October IS, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
351 
and are hardy enough for unheated houses in the south of England; but 
you omit to state the district in which you reside. 
Insect Cocoons (IF M., Hatfield). —The objects you enclosed are 
cocoons, produced by a species of sawfly which has no popular name, but is 
termed in science Trichiosoma lucorum. As the specific appellation implies, 
the insect occurs upon a variety of trees and shrubs, but the larvfe or 
grubs chiefly consume the leaves of the Whitethorn, Blackthorn, and Rose. 
Occasionally they occur upon fruit trees, but as the females scatter the eggs 
here and there it is seldom abundant enough in any locality to produce 
serious injury to any cultivated plants. After attaining maturity, the larvm 
form these cocoons, from which the flies emerge during the spring. If 
opened now, they will be found to contain the larvre closely rolled up and 
motionless; they eventually change to pupae, in which Btate they pass the 
remainder of the winter. 
Exhibiting Chrysanthemums (E. C.). —There is quite room in the box 
illustrated on page 301 for the blooms when cupped and placed in the stands. 
The exhibitor to whom you allude irses cups, as do all others who succeed 
in winning the best prizes. Some blooms are so perfect that nothing will 
improve them, but the majority appear to much better advantage in stands 
when cups are employed. 
Water Lily not Thriving ( G. (?.).—We suspect you have not got the 
hardy pink Water Lily, some of the coloured species requiring heat. As 
you purchased the plant we presume it would be named, and if you will 
send the name your letter shall have further attention ; also please state 
whether you want two other aquatics for the open air or the vinery, in 
either case stating the size of the tank. 
Preserving Walnuts (H. J.). —If you have no cellars at your command 
we should place the nuts in large earthenware pipkins, or failing these in 
large flower pots, and bury them in a cool position in the garden. We have 
kept nuts successfully by this simple method. In some of the pots we 
have mixed sand with the nuts, others sawdust, and in other pots the nuts 
have been placed without either sand or sawdust, and there was little or 
no difference in the results. Walnuts may be kept for a considerable 
time in an ordinary shed if they are placed in pots with moderately moist 
sawdust, but not that from Fir trees, which contains turpentine. 
Bone Dust for Vine Border (A. B). —The quantity of bone dust that 
should be used depends on the condition of the Vines. If they are the 
reverse of luxuriant a quarter of a pound lightly pointed into each square 
yard of the border will not do any harm, neither, perhaps, will it do much 
good if there are not plenty of fibrous roots working not far from the 
surface of the border. A great deal of manure is wasted on Vine borders 
that contain little beyond straight fibreless roots a foot or two below the 
surface, and the chief feeding roots, as is often the case, far beyond the 
confines of the border. 
Manure for Mushroom Beds ( T. IF. D.).—The manure collected from 
the London stables for Mushroom-growing is not weighed. It is true the 
size of carts vary, but, as stated in “ Mushrooms for the Million,” the 
manure is “ stacked square 2£ feet above the top of a full-sized cart,” and 
this you may take to mean the largest carts in regular use in your district. 
Manure that is sold by the ton about London is too much decayed for the 
purpose in question. One of Mr. Barter’s loads would perhaps not weigh 
much, if any, more than three-quarters of a ton, and if he pays 3s. 6d. per 
load and sells the old beds for 2s. 6d., and you pay 8s. 6d. per ton and sell 
for 7s. 6d., you appear to be on a level with him as to profits ; for if you buy 
at a higher rate than he does you would naturally sell at a higher rate too ; 
and the value of the crops of Mushrooms grown in the meantime, assuming 
them to be equal in bulk and quality, would necessarily be the same in both 
instances. 
Grapes (F. A. Brown). —Your questions were answered on page 261, 
No. 273, the issue of September 17th. Dr. Hogg Grape is not a Muscat of 
the type of Muscat of Alexandria, which has large oval berries, but is a 
Frontignan with much smaller and round berries, with a rich Muscat 
flavour. It will succeed in a house in which Black Hamburghs ripen in 
August, assigning it a warm position. The same remarks apply to Gros 
Maroc, but this is a very strong grower, and requires a width of 5 feet of 
roof space. Alnwick Seedling will ripen in a Hamburgh house in which 
the Vines are started in March, and a suitable temperature is maintained 
for their healthy growth. Foster’s Seedling is the most reliable white 
Grape for growing with Black Hamburghs, and with good cultural attention 
the berries neither shank nor crack. 
Potting Violets (X X. X.).—You had better take up’and pot your Violets 
at once, removing all decayed and discoloured leaves, also worms from the 
soil that adheres to the roots, yet as much of this should be retained as 
can be conveniently placed in the pots. Use fresh loam with a sixth 
part of manure so much decayed and dried that it can be rubbed 
through a sieve, adding also a little wood ashes and sand to render 
the mixture porous. Work this well amongst the roots, then press it down 
firmly, giving a good watering. The plants should be placed in a frame, 
which may be kept close, and even shaded for a few days, if that is neces¬ 
sary to prevent the leaves flagging, but the less of shade the better if the 
leaves can be kept fresh. When the plants have recovered from their 
removal they require much light, and all the air that can be afforded 
without checking the expansion of the flowers by sharp currents rushing 
through the sashes. 
