October 1, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
307 
later summer or autumn, the first broods of the insects being reared upon 
Docks and other common weeds. Your method of extirpating them with 
softsoap and tobacco water is a good one, and something may be done in 
the way of stopping their migration to the Chrysanthemums, as by the inex¬ 
pensive means of syringing the plants occasionally in summer with a decoc¬ 
tion of quassia, in which a little softsoap is dissolved. The bitter is 
unpalatable to the aphides, and the soap hinders them from obtaining a firm 
foothold. We are informed that this destructive species of aphis was intro¬ 
duced with Chrysanthemums from America, and it has given much trouble 
to some growers of the plants in this country. 
Lichens on Apple Trees (E. J. F.). —It is best to remove the cause— 
namely, a too wet soil and want of vigour in the trees. The remedy for the 
first is efficient draining of the ground, putting in pipe drains 18 feet apart 
and 3 to 4 feet deep. The drains should, of course, have proper falls and 
outlets. If the trees are on grass— i.e., in orchard—we should apply in 
winter a good dressing of the debris of the rubbish-heap, which can be 
thrown into a heap now along with one part of quicklime to six of the 
rubbish. The woody portion of the rubbish should be picked out, and, when 
sufficiently dry, charred, and added to the compost, which should be turned 
after it has laid six weeks, and in six more it may be applied to the ground 
as a surface dressing at the rate of thirty-six cartloads per acre. If the trees 
are in cultivated ground they should have the surface soil scraped from 
about them as far as a majority of the roots extend, but without injuring 
them, giving a top-dressing of the material above named, to which has 
betn added a fourth of good turfy loam if it can be obtained, and mulch 
with a couple of inches thickness of fresh manure, covering this lightly 
with the soil scraped off, and the remainder may he spread over the sur¬ 
rounding ground. The trees should have the stems scraped as well as the 
thick branches, so as to remove the lichen, and then washed with a brine 
formed of salt, which should be sufficiently strong to float an egg. The 
parts that cannot be reached with a brush may be syringed with the brine, 
but it must be only at midwinter, when the trees are dormant, and when the 
weather is mild and dry. If the trees are bushes or pyramids they may be 
dusted whilst wet or after a shower with quicklime, and if done efficiently 
it will destroy the lichen. The lime should be applied when the trees are 
dormant. 
Large Mushrooms (TV. B.). —The specimen sent is one of the Boleti, 
possibly B. edulis, but we are not certain, as it was imperfect; and, at any 
rate, it is not poisonous provided it is cooked in a fresh state, stale examples 
being more or less injurious. The following is the description of Boletus 
edulis, extracted from “ The Eatable Funguses of Great Britain :”—“ A hand¬ 
some Fungus, often attaining a considerable size, much exceeding that of 
any other of the genus. The pileus is brown, convex at first, but becoming 
plane in maturity, and sprinkled with fine powder. The flesh is pure white. 
Neither it nor any other part of the plant turns blue when wounded, as is 
the case with the deleterious species. The tubes vary in colour at different 
stages of maturity : at first they are white, then lemon colour, then of a 
full dull yellow ; they turn olive colour when bruised. The stem is thick 
and solid, white in youth, hut turning brownish in maturity ; it is covered 
towards the summit with a fine network of pinkish veins. The spores are 
olive green, and after they are shed the Sap-ball sinks quietly to decay. 
This species is pretty frequently present in woods, especially under Oak 
trees in the south of England. It appears during the summer months or 
early in autumn, and a succession of plants follow one another till checked 
by the frosts. To recommend the Edible Sap-ball as merely wholesome is 
to inflict upon it the injury of half praise. Ancient and modern gastrono¬ 
mists unite in pronouncing it “‘excellent” and “delicious.” It was well 
appreciated by the ancient Homans, though the Amanita Caesarea was 
accounted more fashionable by them, and Pliny describes it as an article of 
diet. It is sold under the name of “ Porcius ” during the winter in every 
market of modern Italy. In Lorraine it is called the “ Polish Mushroom,” 
because the use of it was there introduced by the Poles. In Russia it is 
preserved by drying until the annual fasts, when, simply boiled, it becomes 
an article of welcome variety. There are but few edible species in the 
Boletus group, and, though M. Yittadini asserts that all are wholesome if 
dried first and then cooked by stewing, we would rather not venture to eat 
them. The Lurid Boletus has an especially evil look. The Germans record 
their suspicions regarding it by the popular name they have bestowed upon 
it—“ Satanspilz ; ” and we should object to eat it were it ever so dry or ever 
so well stewed. In seeking, therefore, to obtain the luxury of a dish of the 
Edible Boletus, we must be on the watch for the points of distinction 
between the wholesome and deleterious species. The latter turn blue when 
wounded. None of the edible species turn blue. The delicious Edible 
Boletus is distinguishable from the undesirable Chestnut one (B. castaneus) 
by the stem ; that of the latter being covered with cottony fibre, and that 
of the former with smooth netted veins. The specimens should be gathered 
in the immature stage, when the tubes are lemon colour. To cook the 
Edible Boleti you must first scoop out the tubes with a silver spoon or 
knife ; cut them in pieces, and lay them in a dish, with buttei, pepper, and 
salt; cover the dish close, and bake for one hour. Persoon gives a more 
elaborate receipt:— 1 They may be cooked with white Bauce, with or without 
chicken, in fricassee broiled or baked with butter, salad oil, pepper, salt, 
chopped herbs and bread crumbs: to which some add ham or a mince of 
anchovy. They make excellent fritters. Some roast them with onions 
(basting with butter) ; but as these take longer to cook than the Boletus, 
this muBt not be put down till the onions have begun to soften.’ Paulet 
give a receipt for Boletus soup made in Hungary:—‘Having dried some 
Boletuses in an oven, soak them in tepid water, thickening with toasted 
bread till the whole be of the consistence of a puree ; then rub through a 
sieve, throw in some ctewed Boletuses, boil together, and serve with the 
usual condiments.’ Caution.—The Boletus which has the worst character 
for its poisonous qualities is the B. luridus. In this species the pileus is 
brown, and generally covered with white or grey bloom, which disappears 
in age, and leaves the pileus smooth or sticky. The stem is stout, inclining 
to bulbous at the base, of a dull pale vermilion colour, dotted or lined with 
a darker shade. The tubes are also dull vermilion at the mouth, but if the 
Fungus be cut in half the upper part of the tube is seen to be of a yellow 
colour. It changes to blue when bruised. B. satanas is a very nearly 
allied species, the pileus becoming pale after maturity, and the red stem 
being without markings. Both are handsome and accounted poisonous.” 
