November 8, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
437 
followed by mould. The pipes should never be cold, but a temperature 
of 45° at night, or even more, maintained with a dry atmosphere, venti¬ 
lating judiciously on favourable occasions. The greater the disparity 
between the night and day temperatures and the more sudden the fall 
of temperature and the longer it remains at a low figure, the greater 
the liability of your Grapes to decay. 
The Purple-leaved Birch (IF j \ t ., Tories.'). —Tt was raised in 
America, and its discovery was described by M. Ed. Andrb in L'Illus¬ 
tration Horticole. “On the 5th of June, 1872,” writes M. Andre, 
“ whilst going through the horticultural exhibition at Orleans as one of 
the party of judges, the attention of myself and of my companions was 
drawn to a number of shrubs consisting of forty plants all of one 
species, which were almost hidden in the recess of a somewhat darksome 
corner. It required but a moment’s contemplation to enable us to grasp 
the full importance of the remarkable plant, which was, without doubt, 
the chief object of interest in the exhibition. It was a very beautiful 
variety of the common white Birch (Betula alba), but the leaves were 
completely purple or purple-black, like those specimens of the Beech so 
often seen in our parks. Here was indeed a real discovery, and a golden 
medal was with one accord awarded to it. It was obtained by chance 
by an old hand of the firm of Transon Brothers, named Dubois, from a 
sowing of the ordinary Birch. He very soon observed the unaccustomed 
appearance of the plant, and after having raised it he took grafts there¬ 
from, and placed them on young stocks of the common variety, and 
afterwards established them in pots. It will be a great acquisition for 
our parks, and may be most advantageously associated with the Purple 
Beeches, the habit of which is quite different. It succeeds in the 
poorest soils, at the same time preserving all the strength and rural 
beauty of the original type.” 
Culture of Epidendrum bicornutum (7?. C .).—The Epidendrum 
is rather difficult to cultivate, but the following notes by an experienced 
Orchid grower who has been very successful with it will explain the 
treatment required :—“ The best way to grow it is in baskets suspended 
from the roof, or on pieces of Tree Fern stem. I have grown and 
flowered it under both systems, and if grown in baskets a compost of 
very fibry peat, moss, and charcoal should be employed. The plant 
roots freely in its natural habitat, but is rather shy-rooting under culti¬ 
vation. The plant is a native of the West Indian Islands, particularly 
Trinidad, consequently it requires the temperature of the East Indian 
house. Having a friend living in Trinidad, I wrote him for particulars 
with regard to where it was found and under what conditions, and I will 
give his reply as I received it. He writes, ‘ With regard to your 
questions respecting E. bicornutum, if I tell you how I collected it no 
doubt that will suffice. I went out one day last week, hired a boat to 
carry me to the Five Islands, a group of irregular size, standing at no 
great height out of the water, in one bend or basin of our harbour, 
which may be called rocks left after the severance of that part from the 
mainland by the encroaching influence of the sea. Bound these islands 
one can sail and soon load his boat by pulling the tufts off the ledges of 
the rocks or any cavity. It is subject to drenchings of water by the 
action of the waves, is generally fully exposed to the sun, and as it is 
surrounded by water the plant must be subject to heavy dews owing to 
the great variation in temperature of the land at night. I soon collected 
a load, though I am afraid they are too much advanced in growth for 
travelling.’ By these remarks it is easily perceived that the three most 
essential requirements of E. bicornutum are heat, exposure to sun, 
moisture, and a moderate low night temperature, and if these be care¬ 
fully attended to it should make satisfactory progress. Any trouble 
bestowed on it will, I am convinced, well repay the cultivator.” 
