October 1,1891. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
297 
resist attacks of eelworms and similar micro-parasitic pests. An excess 
of nitrogenous manures certainly tends to favour eel worms, but they 
attack plants under any and all circumstances, and there i3 practically 
no remedy for this disease. The only means that we have found of any 
value was to use sweet soil only, and keep it in heaps well exposed to the 
air and dry until it became well nitrogenised by the minute organisms 
that exist in the soil for that purpose, and which they often fail to effect 
through the absence of, or insufficiency of lime in the soil. When fresh 
turf is used we have found it an excellent plan to heat it in an oven or 
over a wood fire to the extent of killing the herbage and the micro¬ 
parasites that subsist upon it, particularly that of leguminous plants. 
In using turf it is a capital plan to mix a bushel of quicklime with 
every ten of turf some little time in advance of using it for compost. 
This causes the decay of the vegetable matter; but there is no loss, for 
the nitrogenous elements are converted into nitrates by the minute 
organisms already referred to. Instead of using nitrogenous manures 
for Cucumbers and Melons we have found it most advantageous to use 
phosphates or superphosphates, and if other elements are needed apply 
them in sulphate form, or as sulphate of ammonia when vigour is 
needed ; but it certainly is not required by your plants, their chief 
need appears to be solidification and less stimulation. The Melon 
leaves have far more substance, and evidently only required more air 
and less atmospheric moisture to have succeeded. But you say nothing 
about the mealy bug on one of the Melon leaves sent to us. That and 
the sulphur splashes on the leaves prove that the culture is not of the 
cleanliest, and without that it is useless expecting good results. 
Grapes Ripening ( Lady Gardener ). — Gros Colman Grapes are 
rather late in commencing to colour as compared with the early and 
midseason varieties, they, and all the thick-skinned late varieties, 
requiring a long season of growth and a longer time to colour and 
ripen properly. The temperature you are keeping is quite sufficient, 
but these Grapes do not finish satisfactorily in artificial heat unless 
they have plenty of sunshine and air. This is the reason that we 
advocate starting late Vines not later than March, and giving them 
encouragement in spring, so that they may be well advanced in growth 
when the weather becomes warm and the days are long. This secures 
to the Vines the best part of the year to swell and finish their crops, 
and all thick-skinned late Grapes should have an opportunity of 
colouring and perfecting during the months of August and September, 
during which the solar light and warmth are not greatly diminished. 
This is not only better for the Vines than artificial heat, but it is 
more economical, for the most that is then needed is a gentle warmth 
in the hot-water pipes to insure a circulation of air, and keep the 
Vines in steady progress during any cold or dull periods that may 
prevai'. It will very much depend upon the state of the weather 
and the advanced condition of the Grapes as to whether you will be able 
to ripen them or not. If the Grapes are only commencing to colour 
they will not ripen perfectly, and though they may colour, which is 
doubtful, the Grapes will not have the quality and keeping value of 
those that were ripened under more advantageous conditions. Water 
will not help them to colour and ripen, but rather retard both. Unless 
the border is becoming deficient in moisture watering should be avoided ; 
at the same time it is necessary that the soil be kept healthfully 
moist, and if you give a supply let it be tepid and apply early on 
a fine day, giving enough to moisten the soil through to the drainage. 
Watering would not do Gros Colman and Black Alicante any harm 
whatever, but it would have a prejudicial effect on Madresfield Court, 
probably causing the berries to crack, especially if the atmosphere of 
the house were kept close. The half swollen berries on Madresfield 
Court Grape may be due to shanking, and that such is the case appears 
probable from such berries shrivelling, but as they have not moved since 
the stoning process their smallness may be a consequence of imperfect 
fertilisation. Their only being half coloured indicates shanking. A high 
temperature causes Grapes to shrivel even when not ripe at this time 
of year. We should continue the temperature at G0° to 65° at night, 
and. keep it at 70° to 75° by day, and utilise sun heat as much as 
possible by keeping the ventilators not more open than is sufficient to 
insure a circulation of air, allowing the moisture resulting from evapora¬ 
tion to pass off freely, and the temperature may rise to 85° or 90° with¬ 
out prejudice to the Grapes. On dull days it is better to keep the 
house at the maximum night temperature—namely, 65°, than have 
recourse to sharp firing, and cause the Vines to excessively evaporate, 
when assimilation cannot possibly take place, and the loss thus occa¬ 
sioned is made manifest in the shrivelling of the Grapes. This is a 
common occurrence, and is often attributed to lack of moisture at the 
roots. Dryness at the roots certainly will cause the Grapes to shrivel, 
and of this matter—namely, the need of water, you only can form a 
right conclusion. If the soil be moist water will do no good, but 
absolute harm ; but if the soil is dry, or inclined to be dry, a thorough 
watering, as before advised, will be necessary to enable the Grapes to 
finish and prevent their shrinking. 
Names of Fruits. — Notice. —Special attention is directed to the 
following decision, the object of which is to discourage the growth of 
inferior and promote the culture of superior varieties. In consequence 
of the large number of worthless Apples and Pears sent to this office to 
be named, it has been decided to name only specimens and varieties of 
approved merit, and to reject the inferior, which are not worth sending 
or growing. 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. (.7. A. 7.).—The Pear is not known. (Mr, Clay). —The 
Plum is Washington. (Rev. C. P.). —Beurr4 Langelier. (G. 77).— 
Both fruits sent are of one variety— i.e., Royal George. (D. C. Cousins). 
