April 11, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
307 
Cucumber and Melon Leaves Perforated (77. G. 77\—Are 
you sure that inferior glass has not something to do with the evil ? The 
tissue of the leaves appears to have been scorched in places, eventually 
shrivelling and falling away. There is no fungus on the leaves before 
us. They are, moreover, somewhat thin in texture, as if the plants were 
grown in rather light soil. If this is so try some of a heavier nature, 
ventilating judiciously, and maintaining a genial atmosphere in the 
house. The Orchid cannot be named from the leaf alone, and especi¬ 
ally with no description of the flowers. When you can send a flower 
to arrive in good condition we think we can give you the name of the 
plant. 
Warts on Vine Leaves (77. J.). —This is in many cases the result 
of an excess of moisture and a deficiency of air. It is usually the most 
prevalent when there are a number of plants in a vinery and the 
ventilators are not opened slightly sufficiently early in the morning. 
You say, however, you have kept the house drier than usual, and still 
there is no improvement. The Vines are evidently vigorous, and if the 
laterals have been closely pinched this may have something to do with 
the state of the leaves, as the cells appear swollen. We have sent one 
of the leaves for examination by the Scientific Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society. We do not think you need apprehend any 
injury to the crop. 
Arranging 1 Shelves in Pruit Room (J7. J. G.). —We presume 
the roof is under-drawn— i.e., lathed and plastered ; if not, it may be 
done on the under side of the rafters or spars, and affixed to them so as 
to save space. This is to insure equability of temperature. The shelves 
may be 1 foot 8 inches apart, the shelves being formed of laths 4 * inches 
wide and 1 inch thick, leaving a space of half an inch to three-quarters 
of an inch between them, and they should have edges of similar 
depth to the width of the laths. A little clean dry wheat straw may be 
placed on the shelves, so as to form a soft bed for the fruit, and it must 
be protected from frost in the winter, but much dry fire heat is not 
desirable, as it causes the fruit to shrivel prematurely. 
Variegated Tobacco Plant (IF. S. S.). —We have not seen a leaf 
of Nicotiana affinis so distinctly, and we may say attractively, variegated 
as the one you send, and the flowers are as fine as any which have come 
under our notice. The variety is worthy of preservation, though it 
remains to be seen whether it can be produced in its integrity from seed. 
Seed pods will no doubt form in a natural manner, if not now, later on. 
We should not permit many pods to ripen, as a full crop would exhaust 
the plant, though it might mature a few, and also produce growths 
from the base of the stem. Let the plant have all the air you can, and 
as soon as the flowers open you can twist a small camel-hair brush 
round amongst the anthers of some of them, but the precise time the 
pollen cells burst can only be determined by examination. There was 
pollen on the anthers of flowers sent, and the stigma could not very well 
pass through without contact for self-fertilisation. 
Tomatoes (77 77. <?.).—We felt certain the failure of your plants 
was the result of some error that might have been prevented. Not 
knowing the distance of the bed from the glass we cannot very well 
answer your questions as to repotting ; and further, your letter suggests 
your lack of experience as a cultivator, hence you might by a few 
mistakes in watering check the growth of the plants after repotting. 
If you have more plants than you require we should draw one of the two 
out of the large 60’s, and when the others are strong and sturdy plant 
them out. Where there are four in a pot divide and establish them 
separately in 4-inch pots, and when the pots are filled with roots plant 
out. The plants ought to be quite 18 inches apart in every direction, 
and more rather than less. You appear disposed to plant too closely. 
You had better remove the old Mushroom bed and distribute the mate¬ 
rial over the beds in the house, mixing it with the soil if that is of a 
heavy material. You had better procure the new edition of Mr. 
Iggu'den’s book, which can be had from this office for Is. 2d., and 
follow as near as you can the instructions in its pages. 
