September 13, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
255 
are cast as useless, whilst the younger, from being formed under more 
favourable circumstances, are retained. Their condition is entirely due 
to too close and moist an atmosphere. 
Perlsterla data (IF. Bucks). —You do very well in flowering so 
many Orchids in your ‘‘ general utility house.” Peristeria elata does 
not flower freely in a young state, but when it his attained sufficient 
strength it will flower freely, providing it is kept perfectly dry at the 
roots during the resting period. The flowers are produced from the 
side of its large pseudo-bulbs. If your plants are strong they ought to 
flower provided you ripen sufficiently their pseudo-bulbs. Possibly 
your house is rather too cool for their maturation. The Tetramicra 
should do well in the house, providing you suspend it in a light position 
from the roof. It is not difficult to grow and flower, and the conditions 
that suit Sophronites will suit it very well. If anything, it needs more 
sun to ripen it sufficiently. The flowers will be examined and named 
another week. 
Potatoes Bed Inside (T. Sheryold). —Between the core and skin 
of a Potato is a sort of dividing line, generally about one-tliird of the 
half diameter from the surface or skin, and it is in this part that the 
red line in the specimen sent us appeal's. If the skin be very bright or 
deep in colour the internal line is proportionately so, but if the skin 
colour be pale, that of the internal line is fainter, if indeed there be any 
distinguishing colour worth note. Tubers formed at the surface are 
deeper in colour than those formed immediately beneath the soil. The 
lines are very decided in the surface tubers, but in those formed where 
due attention has been given to earthing with ameliorated soil there is 
no trace of colour in the tubers. The presence of colour is, therefore, 
due to the nearness or otherwise of the tubers to light. The colour is 
very decided in the cooked Potatoes, but disappears to a great extent 
after they have parted with the steam or water evaporated from them. 
This is a very interesting subject, and is due in both instances, in a great 
measure, to the presence or otherwise of light. 
Tithe In Bind (.7. Burton). —Curiously the same post that brought 
your inquiry as to when tithes ceased to be paid in kind brought us a 
book on the subject. It is entitled a “ Key to the Tithe Question,” by 
Rev. W. M. Hawkins, and is published by John Haddon & Co., Bouverie 
Street. We have not read it, but can see at a glance that it contains 
matter with which many persons cannot be expected to agree. We 
however cite what you want to know, and to which no one can object. 
“ The tithe-tax was paid in kind down to the year 1837. The tenth pig, 
calf, cheese, milk, egg, sheaf, chick, Apple, Plum, &c. This was an exceed¬ 
ingly clumsy and unsatisfactory arrangement. It caused no end of ill 
feeling, strife, and conflicts. People are living now who have seen the 
farmer’s men and the parson’s throwing the turnip crop at each other, 
on the ground that the farmer had not fairly divided the crop, and was 
trying to cheat the parson. In the year 1836 an Act was passed to com¬ 
mute the tithe in kind to a money payment. In many instances this 
had been done by private arrangement from time to time, but after 1836 
it was obligatory. The following is the introduction to the Act, written 
by John MeadowsWhite, Esq., the solicitor attending on the Bill,published 
1836 ‘ The object of this Act is to convert all the uncommuted tithes 
in England and Wales into a corn rent-charge, payable in money according 
the value of a fixed quantity of corn, as ascertained from year to year 
by the average price of corn for the seven years ending at the pre¬ 
ceding Christmas. The mode of making this conversion is, first, to 
find the gross average money value of the tithes of each parish for 
seven years ending Christmas, 1835 ; secondly, to proportion the amount 
of that value upon the lands of the several tithepayers ; thirdly, to 
ascertain how much corn could be purchased with such amount; one- 
third of it to be laid out in Wheat, one-third in Barley, and one-third in 
Oats, at their average price ascertained by the weekly official returns of 
the price of corn for (in 120 markets) the seven years preceding Christ- 
may, 1835 ; fourthly and finally, in every future year, to make payable 
the price of the same quantity of Wheat, Barley, and Oats, at the average 
prices, founded on a like calculation of the returns for the seven years 
ending at each preceding Christmas.” 
