September 10, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAQE GARDENER. 
241 
fested with the black fungus, the mycelium of which is spreading over the 
surface. Sponging them with a solution of softsoap, then while wet 
dusting with sulphur, allowing it to remain on for some days, is the only 
remedy we can suggest that can be safely applied. The Vines have not 
had good attention, for some of the leaves are warted and the others 
scorched. The house has been closed when it ought to have been open, and 
a genial buoyant atmosphere has not been maintained. This faulty man¬ 
agement we consider the real cause of the fungus attack, there having 
been an extravasation of sap, on which the fungus has taken possession ; 
also, if the leaves sent are a fair sample, the Vines are lacking in vigour, 
and much stouter and larger foliage is essential for the production of first- 
class Grapes. 
A Sussex Plum (7J. N.). —We have no doubt that the Plum to which 
you refer is the Victoria, an extremely prolific and useful variety. It is 
thus described in the “ Fruit Manual: ”—“ Victoria (Alderton ; Denyer’s 
Victoria ; Sharp’s Emperor).—Fruit large ; roundish oval, marked with a 
shallow suture. Skin bright red on the side next the sun, hut pale red on 
the shaded side, and covered with thin bloom. Stalk three-quarters of an 
inch long, stout. Flesh yellow, very juicy, sweet, and pleasantly flavoured, 
separating from the stone. A culinary Plum; ripe in the be inning and 
middle of September. The tree is an immense bearer, and ought to find a 
place in every garden, however small. Young shoots, downy. This is a 
Sussex Plum, and was discovered in a garden at Alderton in that county. 
It became known as Sharp’s Emperor, and was ultimately sold by a nursery¬ 
man named Denyer, at Brixton, near London, at a high price as a new 
variety under the name of Denyer’s Victoria, in the year 1844.” 
The Pear Tree Slug (IF. IF.).—The best remedy for this troublesome 
pest is to dust the trees frequently with quicklime; perhaps the cause of 
your non-success is not using sufficient at a dressing. You will find figures 
of the larvae and perfect insect in the Journal, page 22, July Gth, 1882. In 
reference to this insect, Curtis—under the head of “ Tenthredo adumbrata” 
—says, “ Arboriculturists are familiar with a slimy black larva like a little 
leech which appears as if glued to the leaves of Pear trees, and which is of 
very common occurrence in fruit gardens in September and October. From 
its form and appearance Reaumur called it the slug-worm. At the end of 
autumn, when it has attained its full Bize, it somewhat resembles a small 
tadpole. It has twenty feet, which, however, cannot be seen without dis¬ 
lodging it from the leaf. It does not begin at the edges of the Pear leaf, 
but gnaws away the parenchyma in the middle, leaving the smallest veins 
and the epidermis of the under side untouched, so that the leaves attacked 
are left like the finest lace. After four times casting its skin it changes to 
an orange-yellow colour, comes down from the tree, and forms a cocoon from 
particles of soil bound together by a few silken threads. The perfect insect, 
according to Hartig, is 2\ lines long, smooth, black, and shining, with the 
horns almost as long as the abdomen; the legs are black, the joints and 
thighs reddish-brown, the wings obscure.” The grub is frequently very 
destructive to wall trees. It appears on Pear trees when the fruit are from 
one-half to two-thirds of their full size, and by destroying the parenchyma 
of the leaves it prevents the elaboration of the sap, brings growth to a 
standstill, and the Pears, instead of swelling, drop. Some authors consider 
that the slug-worm of Reaumur produces the Tenthredo Cerasi of Linnseus ; 
others consider it to belong to the Tenthredo yEthiops of Fabricius. The 
investigations of Gorsky, Westwood, and M. Delacour have set the question 
at rest. They have shown that there are several slug-like grubs which are 
developed into insects belonging to distinct species, and that the T. Cerasi 
of Linnaeus does not form its cocoon in the ground, but amongst the leaves 
of the Cherry. 
Frames for Florists’ Flowers (R. T.). —Brick pits about 6 feet wide, 
1 foot high in front, and 2 feet high at the back, are valuable adjuncts to 
any garden, not only for preserving comparatively hardy plants in the 
winter, hut for growing more tender plants in, also such crops as Cucumbers 
in the summer. Such plants as Carnations, Pansies, Phloxes, Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, and various others, including Auriculas, may be safely wintered in 
such pits, the plants, except those last named, being grown in the open air 
during the summer. We should not have any concrete bottoms, but should 
have the foundations of the brickwork 18 inches or more below the ground 
level, and fill in with rubble to the requisite height, surfacing it with coal 
ashes. The water would then pass away freely, and the pots could, if 
necessary, he partially plunged in the ashes, and thus their roots would be 
protected. Iu the summer the pits could be deepened so as to accommodate 
taller plants or crops. The pits should face the south. For Auriculas 
moveable frames should also be provided, as a southern aspect, except in 
winter, is unsuitable for these plants. In the summer Auriculas require a 
very cool position, such as the north side of a building, while in the spring 
an easterly or southerly aspect is preferable, except when the flowers 
commence expanding, when the plants must be placed in the shaded 
position. The plants, except in summer, are best placed on stages of wood, 
which can be readily formed in the frames, and the plants should be close 
to the glass. We should thus have both pits and frames, having ashes in 
the former, placing a few boards on the ashes if any plants required a dry 
base at any time, and wood shelves in the frames for the Auriculas. We 
do not know of any special mode of obtaining plants. Private growers 
frequently exchange plants, hut do not usually sell them below their 
current value. 