Vines—Marechal Niel Rose—Conservatory Essays (A 
Young Gardener ). —The arrangement, for which you are not respon¬ 
sible, seems peculiar, and if it cannot be altered you must make the 
best of it. An inside border 3 feet G inches wide and 5 feet deep will 
support the Vines for two years, if not more, and can be added to from 
time to time. If roots have not issued from the stems through deep 
planting you can remove the surface soil to any extent you may think 
desirable. A top-dressing of manure is usually good for inside Vine 
borders. We do not understand how young Vines planted last July 
could have produced laterals for shortening in the autumn to spurs 
3 inches long. You have not made their condition clear. You have 
done right, however, in disbudding. You do not say whether they are 
growing strongly or the reverse, nor what length of rod is destitute of 
growth ; therefore we cannot advise you on taking “ two growths from 
the lowest part of the cane,” but twice the number of rods would be 
too many for producing high class Grapes. The laterals may produce as 
many leaves as can develop without overcrowding. The sub-laterals 
may be pinched to one leaf. The roots will pass into the outside border 
if there are arches, and it will be much better that they enter it near the 
surface than 2 feet below. We are quite willing to help you, and you 
wiil materially help yourself by stating your case clearly and not asking 
too many questions at once. Cut down the Rose stems to the best buds 
you can find a foot or two from the ground. We have the second prize 
paper on keeping a conservatory gay, and its publication will perhaps 
interest you. We have not yet received the first prize essay. 
Potatoes for Planting: an Acre (Inquirer ).—As obviously the 
weight of sets for a given extent of ground depends not on their size 
alone, but on the distances at which they arc to be planted, we can 
only suggest a case in answer to your question. Suppose the set3 
are planted a foot apart in rows 30 inches asunder, 17,424 will be 
required for an acre ; and if they average 2 ozs. each their total weight 
will be 19 cwt., 1 qr., 22 lbs. By weighing a few sets and deciding on 
the distances for planting you will now have no difficulty in making an 
i approximate estimate of the weight you will require for your plot,, 
which is not quite one-third of an acre. At the distances and weight of 
sets named about 6 cwt. would suffice. There are various methods of 
planting after ploughing. In small plots the sets are usually planted 
with a line and spade, in larger the land is sometimes ploughed over 
again, placing the sets in every third furrow, but more generally the 
land is ridged with the plough, the sets being placed between the 
ridges, which are then drawn over them. Perhaps you had better let the- 
ploughman follow the custom of the country. 
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, 
and the numbers should be visible without untying the ligatures, 
it being often difficult to separate them when the paper is damp. 
(A. 77.).—Lycaste aromatica. (77. 77.).—The plant is Bryophyllum 
calycinum. We have examined the bulb sent, but fail to detect any 
signs of the Eucharis mite, though it certainly is not in a healthy con¬ 
dition. 
COYENT GARDEN MARKET.— April 10th. 
Market again very dull, with supplies more than equal to the demand. Prices* 
generally easier. 
FRUIT. 
Applet, ^ sieve,. •• •• 
,, Nova Scotia and 
Canada, per barrel 
Oherr'.es, & sieve .. .. 
Crapes, per ib. 
Lemon?, case. 
Artichokes, dozen .. •• 
Asparagus, bundle .. • • 
Beans, Kidney,p9rlb. .. 
Beet, Red, dozen •• .. 
Broccoli, bundle •• .. 
Brussels Sprouts, J sieve 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
Capsicums, per 100 •• 
Carrots, bunch . • .. 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. 
Celery, bundle •• .. 
Ooleworts, doz. bunches 
Cucumbers, each .. .. 
Endive, dozen .. •• .. 
Herbs, bunch .. .. .. 
Leeks, bunch. 
Acacia, d( z. bunches 
Anemones (French), doz, 
bunches . 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 
Bouvardias, bunch 
Camellias, White, I3bl... 
Red, 12 blooms 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
Cineraria, per bunch 
Crocuses, d">z. bunches 
Cyclamen, dozen blooms 
Daffodils (various), doz. 
bunches. 
Daffodils (double), doz. 
bunches. 
Daffodils (single), doz. 
bunches. 
