May 20, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
413 
miniature earthquake we know what is coming—fat heavy Mushrooms, 
weighing not unfrequently from half a pound to a pound each. Those are 
larger than we prefer, hut cannot always he prevented. We have not tried 
sprinkling Mushroom heds with pepper, hut should not think it would 
injure them. The method of entrapping woodlice with old boards, alluded 
to on page 346, is equally applicable to outdoor and indoor beds. 
Carpet-Bed Arrangement (Merchant). —What is meant by the ground’ 
work of the plan is all the space surrounding or not occupied by the various 
figures of the design, which in your case would be Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6, a 
single number being sufficient, as one kind of trailing or close-growing 
plant only is used. Planted entirely with the varieties of carpet-bedding 
plants you name the bed would be much too dull in appearance, whereas 
such beds cannot well be too bright. Further, in planting a bed of this 
description it may also be advisable to outline the figures with some kind 
of hardy plant, and this admits of the design being filled in again for the 
winter. If you can purchase cheaply a box of seedling Golden Feather 
1 yrethrum—these in pi eference to plants in small pots—they would effec¬ 
tively outline figure 2, both for summer and winter. No. 1 could be out¬ 
lined with the Santolina incana, the centre being filled either with one 
Centaurea candidissima, and surrounded with Lobelia pumila magnifica or 
other good named sort, or five more Centaureas may be used if the circle 
Jjj °f good size, among these being mixed either Lobelias or Sedum lydium. 
The whole of the centre of No. 2 to be filled with Alternanthera magnifica, 
Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10 may be lined out with Cerastium tomentosum, this 
being planted so as to form a neat narrow ring, and in the centre of each a 
plant of Echeveria metallica surrounded with Mesembryanthemum cordifo- 
lium. Edge the bed with Mesembryanthemum and fill in the groundwork 
with Sedum lydium or Herniaria glabra. The work must be performed 
very neatly, commencing with a perfectly smooth and level surface, and 
during the. summer the outlines must be preserved by occasionally regulating 
and pinching back where necessary. Altsrnantlieras especially should be 
planted rather thickly, as they seldom form much fresh growth, neither 
ought they to he put out before June. 
Spring-pinching and Summer-pruning Fruit Trees (/. E.). —Un¬ 
doubtedly any advocated practice should be applied intelligently, and 
modified as may he advisable under varying circumstances. No rule can 
be laid down that can be rigidly applied to every tree. The remark that 
you cite—namely, “ Close prune spring growth, but only shorten mid¬ 
summer growth sufficiently to admit air and light freely to the spurs ”— 
represents the practice of one of the best fruit growers in thiB country, and 
has. been practised by numbers of others. It is sound in principle. If 
spring shoots are pinched as soon as five or six leaves have formed, and the 
growths of trees are so thinly disposed that the sun and air can act freely on 
those leaves, they develope and store nutrient matter in the spurs; but if 
the said shoots are permitted to extend into loDg branches, and these 
numerous, the lower leaves are necessarily imperfect, by the more luxuriant 
foliage above diverting the sap, and at the same time depriving the lower 
and weaker parts of the prime essentials of health and fruitfulness—light 
and air. It is obvious, then, to cut back long shoots in summer closely, and 
to what would under the circumstances be imperfect leaveB, would not and 
could not conduce to the fruitfulness of the trees. After young shoots are 
pinched in spring one or two of the upper buds will start, and if these are 
permitted to extend till September, and the “midsummer growth” not 
shortened to “ admit air and light freely to the spurs ” (or leaves that per¬ 
fect them), the spring pinching need not have been done, for certainly it 
could be of no benefit. We are not now advocating the universal pinching 
of spring growths, regardless of the condition and character of trees, but 
showing that the sentence that puzzles you embodies a sound principle. 
Summer pruning is only good when properly carried out; and when it 
leads, as often is the case, to subsequent overcrowding, it had better not 
have been done. When the growth of fruit trees extends and solidifies as 
made under the direct influence of the sun, fruit buds often form along the 
entire length of the young wood, not of Peaches and Nectarines only, but 
Apples and Pears; but then comes an important practical point. In the 
case of trees innumerable their allotted space is occupied, and such an exten¬ 
sion would amount to mere encroachment. Obviously, then, it is a necessity 
of the case to do what you prefer—to act “ according to circumstances.” 
The rule is sound. 
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. 
(W., Beading). —Hubbard’s Pearmain. 
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. 
(Eenry Murton). —1, Prunus virginiana, Virginian Bird Cherry; America. | 
2, Pyrus intermedia, Intermediate White Beam Tree; British. 3, Polygala 
latifolia, Cape Milkwort; Cape of Good Hope. ( Houndswood ).—Brassia 
verrucosa grandiflora (very fine); the white flower is Chysis bractescens. 
