April 12, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
291 
Stimulants for Plants (F. J ,')—You ask for a good stimulant 
or “refresher” for hardy border plants and Gladioli just starting into 
growth. The quickest in action is nitrate of soda ; but if used alone 
and continuously the eventual results will be the reverse of satisfactory. 
Mix two parts superphosphate of lime and one part nitrate of soda, 
and apply at the rate of 3 ozs. to the square yard. If you can obtain 
muriate of potash, use the same quantity as nitrate of soda, though it 
may not be essential, especially in strong soil. 
Propagatlngr Iieucoplxyton Brownl (<?. A. K .').—This serviceable 
carpeting plant is most impatient of fire heat, and the cuttings are 
certain to fail if subjected to it. The proper time to insert the cuttings 
is during the month of September, and they ought to be treated exactly 
the same as Violas or Calceolarias. Either three parts fill frames set on 
a hard dry base, with nearly exhausted heating material, or set 
hand-lights on a bed of the same. Cover wiih about 3 inches of fine 
sandy soil, face over with sharp sand, and dibble out the cuttings thickly, 
keeping them rather close and shaded from bright sunshine till rooted, 
and in all other respects treat similarly to Calceolarias. They would 
receive the least check when bedded out if first established in thumb 
pots, bat keep them out of the houses. 
Increasing: Bobellas (^F. B .").—The ordinary bedding Lobelias are 
propagated by division and cuttings in preference to seedlings, the latter 
rarely being sufficiently neat growing. Bluebeird, pumila magnifies, 
and Brighton are all excellent blue sorts, and supposing a number of 
plants of either of these have been wintered in boxes in a rather low 
temperature, on being introduced into an early vinery or in a moist heat 
every shoot will quickly emit roots. These may be pulled off and dibbled 
in rather thickly in boxes and eventually bedded out in cold frames, or, 
if a little bottom heat is available, these divisions may be placed on beds 
of good soil and about 4 inches apart each way, where they will soon 
grow to a good size, the frames or lights being then available for other 
purposes, some other protection being provided for the Lobelias. 
Thousands of good plants may thus be raised without much trouble. 
Seedling Lobelias should be pricked out before becoming crowded and 
weakened. The herbaceous sorts may be divided when the suckers are 
well above the soil. 
Winter Spinach Infested with Eelworm (tr. McD )—The 
plants have the appearance of a small firm-hearted Cabbage Lettuce, 
the stems and footstalks being much distorted, thickened and gouty, and 
the leafy part crumpled and compacted. It is what has received the 
fanciful appellation of “ Cauliflower disease,” which might be equally 
applied to all dise'ases caused by stem eelworm (Tylenchus devastatrix), 
as it causes distortion of the stems and petioles of the leaves, neces¬ 
sarily preventing free growth. The pests are for the most part in the 
plants, within ihe tissue, and to pull up and burn the infested plants 
would make quick work of them. Some, however, are free, that is, 
in the decayed parts, and are in various stages of development, and 
will eventually enter plants they find available for further advance¬ 
ment and the deposition of their eggs. It is also certain that some will 
be in the soil in quest of “fresh fields and pastures new.” After clearing 
off the plants supply a good dressing of quicklime, as hot as possible, 
and point it in lightly. 
Fertiliser for Cucumbers—Carbolic Acid and Eelworm 
(^Reader ).—Nitrate of potash is, as you say, expensive, but you cannot 
substitute anything for it that will afford both potash and nitogen. The 
following mixture, however, may be used—bone superphosphate three 
parts, sulphate of potash two parts, nitrate of soda one part. The 
nitrate of soda should be powdered, as it readily may, by pounding on 
a hard floor, and the whole well mixed, applying from 2 to 4 ozs. per 
square yard. Kainit is a manure. It is difficult to kill the eelworm 
within the tissues of the roots without also destroying the plants. 
Carbolic acid acts by killing the micro-organisms within the soil, and 
should be used before the plants are put out. The acid ought to be 
diluted with twenty times its bulk of water, and then sprinkled on the 
soil through a fine-rose water pot, thoroughly mixing the soil after¬ 
wards. Two pounds of carbolic acid are sufficient for 15 cubic feet of 
soil, and the quantity of water 4 gallons. It should be used and mixed 
about a week before the plants are placed in their fruiting quarters. 
Tomatoes Unsatisfactory (TLl F .).—There are no traces of 
disease in the top of the plant sent. In all probability you have 
“done” your Tomatoes too well. The 4 inches of fresh soil and 4 ozs. 
of the proprietary manure per yard would have been ample for mixing 
with the top spit, and it is the quick action of the nitrogenous portion 
of the manure that has acted unfavourably. We have seen plants in a 
much worse plight than yours recover in a few weeks and produce extra 
heavy crops. When the soil is a little too rich, and in particular when 
either chemical manures or pulverised night soil have been rather freely 
used at the outset, the growth of plants is very sappy, and the leaves 
curl badly to the extent of quite giving them a diseased appearance. 
Not till they have grown out of this will cropping commence in good 
earnest. Your best plan will be to mulch with strawy litter, and 
thereby obviate the necessity for watering so frequently during hot dry 
weather. Another surfacing of manure may be given, or liquid manure 
applied after the plants have set a good cluster or two of fruit, always 
provided the young leaves have ceased to curl badly. Be not chary of 
using fire heat, a good circulation of air brought about with the aid of 
this and top ventilation acting as a good preventive of fungoid diseases. 