Clematises (T. T .).—You appear to require some of the free-growing or 
rambling varieties, on which a correspondent wrote as follows a short time 
ago :—“All the species and varieties of this genus are admirably adapted for 
covering walls or any blank spaces, or for covering a verandah, porch, trellis- 
work, or bower, or, what is more to our purpose here, for scrambling over old 
ruins, rootery, or rockwork. In such places even the common English 
species, C. Vitalba—Traveller’s Joy, as it is frequently called, in some locali¬ 
ties more frequently known as Old Man’s Beard—is extremely ornamental. 
C. Flammula is a deliciously fragant old species, of which there are several 
forms. All, however, are white and sweet-scented, differing only in size and 
robustness. The leaves are small, pinnate, and dark green, whilst the pur 
white fragrant flowers are borne on branching panicles in great profusion a 
through the summer and autumn months; and C. montana is speciall 
valuable on account of its blooms appearing so early in the year. Th 
flowers are large and pure white, with pale green stamens, appearing in 
April and May. The following are mostly hybrids, which have been raised 
in this country, and flower somewhat in the order named :—Albert Victor, 
large, deep lavender, barred with brown ; Alexandra, petals broad, reddish 
violet ; Azurea grandiflora, violet blue ; Ccerulea odorata, small, daik purple, 
very fragrant; Fortunei, creamy white, double, fragrant, Japan; Gem, rich 
blue, continuing into late autumn ; Lady Lovelac 3 , double rich blue; Lord 
Londesborough, deep rich marrve, striped maroon ; Lady Londesborough, 
Bilvery grey, with pink base; Lanuginosa, large azure blue, China; Lanu¬ 
ginosa Candida, large, creamy white ; Lanuginosa nivea, large, pure white ; 
Lucy Lemoine, large, double, pure white ; Magnifies, purplish crimson ; 
Miss Bateman, large, pure white, striped with creamy white ; Jackmani, 
large,rich violet-purple, a profuse bloomer; Prince of Wales, deep vinous 
red, shaded violet; Rubella, large, deep claret ; Rubro-violacea, maroon, 
shaded violet; Standishi, violet-purple; Star of India, rich plum, red bars ; 
Thomas Moore, large, rich purplish violet, white stamens ; Tunbridgensis, 
fine shape, deep bluish mauve; Velutina purpurea, large, rich purplish black. 
Names 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. {A. M. 
Turner). —Cornish Gilliflower. {H. Hewat Craw). —American Mother. (X., 
Boughgale). —Loddington. ( Alfred Brook). —1, Fearn’s Pippin ; 2, Brickley 
Seedling; 3, not known; 4, Ord’s. {S. C. Clay). —Suffolk Thorn, gather it 
now and keep till it is ready. (J. L. H.) —1 and 4, Northern Greening ; 2, 
White Nonpareil; 3, London Pippin. ( James Woods). —Apple, Keswick 
Codlin. Pears, 2, Easter Beurre; 5, Beurre Sterckmans. (IF. S.). —1, Cale- 
basse; 2. Beurre Diel; 4, Hacon’s Incomparable; 5, Gilogil; 6, Duchesse 
d’Angouleme. (W. G.) —A, Forelle; B, Beurre Diel. (A Constant Sub¬ 
scriber). —1, Gloria Mundi; 2, Reinette de Canada ; 3, Gravenstein; 4, not 
known; 5, Hambledon Deux Ans. {C. J. Nicholson). —1, Hollandbury ; 2, 
Stoup Leadington; 3, Greenup’s Pippin. ( South Essex). —1, Golden 
Reinette; 2, Bess Pool; 3, Braddick’s Nonpareil. ( B. E. Filkins). —2, 
Hollandbury ; 5, Ribston Pippin ; 6, Northern Greening. 
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 
Bhould 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. 
(G. H.). —1, Hibiscus syriacus ; 2, Mesembryanthemum echinatum; 3, Da- 
vallia canariensis; 4, Davallia bullata ; 5 Selaginella Martensi. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— October 14th. 
Supplies and prices continue much the same as last week. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples . 
h sieve 
i 
0 
to S 
6 
Peaches . 
perdoz. 
2 
0 to 8 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. per 100 lbs. 21 
0 
26 
0 
Pears, kitchen 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
8 
0 
9 
,, dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
l 
0 
Grapes . 
0 
6 
3 
0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lemons .. .. 
.. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
Plums . 
$ sieve 
1 
3 
2 
0 
Melons . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Strawberries.. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oranges . 
.. 100 
8 
0 
12 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
3 
s 
7 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d 
a. 
d. 
s. a 
Artichokes .. . 
dozen 
l 
0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce . 
. dozen 
i 
0 to 
l 
0 
Asparagus .. . 
bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. . 
punnet 
0 
6 
l 
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. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts . 
£ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips .. .. . 
dozen 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. . 
100 
I 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. . 
dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera .. . 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts dcz. 
bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. per basket 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. . 
each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs . 
. bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. ,. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Leeks . 
. bunch 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
WHEAT SOWING. 
Now that the time for sowing Wheat has come again, 
many a farmer has to consider if it is worth while making 
any reduction in the number of acres of land for the cultiva¬ 
tion of a crop which in many, perhaps in the majority of 
farms, has proved to be so unprofitable again. Free trade 
has brought us into competition with the Wheat-growers of 
other countries; we have now to offer our samples for sale 
in the world’s market. Are we to withdraw from the contest 
beaten ? It is undoubtedly a wiser course to bow to the 