Namos of Fruits.—The names and addresses of senders of fruit to be 
named must in all cases be enclosed with the specimens, whether letters re¬ 
ferring to the fruit are sent by post or not. The names are not necessarily 
required for publication, initials sufficing for that. (High Broom). —No one 
here can read your name now you have sent it. We named all the fruits 
received with letters accompanying them, on and up to September 23rd in 
our last issue, except some from “‘ A. C.,” and the names of these are as 
follows: (A. C.). — Pears. —1, probably Beurre Bose; 2, too unripe; 3, 
Fondante d’Antomne. Apples.— 1, Cobham; 2, Irish Peach; 3, Ribston 
Pippin. ( T. W. G.). —1, Flanders Pippin; 2, Cornish Gilliflower ; 3, Blen¬ 
heim Pippin ; 4, Autumn Pearmain ; 5, Hoary Morning, small specimens ; G, 
Ord’s Apple. (J. F. IF.)—Williams’ Bon Chretien. (/<’. B.). —Swan's Egg. 
(H. IF.).—The Grape in Gros Maroc; the Apple we do not know. (Grower). 
—Plums: 1, Tardive de Chalons; 2, Pond’s Seedling; 3, Morocco. The 
Pear is Louise Bonne of Jersey. (A Subscriber). —1, Not known; 2, Yicar 
of Winkfield ; 3, Louise Bonne of Jersey; 4, Uvedale’s St. Germain ; 5, 
Jersey Gratioli; 6, Catillac. ( Bromborough ).—Beurrd Hardy. (T. E. F.). — 
We are sorry we cannot identify either of the Apples. It is most difficult to 
determine the Apples of Yorkshire, of which there are so many local varieties. 
(C.). —Pears : 1, not known; 2, Duel;esse d’Angouleme ; 3, Beurrd Capiaumont. 
Apples : 1, Winter Strawberry; 2, Adams’ Pearmain. 
Names of Plante.—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 he named at once. 
( J. C., Wavertree). —1, Selaginella Kraussiana Browni; 2, Selaginella apus ; 
3, Plumbago Larpentae; 4, Adiantum cuneatum ; 5, Astilbe rivularis; 6, Cle¬ 
matis Jackmanni. (P. J.). —1, Crataegus coccinea ; 2, Carya porcina ; 3. We 
received no specimen with this number; 4, Bryonia dioica ; 5, Polygonum 
aviculare ; 6, The specimen was an unsatisfactory one, but it resembles 
Thuia occidentalis. (D. A .).—The Orchid is Dendrobium Dalhousianum, 
and is quite distinct from D. formosum giganteum, which has large white 
flowers. (J. H.). —1, Solidago virgaurea ; 2, Lychnis diurna flore-pleno; 
3, Euphorbia cyparissias; 4, Pyrethrum uliginosum ; 6, Veronica Andersoni 
variegata. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —September 30th. 
Our market still well supplied, prices inclined to improve. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples .. .. 
l 
0 to 3 
6 
Peaches . 
per doz. 
2 
0 to 8 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. 
Figs .. .. 
per 100 lbs. 24 
0 
26 
0 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
9 
,, dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
l 
6 
Grapes .. .. 
l 
0 
3 
0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lemons .. .. 
.. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
Plums. 
* sieve 
X 
3 
2 
6 
Melons .. .. 
i 
0 
1 
6 
Strawberries.. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges.. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
..each 
3 
0 
7 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
8. 
d. 
s. d 
Artichokes ,. 
.. dozen 
l 
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 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. £ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
S 
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 .. .. 
X 
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 
S 
0 
0 
Endive .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Heros .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. it>. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
SOME LESSONS OF THE PAST. 
Harvest is over. With the exception of roots the crops 
are all cleared from the land, and the results of another year’s 
work are before us. Each year bring its peculiar lesson, and 
now that Michaelmas is here and the farmers’ year is ended 
and begun again, we may well give some thought to our 
work and its results during the past twelve months. What 
is our object in doing this ? It is to weigh well the cause of 
success or failure, to see if our plans made last Michaelmas 