An excess of either lime or copper prejudices the mixture. Is it not as 
easy to use the right as the wrong proportions 1 
Names of Fruits. — Notice. —We have pleasure in naming good 
typical fruits (when the names are discoverable) for the convenience of 
regular subscribers, who are the growers of such fruit, and not col¬ 
lectors of specimens from non-subscribers. This latter procedure is 
wholly irregular, and we trust that none of our readers will allow 
themselves to be made the mediums in infringing our rules. 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 nuuiber of worthless Apples and 
Pears sent to this office to he 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. They should be sent on the 
first indication of change towards ripening. Dessert Pears cannot be 
named in a hard green state. (5. laylor). —Cox’s Orange Pippin, 
(Zf. 11^, —Unrecognisable ; probably a local variety. 
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. 
(N. R. H.'). —.^Ischyanthus speciosus. (/. B ).—1, Fuchsia procumbens ; 
2, Omphalodes verna ; 3, Celsia arcturus ; 4, An Episcia, a stove ever¬ 
green Gesneraceous plant, but the specific name cannot be determined 
without flowers; 5, Herniaria glabra; 6, Sedum lydium. (ZT. i?.).— 
Spiraea prunifolia. (IF. S.). —Berberis Fortunei. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— Apkii, 11th 
Makket steady with short supplies at last week’s quotations. Strawberries and 
Cucumbers, owing to the continued sunshine, reaching us in large quantities at much 
reduced prices. 
FRUIT. 
8. d. 3. d. 
Apples, per bushel .. .. 2 6tol) 0 
„ Nova Scotia, per 
barrel. 12 0 24 0 
Cobs . 45 0 5J 0 
Crapes per lb.16 4 0 
Lemons, case .. 
Peaches, per doz. 
Plums, per half sieve 
St. Michael Pines, each 
Strawberries per lb. ., 
VEGETABLES. 
Asparagus, per bundle .. 6 
Beaus, Kidney, per lb. .. 0 
Beet, Red, dozen.1 
Carrots, bunch.0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. I 
Celery, bundle . 1 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 2 
d. 
0 to 
6 
0 
3 
6 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
Onions, bushel .. .. 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
Potatoes, per owt. 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
Scorzonera, bundle 
s. 
10 
0 
0 
2 
2 
d. 3. d. 
0 to 15 0 
0 0 0 
0 0 0 
0 6 0 
0 4 0 
d. 8. d 
2 to 0 0 
4 0 
3 0 
0 0 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 6 
Seakale, per basket .. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 6 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
a 
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. 
8. 
d. 
s. d 
q. 
d. 
S 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms ,. 
1 
6 
to 3 0 
Orchids, per dozen blcoms 
1 
0 to 9 
0 
Azalea, dozen sprays.. .. 
0 
6 
0 9 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch ,. .. 
0 
6 
1 0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Camellias, dozen blooms ., 
0 
9 
2 0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
1 
6 
3 0 
Primula (double), dozen 
Daffodil or Lent Lily 
1 
6 
2 0 
sprays . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ double. 
1 
0 
2 0 
Primroses, doz. bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ single. 
2 
0 
6 0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Eucharis, dozen. 
2 
0 
4 0 
Boses (indoor), dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 0 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Hyacinths, dozen spikes 
0 
6 
0 9 
„ Yellow, dozen .. 
2 
0 
4 
G 
„ Roman, per bunch 
1 
0 
2 0 
Roses (French), per dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„ Dutch, in boxes .. 
1 
3 
3 6 
Roses, Safrano (English), 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
2 
6 
4 0 
per dozen. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lilies of the Valley, dozen 
Roses, Marbchal Neil, pot 
sprays . 
0 
6 
1 0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
5 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, per doz. 
2 
0 
4 0 
Tuberoses. 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Tulips, dozen blooms 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 0 
Violets, Parme (French), 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
4 0 
per bunch. 
2 
0 
‘6 
6 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
3 
0 
6 0 
Violets, Czar (French), per 
Myosotis or Forget-me- 
bunch . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
nots, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
4 C 
Violets (English), dozen 
Narciss, various (French), 
bunches . 
0 
9 
1 
0 
dozen bunches. 
2 
0 
4 0 
Wallflowers, doz. bunches.. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
fl. 
d. 
8. d. 
9. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
Arbor Vit® (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 0 
Ferns (small) per hundred 
4 
0 to 
8 
0 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 0 
Ficus eiastica, each .. ., 
1 
0 
7 
6 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
18 
0 
36 0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
5 
0 
10 6 
Genista, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Azaleas, per dozen .. ., 
24 
0 
42 0 
Hyacinths, per dozen 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Cineraria, per dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
9 0 
Lilium Harrissi, per dozen 
18 
0 
30 
0 
Cyclamen, per dozen.. .. 
9 
0 
12 0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
•1 
0 
Draceena terminalis, per 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
dozen. 
18 
0 
42 0 
Mignonette, per doz. 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Dracmna viridis, dozen .. 
9 
0 
24 0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
24 0 
Palms, in var.. each .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 0 
„ (specimens) .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
21 0 
Pelargoniums, per dozen .. 
13 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 
18 0 
so irlet, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Boots in variety for planting out, in boxes or by the dozen. 