Eucharis, dozen .. •• 
Gardenias, 12 blooms •• 
Byacinths (French), per 
bunch . 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
Lilac, White (French), 
per bunch .. .. .. 
Liiium longiflorum, 12 
blooms. 
e. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
a. 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Oranges per 100 .. 
• • 
4 
0 
to 9 
0 
Peaches, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
7 
0 
16 
0 
Pears, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0* 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums, 1-sleve .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
8 
5 
0 
St. Michael Pine , each 
2 
0 
A 
0 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
. • 
4 
0 
8 
a 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d 
2 
0 to 8 
0 
Lettuce, dozen •• 
• • 
0 
9 to 1 
3- 
10 
0 
12 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
.. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
1 
3 
1 
9 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
a 
0 
0> 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Potatoes, per lb. 
.. 
0 
4 
0 
G- 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, busbel 
.. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
.. 
i 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per owt. .. 
.. 
4 
0 
5 
<K 
0 
4 
0 
0 
„ kidney, per cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. 
.. 
0 
a 
0 
0- 
1 
6 
a 
0 
Salsify, bundle .. 
1 
0 
1 
a. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle 
.. 
1 
6 
0 
a 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots, per tt> .. 
.. 
0 
8 
0 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel •• 
.. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. •• 
. . 
1 
0 
2 
o 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch •• 
• • 
0 
4 
0 
l> 
CUT FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
9 
9 . 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
9 
0 to 12 
0 
Lilyof theValley, 12 sprays 
0 
6 to 1 
0- 
Maidenhair Fern, doz. 
1 
6 
4 
0 
bnoches. 
< 
0 
12 
0- 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
a 
0 
6 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 
s 
0 
4 
O' 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Myosotis or Forgetmenots 
2 
0 
4 
0 
doz. bunches 
8 
0 
« 
0 
0 
9 
i 
6 
Narcis 4 (various) .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
O’ 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ (French) bunch 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
1 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 bunohes 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
4 
0 
9 
Primroses, doz. bunches.. 
0 
6 
i 
<t 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms .. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
4 
0 
12 
0 
„ (indoor), dozen .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
,, Tea, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0* 
a 
0 
4 
0 
„ yellow . 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Snowdrops, doz. bunches 
0 
0 
0 
Or 
l 
6 
8 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
8 
0 
« 
0 
Tulips, dozen blooms .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Violets, 12 bunohes.. .. 
0 
6 
i 
o 
„ Parme (French), 
i 
6 
3 
6 
per bunch 
2 
6 
3 
0 
i 
0 
a 
6 
„ Dark (French) boh. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Wallflowers, doz. bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
3 
0 
6 
< 
„ (French), 12bchs. 
1 
0 
3 
9* 
4 
0 
6 
0 
8 . 
Aralia SLbjldi, dozen •• 6 
Aium Lilies, per dozen .. 12 
Arbor vitae (golden^ dozen 12 
Asters, 12 pots.0 
Azalea, per dozen .. .. 24 
Begonias, various, per doz. 0 
Christmas Rose .. .. 0 
Cineraria,per dozen .. 8 
Cyclamen , d< zen pots .. 9 
Draeamaterminalis. doz. 30 
Dra teaa viridis. di.z. .. 12 
Erica hyemalis, doz. .. 12 
„ various, doz.8 
Euonymus, var.. dozen 6 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
a. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d'. 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
4 
0 to 18 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Ficus elastic*, each 
i 
6 
7 
o- 
0 
24 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
a 
0 
10 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Genista, per dozen .. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
0 
42 
0 
Hyacinths, per dozen .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lily ol the Valle', 
0 
0 
0 
doz. pot. . 
12 
0 
18 
0 
0 
10 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
a 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
0 
60 
0 
Palms, in var., each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
0 
24 
0 
Pelargonium*, scarlet, 12 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
24 
0 
p. 1 rgODiunp, per dozen 
1* 
0 
18 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Primula, per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Fprre*, per dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
n> 
0 
0 
24 
0 
Tulips, doz. po*s .. .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