(TV. B. S.). —Ranunculus aquatilis. (H.). —Citrus medica Citron. (B.). — 
The Tulip is what is known as 'a “breeder”—one that has not broken into 
colours ; or a reversion. It has no name. ( Leadenham ).—It is not the 
common Hemlock, but the Fool’s Parsley, 2Ethusa Cynapium, which is 
sometimes known as the Lesser Hemlock. (B. D.). —1, Selaginella cassia ; 
2, Stlaginella Btolonifera ; 3, A variety of S. Kraussiana ; 5, Pteris serrulata ; 
6, Selaginella MartenBi. 
Dysentery in Bees (Ayrshire ).—The reason why your bees are suffering 
from dysentery is most probably due to the fact that you allowed them too 
much room in the hive. When bees are packed for the winter they should 
not have more than six combs of sealed honey, and all unsealed honey 
should be extracted, as it tends to dysentery. You do not mention whether 
the sugar you use is white or brown, as the latter often disagrees with bees. 
If you have a spare hive remove the bees and the brood into it, rejecting any 
soiled combs. See that the bees are kept warm and dry, keep them con¬ 
fined to a few frames by moving up the division board or boards, and feed 
with candy or thick syrup, 7 lbs. white sugar to a quart of water, but candy 
is preferable. As the weather gets warmer the bees will be able to take a 
a cleansing flight, and if only dysentery the disease will disappear. 
Thoroughly clean the old hive before using again. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— May 19th. 
Teade steady, with little alteration in prices. Strawberries in heavy 
supply, and scarcely cleared at lower rates. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples. 
£ sieve 
2 
0 to S 
6 
Peaches . 
perdoz. 
6 
0 t(20 
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 . 
dozen 
S 
0 
6 
0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 
1 
0 
l 
6 
Grapes. 
2 
6 
5 
0 
Plums. 
£ 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 ft. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Oranges .. ,, 
.. 100 
4 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Artichokes .. . 
. dozen 
1 
0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
l 
0 
to 1 
6 
Asparagus .. . 
. bundle 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Mushrooms .. .. 
punnet 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
. lb. 
1 
6 
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 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts . 
. 4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Potatoes . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. . 
. 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney .. 
cwt. 
4 
e 
5 
0 
Carrots . 
bunch 
0 
s 
0 
4 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. . 
. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Celery . 
bundle 
i 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera .. .. 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. 
bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. ner basket 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. . 
. each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots. 
0 
S 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Heros .. .. . 
. bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. ,. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Leeks . 
. bunch 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Aralia Siebold 
,. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 
0 
Ficus elaBtica ,. each 
1 
6 to 
7 
0 
Arbor vitee (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 
Ivy Geraniums per dozen 
6 
0 
6 
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 
Lobelias .. .. per dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Cyclamen 
.. dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Cyperus .. .. 
4 
0 
12 
0 
Mignonette .. per dozen 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Dracasna terminalis, dozen SO 
0 
60 
0 
Musk .. .. per dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„ viridis .. dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles.dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Erica, various 
.. dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var. .. each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Euonymus, in 
var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
8 
0 
24 
0 
Spiraea.dozen 
6 
0 
IS 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d 
Abntilons 
12 hunches 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Marguerites .. 12 bunches 
3 
0 to 6 
0 
Anemone .. 
doz. bunc es 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette .. 12 bunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Arum Liiies . 
12 blooms 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Narcissus, various 12 bnches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Azalea .. . 
12 sprays 
0 
6 
i 
0 
,, white 12 blooms 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Bouvardias . 
per bunch 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
0 
9 
i 
0 
Camellias 
12 blooms 
1 
6 
4 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Carnations . 
12 blooms 
1 
0 
8 
0 
Paeonies, various 12 b’ooms 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Chrysanthemums 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Roses (indoor), per dozen 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Cowslips 
doz. bunches 
0 
6 
0 
8 
„ Tea. dozen 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Cyclamen 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ red .. .. dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Daffodils 
12 bunches 
1 
6 
6 
0 
Primro8ep, Yellow, dozen 
Epiphyllum .. 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
bunches . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Eucharis 
per dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Primroses, Double White, 
Gardenias 
12 blooms 
i 
0 
3 
0 
dozen bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hellebore 
doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Spiraea .. .. 12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Hyacinths. Roman, 12 sprays 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Stephanotis .. 12 sprays 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Dutch .. per box 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tropaeolum .. 12 bunches 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Lapageria, white, 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tuberoses .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lapageria, red 
. 12 blooms 
1 
e 
2 
0 
Tulips .. dozen blooms 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Lilac .. .. 
per bunch 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Violets .. .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lilium longiriorum, 12 blms. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„ Czar, Fr., .. bunch 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Wallflower .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
THE FUTURE OF FARMING. 
Economy of time will undoubtedly receive much more 
attention in the future than it ever has done even up to the 
present, for well has it been said that life is much too short 
for time to be squandered in aimless efforts. Results must 
be achieved in the shortest surest manner, and in order to 
do this we must know all about the best way of doing things. 
Much as we have written about the value of chemical 
manures, yet we do not forget that they are an expensive 