—1, Marie Louise ; 2, Beurrb Amande ; 3 and 6, unknown ; 4, Manx 
Codlin; 5, Tom Putt. (7. W. Wellington). —1, Cox’s Pomona. 2, 
Striped Beefing; 3, Lane’s Prince Albert ; 4 and 5, not known ; 6, 
Devonshire Quarrenden. (F. G.). —Peach Royal George. 1, Graven- 
stein ; 2, Cox’s Orange Pippin ; 3, Winter Hawthornden ; 4 and 5, not 
in condition for naming; 6, Longville’s Kernel. ( W. M. E.). —2, Winter 
Greening ; 1, not known. (J. W.). —1, Unknown ; 2, Beurrd Capiau- 
mont; 3, Knight’s Monarch; 4, Doyennb du Comice; 5, Autumn Compote ; 
6, Lawson’s Golden Gage. The plant is Choisya ternata. (A. «/.).—1, 
Not known; 2, Foster’s White Seedling; 3, Madresfield Court; 4, 
Trebbiano ; 5, Mrs. Pearson ; 6, Golden Hamburgh. (A. H. P.). — 
The Pear is Sucrbe Vert. 
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, soft green grass or leaves form the best packing, dry 
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. 
(G. J. B.). —The pieces of shrubs sent would not be determined in that 
condition. The variegated Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum is well worth 
preservation. (J. IF.).—The plant is probably Cyphomandra betacea, 
which is sometimes termed the Tree Tomato. (D. D .).—Thalictrum 
adiantifolium. (R. S. B.). —Malus floribunda, which is figured in 
vol. xv. of the Flore de Serres. (H. S. B.). —Lophospermum scandens. 
(S. A'.).—We do not undertake to name trees from leaves, and you 
furnish no particulars as to habit. (W. 77).—The above remarks also 
apply to your specimens. The flower is Nerine Fothergilli. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
L. Spath, Rexdorf, Berlin.— General Catalogue. 
J. W. Woodward, 63, Grenville Road, Hornsey Rise.— Catalogue of 
Bulbs. 
Dobie & Mason, 22, Oak Street, Manchester.— Catalogue of Bulbs. 
Charles Turner, The Royal Nurseries, Slough.— Catalogue of Roses, 
Fruit Trees, and Nursery Stock. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —September 30th. 
Market lighter this week, Plums being nearly finished and pickers employed on 
Hops. Prices firmer. 
FRUIT. 
s. d. 8. 
Apples, 4-sieve .. 
Asparagus, per bundle 
Beans, Kidney, per bush. 
Beet, Red, dozen .. 
Carrots, bunch .. 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. .. 
Celery, bundle .. .. .. 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
Cucumbers, doz. .. 
Endive, dozen.. 
Herbs, bunch .. ., . 
Leeks, bunch .. .. ., 
Lettuce, score. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
8. 
d. 
1 
0 to 
3 
9 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
• • 
4 
0 
to 9 
0 
40 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches, per doz... 
• • 
1 
0 
6 
0 
0 
6 
1 
9 
Plums, 4-sieve .. .. 
1 
0 
3 
6 
15 
0 
20 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0 
0 to 0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
• • 
0 
8 
to 0 10 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
i 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
5 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
3 
0 
8 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
• • 
1 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 
• • 
8 
0 
4 
0 
s 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. 
• • 
1 
0 
1 
6 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. 
• • 
1 
6 
0 
0 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb. .. 
• • 
0 
8 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel . . 
• • 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
• • 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch .. 
• • 
0 
0 
0 
4 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
A mm Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Asters, doz. bunches .. 
„ (French) doz. bchs. 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
Carnations, doz. bunches 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
Dahlias, doz. bunches .. 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
Gardenias, per doz. 
Gladiolus, dozen bunches 
„ per 100 spikes 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
Lavender, dozen bunches 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
Lilium (var.) doz. blooms 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) doz. 
Asters, dozen pots .. .. 
Begonias (various), doz. 
Campanula, various, doz. 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 
Coleus (various), per doz. 3 0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 24 0 
„ viridis, dozen .. 12 0 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 6 0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 6 0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 4 0 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8 
0 
to 6 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Marigolds doz. bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
1 
6 
8 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Myosotis, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pansies, dozen bunches.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 bnchs 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
9 
3 
0 
Primula (double)12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
1 
6 
4 
0 
„ (mixed), doz.bnchs. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
„ Red (English) per 
8 
0 
10 
0 
dozen blooms .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
5 
0 
„ Yellow, dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Sweet Peas, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
8 
0 
5 
0 
Sweet Sultan, doz. bnchs. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
8 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
0 
8 
0 
6 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 
i 
6 to 7 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
3 
0 
10 
0 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Fuchsia, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Heliotrope, per doz. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Hydrangeas, per doz. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilium, various, doz. 
18 
0 
80 
0 
6 0 
42 0 
24 0 
18 0 
24 0 
18 0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 6 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 8 
Myrtles, dozen.. .. .. 6 
Palms, in var., each.. .. 2 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 6 
Pelargoniums,scarlet, doz 2 
12 
6 
12 
21 
0 
4 
