134 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 9, 1888. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
James Carter Sc Co., 227 anil 238, High Holborn, London.— Choice 
Bulbs. 
Dobbie & Co., Rothesay.— Flowers and Vegetables. 
William E. Martin. 20, Market Place, Hull.— Dufcji Bulbs. 
William Paul & Son, Waltham Cross.— Catalogue of Bulbs and 
Winter Flowers. 
Cooper, Taber, & Co., Limited, 90, Southwark Street, London, E.C. 
—Bulb Catalogue. 
All correspondence should be directed either to “ The 
Editor” or to “ The Publisher.” Letters addressed to Dr. 
Hogg or members of the staff often remain unopened un¬ 
avoidably. We request that no one will write privately 
to any of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to 
unjustifiable trouble and expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions 
relating to Gardening and those on Bee subjects, and should 
never send more than two or three questions at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the 
post, and we do not undertake to return rejected communica¬ 
tions. 
Exhibiting: Stocks (J. S. L.). —For the purpose of exhibiting a 
stem with side branches is eligible, as also are stems without side 
branches, the judges then determining which represents the best 
culture. 
Worms in Lawn ( Largs ).—As you are particular about having 
a reply in the “ first issue,” we can only say soak the lawn well with 
perfectly clear lime water. We are just going to press. Letters to 
which full replies are expected should reach us on Thursday, Friday, 
or Saturday. 
Rose Buds (Amateur'). —It is impracticable to state with any 
degree of certainty the time that elapses from the first appearance of a 
flower bud to its being fit for exhibition ; it may be a month or more, 
according to the kind, and the conditions, favourable or otherwise, to its 
development. 
Bose Leaves Discoloured (Idem). —The discoloration on the 
upper surface of the leaves is evidently due to the smoke, we having 
experienced similar deposits on the foliage of Roses when growing them 
in the vicinity of a large manufacturing town before the Smoke Nuisance 
Act came into operation ; but in your case it is more pronounced, due 
probably to the sulphurous vapour and gases from the burning coal pit 
refuse, which, as we know from experience, is very prejudicial to vege¬ 
tation, particularly when the fumes are brought to it by a strong wind 
whilst the atmosphere is moist. 
Crapes (II. B.). —The Grapes' sent in a paper box were smashed, 
and the juice almost turned the letter accompanying them into pulp. 
Only a portion of it can be read. The Grape in question is apt to be 
spotted, and extreme care is requisite in ventilation. So far as we can 
see you do not describe your practice in regard to temperature or 
ventilation. 
Crossing- Primulas (.J. E ).—In fertilising short-styled Primulas 
with pollen from those having short stamens it will be necessary to 
divide the corollas in both cases, carefully removing the anthers from 
the flowers that are intended to produce the seed. A small camel’s-hair 
brush is convenient for removing the pollen from one flower to another. 
If the plants are placed out as suggested seed will be readily obtained, 
but you cannot ensure any particular cross being effected. It is imma¬ 
terial whether the plants have previously flowered or not. 
Preserving White-hearted Cabbages (A. A.). —The best plan 
we have seen tried was to take up the plants, or cut them down level 
with the ground when the heads were quite dry, and cover them, 
stems, heads, and ali, in dry bog earth. We have also tried the same in 
burned charred rubbish, but not with such good effect. They will keep 
a good while in a coo’, dry shed, with their stems stuck in soil; of 
course, the place in all cases must be dry. 
Insect Eggs on Bose Leaves (T. II. 17.).—The eggs appear to 
be those of the Lackey Moth, liombyx or Clisiocampa neustria, though 
it is not usual to see them at this season, but the caterpillars are pro¬ 
bably late in hatching this year. They are small, nearly black, and very 
hairy, and do not appear to be particular as to food, as they eat the 
foliage of forest, fruit, and Rose trees, though not usually doing great 
damage to the latter. Search for the rings of eggs and crush them with 
your knife. 
Disputed Prize Money (77. D.). —If you are paid the money in 
one class, we should think you would have no difficulty in recovering it 
in the others ; and according to your statement we fail to see a valid 
reason for withholding a penny. The “ other side ” might possibly, 
however, put a different complexion on the case. In the absence of 
that, and if your employer and the head gardener support you, ,you 
appear to be on firm ground. You can have the card returned if you 
send us a stamped envelope directed to yourself 
Muscat Grapes Shrivelling (William'). —A temperature of 80° 
to 85° in the day by fire heat alone is excessive, and calculated to induce 
premature shrivelling. We should lower tbe night temperature to (13°, 
the top ventilators not being quite closed, and not force it much above 
70° in the day with fire heat solelv, but it may rise steadily to 85° 
with sun beat. Amu do not describe j r our method of ventilation, nor 
indicate the weight of the crop ; it may possibly be too heavy for the 
Vines. — . -, r . 
