March t9, 188 '. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
269 
fall or shrivel. Your crops will probably have set by this time, "and 
syringing may then be re.sumed. When this is done regularly and 
effectually in the way that has been frequently advised in our 
‘■Work for the Week” column, insects are usually kept in check. 
Strong fumigations are injurious to Peach trees, and a comparatively 
light volume of smoke on two or three consecutive nights is the safe plan 
to adopt when aphides appear. The greatest mistake that can be made 
is to allow them to become numerous before measures are adopted for 
their extirpation. 
Top-dressing: for Vine Borders (.7. (7.).—No manure can be 
said to be the “ best” for all soils and under all circumstances, and not 
one can make good certain defects in management. As you have used 
lime, that will effect a change in the soil’s constituents, hastening the 
decay of the farmyard manure, and so liberating matter and rendering 
available as food what without the lime might remain inert or injurious 
from becoming sour ; indeed the lime will form nitrate through acting 
on the organic matter, and that is valuable for other reasons than 
supplying the Vines with lime. Thomson’s and other advertised manures 
are valuable, particularly those that contain potash and phosphorus. 
Chemical manures are peculiarly efficacious applied to soils containing 
inert substances. 
Melon and Cacumber Houses (77. T. JI.'). —Beds .3 feet wide 
along each side a central path, afford ample room for soil for growing 
the plants in, and the path may be 3 feet wide also, though many are 
narrower, this being a question of individual preference. Y'ou can have 
the path as much wider as you wish (or beds either) if a greater extent 
of space is desired for the plants, which would cover the roof of a house 
12 feet wide or more, as well as one 9 feet. Side lights are not necessary, 
and if the top four courses of bricks are single, and set in cement, a ledge 
is formed along the top of the 9-inch or lower part of the wall, on which 
the bottom row of pipes can rest, the top row being taken above it. We 
presume you have arranged for bottom heat. As you do not give the 
slightest indication of the time when the illustrations appeared, we are 
not able to say whether the numbers are in stock or not. Cannot you 
state the year in which those figures to which you refer were published ? 
I f you can give an approximate date we will try and find them for the 
purpose of answering your question more explicitly. 
Vines frotn Cuttlngrs—Planting- Begonias (F. .7).—Naturally 
the cuttings with eyes or buds would grow more quieklv and make good 
canes sooner than would cuttings from which “all” the eyes were 
removed. We have not before heard of this latter method of jnopa- 
gating Vines. As soon as you have as many as )ou require established 
and growing freely throw the others away. Not a few persons fail in 
their object by growing far more plants than they require, or for which 
they lack the requisite convenience for growing well. Tuberous 
Begonias are usually started into growth in boxes, or in a bed of good 
soil in a frame. Grown sturdily, and prepared for planting out after 
,all danger of frost has passed, or when Dahlias can be safely entrusted in 
the open ground. This is generally towards the end of May or in June, 
according to districts and the weather. Many persons err by starting 
Begonias too soon, and growing them tall in a warm house before 
planting them in the beds. April is soon enough for starting the tubers 
in a cool house or frame from which frost is excluded. They root freely 
and transplant well when in a compost consisting largely of leaf soil. 
Azalea mollis not Expanding (A Lady). — This is principally due 
to defective root action. In some cases the roots are cut to such an 
extent that they fail to absorb the necessary supply of food for insuring 
the development of the flowers, or even the retention of the buds. This 
is not, however, always due to the roots being cut off. If the plants are 
carefully examined when they are lifted from the ground, it will be 
observed that, although they have set buds freely, the roots have failed 
to take possession of the surrounding soil. When the plants are forced 
annually, some of them invariably get into that condition, and the result 
is that the flowers, if they do open, fall almost immediately. The evil com- 
j'lained of takes place more generally after warm seasons than moist 
showery ones. The flowers of some of the plants are often very far 
advanced in autumn ; in fact, nearly ready for bursting. This is pre¬ 
vented by frost, and lifting. The consequence is the flowers fall through 
the severe check they have received. In some cases the falling of the 
flowers is due to imperfectly ripened wood. They are very similar in 
this respect to Camellias, and the flowers expand if the buds do not fall. 
STames of Fruits. —The names and addresses of senders of fruit 
to be named must in all cases be enclosed with the specimens, whether 
letters referring to the fruit are sent by post or not. The names are 
not necessarily required for publication, initials sufficing for that Only 
six specimens can be named at once, and any beyond that number cannot 
be preserved. (TV. Barlt,liam).—'^o. 1, Lewis’ Incomparable; No, 2, 
Not known. The insect is Oniscus armadillo, one of the woodlice, and is 
i njurious to plants. 
Hames 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. 
(7. i?.).—1, Dendrobium nobile, similar in colour to D. nobile nobiliu.=, 
but not such a finely shaped flower. 2, Dendrobium nobile variety in 
the style of coerulescens. 3, A poor variety of Cattleya Trianse. 4, 
Khipsalis Cassytla. (IF. N.).—1, Phalasnopsis amabilis. 2, Dendrobium 
luteolum. 3, Masdevallia Shuttleworthi. 
COVENT GAKDEN MARKET.— March 28 th. 
Frioea witbont alteration. Market quiet. 
FRUIT. 
a. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8 
d. 
8 
er. 
Apples, I sieve,. .. 
2 
6 
to 4 
6 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
2 
0 to 6 
0 
Nova Scotia and 
Pears, dozen •• •• 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Canada barrel 10 
0 
18 
0 
Pine Apples, English. 