Indian Fig's—Cochineal ( Foreman ).— You are quite right in 
saying the fruit of Opuntia vulgaris is so called, but it is not that 
species that supports the cochineal insect. 0. vulgaris has been 
naturalised in the south of Europe, where, in Sicily, it has spread over 
expanses of volcanic sands and ashes where not a particle of vegetable 
soil exists. The fruit is about the size of a Fig, and red on the inside ; 
it is very much relished by some, but varies in quality according to 
the climate in which it is produced. The Sicilians grow it extensively, 
and esteem it one of their most valuable esculents. It forms an im¬ 
portant article of diet with the inhabitants of that island during three 
months of the year, though strangers generally consider it insipid. In 
the countries where it grows, the Prickly Pear is, on account of its rapid 
growth, much used for the formation of fences round lands and dwell¬ 
ings ; and the quickness with which it grows, and its long stout 
spines, speedily render it such a formidable enclosure that neither man 
nor beast can penetrate it. O. Tuna also makes strong fences; and 
when the island of St. Christopher was divided between the English 
and the French, three rows of the Tuna were planted, by common 
consent, between the boundaries. Sir J. E. Smith states that the long 
and slender stamens of the flower are very irritable, and that, if a 
quill or feather is thrust through them, in the space of two or three 
seconds they begin to lie down gently on one side, and in a short 
time become recumbent at the bottom of the flower. The fruit yields a 
rich carmine pigment, which is used at Naples as a water-colour. 0. 
cochinillifera, or Nopal, is the plant on which the cochineal insect 
feeds and breeds. It is in Mexico where the production of cochineal 
is carried on to the greatest extent, but it is also produced in the Canary 
Isles and in Java. The insect is the Coccus cacti. A number of the 
females are preserved during the rainy season ; after the rains have 
ceased they are distributed over the plants ; and, having deposited their 
eggs, speedily die. The eggs are hatched by the heat of the sun, and 
give rise to innumerable insects, the males of which are only in the 
proportion of one to a hundred or two hundred females, and, being 
provided with wings, they move about and fecundate the latter. After 
this period, the females, which before moved about, attach themselves 
to the plant, and increase rapidly in size, so that in the end their 
legs, antennae, and proboscis are scarcely discernible, and they appear 
more like excrescences on the plant than distinct animated beings. 
They are now gathered by scraping them off by means of a blunt knife, 
or brushing them off with a quill, a feather, a squirrel’s or deer’s tail, a 
few being left to continue the race. They are destroyed by dipping 
them in hot water, or by the heat of a stove. In the former case they 
are afterwards dried in the sun. 
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, d ry cotton 
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. 
(7 Wilson). —1, Monarda didyma ; 2, Centaurea montana ; 3, Alstroe- 
meria aurea ; 4, Stenactis speciosa ; 5, Actoea spicata ; 6, Campanula 
Trachelium. (Reader ).--You should have sent a few particulars about the 
plants, no one can be certain of the names without some information. 
No. 2 resembles an Aristolochia; No. 3 the Samphire, Crithmutn 
maritimum. No. 1 we do not even guess at. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—September 12th. 
Market quiet, with little alteration. Pi urns lower. 
FRUIT. 
Applet, i sieve. 2 0to4 6 
Cherries, $ sieve .... 0 0 0 0 
Cobs, 100 lbs. 0 0 0 0 
Currant3 (Red), J sieve .. 0 0 0 0 
„ (Black). J sieve.. 0 0 0 0 
drapes, per lb. 0 6 2 6 
Lemons, case .. .■ ,,10 0 to IS 0 
Oranges, per 100 ,.., 4 0 9 0 
Peaches, dozen.20 10 O 
Pears, dozen.0 9 16 
Plums, J-sieve.2 0 4 0 
at. Mionael Pines, each SO 6 0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. d. s. d. 
Artichokes, dozen ., ,, 2 0 to 8 0 
Asparagus,bundle .. ,, 0 0 0 0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. .. 0 2 0 0 
Beet, Red, dozen .... 1 0 2 0 
Broccoli, bundle .... 00 00 
Brussels Sprouts, ^ sieve 0 0 0 0 
Cabbage, dozen .... 1 6 0 0 
Capsicums, per 100 .. 0 0 0 0 
Carrots, bunch .... 04 00 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. 3 0 4 0 
Celery, bundle .... 16 20 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 2 0 4 0 
Cucumbers, each .... 0 3 0 4 
Endive, dozen.10 20 
Herbs, bunch. 02 00 
Leeks, bunch. 03 04 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Lettuce,dozen .. .. 