The Rationale of Planting and Potting Bulbs (J/. B. (S'.).— 
You ask for “ information on the rationale of bulb-planting in the open 
border and in pots,” and observe that “ neither Lindley’s 1 Theory and 
Practice of Horticulture ’ nor Thompson’s 1 Gardener’s Assistant ’ throw 
much light on the -matter, especially as to the depth at which bulbs 
should be planted to secure complete success.” Something more than 
the mere depth that bulbs are covered is requisite for achieving com¬ 
plete success ; still, we will endeavour to answer your question. The 
bulbs of the splendid Hyacinths that are awarded honours at the London 
shows are scarcely covered, but the apex of such is about level with the 
rim of the pot, and the surface of the soil is made level fully half an inch 
below it. The same remark applies to Narcissi, Tulips, Crocuses, 
Scillas, and small bulbs generally are just covered with soil when 
grown in pots, and the pots in turn covered about 5 inches deep with 
cocoat-nut fibre refuse. This applies to all bulbs. In planting bulbs 
in beds for one season only—that is, removing the bulbs after flower¬ 
ing—they are covered a little more than their own depth with soil. 
Crocuses, for instance, are covered a little more than an inch deep, and 
Hyacinths twice that depth, about an inch thick of fibre refuse or leaf 
mould being spread on the beds after the soil is levelled over the 
bulbs. In planting bulbs in borders to remain permanently they 
should be covered from twice to thrice their own depth or thickness 
—Crocuses and the like 2 to 3 inches, Hyacinths and the like 4 to 5 
inches. If planted near the surface the earth is washed from them 
sooner or later. But it is bad practice to simply press a dibber into 
the ground to those depths and drop the bulbs into the holes thus 
made, as they are then either suspended or rest on a hard base, and 
in adhesive soil these holes are really miniature wells in which water 
collects. The base on which bulbs rest should be light and free— 
roots then penetrate it readily and superfluous water passes away. 
Bulbs should also be covered with soil through which the growth can i 
extend freely, and the lighter it is the deeper they may be covered—- 
for instance, they will push through G inches of leaf soil or gritty 
vegetable matter with greater freedom than through 2 inches of clay. 
It is an excellent practice to embed bulbs in and surround them with 
sand, or a mixture of sand and wood ashes, and too much importance 
cannot be attached to early planting. Tne more the crowns extend from 
bulbs out of the ground the worse it is for them, and root-extension 
should be slightly in advance of top growth for securing “complete- 
success.” 
Names of Fruits (J. Truro). —1, Botten ; 2, Autumn Bergamot ; 
3 and 6. Bcurre Hardy ; 4, Catillac ; 5, Bed Doyennb. ( B. G.). —1,. 
Fondante Charneu ; 2, Marie Louise ; 4, Josephine de Malines ; 5, 
Urbaniste ; 6, General Todtleben. (,/. A. IF.).—The Apple is not King 
of the Pippins but Kerry Pippin. (./. D.). —1, Duchess’s Favourite ; 2,. 
Botten ; 3, Scarlet Busset; 4, Fondante d’Antomne; 5, Doyemffi du 
Comice; G, Easter Beurrd. (./. JJdale). — 1 London Pippin; 2,Lane’s- 
Prince Albert; 3, Trumpington ; 4, White Astrachan. ( Walter Kruse)- 
—The Pear is correctly named Calebasse. The Apple Flanders Pippin. 
Atkins’ Fancy is new to us. (Ji IF.).—1, Due de Nemours. 2, not 
known. 3, Beurrb De Jonghe. 4, Vicar of Winkfield. 5, not known. 
6, new to us, a delicious little Pear. (Gilbert Wootten). —1, Beadneli’s 
Seedling ; 2, not known ; 3, Beurrd Amande ; 4, Comte de Laniy ; 5, 
not known. 6, Jersey Gratioli. 
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^ 
and the numbers should be visible without untying the ligatures, 
it being often difficult to separate them when the paper is damp. 
C F.G.). —1, Eetinospora ericoides ; 2 and 6, Cupressus Lawsoniana 
varieties ; 3, Juniperus sinensis ; 4, Cupressus torulosa ; 5, Abies- 
Douglasi. 
COVENT GAKDEN MABKET. —November 7th. 
Market very quiet, with no imp ovement ia prioes. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
s. d. 
8. 
a. 
s. 
a. 
Apples, J sieve. 
2 
6 to 4 
6 
Lemons, case. 
10 
0 to 15 
0 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Canada, per barrel 
10 
0 
22 
0 
Peaches, dozen. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Oherr es, A sieve .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, dozen. 
