June 24, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
521 
early stages by beds of fermenting materials made up inside the house, 
and turned oyer frequently so as to prevent over-heating, and when the 
heat is declining adding fresh. The ammonia is also liberated more freely 
when the material is open than when closely packed. During growth light 
mulchings of fresh droppings are the best to afford ammonia, giving a light 
sprinkling about once a week, and continuing it up to the time the Grapes 
change colour. The droppings will get damped frequently, and give out 
ammonia with the moisture. Care should be taken not to give too much. 
Liquid manure—that from stable and farmyard cesspools, sprinkled on the 
pathways in the afternoon at closing time is beneficial. We use a four- 
gallon watering pot full in a house 40 feet by 20 feet, and through a rose. 
The best is the drainage from stables, it smells sweetest, and is mostly 
urine. This we dilute with six times the quantity of water, and apply 
through a rose watering pot fresh about 5.30 p.m., giving sufficient to damp 
all available surfaces, and we always ventilate fruit houses before nightfall. 
In a close atmosphere with sun ammonia does harm, often great injury, 
and it must be used with care. In vineries commence when the Vines are 
started, and do not discontinue it until the Grapes change colour. 
Fairy Rings on Lawn (Old Subscriber). — The appearance of these rings 
has been thus described by Mr. Worthington G. Smith :—“ Fairy rings, as 
formed by Agarics, probably start from a single Fungus which has grown 
from wind-carried spores. The growth of the spawn of this single Fungus 
m the ground renders the spot where the individual grew unfit to produce 
another Fungus of the same class. The spawn then extends itself from the 
central spot, and grows all through the winter and following summer a 
circular patch in the earth. One year’s growth will give a circle of about 
6 jnches, and on the outside of this little circle a small fairy ring of Fungi 
will appear the second year. When this ring of Fungi dieB it acts as a rich 
nitrogenous manure for the grass, so that in the third summer a circle of 
rank fungus-manured grass is seen. The grassy circle is often in strong 
contrast with adjoining dead grass killed by the Fungus spawn infesting 
Fig. 95.—Fairy Ring. The ground partly shown in section, A centre, where the original 
Fungus has decayed, and whence springs the underground spawn, B. B, of the 
Fungus (Marasmius oreades), which gives rise to the fairy ring. 
the roots. If circumstances are favourable the underground spawn will 
now keep on extending itself for forty years or more, until at last an 
enormous circle is made that may sometimes be seen on hillsides from a 
distance of a mile or more. If an obstruction occurs a semicircle may 
sometimes result; at other times, when numerous rings grow near each 
other in the same pasture, or on the same hillside, various ogee curves and 
wavy lines of rank grass, barren ground, and Fungi are originated. Some¬ 
times a large fairy ring will appear in a place, as on a lawn, where no Fungi 
have been seen before, and where no smaller rings have preceded the large 
one. This phenomenon is caused by the first Fungus being overlooked, 
and then a series of seasons have followed unsuitable for the production of 
the Fungi. The spawn, however, has been alive underground, and has 
kept on year after year extending itself till at last a suitable season arrives, 
and a crop of Agarics is the result at the circular margin of the underground 
spawn.” 
Destroying the Fungi (Idem). —You will do no good by digging up the 
circles, but as the rings are a great disfigurement make holes with a crowbar 
so as to open the soil beneath the grass, and about a foot deep, and fill 
them with liquid manure from a tank receiving the drainings of stable, cow- 
byres, Ac., soaking thoroughly twice a day for a week. Potash and nitro¬ 
genous manures are needed to eradicate fairy rings. Apply manure, animal 
or vegetable, or decayed farmya-d manure, or the debris of rubbish heaps 
reduced to mould. Compost formed of ditch cleanings, &c., with a load of 
lime to every six or ten of the other, thrown in a heap, now or in late 
summer, and turned over a time or two will he fit to apply in February. 
A good manuring may be given at that time, or not later than March ; but 
the compost will not give so rank a growth of grass. 
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. 
(Subscriber). —We do not undertake to name more than six specimens at one 
time. 5, Lonicera sempervirens; 7, Begonia metallica ; 9, Begonia lucida ; 
10, Acalypha Macafeeana; 11, Pteris serrulata ; 12, Tradescantia discolor. 
(Somerset). —2, Carex acuta ; 7, C. flava ; 8, C. pallescens ; 9, C. ovalis ; 10, 
C. riparia. (•/. O. H.). —4, Ribes specioBum ; 5, Chelidonium majus ; 6, 
Anthericum liliastrum. The others were too much withered to be 
recognised. (Herbert Fleet). —1, Paul’s double Scarlet Thorn ; 2, Crataegus 
coccinea ; 3, Crataegus ovalifolia; 4, Pavia flava; 5, Cornus sanguinea ; 6, 
Berberis vulgaris. (A. K. C.). —Calanthe veratrifolia. (Cheshire ).— 
Crinum capense. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 23rd. 
