June 21, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTaOE GARDENER. 
509 
placed point downward, and affixed in position so that the stalk reaches 
a little above the top. Judgment should be exercised in placing the 
bunches in the right position at the first, not shifting them in and out, 
and when all are in they should wedge each other. To render them 
still more rigid a little wadding may, if necessary, be forced down here 
and there between the paper and the box, the paper then drawn over 
and the lid placed on, gently pressing down the stems. We have tried 
all sorts of packing for surrounding the berries, but find that good 
Grapes, rightly placed in the boxes, come out of them in better condi¬ 
tion when they simply press against each other. Thin-skinned loose 
bunches of ill-grown Grapes cannot by any method of packing be sent 
through the post to reach their destination in a satisfactory state. You 
I lould read the leading article on “ Preparing and Packing Flowers,” 
piblished in the Journal of Horticulture last week. 
Culture of Epacrlses (^Amateur'). —For soil good fibry peat must 
be pr jvided, and sharp silver sand mixed with it to keep it open. 
Efficient drainage, efficient watering, and firm potting are also necessary. 
When once plants which are firmly potted in peat become dry ordinary 
waterings are not sufficient to moisten the soil thoroughly. They must 
he watered again and again until the water pours from the hole in the 
bottom of the pot. Indeed if the dryness is allowed to go too far there 
is nothing for it but steeping the pot in the cistern until the air balls, 
which are displaced by the water, cease bubbling up. After the ball is 
thoroughly soaked no more water should be applied until necessary, 
when a thorough supply should be given. This is one of the secrets in 
successful Epacris growing. Another, as we have said, is firm potting. 
Another consists in growing them in an airy greenhouse, where as little 
fire heat as possible is used, and where a constant circulation of air is 
kept up on all favourable occasions. After the flowers have faded the 
growth should be cut back. Erect kinds should be cut back close to the 
old wood, and drooping kinds scarcely so far back. After they are cut 
back they should be kept rather close until they begin to grow again, 
when, if necessary, they should be potted into larger pots. After they 
have fairly recovered from cutting back and potting they should be 
plunged in ashes out of doors for the summer. By the end of September 
they should again be housed. They are rather difficult to raise with 
ordinary appliances, and raising plants from cuttings is hardly worth 
an amateur’s trouble, for your flowering plants may be purchased very 
cheaply. The amateur should purchase his plants when in bloom, so 
as to suit his taste, or a nurseryman will generally advise him as to 
the best kinds to buy. We, however, name a dozen good varieties. 
E. Butterfly, E. campanulata and campanulata alba, E. Fireball, 
E. hyacinthiflora fulgens, E. Ingrami, B. impressa, E. Lady Panmure, 
E, Lowi, E. miniata splendens, E. odorata alba, E. Sunset, E. Vesta. 
IMuscat Grapes Scalded (X. Y. Z.'). —You say you have thinned 
the leaves of the Vines, and ask if you have done this too much. We 
think it very probable, and we are very sorry to see such fine berries 
ruined, as those you have sent. It is possible also that the night tem¬ 
perature of the house has been too low during the late cold weather, 
causing much condensation of moisture on the berries, and it is further 
possible that the morning ventilation was not increased soon enough, 
and gradually with the increasing temperature. However, be this as it 
may, those conditions lead directly to scalding. Eeverting to “ thinning 
the leaves,” if these are large leaves it is a practice that cannot be too 
strcngly condemned. Such drastic work should never be required. The 
laterals should be so thinly disposed that every main leaf up to and for 
one or two beyond the bunch can develop under the direct action of 
light, not those on one lateral crushing and overgrowing those on the 
other. Then will the foliage feed the fruit, and give strength to the 
Vines. The proper disposition of laterals and leaves is easily effected 
by disbudding and removing superfluous growths when quite young, 
and before the leaves have expanded. Permitting Vines to grow into 
a thicket, then taking off a number of large leaves at a critical time, is 
courting disaster, and it will be the more complete on a sudden change 
from dull weather to one or two brilliant days. Maintain a night 
temperature of 65°, with a chink of air at the top of the house ; at 70° 
admit a little more, but not to lower the temperature, and so continue 
with each rise of 5° till the day sun maximum of 85° is reached, all the 
readings to be taken from a shaded thermometer. On very bright 
days spread a net on the roof, or sprinkle with limewash through a 
syringe. 
KTames 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. 
(-ZT. P,).—Streptosolen Jamesoni. (^Amateur'). —1, Crassula coccinea ; 
2, Carpenteria californica. (^G. P ,').—Justicia carnea. (X. Y. Z .).—1, 
Spirsea Douglasi; 2, S. Aruncus. (P. It.'). —We do not name varieties 
of Roses, they are florists’ flowers ; see notice above. (P. P.).—Geum 
coccineum. (^Constaiit Reader). —Fern Davallia canariense ; flower, 
Zephyranthes carinata. (J. C.). —1, Erica codonodes ; 2, Berberis 
vulgaris; 3, Pyrus domestica, the Service Tree. (^Box )—We have 
received some flowers for naming, but no name or letter accompanied 
the box. The names are as follows— 1, Buddleia globcsa (Orange Ball 
tree) ; 2, Clarkia elegans ; 3, Centaurea Cyanus (the Cornflower) ; 4, 
Geranium sanguineum ; 5, Lychnis chalceionica ; 6, Centaurea 
montana. (./. W. Keswick). —1, Cerasus serotina ; 2, Ledum palustre ; 
3, Sedum azoideum variegatum ; 4, Begonia Jules ChioLien ; 5, 
Adiantum farleyense; 6, A. cuneatum. (//. M, H .).— 1, Veronica 
rupestris ; 2, Vicia Cracca fl. alba. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 20th 
Supplies of outdoor fruit reaching us in larger quantities. Heavy supplies of 
hothouse fruit meeting with a flat demand. 
