December 10, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
529 
quite firm through gathering the crops, it may he lightly pointed up with 
advantage, so as to admit the air without materially injuring the roots. In 
light soil it is not necessary to use any other implement than the hoe. We 
prefer to apply manure on the surface. If its appearance is objected to it 
may be turned lightly in with a fork, or have soil scattered over it, a few 
brarowfuls sufficing for a considerable space. The manure decaying on the 
surface, besides affording support to the canes, is valuable as a mulching in 
preventing the evaporation of moisture from the soil in dry weather. 
Gleichenia Culture (II. G. 0 .).—They require to be grown in rough 
peat, torn in pieces with the hand and the finer partioles rejected. Brown 
fibrous peat is the most suitable. Good drainage is necessary, and deep 
pans will answer quite as well as pots, they not being deep-rooting plants. 
The plants should be potted when they begin to grow, or early in March, 
and the old soil removed without injuring the roots. To the soil, before 
potting, add about a sixth of charcoal broken small, and a similar quantity 
of crystal sand. Work the soil in carefully amongst the roots, keeping the 
rhizomes well up, and potting moderately firm. Water thoroughly, so as to 
settle the soil about them, and do not water again until it is necessary, but 
before the plants are distressed by want of it, then giving a thorough 
supply. They are best in a light position, with just sufficient shade in very 
bright weather to prevent scorching, and should have a rather free amount 
of air, as they do not flourish in the close moist atmosphere of ordinary 
ferneries. A moderate amount of moisture only is necessary, and water 
Bhould be sprinkled on the fronds. They require a temperature of 45° to 
50° in winter, and 55° to 65° in spring by artificial means, and 10° to 15° rise 
from sun heat. The summer temperature will range 60° to 65° at night, 
and proportionately higher in the daytime. The chief things are an open 
free soil, free ventilation, and not too much water either at the roots or in 
the atmosphere. 
Fruit Trees Cankering [An Old Gardener). —While it is not wise to 
be prejudiced against what you call “ new notions,” we think you are right 
in considering that the truth of the “ insect theory ” is not yet established 
beyond dispute. But this is not such a “ new notion ” as you appear to 
imagine. We have heard of it years ago, and seen the insects alluded to 
after the caker appeared, not before. Insects cause ulceration, as in the 
case of the Aphis lanigera, or American blight, but that is not canker as the 
term is generally understood. The following remarks cited from the 
“ Cottage Gardener’s Dictionary ” are pertinent to your inquiry, and we 
have not a doubt there is a considerable amount of truth in them :—“This 
disease is accompanied by different symptoms, according to the species of 
the tree which it infects. In some of those whose true sap contains a 
considerable quantity of free acid, as in the genus Pyrus, it is rarely accom¬ 
panied by any discharge. To this dry form of the disease it would he well 
to confine the term canleer. In other trees, with sap abounding in astrin¬ 
gent or gummy constituents, it is usually attended by a discharge. In such 
instances it might strictly be designated ulcer. This disease has a consider¬ 
able resemble to the tendency to ossification, which appears in most aged 
animals, arising from their marked tendency to secrete the calcareous saline 
compounds that chiefly constitute their skeletons. The consequence is an 
enlargement of the joints and ossification of the circulatory vessels and 
other parts—phenomena very analogous to those attending the cankering 
of trees. As in animals, this tendency is general throughout their system ; 
but, as is observed by Mr. Knight, ‘ like the mortification in the limbs of 
elderly people,’ it may be determined, as to its point of attack, by the irrita¬ 
bility of that part of the system. This disease commences with an enlarge¬ 
ment of the vessels of the bark of a branch or of the stem. This swelling 
invariably attends the disease when it attacks the Apple trf e. In the Pear 
the enlargement is less, yet is always present. In the Elm and the Oak 
sometimes no swelling occurs ; and in the Peach we do not recollect to 
have seen any. The swelling is soon communicated to the wood, which, if 
laid open to view on its first appearance by the removal of the bark, exhibits 
no marks of disease beyond the mere unnatural enlargement. In the course 
of a few years, less in number in proportion to the advanced age of the 
tree and the unfavourable circumstances under which it is vegetating, the 
swelling is greatly increased in size, and the alburnum has become exten¬ 
sively dead; the bark above it cracks, rises in discoloured scales, and 
decays even more rapidly than the wood beneath. If the canker is upon a 
moderately sized branch the decay soon completely encircles it, extending 
through the whole alburnum and bark. The circulation of the sap being 
thus entirely prevented, all the parts above the disease perish. Trees inju¬ 
diciously pruned, or growing upon an ungenial soil, are more frequently 
attacked than those which are advancing under contrary circumstances. 
