October 8. 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
317 
vigorous growth, and do not mature it properly, therefore the wood is 
injured by frost. Nothing will help the trees in those respects, except a 
firmer soil and a dressing of clay marl, so as to harden their tissues. 
Indeed clay and calcareous matter are essential to the health and profit¬ 
able bearing of some varieties of Plums. A dressing of quicklime could not 
be other than beneficial, applying 10 tons per acre, or surface dressings of 
•steamed bone meal 5 cwt., and kainit 2 cwt., mixed, per acre, would 
■tend to promote a sturdier growth and firmer tissues, applying the 
mixture in autumn, or, as your soil is light, in February. We have 
iound Victoria and Diamond Plums anything but hardy in most locali¬ 
ties, which also seems to be your experience, and they certainly ought 
not to be grown where they do not succeed. Prince Engelbert is a 
valuable Plum for cold localities, but it is not nearly so great a market 
labourite as Victoria, -which requires good treatment and favouring 
■climate. It ought to succeed fairly well in your locality with phosphatic 
manure, but the question is, Is it hardy enough ? Of that you only can 
form a right conclusion. Rivers’ Prolific Plum does not succeed in all 
6oils, and in light soils sometimes succeeds admirably. The Czar, how¬ 
ever, is a better grower and crops heavily, the fruits being in request, 
and it may be said to be the best general early Plum for market. 
Mitchelson’s, a large Damson-like Plum, is very prolific and hardy, and 
•Gisborne’s, an oval yellow Plum with red spots, does well in cold locali¬ 
ties, and is a fine market kind. 
Animal Matter as Manure (F. S .).—Certainly carry out your 
proposal, and if you blend the matter well with plenty of soil you need 
not add lime, and you will in due time have a rich compost. Relative 
to the chemical constituents of animal matter and blood, the following 
citation from Johnson’s “ Gardeners’ Dictionary ” will answer your 
inquiry :—Animal matters, without any exception, are beneficial as 
manures, for they all yield, during putrefaction, gases and soluble 
substances, that are imbibed greedily by the roots of plants. That 
this is the case affords no cause for wonder, because animal matters 
and vegetable matters are alike compounded of carbon, hydrogen, 
■oxygen, and nitrogen, with a small addition of saline matters. Blood 
is a very rich manure, and has been applied with especial benefit to 
Vines and other fruit trees. The blood of the ox contains about 80 per 
■cent, of water, and 20 per cent, solid matter. The latter contains, in 
100 parts, when dried— 
Carbon .51 950 
Hydrogen ... 7 1G5 
Azote .17-172 
Oxygen ... 19 295 
Ashes . 1-418 
The ashe3 contain various salts, as chloride of sodium (common salt), 
phosphate of lime, with a little oxide of iron. 
Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement^Society (TF. J. Z?.)—The 
first matter to be considered is the need of such society, and the pro¬ 
bability of its success. Of the first there can be no question, but whether 
there are sufficient gardeners in your locality within reach of a given 
centre, and who would attend meetings and give aid in rerding papers, 
taking an interest in the society, and giving it hearty support, 
.you only can form an opinion. If satisfied on that point you must 
secure approval and patronage of your employer, and solicit h ; s aid in 
respect of other proprietors of gardens. A room will be required, and 
that must be well lighted and properly warmed. We may suggest a 
schoolroom or other room not under any restrictions as regards religion 
■and politics. These you must rigidly exclude, so that all can meet with 
unbiassed minds to discuss purely horticultural matters. Secure there¬ 
fore the patronage of the gentry, clergy, and all ministers, as well as 
other influential persons. Let it be known that they are honorary 
members, subscribers of so much a year for the benefit of farmers and 
cottagers desirous of addiDg to their incomes, and improving the 
economy of their homeholds by fruit culture and horticulture generally. 
This will enable you to meet incidental expenses, and it would help 
much in the establishment of the society were circulars sent round 
indicating the character of the intended work. Then members will be 
required, competent teachers of horticulture to form a committee, some 
good at organisation, all paying a small sum annually in advance as a 
guarantee of expenses incurred. You will need a president, vice- 
presidents, patrons, and as many members as practicable, with a com¬ 
mittee and a secretary. To inspire confidence you will need an auditor 
(say the schoolmaster) and a treasurer (say the doctor). Then arrange 
for meetings, send out circulars and invitations to farmers and cottagers 
to attend and hear papers read, questions asked and answered, with 
free discussion. A chairman will be required at each meeting, and if 
you could arrange to bring to your midst occasionally a lecturer in con¬ 
nection with the British Fruit Growers’ Association zest would be given 
the undertaking. We heartily wish you success, for fruit growing 
might be pursued with great advantage in the rich valleys of North 
Wales. True, many of them have been overspread with glacial detritus, 
and in this case the soil has suffered. In many cases, indeed mest, 
especially in the lovely Vale of Clwyd, Denbighshire, the new red sand¬ 
stone has been commingled with the glacial detritus, and the result is a 
very fertile soil, ai d there are numerous tracts in other valleys that 
•consist of reddish soils, in which orchard trees invariably thrive, and 
there is no reasen why Denbigh and other counlies of Wales should not 
rival in Apples and Pears those grown by the trias of Devon and 
Gloucester, or even the old red of Hereford. 
