July 21,1887. ] | 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
05 
spring and summer, just giving sufficient to prevent the growth of weeds, 
or to destroy any that may spring up the moment they are seen. Hand- 
weed your beds at once, then give them a good salting, 3 or 4 ozg. to each 
square yard not being too much, and a thorough soaking of liquid manure 
once- a week will do your Asparagus more good than anything, provided 
weeds are not permitted to appropriate the virtues of the manure. We 
know of nothing more expensive in culture than manuring land liberally, 
then allowing weeds to grow luxuriantly. It is by such practice that much 
land has been practically ruined, and according to your letter you appear 
to be acting on the lines we are bound to denounce. 
Muscat Grapes ( Subscriber ).—The Grapes sent, though not exactly 
“ shanked,” are very much in the condition indicated by that term. Instead 
of the footstalks of the berries shrinking the shrinkage occurs close to the 
fruit, and in nearly every case the footstalks are contracted, two showing 
distinct signs of gangrene. It is certain the crop is not receiving adequate 
support for perfecting the fruit, and a remark in your letter suggests that 
the border is faulty. Soil so strong that “ a handful when pressed sticks 
like a ball ” is not suitable for Muscats. Though the Vine may appear 
healthy in growth it is really not so, and the size of the leaves indicates an 
attempt to elaborate the crude sap and assimilate the nutrient matter 
derivable therefrom, or, in other words, as this cannot be accomplished by a 
reasonable expanse of foliage, a greater surface is produced in an effort to 
supply the deSciency, and therefore what appears an expression of health 
is evidence of weakness. The border may also be deficient in lime and 
potash, but whether that is the case or not the soil is much too close and 
heavy for Muscats. You must either remove the Vine and occupy its space 
with a rod from one of the others, or make the soil very much more porous 
by a liberal addition of lime rubbish, wood ashes or charcoal, and sand. 
The Vine should be taken up and replanted on a station of fresh soil, and 
the earlier that is done in the autumn the better. You have done right in 
guarding against giving an excess of water to soil of such a tenacious 
character. You had better point with great care an abundance of lime 
rubbish and gritty matter into the border generally, giving a top-dressing 
of the same, then by keeping this moist with a mulching of manure an 
abundance of surface roots will be induced and your Vines be kept in a 
good bearing state. We should do this now, and we think if something of 
the kind is not done there is a danger of the other Vines failing before very 
long. 
Raising Calceolarias (E. H.). — Herbaceous Calceolaria seed may be 
sown now onwards till September, according as large or medium-sized 
plants are desired. The chief difficulty when sowing early in hot weather 
is to find a place cool and damp enough. Select a piece of ground in a 
shady corner, and there place a handlight. Strew the ground on which the 
handlight is to rest, and a space round it, with salt. On this place a couple 
of inches of rough coal ashes, and when the glass is put down place 2 or 3 
more inches of the ashes inside. These are precautions against worms and 
slugs. Then take one or several 6-inch pots; fill them half full with drain¬ 
age, then an inch of somewhat rough soil, filling up to within half an inch 
of the rim with fine light sandy loam, containing a little fine-sifted leaf 
mould. Press the surface, afterwards water the pots well, and allow them 
to drain for a day ; then place a very little fine tolerably dry soil on the 
surface, press gently down to make smooth, and sow the seeds ; then scatter 
over them the smallest quantity of fine sand. Press level again, place a square 
of glass over the pot, and set it underneath the handlight. If this is kept close, 
and the ashes inside moist, water will seldom be needed until the seedlings 
appear. When fairly up, lift the top of the handlight a little; as they grow a 
little lar er edge up the square of glass over the pot, first at night, and then 
during the day. When a little larger, move the squire of glass altogether, and 
give more air by the top of the handlight. By this time the tiny plants will 
have a few leaves, though it would be difficult, as yet, to handle them singly. 
To prevent their damping at the surface lift patches of several plants together, 
and prick out these patches an inch or so apart, in pots prepared as if for 
cuttings, or in shallow pans. If bofore tins, notwithstanding the dampness 
of the ashes, the surface of the soil should be dry, soak it well, not by a rose 
over the plants, but by flooding the soil by pouring the water on a piece of 
tile close to the edge of the pot. Many young seedlings, if small, are de¬ 
stroyed by watering overhead ; they rot off just at the surface of the soil. 
When thus pricked out, and thus watered, place under handlights again, and 
keep close for a few days, In two or three weeks it will be necessary to 
prick out the plants separately, leaving about 1 inch or so between each 
two. As the autumn advances, the strongest, to bloom in April and May, 
may have each a 4-inch pot, and be shifted to a larger one before the end of 
October ; by the smaller supply may be pricked out into shallow pans a 
couple of inches apart, or four may be placed round the s'des of a 5-inch pot. 
If there are more than are wanted, rather prefer the smaller and weaker- 
growing plants. They will soon acquire strength. Moisture, if not stagnant, 
will do little injury to them in winter. They may be grown with the pro¬ 
tection of a cold frame in winter, paying great attention to air, and just 
securing them from frost. They are easily kept from frost in a greenhouse 
heated by a flue or hot-water pipes ; but a close, warm, dry atmosphere is 
their bane. They will do well in a temperature ranging from 35° to 45°, 
with air and moisture in proportion. In greenhouses they will be much 
benefited if set or partly plunged in damp moss. They will grow rapidly 
even in winter, at 45 s to 55°, standing in damp ashes or moss, and having 
plenty of air. Whenever the pots are full of roots the plants will be inclined 
to throw up their flower-stems, and therefore they must be shifted to prevent 
the roots matting, when large specimens are required. 