FBUIT. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples, Tasmanian, per case 
8 
0 to 12 
0 
Peaches, per doz. 
2 
0 
to 8 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lemons, case . 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries per ib. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
8, 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d, 
Asparagus, per bundle 
1 
6 to 3 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet .. 
0 
9 
to 1 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
u 
6 
0 
9 
Mu.'tard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Reii, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
„ new. bunch .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers, 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 
Scorzouera, bundle ,, .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Spinach, bushel. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Herbs, bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per 11'. 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Leeks, bunch .. .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Lettuce, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
„ new, bunch., .. 
0 
8 
0 10 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRIOES.—OUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms in variety. 
8 . 
d. 
8 . 
d 
8 . 
d. 
s. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
1 
6 to 
3 
0 
Pmonies, dozen bunches .. 
10 
0tol5 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Pansies, dozen bunches . . 
1 
0 
2 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
Cornflowers, doz. bunches 
1 
u 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
Eucharis, dozen . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bunches . 
3 
0 
6 
Gardenias, per dozen 
1 
0 
4 
0 
Pinks, various, doz. bnchs. 
1 
6 
3 
Iris, dozen blooms 
0 
6 
1 
G 
Poppies, various, dozen 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
2 
6 
4 
0 
bunches . 
1 
0 
3 
Lily of Valley, d’oz. sprays 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Primula (double), dozen 
Lilium caudidum, dozen 
spiays . 
0 
6 
1 
bunches; . 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
6 
Lilium candidum, dozen 
Ranunculus, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
blooms . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Rcses (indoor), dozen 
0 
6 
1 
Lilium longiflorum,per doz. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ (outdoor),doz. bnchs. 
4 
0 
8 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
„ Tea, white, dozen .. 
1 
0 
3 
bunches. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
0 
4 
Marguerites, 12 buncLes .. 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Roses (French), per dozen 
0 
6 
1 
Moss Roses (French), doz. 
Roses, Safrano (English), 
bunches. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
per dozen. 
1 
0 
2 
Myosotis or Forget-me- 
Roses, Marechal Niel, per 
nots, dozen bunches .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
5 
Mignonette. 12 bunches .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Stephanotis, dozen sprays 
1 
3 
2 
Narciss, various, doz. bnchs. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
4 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
1 
0 
9 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS, 
B. 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
8. 
Arbor Vitas (golden) dozen 
Arum Lilies, per dozen ,. 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
Calceolarias, dozen pots .. 
Cineraria, per dozen .. 
Dracsena terminalis, per 
dozen.18 
Dracaena viridis, dozen .. 
Ericas, per dozen ., .. 
Euonymus. vtr., dozen .. 
Evirgreens, in var., dozen 
Ferns, in varit ty , dozen .. 
„ (small) per hundred 
Ficus eiastica, each .. .. 
Foliage plants, var., each 
Fuchsia, per dozen .. .. 
Heliotrope, per dozen 
0 to 12 0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
12 0 
36 0 
10 6 
8 0 
6 0 
42 0 
24 0 
24 0 
18 0 
24 0 
18 
8 
7 
Nasturtiums, per dozen 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
Pelargoniums, per dozen,, 
„ scarlet, per doz. 
Roses, various, per dozen.. 
„ (Fairy), per dozen.. 
Spiraias, per dozen .. 
Stocks, per dozen .. .. 
Roots in variety for planting out, in boxes or by the dozen. 
0 
0 
6 
10 0 
9 0 
8 0 
Hydrangea, per dozen .. 9 
Ivy Geraniums.5 
Lilium Harrisi, per dozen 15 
4 
3 
6 
6 
4 
Lobelia, per dozen 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
„ yellow, doz. pots 
Mignonette, per doz. 
Musk, per dozen.3 
Myrtles, dozen .6 
1 
21 
6 
3 
12 
6 
6 
3 
0 to 18 0 
0 
0 
6 
4 
12 
8 0 
30 0 
0 
0 
0 
18 0 
8 0 
6 0 
15 0 
63 0 
15 0 
6 0 
36 0 
9 0 
12 0 
5 0 
PLANT FOOD. 
Long have we held that nitrate of soda is the king of 
manures, the golden key which unlocks the treasures of the 
soil; the missing link without which the action of other manures 
is comparatively feeble and unprofitable; the finest stimulant 
for plant growth when in full activity ; the best form of nitro¬ 
genous manure to use in combination with potash salts and 
phosphoric acid as a complete plant food—a mixture of all the 
essential elements of fertility require in soil for full crop 
development. 