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. — (J. II.'). —1, Glout Morgeau ; 2, Knight’s Monarch ; 
3, Gansel’s Bergamot ; 4, Not known ; 5, Marshal de Cour ; 6, The 
shrub is Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called Althaea frutex. (TF. S.) — 
Greenup’s Pippin, a Lancashire Apple. (J- G.). — 1, Souvenir du 
Congres ; 2, Marie Louise ; 3, Beurrh Diel; 4, Chaumontel ; 5, Apple 
not known ; 6, Van Mons Lbon Le Clerc. We shall inquire about the 
letter. It must have miscarried. (F. K.). —1, Cox’s Pomona ; 2, Mere 
de Manage. ( Stour Valley). —1, Suzette de Bavay ; 2, Marshal de 
Cour ; 3, Comte de Flandre ; 4, Beurrb Sterckmans ; 5, Flemish Beauty ; 
6, Not known. {George Hesliett). —Doyenne Boussoch. (IF. M. E.). — 
The Apple is Lewis’s Incomparable, a fine fruit, but rather pale in 
colour. ( Faie). —A, Dredge’s Fame ; B, not in condition ; C, possibly 
Manks .Codlin ; D, Winter Calville; E, Cellini. Your trees are 
infested with scale. ( G. M .).—2, Striped Beefing; 4, Lord Derby; 
5, Nouveau Poiteau ; 6, Beurre Diel. (II. E. M.). —1, Beauty of Kent ; 
2, Gravenstein ; 4, Blenheim Pippin. 
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. 
N. H. P.—1, Polygonum Bistorta. 2, Saponaria officinalis. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— October 7th. 
HEAVIER supplies of Cobs. Trad: brisk. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
a. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples, 4-sieve .. .. 1 
0 to 3 
9 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 
to 9 
0 
Cobs Kent per 100lbs. ..35 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches, per doz. 
1 
0 
6 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 0 
6 
1 
9 
P urns, 4-sieve. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons, case .. .. .. 15 
0 
20 
0 
St. Michael Pines, each.. 
3 
U 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
a. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Asparagus, per bundle .. 0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
U 
8 
to u 
10 
Beans, Kidney, per bush. 1 
a 
2 
0 
Mustard <Sfc Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
5 
Carrots, bunch .. .. 0 
4 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. .. 2 
U 
S 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle.1 
0 
1 
8 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers, doz.1 
0 
2 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen .. .. .. 1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb. .. .. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Herbs,bunch.0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Leeks, bunch.0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
0 
2 
0 
4 
Lettuce, score.0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunoh .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
4 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES.—CUT FLOWERS. 
Orchid Blooms not plentiful in variety. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 3 
0 
to 6 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
Asters, doz. bunches .. 4 
0 
6 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
to 9 
0 
„ (French) doz. bc'is. 9 
0 
12 
0 
Marigolds doz. bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 0 
6 
1 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches.. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 1 
0 
2 
0 
Myosotis, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Carnations, doz. bunches 4 
0 
6 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
,, scarlet, 12 bnchs 
3 
0 
6 
0 
bunches.4 
0 
9 
0 
Primula(double)l2 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Chrysanthemums, dozen 
Pyrethrum, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
blooms .0 
9 
3 
n 
Boses (indoor), dozen .. 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Dahlias, doz. bunches .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
„ (mixe d', doz bnchs. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Red (English) per 
Gardenias, per doz. 1 
6 
4 
0 
dozen blooms .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Gladiolus, dozen bunches 4 
0 
8 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
,, per 100 spikes 8 
0 
10 
0 
„ Yellow, dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 1 
0 
3 
0 
Sweet Peas, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lilimn longiflorum, 12 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms 
0 
8 
u 
6 
blooms.3 
0 
5 
0 
White Lilac (French) per 
Lilium ivar.) doz. blooms 1 
0 
3 
0 
bunch . 
5 
0 
7 
0 
Margueiites, 12 bunenea 2 
0 
4 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 
l 
t> 
to 7 
0 
Arbor Vitae (golden) doz. 6 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
3 
0 
10 
0 
Asters, dozen pots .. .. 3 
0 
6 
0 
Fuchsia, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Begonias (vane us), doz. 4 
0 
9 
0 
Heliotrope, per doz. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
CLili Plants, per dozen .. 6 
0 
12 
0 
Hydrangea 1 *, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilium, various, doz. 
18 
0 
80 
0 
,, large, doz. 12 
0 
24 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Coleus (vaiious), per doz. 3 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 24 
0 
42 
0 
Myrtles, dozen .. .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
,, viridis, dozen .. 12 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var., each.. .. 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Euonyraus, var., dozen .. 6 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, per doz. .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Evergreens, in var., do en 6 
0 
24 
0 
Pelargoniums,scarlet, doz 
2 
6 
4 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 4 
0 
18 
0 
Solanum, per dozen ,. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