0 
9 to 
i 
3 
Mushrooms, punnet •• 
0 
6 
l 
O 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
New Potatoes, per owt... 
8 
0 
14 
a 
Onions, bunch. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen •• •• 
i 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per owt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
,, Kidnev, perewt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
a 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
i 
0 
1 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle •• 
i 
6 
0 
O 
Shallots, per lb. .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach,bushel •• •• 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
7 
Turnips, bunch •• •• 
0 
4 
0 
O 
CUT FLOWERS. 
8. d. s d. 
Abntilons, 12 bunches .. 1 6 to 3 0 
Arum Lilies,12 blooms .. 2 0 3 0 
Asters, dozen bunches .. 2 0 4 0 
„ French, per bunch 10 16 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 0 0 0 0 
Bouvardias, bunch .... 0 6 10 
Calceolaria, 12 bunches.. 0 0 0 0 
Camellias, 12 blooms .. 0 0 0 0 
Carnations, 12 blooms ..0 6 10 
,, 12 bunches .. 4 0 6 0 
Chrysanthemums, 12 bl... 10 4 0 
„ 12 bohs. 2 0 6 0 
Cornflower, 12 bunches.. 16 8 0 
Dahlias, 12 bunches.. .. 2 6 4 0 
Daisies, 12 bunches .. 2 0 4 0 
Eucharis, dozen •• •• 2 0 4 0 
Gardonias, 12 blooms ,, 1 6 4 0* 
Lapageria, 12 blooms ..10 2 6 
Lavender, 12 bunohes .. 3 0 4 0 
Lilinm longi9orum, 12 
blooms ••••••••20 40 
8. d. 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 2 0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 1 0 
Pansies, 12 bchs .. .. 1 0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 0 6 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 0 3 
Pinks, various, 12 bunches 0 0 
Polyanthus, 12 bunches.. 0 0 
Pyrethrum, doz. bunohes 2 0 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms .. 0 6 
„ (outdoor), 12 bchs 2 0 
„ (indoor),dozen ..0 6 
„ Tea,dozen .. .. 1 0 
,, yellow .2 0 
„ (Moss), 12 bunches 0 0 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays ..16 
Stocks, 12 bunches .. ..4 0 
Sweet Peas, dozen.. .. 2 0 
Sweet Sultan, 12 bunches 2 0 
Tropseolum, 12 bunches 1 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms ..0 4 
Gladiolus, 12 sprays ..0 6 
8. d. 
to 6 (T 
8 0 
8 0 
1 0 
0 6 
0 ©• 
0 0 
4 O 
1 
6 
1 
3 
4 
0 
0 
» 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 G 
6 G 
PLANTS 
8. d. s. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen •• 6 0tol2 
Arborvitse(golden)dozen 12 0 24 
Asters, 12 pots.8 0 6 
Balsams, per dozen ..2 0 4 
Begonia, various, per doz. 4 0 9 
Calceolaria, per dozen ..40 5 
Chrysanthemum, doz. ..4 0 9 
Coleus, dozen.2 0 4 
Crassuia, dozen .... 8 0 12 
Dracsena terminalis, doz. 30 0 60 
„ viridis,dozen.. 12 0 24 
Euonymus, in var.,dozen 6 0 18 
Evergreens,invar.,dozen 6 0 24 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 4 0 18 
Ficus elastica, each ..16 7 
d. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
IN POTS. 
Foliage Plants, var., each 
Fuchsia, dozen pots •. 
Genista, per dozen 
Heliotrope, dozen pots . • 
Ivy Geranium.. 
Hydrangea, dozen .. .. 
Lilium, various, doz. pot s 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
Mignonette, p6r dozen .. 
Musk, dozen pots .. .. 
Myrtles, dozen. 
Nasturtiums, per dozen.. 
Palms, in var. ,each 
Pelargoniums, dozen 
,, scarlet,doz. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
A. 
2 
o to io 
0 
8 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
6 
ft 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
IS 
ft 
12 
0 
31 
0 
6 
0 
12 
ft 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
8 
0 
6 
0 
3 
6 
31 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
8 
0 
< 
0 
