August 23, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
183 
two half days in each week for the purpose of seeking other employ¬ 
ment, and to be paid for that time, which is implied, is in error. No 
such right exists under the circumstances, and there is no custom 
generally recognised on which he could base such claim. Like yourself, 
many or most gardeners and employers would grant a man reasonable 
time for making personal application in the case of a known vacancy ; 
but a right to a roving commission as suggested is visionary. The man is 
under a misapprehension, and has perhaps been misled, therefore may 
be excused for making a demand instead of asking a favour. 
Arranging- Pipes (77. II. C.). —Your question cannot be satis¬ 
factorily answered without particulars as to the position of the boiler, 
feed cistern, and length of pipes; indeed, a plan of the proposed arrange¬ 
ment drawn to scale is essential. It may be stated that as a rule a dip 
such as you mention impedes the circulation, and in all probability the 
water would flow more freely if the pipes were taken over the door¬ 
way ; and if they were conducted-jugt under the eaves of the house, so to 
say. and close to the base of the rafters, they would answer the purpose 
as well, and possibly better than placed along the ground or just above 
it. But wherever the pipes are, the bottom of the feed cistern should be 
on a level with the-highest part of them, or they cannot be filled. 
Answering Questions (A. McD .).—We assure you it is no 
“trouble” whatever to us to answer such questions as we are able 
to answer on gardening matters for our regular subscribers. The fact 
that you have only asked two, and in “ both cases had to write again ” 
before you received replies, is, to say the least, unfortunate. The last 
letter we received was answered promptly. There was no delay about 
that certainly, and the other event of four years is beyond our recol¬ 
lection. We have had many thousands of letters since then that have 
passed out of mind. It is almost a pleasure to be found fault with a 
little wheD you do it so generously, praising our work at the same time. 
We regret it is not in our power to prevent an occasional letter going 
astray. 
Tomato Plants Flag-gring- (77. F. S .),—Your general treatment, 
as described, appears to be good, so far, at least, as regards soil and 
watering ; but we are not so sure the method of ventilation is all that 
it should be. When we are told the doors of houses are used as venti¬ 
lators we always have a suspicion that there is room for improvement. 
The most successful cultivators do not make it a practice of leaving the 
doors of their houses open, though Tomatoes will endure this as well as 
most things. Do you open the top sashes early enough in the morning ? 
They should be opened to some extent as soon as the sun shines on them. 
No amount of late ventilation can atone for the fault of leaving houses 
closed too long. Have you tqp-dressed the bed in which the plants are 
growing ? If not, do so with rough, turfy loam, surfacing with good 
'short manure. This, kept moist, will incite the production of the 
“ small white fibrous roots the plants lack.” Constant applications of 
liquid manure are not conducive to the increase of such roots, and 
especially if rather too strong, as yours may be, though it looks weak. 
Try the top-dressing, giving water very copiously when the soil appears 
in the least dry, alternating with, liquid manure, or. giving it weaker. 
After much dull weather the leaves of most plants are liable to flag 
when the sun comes out suddenly and shines, brightly, Cabbages in the 
garden being no exception. The absence,of fibrous roots, with faulty 
and possibly too late morning ventilation, are, we suspect, the main 
causes of what you describe as the collapse of your plants. 
Value of Prizes (71, Walker, Launceston). —When a prize is 
offered for the “ most successful exhibitor” at a show in England, to 
be determined on the prizes won, it is customary, and we think fair, 
to allow three points of merit for first, two points for second, and one 
point for third prize, special prizes, when only one is offered in a class, 
ranking as firsts, and counting three for the purposes of adjudication. 
According to this exhibitor A in your contest must lose by five points, 
his total being thirty-one, that of B thirty-six. According to your 
method, in which it appears no third prizes were provided, the Judges 
and Committee were right, and according to the “ English method ” the 
defeat of A would appear to be still more conclusive; and if A had been 
B he would, perhaps, .not-, hav-e-thought himself “wronged.” if all the 
points of merit were credited to him to which he was entitled. In 
regard to Tomatoes, they can undoubtedly be grown cheaper in Tasmania 
than in England. The prices, vary considerably. This year they are 
high, and fine fruits grown under glass are now selling at a shilling 
a pound in fruiterers’ shops, but large consignments from southern 
Europe have been sold retail at from 2d. to 3d. a pound. Large quan¬ 
tities of canned Tomatoes come from America, arid probably also 
Tomato sauce, but we do not think there are exact records of the extent 
of the importations. Tomato sauce is variable in quality and price. 
Tomatoes grow and ripen in fields in America as well as in Tasmania. 
Possibly your best method of acquiring,the .information you need will 
be by writing to such London firms as Messrs. Crosse & Blackwell, Soho 
Square, W.; R. Pink & Sons, 7. Eastcheap ; and E. Lazenby & Sons 
18, Trinity Street, Borough, S.E. 
Mrs. Pearson Grape Falling- (77. 7?.). — You appear to have 
waited till the last moment before sending the Grapes and letter, and 
thereby waited too long for receiving a reply last week. Every berry, 
again, arrived split and broken, we presume through, shaking about in 
the tin box, for you would scarcely have enclosed a letter with fruit in 
such a wet state, and some of the writing is obliterated. Yqu have 
perhaps not had much experience in sending soft fruit through the post, 
and it may be useful for you to know that it should be so packed as to 
be immoveable in boxes. The leaves now sent show- plainly that the 
Vines are in a very enfeebled and unhealthy state, and the presence of 
roots on the rods suggest that those in the soil are defective. It is quite 
certain they are not supplying what the Vines need. How the evil has 
been brought about we have no means of knowing, possibly overcropping 
when the Vines were young, though you say nothing about their age 
nor the composition of the border. Your method of ventilation appears 
to be sound, and we have no fault to find with the temperatures. Unless 
a special desire exists to grow this variety we should -uproot the Vines,, 
for it will be a task of no small difficulty restoring their lost vigour. 
