May 13, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
391 
this system, and next year you will have canes that will furnish a third at 
least of the space. We have often known the Buckland Sweetwater bear 
well on a strong well-ripened young rod when scarcely any bunches were 
produced on spurs after close pruning. 
Tobacco-leaved Cherry (C. Morden). —Certainly there is a Cherry dis¬ 
tinguished by the above name, and with half a dozen synonyms in addition. 
There is nothing for which this Cherry is remarkable, except its large 
leaves and high-sounding name ; however it came to be called “ Four-to-the- 
Pound ” would puzzle anyone to imagine, but such is the name by which it 
was at one time known, and under which it was found in all nurserymen’s 
catalogues. It is a very old Cherry, and is evidently of English origin, 
being mentioned by Parkinson as early as 1629, under the more modest 
designation of “ Ounce Cherrie.” He says, “ The Ounce Cherrie hath the 
greatest and broadest leafe of any other Cherrie, but beareth the smallest 
store of Cherries everie yeare that any doth, and yet blossometh well; the 
fruit also is nothing answerable to the name, being not great, of a pale 
yellowish red, neere the colour of amber, and therefore some have called it 
the Amber Cherrie.” There is no doubt it is this variety also which is 
described by Meager under the name of “ Ciliegeberrylin,” which he Bays is 
“ as big as an indifferent Apple.” The Germans ascribe its introduction on 
the Continent to the Earl of Murray, who had a seat at Menin, in Flanders, 
whence it was taken into Germany by M. Seebach, colonel of an Austrian 
regiment of cavalry, and who received it from Lord Murray’s gardener 
under the name of Quatre & la Livre. The leaves are a foot, and sometimes 
18 inches long. 
Berberis vulgaris (D. P., Lancaster). —As you appear to be particularly 
interested in the Barberry, the following will perhaps in some measure meet 
your wishes, but we cannot undertake to “ tell all about it,” especially in 
the form of a reply. It is a native of the East, and is noticed by the 
earliest Arabian writers as the Berberys. This was accepted by Linnaeus 
for the generic name. The specific name, vulgaris, common, needs no 
explanation. Bauhin says its English name was Piridge, and we know that 
Pirige was the Anglo-Saxon for a Pear tree. But Gerarde and others of 
our early herbalists say it was called the Piperidge, or Pipperidge tree, and 
this may have been derived from the Norman, for Pepin is a pip, and rouge, 
red. Parkinson, writing later, says, “ Many others do call it Berberis, and 
so the generall vote goeth now-a-dayes.” The flowers are offensive to the 
smell when near, but at a short distance their fragrance is extremely fine. 
The fruit is of a most agreeable acid flavour, cooling, and good to quench 
thirst in fevers, and, boiled with sugar, makes an excellent preserve. The 
berries are also used as a dry sweetmeat in sugar plums, and the juice to 
flavour sugar comfits ; they are cooling, astringent, and antiscorbutic, and 
are said to be of great use in bilious affections, diarrhoea, and all cases 
where heat and acrimony prevail. Though used formerly, and highly 
spoken of by some old physicians as performing marvellous cures, they are 
now entirely expelled from modern practice, it having been found that any 
medicinal uses which existed in the acid of the Berberry were equally met 
with in other fruits, and hence the Currant is the only one which has been 
retained in the pharmacopceas. The bark of the root and inner bark of the 
stem afford a colour which will dye linen or cotton a fine yellow, with the 
assistance of alum. In Poland they dye leather of a most beautiful yellow 
colour with the bark of the root, and it is said to be from this root that the 
fine yellow of morocco leather is obtained. This colouring property is 
owing to a peculiar crystallisable principle, which has been named Berberin; 
and which is said, in a dose of from one to ten grains, to be tonic and purga¬ 
tive. This principle has been ascertained to possess alkaline properties. 