Trade more brisk at last week’s prices. Outdoor Strawberries making 
their appearance. 
FRUIT. 
s. d. s. d. 
Apples.£ sieve 0 0 to 0 0 
Cobs, Kent .. per 100 lbs. 27 6 30 0 
Figs . dozen SO 4 0 
Grapes.lb. 1 6 4 0 
Lemons.case 10 0 15 0 
Melon .each 16 3 6 
s. d. s. d. 
Oranges . 100 4 0 to 6 o 
Peaches.perdoz. 4 0 10 0 
Pine Apples English .. lb. 2 0 3 0 
Plums. £ sieve 0 0 0 0 
St. Michael Pines ..each 4 0 6 0 
Strawberries.. .. per lb. 0 6 16 
VEGETABLES. 
Artichokes .. 
. dozen 
s. 
1 
d. s. 
0 to 0 
d 
0 
Lettuce .. 
8. 
1 
d. 
0 to 
8. 
1 
d 
6 
Asparagus 
. bundle 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
.. punnet 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
. lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red .. . 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions .. .. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Broccoli. 
. bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parslev .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
. £ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips.. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
. dozen 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes.. .. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney 
.. cwt. 
4 
6 
5 
0 
Carrots. 
. bunch 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Rhubarb.. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
. dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Salsafy .. .. 
1 
0 
l 
s 
Celery . 
. bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
.. bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz 
bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. 
per basket 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
. each 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots .. .. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive. 
. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Leeks .. 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 
,, bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
a. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi .. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 0 
Ficus elastica 
.. each 
i 
6 to 
7 
0 
Arbor vitas (golden) dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Fuchsia 
per dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ (common) dozen 
6 
0 
12 0 
Foliage Plants, var. each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Arum Lilies .. .. dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Genistas 
.. dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Azaleas.dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Hydrangea .. 
per dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Bedding Plants, var. doz. 
1 
0 
2 0 
Ivy Geraniums 
per dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Begonias .. .. dozen 
6 
0 
9 0 
Lilies of the 
Valley, in 
Calceolaria .. per dozen 
6 
0 
12 0 
pots, per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cineraria .. .. dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Lobelias .. .. 
per dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Cyclamen .. .. dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Cyperus.dozen 
4 
0 
12 0 
Mignonette .. 
per dozen 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Dracasna terminalis, dozen 30 
0 
60 0 
Musk .. .. 
per dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ viridis .. dozen 12 
0 
24 0 
Myrtles .. .. 
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 
6 
0 
24 0 
Pelargoniums 
per dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns, in variety .. dozen 
4 
0 
18 0 
Spiraea .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
e 
CUT FLOWERS. 
s 
d. 
s. d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d 
Abutiions .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 to 4 0 
Marguerites .. 
12 bunches 
3 
0 to 6 
0 
Anemone .. doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 0 
Mignonette .. 
12 bunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Arum Lilies .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
6 0 
Double white 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Azalea .. .. 12 sprays 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Bouvardias .. per bunch 
0 
6 
1 0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Camellias .. 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pmonies, various 12 b'ooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Carnations .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
3 0 
Ranunculus .. 
12 bunches 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Chrysanthemums 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Roses 
12 bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Cowslips .. doz. bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ (indoor), 
per dozen 
1 
0 
8 
0 
Daffodils .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ Tea.. .. 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Epiphyllnm .. doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ red 
dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Eucharis .. per dozen 
4 
0 
6 0 
„ Moss 
12 bunches 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Gardenias .. 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 0 
Primroses, Yellow, dozen 
Hellebore .. doz. blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
dozen bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hyacinths.Roman, 12 spray3 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pyrethrum .. 
12 bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Iris.12 bunches 
9 
0 
18 0 
Spirtea .. .. 
12 sprays 
9 
6 
i 
0 
Lapageria. white, 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 0 
Stephanotis .. 
12 sprays 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lapageria, red . 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 0 
Tropseolum .. 
12 bnnches 
i 
0 
3 
0 
Lilac .. .. per bunch 
0 
0 
0 0 
Tuberoses- .. 
12 blooms 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 blms. 
3 
0 
6 0 
Violets .. .. 
12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
0 
0 
0 0 
„ Czar, Fr. 
.. bunch 
0 
0 
0 
0 
GEEEN PASTE EES. 
Speculative farming if carried on so extensively as to 
involve risk of loss is a serious matter. It is a rasli proceeding 
on the part of anyone, and is especially to be avoided by the 
home farmer, whose position of high trust should render him 
doubly cautious in what he undertakes. It may undoubtedly 
be said that all farming operations are more or less of a 
speculative nature, from the fact of results being so dependant 
upon weather. That, however, is well understood, and due 
allowance is made for it; but the term speculative is used 
here to indicate novel cultivation, a bold step out of the beaten 
track, a venture of such an experimental character that the 
result may prove a total failure. Yet without experiments 