Various (E. M. K.). —If the shoot of your Hydrangea that is layered is 
young, not more than half-ripened wood, it will not be long before it forms 
roots, and can be taken off and placed into a small pot. The best way to 
increase these plants is by half-ripened cuttings. If you insert some at 
once in sandy loam and place them under a handlight, keeping them airtight 
in your house or in a shady place outside, they will be well rooted in about 
three weeks. They will root the quickest in your house, but must be shaded 
from the sun. After they are rooted gradually harden them to cool treat¬ 
ment and keep them cool through the winter. In spring transfer them from 
the small pots into others 5 inches in diameter. You may grow them cool 
afterwards or gently force th m into flower—that is, if flower buds are 
already formed in the shoots, which should be the case if your plants have 
been properly treated. Grow the old plants outside until the approach of 
frost, when they may be taken into your house. Give liberal supplies of 
water and weak stimulants if their pots are full of roots. Cytisuses are pro¬ 
pagated by cuttings, which will root freely enough at this season of the 
year. Fill a well-drained C or 8-inch pot with equal portions of peat and 
sand to within half an inch of the rim. The remaining portion to the rim 
should be filled with clean silver sand. The cuttings should be about 
3 inches in length, and the foliage should be removed from the lower half. 
After the cuttings are made they can be inserted thickly together, well 
watered, and then covered with a bellglass to keep them airtight. The pot 
containing the cuttings should either be placed in a cold frame or shaded 
from the sun in one corner of your house, where they should remain until 
they are rooted, only removing the glass when water is required. Yallota 
purpurea will do very well outside until the approach of frost, when they 
should be housed and kept cool through the winter. If your bulbs are 
strong they will show flower before long, if they are not already doing so. 
While flowering you may remove them indoors if you wish. During the 
winter keep them on the dry side at their roots, giving only sufficient water 
to keep the foliage and their bulbs healthy. The plant mentioned in your fourth 
question we do not know by the name you give. You can only prevent the 
Vines covering the roof by thinning them out liberally, reducing the spurs 
in number, and some of the canes if the former does not prove sufficient. 
Without you can insure plenty of light Roses will not do well with you. 
We fear you wiil not attain much success in growing the two together on the 
same roof. The Roses will require liberal and constant syringing to keep 
them clean, and this will not suit the Vines after the fruit is set if you allow 
them to carry any. 
Names of Fruit (Poroo).—Calebasse of foreign growth. (Jabez JacTcson). 
—We believe your Pear to be Williams’ Bon Chretien. (G. Snow ).—The 
Pears are—No. 1, British Queen; 2, not known. Apple No. 3 is Yellow 
Ingestre ; 4, not known. Plum Jefferson, Grape Black Hamburgh. 
Names of Plants.—We only undertake to name species of plants, nor 
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. 
(X Y. Z .).—The fungus is Phlyctospora fusca of Corda, which some regard 
as a form of Scleroderma geaster, Fr. (P. 0. D .).—Neottia spiralis, an 
Orchid found wild in many parts of England. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —September 9th. 
Trade heavy this week, with prices giving way. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Apples. 
£ sieve 
i 
0 to 3 
6 
Melons. 
i 
0 to 
2 
0 
Cherries .. .. 
A-sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Filberts, Kent., per 100 lbs. 
25 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
per doz. 
1 
6 
8 
0 
Currants, Red 
A sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pears, kitchen 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ Black . 
\ sieve 
-o 
0 
0 
0 
,, dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Figs . 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Gooseberries.. .. 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums. 
A sieve 
1 
3 
8 
6 
Grapes. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Strawberries.. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons. 
•. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
..each 
3 
e 
7 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
S 
d. 
s. d 
8. 
d. 
B. d 
Artichokes • • 
. dozen 
1 
0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce. 
. dozen 
1 
0 to 
1 
0 
Asparagus 
. bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. . 
punnet 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
0 
s 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
. £ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. 
. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera .. .. 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts dcz 
bunches 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. per basket 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
. each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive .. .. 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. . 
.. lb. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
THE CLERGYMAN’S FARM. 
( Continued from page 218.) 
In laying down land to permanent pasture, tlie selection 
of seed must be of even more importance than the careful 
preparation of the seed bed, for it is obvious that without 
good seed of the best sorts our efforts to obtain a really first- 
class pasture will be defeated, and we ought not to be satis¬ 
fied with anything but the best. No special effort is requisite 
to obtain it, but it is highly important that a farmer should 
know which are the best sorts of Grasses and other plants 
for this purpose. A mere knowledge of names will not 
satisfy an earnest intelligent man. He will want to know 
