines in the daytime, and entering the house 
after dark, with a lantern concealed, shake the Vines sharply, turn on 
the light, and kill the beetles without delay. It may be useful to 
sprinkle the border with finely powdered nitrate of soda, at the rate of 
2 ozs. per square yard, but it must not be used if the roots are very near 
(and active) at the surface. The blackened growths, however, are not 
caused by any of those pests, but are covered with the mycelium of some 
fungus, which has formed a felt-like coat, and completely robbed the 
cells of their contents. It appears to be the brown rot of the Grape 
(Peronospora viticola), yet there is little internal mycelia, and no 
outgrowths whatever, which may be due to the undeveloped condition 
of the leaves. As the mycelium is external you may heat the hot-water 
pipes as hot as possible without making the water boil, then close the 
house, and paint the pipes thinly with sulphur and skim milk, forming 
a thin cream. The fumes will destroy the mycelium and not injure the 
Vines, provided the pipes are only kept hot about an hour, and then 
allowed to gradually cool down to their ordinary temperature. The 
sulphur may remain on the pipes until the Grapes are setting, when it 
would be necessary to wash it off thoroughly, as sulphur fumes are 
likely to cause the berries to rust. 
KTodules on Boots of Frencli Bean (TV. A. S .').—We failed to 
find any eelworms in the nodules, the cells of which are quite healthy, 
perfect in nucleus, and formative granules (protoplasm). They are 
quite normal, the nitric ferments being active, and the micro¬ 
organisms permeating the cellular tissue or individual cells, and thereby 
fixing the nitrogen gathered by the leaves from the atmosphere. It is 
general on leguminous plants ; indeed, it is difficult to find Peas or 
Beans without the nitrogenic nodules, these being different from the 
swellings caused by eelworms, which as a rule do not attack these 
nodules, not even those of Clover and similar plants, though it (Tylen- 
chus devastatrix) fastens on the stems above ground and on the 
decayed portions of the roots. Zonal Pelargoniums do not naturally 
form nitrogenic nodules, and the eelworm that infests them is the same 
as attacks Cucumbers and Tomatoes—viz., Heterodera radicicola, which 
we regret to say was common on outdoor Tomatoes last year. Your 
letter is valuable in that you prove from experience that Chrysanthe¬ 
mums are not affected by the same eelworm that infests Cucumbers and 
Tomatoes. But, unfortunately, Tylenchus devastatrix attacks Chrys¬ 
anthemums, Carnations, and many plants, killing them at the collar or 
blackening their leaves, and T. obtusus is a still worse pest, causing 
clubbing in Wallflowers, Spinach, and Turnips. The eelworms do not 
come in rain ; they cannot live in carbonised water, as that off chalk, 
and they are never disassociated with organic remains. In fact, they 
are animals, and no animal can construct organic out of inorganic sub¬ 
stances. They originate from parents, and these are introduced with 
the soil; more in that containing nitrogenous matter, such as turf and 
manure, than in virgin soil. The only preventive is to sterilise the 
soil—that is, deprive it of living organisms which exist in the vegetable 
remains, or use such mineral substances as will destroy the micro¬ 
organisms and render the nitrogenous elements available as food for 
plants w'ithout passing the digestive canal of eelworm. 
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 
ihould 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. 
(f7. H. H.'). — Phaius Wallichi. (^Somerset). — Gnidia pinifolia. 
(./. D. B .').—Gardenia citriodora. P ).— Cypripedium insigne. 
(Foj'/ii).—1, Aubrietia purpurea ; 2, Helleborus foetidus ; 3, Fritillaria 
imperialis. (X. Y. if.).—1, Saxifraga Wallacei; 2, Fritillaria meleagris. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— April 4th. 
The heliday week has materially crippled trade, common vegetables being 
exceptionally low. Grapes finishing early are still rising. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples, per bushel ., .. 2 
6 
to 9 
0 
Lemons, case ., ,. 
10 
Oto 15 
0 
„ Nova Scotia, per 
Peaches, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
barrel.12 
0 
24 
0 
Plums, per half sieve .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cobs .45 
0 
0 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Grapes per lb.1 
6 
4 
0 
Strawberries per lb. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
B. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Asparagus, per bundle ., 6 
0 to 7 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
to 0 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 0 
6 
1 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen.1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Carrots, bunch.0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Caulifiowers, dozen .. .. 1 
6 
3 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
6 
Celery, bundle .1 
0 
1 
3 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
5 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale, per basket .. .. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Endive, dozen .1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
e 
0 
Herbs, bunch .0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Leeks, bunch .0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Lettuce, dozen.0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet .. .. 0 
9 
1 
0 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—OUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
B. 
d. 
S. 
d 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 1 
6 
to 3 
0 
Narciss, White (French), 
Azalea, dozen sprays.. .. 0 
6 
0 
9 
dozen bunches. 
3 
0 
to 5 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. ,. 0 
6 
1 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Camellias, dozen blooms .. 0 
9 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 1 
6 
3 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Daffodil or Lent Lily .. 1 
6 
2 
0 
Primula (double), dozen 
„ double.1 
0 
2 
0 
sprays . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ single.2 
0 
6 
0 
Primroses, doz. bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Eucharis, dozen.2 
0 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Gardenias, per dozen .. 4 
0 
6 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Hyacinths, dozen spikes .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Hyacinth, Roman, per 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
O 
0 
4 
0 
bunch .1 
6 
2 
0 
Roses (French), per dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac (French) per bunch 2 
6 
4 
0 
Roses, Safrano (English), 
Lilies of the Valley, dozen 
per dozen. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
sprays . 0 
6 
1 
0 
Roses, Mardchal Neil, per 
Liliumlongiaorum,perdoz. 3 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches.4 
0 
6 
0 
Tulips, dozen blooms 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
Violets, Parme (French), 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 3 
0 
6 
0 
per bunch. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Myosotis or Forget-me- 
Violets, Czar (French), per 
nots, dozen bunches .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
bunch . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Narciss, various (French), 
Violets (English), dozen 
dozen bunches.2 
0 
4 
0 
bunches . 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blcoms 1 
0 
9 
0 
Wallflowers, doz. bunches.. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
B. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) dozen 6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each .. 
1 
O^to 7 
6 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 6 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Aspidistra, per dozen .. 18 
0 
36 
0 
Genista, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
15 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 5 
0 
10 
6 
Hyacinths, per dozen .. 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Azaleas, per dozen .. ..24 
0 
42 
0 
Lilium Harrissi, per dozen 
21 
0 
30 
0 
Cineraria, per dozen .. .. 6 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Cyclamen, per dozen.. .. 9 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, per 
Mignonette, per doz. 
6 
0 
10 
0 
dozen.18 
0 
42 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena viridis, dozen .. 9 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Ericas, per dozen .. .. 9 
0 
24 
0 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Euonvmus, var., dozen ., 6 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, per dozen,. 
15 
0 
21 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 6 
0 
24 
0 
,. scarlet, per doz. 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Perns, in variety, dozen .. 4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„ (small) per hundred 4 
0 
8 
0 
Roots in variety for planting out, in boxes or by the dozen. 
FODDER CROPS. 
Supply and demand guide and control the work of every 
farmer who has grasped the vital principle that self-preservation 
is the first law of Nature. That being so, the scarcity of 
hay, the abnormal demand for Oat straw, and the still down- 