Cobs, 100 IbB. 
45 
0 
0 
0 
per R). 
0 
0 
0 
<y 
Grapes, per lb. 
3 
6 
5 
0 
St. Michael Fines, each 
s 
0 
6 
0 
Lemons, case • • • • 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries, per oz. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
vegetables. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Art!(hokeP, dozen •• 
1 
0 
to S 
0 
Lettuce, dozen 
0 
9 to 
1 
S 
Asparagus,bundle •• 
8 
0 
0 
0 
Mushroums, punnet 
0 
6 
1 
b 
Beans, Kidney,per lb. 
, , 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Biet,Red, dozen •• 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions, bunob. • .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli, bundle .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels SprouU, ^ sieve 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Parsnips, dozen •• 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per owt... 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums, per 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney, per cwt. 
4 
0 
0 
0 
CarrotP, bunch •• 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle •• 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Celery, bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scakale, basket •• 
1 
3 
1 
9 
Cucumbers, each ,. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Shallots, per n>. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen . • • • 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Herbs, bunch •• •• 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Leeks, bunch .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch •• 
• • 
0 
4 
0 
6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen ., 
6 
0tol2 
0 
Fuchsia, dozen. 
0 
0 
to 0 
O’ 
Aram Lilies, dozen.. .• 
9 
0 
15 
0 
Genista, per dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Arborvltae{golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Hyacinths, dozen •• .. 
5 
0 
10 
0 
Azalea, dozen. 
Cineraria, dozen • • •. 
24 
0 
42 
0 
Hydrangea,dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Lilies Valley, dozen 
18 
0 
21 
0 
Cyclamen, dozen «. .. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Lilinm laneifolium, doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Dielytra, per dozen 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Deutzia, per dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Myrtles, dozer... 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Draesna terminalis, doz. 
30 
0 
60 
0 
Naroiss, per dozen .. 
8 
0 
10 
0 
„ viridis, dozen.. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var., each 
Pelargoniums, dozen 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Erica, various, dozen .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
12 
0 
18 
0 
„ veutricosa .. •• 
18 
0 
24 
0 
,, scarlet, doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonymus, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Foinsettia, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanum, dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Spfrea japonica, doz. 
9 
0 
16 
0 
Ficus elastica, each «• 
1 
6 
7 
0 
Tulips, dozen pots .. .. 
6 
0 
9 
u 
Foliage Plants, var„ each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Abutilona, 12 bunchea .. 
Aiienome (Fulgens), 12 
bunches 3 0 
Anemones (French), 12 
bunches 2 0 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 4 0 
Azalea, 12 sprays .... 0 6 10 
Bouvardias, buneb .. ..06 10 
Camellias, 12 blooms ..10 4 0 
Curuations, 12 biooms ..10 3 0 
ChryBantbemums,12bchs. 0 0 0 0 
,, 12 blooms 0 0 0 0 
Cyclamen, 12 blooms ..06 10 
Daffodils, Double, 12 bobs 8 0 6 0 
„ Single, 12 bchs 3 0 9 0 
Daisies, 12 bunches .. 2 0 4 0 
Epiphyllum, 13 blooms 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Enebaris, dozen •• 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms 
.. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 
eprays 
12 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ French, 
bunchee 
12 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lapageria, coloured, 
blooms. 
1*2 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lilium longiflorum, 
blooms. 
12 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 2 0 6 0 
s. d. B. d. 
Lilies, White, 12 bunches 0 0 to 0 0 
„ Orange, 12 bunches 0 0 0 0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 
sprays .06 10 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 8 0 6 0 
Narciss, white (French) 12 
bunches. 20 40 
Narciss, various, 12 bchs 8 0 6 0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trnsses 10 16 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 0 6 0 9 
Primroses, 12 bunches ..10 SO 
Primula (single), bunch.. 0 4 0 6 
„ (double), bunch .. 0 9 16 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms ,. 2 0 6 0 
„ (indoor),dozen .. 8 0 4 0 
„ Tea, dozen .... 1 6 4 0 
red, dozen (French) 16 3 0 
„ yellow .SO 6 0 
Snowdrops, 12 bunches ..10 30 
Spirsea, bunch.0 6 10 
Stepbanotis, 12 sprays ..0 0 12 0 
Tropreolnm, 12 bnnohes 2 0 3 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 2 0 3 0 
Tulips, dozen blooms ..06 10 
Violets, 12 bunches.. ..10 10 
„ (French), bunch 16 2 0 
„ (Parme), bunch 2 0 8 0 
White Lilac, per bunch .. 6 0 6 6 
cur FLOWERS 
s. d. B d. 
8 0 to 6 0 
6 0 
4 0 
6 0 
RESULTS. 
Erroneous impressions of the action of chemical manures are 
still very prevalent, and it is generally found that the more ignorant 
a farmer is about a matter of such vital importance to him, the 
more positive is he in his assertions about it. We have been 
assured that such manures eventually so clog the pores of the soil 
that it becomes practically worthless ; that they are so “ forcing,”' 
that if the use of them is persisted in for three or four years the 
soil is robbed of all its natural fertility ; that they excite growth 
of abnormal vigour, which absorbs all the manurial constituents to 
be found in the soil, leaving it practically barren and unfit to 
produce another crop of any sort. Such postulates are all based 
upon mere assertion, proof of any weight never, being forthcoming 
in support of theni> so that we may be told they are unworthy of 