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 or soft green leaves form the best packing, dry 
cotton wool the worst. Not more than six specimens can be named at once. 
(J. D.). —1, Whitlavia grandiflora; 2, Lycium europaeum ; 3, Epilobium 
angustifolium ; 4, Unrecognisable. 
Large Bees (W. B. (?.).—The bees to which you refer are drones 
belonging to the hive ; you cannot do better than leave them to their 
destiny, the workers will dispose of them in due time. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET.— July 20th. 
Heavy supplies to hand, with trade brisk at lower prices. 
FRUIT. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Applet, I sieve.. .. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
6 
0tol2 
0 
Nova Scotia and 
Peaches, dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
10 
0 
Canada barrel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, dozen. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries, £ sieve 
. . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Pine Apples, English, 
Cubs, 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
per lb. 
i 
6 
0 
0 
Fig?, dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Plums, J sieve. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
## 
I 
6 
2 
6 
St. Michael Pine«, each 
s 
0 
5 
0 
Lemonp, case 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries, per It). 
0 
3 
0 10 
Melon, each .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
VBGETAI-LBS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Artichokes, dozen .. 
, , 
l 
0 to 2 
0 
Lettuce, dozen .. .. 
0 
9 to 
0 
0 
Asparagus, bundle .. 
. , 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney,per lb. 
• • 
l 
3 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Beet, Red, dozen 
, . 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Onions, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Broccoli, bundle .. 
. . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
s 
0 
Brussels Sprout?, \ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage, dozen 
• a 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicum?, per 100 
, , 
1 
8 
1 
0 
„ Kiduer, per cwt. 
4 
0 
0 
0 
Carrots, bunch 
, , 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0. 
s 
0 
0 
Cauliflower?, dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Salsaty, bundle .. ,. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Celery, bundle 
, , 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Soakale, basket .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, each ,. 
, , 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Shallot?, per lb. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinaob, bushel .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Hero?, bunch .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoc?, per fb. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Leeks, bunch .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
8. 
a. 
8. 
a. 
s. 
d. 
p. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen ., 
6 
0to 12 
0 
Fuchsia, dozen. 
3 
0 
to 9 
0 
Arbor vitee (golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Geranium (Ivy), dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„ (common), dozen.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,, Tricolor, dozen 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Azalea, dozen. 
Begonias, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hydrangea, dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
13 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilies Valley, dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Calceolaria, dozen .. .. 
3 
6 
8 
0 
Lilinm lancifolium, doz. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Cineraria, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ longiflorum, doz. 
18 
0 
39 
0 
Creeping Jenny, dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Lobelia, dozen. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Dracaena termiualis, doz. 
30 
0 
60 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
13 
0 
„ viridis, dozen.. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Mignonette, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Erica, various, dozen .. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Musk, dozen . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Euonymus, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
a 
0 
12 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
21 
0 
Palms, in var., each 
Pelargoniums, dozen 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
4 
0 
18 
0 
6 
0 
15 
0 
Ficus elastica, each 
i 
6 
7 
0 
„ scarlet, doz. 
3 
0 
9 
0 
Foliage Plants, var., each 
g 
0 
10 
0 
Spirrea, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
* 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
4. 
8. 
d. 
Ahntilons, 12 bunches .. 
3 
0 to 4 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 to 6 
0 
Anemones, 12 bunches .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Myosotis, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
O 
Narciss, 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Bluebells, 12 bunches .. 
Q 
0 
0 
0 
,, White, English, bch. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Bouvardiae, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Pansies, 12 bunches 
3 
0 
4 
a 
Camellias, blooms .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peas, Sweet, 12 bunches.. 
8 
0 
6 
9 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
a 
„ 12bnnohes.. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Cornflower, 12 bunches .. 
i 
6 
3 
0 
Pinks, White, 12 bunches 
1 
0 
4 
0 
Daisies, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ various, 12 bunch 
PoeoDy, 12 bunches.. .. 
3 
0 
4 
9 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
9 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Poinsettia, 12 blooms .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 
Primula (single), bunch.. 
0 
0 
0 
9 
sprays 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ (double), bunch .. 
0 
9 
1 
O 
Iris, 12 bunches .. .. 
2 
0 
9 
0 
Polyanthus, 12 bunches.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lapageria, white, 12 
Ranunculus, 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
9 
blooms. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Roses, 12 bunches .. .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
,, (indoor), dozen 
0 
9 
1 
9 
blooms. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
„ Tea, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
8 
O 
Lilac (white), French, 
„ red dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
bunch . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
., de Mois. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
9 
Lilies, White, 12 bunches 12 
0 
24 
0 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
„ Orange, 12 bunches 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Tropfeolum, 12 bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lily ol Valley, 12 sprays 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
„ „ 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tulips, dozen blooms .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
THE DROUGHT. 
That many a light land farmer will be ruined by the 
drought we have been told over and over again. Cer¬ 
tainly we have ample reason to think it must be so, for in 
our travels we have been over much light thin land, and a 
sadder sight we never saw. Much, or rather most, of the 
spring corn was so parched by drought that growth 
ceased in many a field just as the ears were visible upon 
the stunted stems, and the crop is a total failure. In one 
case we heard of a farmer who had so lost 200 acres of 
corn. Well might he exclaim, -‘This is the climax of our 