0 
9 
i 
» 
Gobs, 100 lbs.100 
0 
0 
0 
Plum?, £-sifaV. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
0 
6 
a 
6 
St. Michael Pines, each 
s 
0 
S 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
S. 
a- 
Artichokes, dozen .. .. 
3 
0 to 3 
0 
Lettuce, dozen .. .. 
0 
9 to 1 
9 
Asparagus, bundle .. . • 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
0 
6 
l 
0 
Beans, Kidney,per lb. •• 
0 10 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
a 
Beet,Bed, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Potatoes, per cwt... 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Broccoli, bundle .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onion?, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
O 
Brussels Sprouts, £ sieve 
8 
0 
S 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Capsicums, per 100 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, cer cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrot?, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
,, Kidney, per cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Cauliflower?, dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle ., .. 
1 
s 
a 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
& 
Coleworte, doz. bunches 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle 
1 
6 
0 
& 
Oueurabers, each .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Shallots, per ft. .. .. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen.. 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Herb?, bunch. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per ib. 
0 
3 
0 
» 
Leeks, bunch. 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
a 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
8. 
a. 
S 
a. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Abntilons, 12 bunches .. 
8 
to 6 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
to 6 
o 
Arum Lilies,IS blooms .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette, 12 hunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Asters, dozen bunches .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Narcissus (Paper White), 
„ French, per bunch 
1 
6 
2 
6 
12 sprays .. 
1 
0 
1 
e 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. ., 
1 
0 
2 
0 
,, (French) dozen 
Bouvardias, bunch ,. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Calceolaria. 12 bunches.. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Camellias, 12 bloom3 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„ scariot, 12 trusses 
0 
6 
0 
9- 
Carnations, 12 blcoms .. 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Pyrethrum, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
9 
„ 12 bunches .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
1 
O 
Chrysanthemums, 12 bl... 
1 
0 
4 
0 
,, (indoor), dozen .. 
i 
0 
O 
2 
0 
„ 12 bchs. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ Tea, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Cyclamen, dozen plocms 
0 
4 
0 
9 
„ yellow . 
8 
0 
6 
a- 
Dahlias, 12 bunches.. ,\ 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Eucharie, dozen . „ 
4 
0 
a 
0 
Tropmolum, 12 bunches 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms •• 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Hyacinths (Roman), doz. 
Gladiolus, 12.sprays 
8 
0 
4 
0 
sprays . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Violets, 12 bunches.. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
„ Parme (French), 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
per bunch • • 
3 
6 
5 
0 
blooms. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„ dark . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Aralia Sisboldi, dozen .. 6 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 9 
Arbor vitae (golden) dozen 12 
Asters, 12 pots.4 
Jegonia, various, per doz. 4 
Ihrysamhemum, doz. .. 4 
,, large, doz. 15 
loleus, dozen.2 
lyclamen, di zon pots .. 9 
Dracana terminalis, doz. 30 
Srioa hyemalis, doz. .. 12 
„ gracilis, doz.9 
, various, dez.8 
,, viridis, dozen .. 12 
Eaorymus, in var., dozen 6 
PLANTS IN POTS, 
d. B. d. 
0 to 12 0 
0 12 0 
0 24 0 
9 0 
9 
9 
24 
4 
18 
60 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
24 0 
12 
18 
24 
18 
s. d. 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 0 0 to 24 
Ferns, in ariety, dozen 4 0 18 
Ficus elastica, each ..18 7 
Foliage Plants, var..each 2 0 10 
Fuchsia.dozen pots ..8 0 6 
Genista, per dozen ..60 9 
Hyacinths (Roman),dozen 9. 0 
Lilinm, various, doz. pots 12 0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 6 0 
Mignonette, per dozen ..4 0 
Myrtles, dozen.. .. ..6 0 
Palms, in var.,each .. 2 6 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, 12 8 0 
Primula (single), per doz. 4 0 
Solanums, doz.9 0 
12 O 
21 0 
12 0 
6 0 
12 0 
21 0 
6 0 - 
B 0 
15 Of 