If they must be retained the fruit should be cut and the roots placed in 
fresh soil, cropping lightly, if at all, next year. Mrs. Pearson Vines- 
usually grow freely, and there is something wrong with your soil or 
management. If you remove them the space can soon be filled with 
additional rods taken from other healthy Vines near without injuring 
these in the least under good cultivation. Possibly when the Vines 
were planted the canes were not sufficiently shortened, but borne too- 
soon along their entire length. There is more we should have liked to- 
know that you have omitted, but we can scarcely put questions and 
give answers too. 
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. 
(71 O., Chertsey). —-I, Grin um amabile. 2, Clethra alnifolia. 3, Ophio- 
pogon variegatum. 4, Kaulfussia amelloides. 5, Sanseviera zeylanica. 
(Cl R., Cheshire ).—No numbers were attached to the specimens received, 
but those with blue, - purple, pink, and white flowers are seedling 
varieties of Centaurea Cyanus ; the others appear to be good varieties of 
Chrysanthemum segetum. (72., Survey). —1, Masdevallia Harryana. 
2, Odontoglossum crispum. 3, Odontoglossum maculatum. (77. IK).— 
Salvia Sclarea. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August 22nd. 
MARKET quiet, the soft fruit being nearly finished. Currants higher, 
easier. 
FRUIT. 
Other fruit 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apple>, I sieve. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Lemons, case. 
10 
0 to 16 
0 
Cherries, } sieve .. .. 
0 
0. 
0 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Cobs, 100 lbs. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches, dozen. 
2 
0 
10 
O' 
Currants (Red). J sieve .. 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Pears, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
8 
„ (Slack) £ sieve.. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
i 
0 
2 
6 
Strawberries, per lb. .. 
0 
9 
0 
0- 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
e. 
d. 
Artichokes, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
to 3 
0 
Lsttuce, dozen .. .. 
0 
9 to 1 
3- 
Asparagus,bundle .. •• 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 
0 
6 
0, 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Potatoes, per ewt... 
8 
0 
14 
O 
Broccoli, bundle .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch. 
u 
3 
0 
0 
Brussels Sprouts, £ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
3 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
1 
8 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. *. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Capsicum?, per 100 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per ewt. 
4 
0 
5 
o 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
,, Kidney, per ewt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. 
0 
2 
0 
fr 
Celery, bundle .. .. 
1 
8 
a 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. ,. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle f . 
1 
6 
0 
0- 
Cucumbers, each .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Shallots, per !t> .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Eadive, dozen.. 
I 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. 
1 
6 
a 
0 
Heros, bunch. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lt>. 
0 
3 
0 
r 
Leeks, bunch.. 
0 
3 
Q 
4 
Turnips, hunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
o 
CUT 
FLOWERS; 
r * - • 
B. 
d. 
B 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Abatilons, 12 bunches .. 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bnnehes 
a 
0 to 6 
0> 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Mignonette. 12 bunches 
l 
0 
8 
0 
Asters, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
i 
0 
Pansies, 12 bchs .. ... 
l 
0 
8 
o 
„ French, per bunch- 
i 
0 
l 
6 
Pelargoniums, 12 trasses 
0 
a _ 
1 
0 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ scarlet,12 trusses 
0 
3 
0 
8 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1' 
“O' 
Pinks, various, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
6 
0* 
Calceolaria, 12 bunches.. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Polyanthus, 12 bunches .. 
0 
0 
e 
o 
Camellias, 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pyrethrura, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
fr 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
1 
0- 
,. 12 bunches .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„ (outdoor), 12 bchs 
2 
0 
6 
fr 
Coruflywer, 12 bunches.. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
,, (indoor), dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0> 
Daisies, 12 bunches 
9 
0 
4 
0 
„ Tea, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
„ yellow . 
2 
0 
4 
fr 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 
1 
6 
4 
0 
,, (Moss), 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays .. 
1 
6 
8 
fr 
Lavender, 12 bunches .. 
S 
0 
4 
0 
Stocks, 12 bunches .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0- 
Lilium candidum, per 
S weet Peas, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bnnch 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Sweet Sultan, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
4 
» 
„ 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tropmolum, 12 bunches . 
i 
0 
a 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
blooms... 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Gladiolus, 12 sprays 
0 
6 
i 
ft 
PLANTS 
IN TOTS. 
B. 
a. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
i. 
S. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Fuchsia, dozen pots .. 
3 
0 to 8 
fr 
Arbor vitsef golden) dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Genista, per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0* 
Asters, 12 pots. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Heliotrope, dozen pots .. 
3 
0 
6 
O' 
Balsams, per dozen 
.3 
0 
6 
0 
Ivy Geranium. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Calceolaria, per dozen.. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Hydrangea, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
fr 
Cineraria, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lilies Valley, dozen .. 
0 
0 
0 
fr 
Coleus, dozen. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium, various, doz. pots 
12 
0 
21 
» 
Craeeuia, dozen 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Dractena terminalis, doz. 
30 
0 
60 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
4 
0 
6 
fr 
,, viridis, dozen.. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Musk, dozen pots .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Eaonymus, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Nasturtiums, per dozen.. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
1 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, in var. , each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Ficus elastica, each 
1 
8 
7 
0 
Pelargoniums, dozen 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Foliage Plants, var.,each 
3 
0 
10 
0 
„ scarlet, doz. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