The bark of the Berberry, taken as a decoction in ale or white wine, is said 
to be purgative, and to have proved highly efficacious in the cure of jaun¬ 
dice ; hence, in some parts of the country, we have heard the plant called 
the Jaundice Berry. A popular opinion exists throughout Europe that the 
Berberry should never be allowed to grow in proximity to Wheat, from the 
power it has of communicating blight to the plant and rendering the ears 
abortive. A singular circumstance is observable in the stamens of the 
Berberries, and particularly that of the common Berberry. They are all 
bent back to each petal, the concave tips of which shelter the anthers. No 
agitation whatever of the branch will have any effect on them ; but if the 
inside of the filaments be merely touched with a small bit of stick, a pin, 
or a needle, they instantly spring from the petals, and shakethe pollen against 
the stigma. This irritability does not exist on the outside of the filaments, 
nor in the anthers; and if the stamen is bent towards the stigma by the 
anthers only, no such action is exhibited. From this it is evident that the 
sudden spring of the stamenB is owing to a high degree of irritability in 
the side of the filament next the ovary, by which, when touched, it con¬ 
tracts, that side becomes shorter than the other, and, consequently, the 
filament is bent towards the ovary. This irritability is perceptible in the 
filaments of flowers of all ages. If the ovary is cut off, the filaments will 
still contract, and, nothing being in their way, will bend quite over to the 
opposite side of the flower. After irritation the stamens will return to their 
original place, and, on being touched again, they will contract with the 
same facility as at first. These anthers bent back and sheltered from rain 
in the concavity of the petals, would probably never reach the stigma, and 
thereby propagate the species, were it not for this wonderful irritability; 
there they remain till some insect, coming to extract honey from the base 
of the flower, thrusts itself between the filaments, and, almost unavoid¬ 
ably, touches them in their most irritable part: the anthers rise and 
distribute the pollen on the stigma, and thus impregnation of the ovary 
is accomplished. 
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 or soft green leaves form the best packing, dry 
cotton wool the worst. Not more than six specimens can be named at once. 
( F. C. Weavers). —2, Kerria japonica flore-pleno; 4, Resembles Pelargonium 
graveolens ; 5, Phyllocactus Jenkinsoni. The others were not recognisable. 
( W.).—The shoot with two or three leaves is quite insufficient for identifi¬ 
cation. ( B. J. B .).—Viburnum Lantana, the Wayfaring Tree. (J. Gilbert). 
—Prunus Padus, the Bird Cherry. ( 7. R.). —1, Spirzea prunifolia flore- 
pleno 2, Prunus Padus; 3, Berberis Darwini. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— May 12th. 
Trade improving, and with good supplies prices remain easier, Straw¬ 
berries alone maintaining their advance. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
8. d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples .. .. 
2 
0 
to S 6 
Peaches.. .. 
. per doz . 6 0 te20 
0 
„ Canadian 
.. barrel 
12 
0 
20 0 
Pears, kitchen 
.. dozen 0 0 
0 
0 
Cobs, Kent .. 
per 100 lbs. 27 
6 
30 0 
,, dessert 
.. dozen 0 0 
0 
0 
Figs .. .. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 1 0 
1 
6 
Grapes .. .. 
2 
6 
6 0 
Plums .. .. 
. A sieve 0 0 
0 
0 
Lemons .. 
2 
6 
4 0 
St. Michael Pines ..each 4 0 
6 
0 
Melon .. .. 
3 
0 
5 0 
Strawberries .. 
.. per lb. 2 0 
6 
0 
Oranges .. 
4 
0 
6 0 
VEGETABLES. 
8 
d. 
s. d 
8. d. 
S. 
a 
Artichokes .. 
dozen 
l 
0 to 0 0 
Lettuce .. .. 
to 1 
6 
Asparagus 
.. bundle 
2 
0 
5 0 
Mushrooms .. 
,.punnet 0 6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
1 
6 
0 0 
Mustard and Cress punnet 0 2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red .. 
.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 0 
Ouions .. .. 
.. bunch 0 3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 2 0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. 4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 0 
Parsnips .. .. 
3 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
3 
0 
4 0 
Potatoes.. .. 
6 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
8 
2 0 
,, Kidney 
.. cwt. 4 9 
5 
0 
Carrots .. •• 
0 
3 
0 4 
Rhubarb.. .. 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
3 0 
Salsafy .. .. 
i 
6 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 0 
Scorzonera .. 
bundle 1 6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 0 
Seakale .. .. 
per basket 1 0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
.. each 
0 
8 
0 6 
Shallots .. .. 
.. .. ft, 0 S 
0 
0 
Endive .. .. 
1 
0 
2 0 
Spinach .. 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 0 
Tomatoes 
.. .. lb. l o 
3 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
8 
0 4 
Turnips .. .. 
0 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
0. 
s. d. 
s. d. 
S. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi 
.. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 0 
Ficus elastica 
. each 1 6 to 7 
0 
Arbor vitaa (golden) dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Ferns, in variety 
.. dozen 4 0 
18 
0 
., (common) dozen 
6 
0 
12 0 
Foliage Plants, var. each 2 0 
10 
0 
Arum Lilies .. 
.. dozen 
9 
0 
18 0 
Genistas 
.. dozen 6 0 
12 
0 
Azaleas .. .. 
0 
42 0 
Hyacinths .. 
.. dozen 0 0 
0 
0 
Begonias 
.. dozen 
6 
0 
9 0 
Lilies of the Valley, in 
Calceolaria .. 
per dozen 
6 
0 
12 0 
pots, per doz. 12 0 
18 
0 
Cineraria 
.. dozen 
6 
0 
10 0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 8 0 
12 
0 
Cyclamen 
.. dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Myrtles .. .. 
12 
0 
Cvnerus .. .. 
4 
0 
12 0 
Palms, in var. 
.. each 2 6 
21 
0 
Dracsena terminalis, dozen 30 
0 
60 0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 4 0 
8 
0 
„ viridis 
.. dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Primulas, single, dozen 0 0 
0 
0 
Erica, various 
.. dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Solan um 
.. dozen 0 0 
0 
0 
Euonymus, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 0 
Spinea .. .. 
12 
9 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
24 0 
Tulips .. .. 
0 
0 
CUT FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
s. d. 
s. d. 
s. 
a 
Abutilons 
12 bunches 
2 
0 to 4 0 
Marguerites .. 
12 bunohes 3 0 
to 6 
0 
Anemone .. doz. bunc’es 
2 
0 
6 0 
Mignonette .. 
12 bunches 3 0 
6 
0 
Arum Lilies .. 
12 blooms 
4 
0 
6 0 
Narcissus, various 12 bnches 2 0 
6 
0 
Azalea .. .. 
12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 0 9 
1 
8 
Bouvardias .. 
per bunch 
1 
0 
1 6 
„ scarlet 
, 12 trusses 0 4 
0 
8 
12 blooms 
1 
6 
4 0 
Pasonies, various 
12 b’ooms 1 8 
2 
6 
Carnations .. 
12 blooms 
1 
0 
8 0 
Roses (indoor), 
per dozen 1 0 
3 
0 
Chrysanthemums 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ Tea.. .. 
2 
0 
CoweliDS .. doz. bunohe3 
1 
0 
2 0 
„ red 
.. dozen 2 0 
4 
0 
Cyclamen 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Primroses, Yellow, dozen 
Daffodils 
12 bunches 
1 
8 
6 0 
bunches .. 
0 
9 
Epiphyllum .. 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Primroses, Double White, 
Encharis •• 
per dozen 
4 
0 
6 0 
dozen bunches .. .. 0 0 
0 
0 
Gardenias 
U blooms 
1 
0 
3 0 
Spiraea .. .. 
12 sprays 9 6 
1 
0 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Tropseolum .. 
12 bunches 1 0 
3 
0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 sprays 
0 
0 
0 0 
Tuberoses .. 
12 blooms 1 6 
2 
0 
„ Dutch .. per box 
0 
0 
0 0 
Tulips .. dozen blooms 0 8 
0 
6 
Lat>aeeria, white, 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Violets .. .. 
12 bunches 0 0 
0 
0 
Lapageria, red 
. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 0 
„ Czar, Fr. 
.. bunch 0 0 
0 
0 
Lilac .. .. 
per bunch 
2 
0 
6 0 
„ Parme, French, per 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 blms. 
6 
0 
9 0 
bunch 
.. .. a 0 
5 
0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
0 
9 
1 0 
Wallflower .. 
12 bunches 2 0 
4 
0 
THE FUTURE OF FARMING. 
Fertility well sustained in soil that is clean, well 
drained, well divided by fine stones or suitable substitutes, 
must be regarded as an indispensable fundamental point in 
the future of farming. How best to impart fertility to the 
soil is a matter to which more and more attention is being 
given. Economy with efficiency is a combination to which 
our best efforts must be given; we must know what 
elements of plant food are required in the soil, and also how 
we can supply the want. It is true enough that farmyard 
manure contains all the elements of fertility required to store 
the soil with nutriment, but having regard to the cost of its 
manufacture and use, we are bound to inquire if we cannot 
in some measure avoid this heavy outlay. Think what it 
involves—cattle, yards, litter, food, attendance, the risk of 