Cottagers Exhibiting (J. B. IF.).—At exhibitions of garden 
produce in which classes arc provided for cottagers they ought to be 
framed on an equitable basis ; and beyond all question under gardeners 
in gentlemen’s establishments have an undue advantage over labouring 
men and cottagers who are not employed in gardens. No objection 
can, however, be sustained this year if the rules are complied with ; 
but action can be taken to amend the' rules, or make classes fair for all 
before the next exhibition. 
Pruning Boses (K. 0 .).—The very weak and the very strong wood 
of all Roses should be pruned in July, not in October or November. 
After the first flush of summer bloom is over every Rose ought to be 
“regulated,” which means the same as the summer pruning of Currants 
and Gooseberries. The very weak wood of all Roses ought to be cut 
out at the end of October, and all the unkindly and weak Roses you see 
here and there on standards ought to have their annual winter thinning 
before October has passed. All moderate Roses to be pruned in March, 
and all very strong ones not till April. 
Saccessional Peaches (.7. J/.).—As you have Early Beatrice, 
Royal Geor. e, and Noblesse on the front trellis, and three very excellent 
varieties they are, we may state that Bcllegarde ripens about the same 
time as Royal George and Noblesse, or only a few days later. It is a 
very excellent Peach. Perhaps Barrington would best meet your re¬ 
quirements, or Belle Bauce, a variety of Grosse Alignonne, but larger 
and later by a fortnight. To succeed the Barrington, Walburton 
Admirable is a large good Peach, and Sea Eagle is also large and excel¬ 
lent. Stirling Castle is only a form of Royal George, and very fine, 
being hardier, and good in every respect. 
Oil Stoves in Peach House (./. IF.). — The fumes from petroleum- 
heated stoves will not injure the Peach blossom and embryo fruit, care 
being taken to insure thorough combustion, and to use the best or crystal 
oil, though two or even three stoves might not answer your purpose in 
sudh a long house. It is very desirable to remove the roof lights 
where they are moveable, and expose the trees fully from the leaves fall¬ 
ing until the bloom buds are swelling and showing colour in spring, 
when the lights should be replaced. Failing being in a position to 
remove the roof lights, ventilation should be given to the fullest pos¬ 
sible extent through the winter. The Chrysanthemums will not do the 
Peach trees any harm provided they do not shade them before the leaves 
have fallen, and the house is not kept close and warm for them. 
Melons not Swelling- (Puzzled). —Alelons not swelling to a good 
size is often a consequence of the soil being too loose so that the roots 
ramify through it quickly and produce rampant growth. Melons, how¬ 
ever, have not swelled to their usual size this season, due, we think, to 
the dull cold weather, which has not been favourable for the elabora¬ 
tion and assimilation of the food supplies, therefore they are expended 
on growth instead of concentrated on the fruit. We can only suggest 
thfit the soil be made firm, so as to cause resistance to the roots and 
check exuberant growth, and the foliage be kept rather thin so as to 
effect the thorough solidification of the growth, causing it to transmit 
supplies of elaborated and assimilated matter to tbe fruits, upon which 
not only depends their size but their weight and quality. 
Mushroom Spawn (MilltracJ/). — We remember answering a 
question on this subject some time ago, but we do not think it was sent 
by you. The mycelium in old Mushroom beds varies exceedingly. Some 
we have seen used successfully by persons able to select the best 
portions ; but failures are far more numerous ..than successes, otherwise 
the practice would have become general long ago, whereas exactly the 
reverse is the case. The thickest and most prominent threads—the 
strongest-looking of the spawn—are the most likely to be chosen by 
the inexperienced, and the most likely to fail. If you use it, proceed 
experimentally. It is not nearly .so reliable as the best brick spawn, 
and if what you have had has proved satisfactory, j r ou cannot do better 
than procure more from the same source. When the mycelium is used 
from beds, larger pieces are inserted than of brick spawn. 
South-east Wall for Vinery (IF. C., Gloucestershire). —The wall 
covered with a house similar to the other part used as a Peach house 
would no doubt enable you to grow good Grapes. The foliage would not 
be particularly liable to scorch, provided due attention were given to 
ventilation in the early part of tbe day, and reducing correspondingly 
early in the afternoon, so as to utilise the sun heat. For the early house 
four rows of 4-inch pipes— i.e., two flows and two returns, and to grow 
and keep late Grapes well they require to be started in good time and 
assisted with fire heat in the early stages and at ripening ; indeed, in a 
cold season like the present it is necessary to employ it right through ; 