The soil has a very considerable influ* nca in inducing the disease. If the 
subsoil he an irony gravel, or if it is not well drained, the canker is almost 
certain to make its appearance amongst the trees they sustain, however 
young and vigorous they were when first planted. All these facts before us 
unite in assuring us that the canker arises from the tree’s weakness, from 
a deficiency in its vital energy, and consequent inability to imbibe and 
elaborate the nourishment necessary to sustain its frame in vigour, and 
much less to supply the healthy development of new parts. It is quite true 
that OTer-luxuriant trees are particularly liable to this disease ; but over¬ 
luxuriance is really a demonstration that the tree does not digest and secrete 
its juices healthily.” We do not consider that canker arises from either 
weakness or exuberance only, but both are contributory causes, and when 
they exist remedial measures should be adopted accordingly. 
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. 
(B. S.). —1, Eyewood; 2, Chaumontel. ( T . Buckerfield). — The Pear was so 
loose in the box and so much battered it was impossible to distinguish it. 
( Charles Denning). —1, Brougham; 2, Belmont. (G. Picker 1.—1, Colmar 
d’Aremberg ; 4, Doyenne Bcussoch ; 5, Colmar ; 6, Winter NtliB; 7, Easter 
Beurre; 8, Beurre d’Aremberg. (J. Cornliill). —The Apple sent as a seed¬ 
ling is marvellously like Fearn’s Pippin. The other is Golden Spire. 
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. 
(Slough ).—Sternbergia lutea. 
Reversible Frames (J. II .).—Tour letter with a reply by “A Lanark¬ 
shire Bee-keeper ” arrived too late for insertion in the present issue. 
Closing Hive Entrances (B. iff.).—They must not be closed entirely, 
hut if large the apertures should he reduced. Many persons restrict them 
so that mice cannot enter, and yet admit air for the benefit of the bees. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —December 9th. 
Little alteration from last week. Supplies still heavy, especially 
Grapes, moving freely at low prices. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples. 
i sieve 
i 
0 
to 3 
6 
Oranges. 
0 
Oto 
0 
0 
„ Canadian .. 
barrel 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Peaches . 
per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ Nova Scotia 
lOo'ibs. 
10 
0 
12 
6 
Pears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. per 
22 
0 
25 
0 
,, dessert 
dozen 
0 
4 
1 
G 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
8 
0 
9 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Plums. 
$ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons .. .. 
.. case 
15 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
1 
6 
5 
0 
Melons. 
i 
0 
1 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d 
8. 
d. 
s. 
a. 
Artichokes .. .. 
dozen 
l 
0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
l 
0 to 
l 
6 
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 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts .. 
J sieve 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Potatoes . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. ,. 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
8 
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 
2 
0 
2 
9 
Cucumbers .. .. 
each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Heros .. .. .. 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Leeks . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 0 . 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS. 
To those who have given much thought to agricultural 
depression and its causes comes not unfrequently a feeling 
of sadness and distrust—sadness arising from a keen sense 
of past and present difficulties, distrust of the future and the 
probable additions to our burdens which it may bring to us. 
Bold indeed would the man be who ventured to predict the 
advent of more prosperous times in the immediate future, for 
farming is undoubtedly in a state of transition. A radical 
change is surely if slowly being effected in the culture and 
cropping of the soil, in the rearing and management of live 
stock, and in the marketing of farm produce. Cause and 
effect are being looked into more closely, science is brought 
to bear upon practice as it never was before; to energy of 
action is combined clearness of aim, as the causes of failure 
or success open up to us. But there is still much ignorance, 
and its invariable concomitant of prejudice, to overcome ; the 
downright assertions of ignorance, the rash action arising 
from superficial knowledge, still clog our progress and hinder 
our efforts for the general good. The clinging to the use of 
farmyard manure undoubtedly has some justification in the 
fact that it contains all the elements of plant fertility, not¬ 
withstanding the equally weighty fact that the manufacture 
and application of such manure is exceedingly costly. It is 
a safe agent in imparting fertility to the soil, and the rough- 
and-ready practitioner will doubtless cling to it as long as 
he can. But we already know that plant food is absorbed in 
a gaseous state, and this fact is literally a golden key to the door 
of the treasury of Nature, and we are gradually learning how 
to use it. Nobody has yet won the prize of £10,000 which 
was offered a few years ago by the French Government for a 
method of using the nitrogen of the atmosphere for purposes 
of fertilisation, yet the ploughing-in of green crops for 
manure is doubtless the nearest approach to such a discovery, 
