June e, i&o. j 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
4GJ 
growing through and over it until it became obscured and in time 
exterminated. You mav regird it as an illustration of the law of the 
“ survival of the fittest,” not in value but in strength. This is the simple 
explauation of the phenomenon which is so strange to you that you 
express fear lest the accuracy of your narration will not be credited. 
We have not a doubt you have detailed only what you believe to be 
true, but the facts are as we have stated. 
Elseocarpus serratus [J. II.). —This remarkably distinct plant is 
not often seen. Judging from the specimen sent, your observation that 
the plant is a beautiful object in a cool house is amply justified. The 
EL'cocarpm, says Hogg’s “Vegetable Kingdom,” “furnish a few plants 
to which a slight decree of interest is attached. Those round, carved- 
looking and rugged-furrowed, bony-like articles, which are used as 
necklaces and bracelets, and sometimes mounted in gold, are the fruit of 
the Olive Nuts (Elceocarpus) deprived of their fleshy part. The fruits of 
some of the species are used in Eastern curries, and also pickled, w r kile 
some are eaten raw, such as those of E. serratus, which the inhabitants 
of Ceylon preserve in brine before they are ripe, and eat with a little 
oil to give them a flavour. Rumphius says these fruits are good to eat, 
but the use of them is rather adapted for killing time than for any 
nourishment that can be obtained from them.” 
Melon Flowers not Opening- (E. II. El). —The most probable 
cause of the flowers not opening is too free growth, induced by the large 
and rich rooting medium, combined with a moist condition of the atmo¬ 
sphere. The soil is much too rich and deep. G-ood clayey loam made 
firm would have been preferable, as the plants would have made a 
sturdy, short-jointed growth, and set fruit freely. The crops can always 
be supported by top-dressing and liquid manure. But why apply the soil 
all at once ? The better plan is to plant on ridges or hillocks, which 
enables the cultivator to have the plants more under control, and they 
can be earthed as they advance in growth, deferring the final earthing, 
or it may be the only one necessary, until the fruit is set and commences 
swelling freely. A foot in depth of soil is ample. With good firm 
soil, and not too much of it, we have not experienced any difficulty 
in having Melon flowers to open and set freely, the atmospheric condi¬ 
tions being favourable. We can only suggest that the soil be made 
firmer, the plants kept drier at the roots, and have a freely ventilated 
atmosphere, with the object of checking growth and inducing fruitful¬ 
ness. The plants are made sterile by the rich and probably loose soil. 
Keep the growths, then, well exposed to light and air, so as to 
thoroughly solidify them. Y r ou say the plants did better last year when 
firing was left off. That was because they had then deprived the soil 
of its richness, and were not forced into undue activity. Your treatment 
is too generous at the wrong time—that is, too early in the season. 
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. 
(J. II .).—Elmo carpus serratus. See above. (//. F. El). —1, Coprosma 
Baueriana variegata ; 2, Cheiranthus alpinus ; 3, Iris germanica atro- 
purpurea ; 4, Phlox setacea ; 5, Saxifraga sarmentosa. We are obliged by 
your letter, and trust you will find the Journal increasingly useful. 
(J. LI). — Diplacus glutinosus. (2?. D ). — 1, Iberis gihraltarica ; 
2, Doronicum caucasicum ; 3, Limnanthes Douglasi. (S. II. El). —1, Epi- 
dendrum vitellinum majus ; 2, Dendrobium Jamesianum ; 3, Cypri- 
pedium Sedeni ; 4, Oncidium triumphans. (AT. PI) — Trichomanes 
radicans, the Killarney Fern. It grows best in a shaded case with 
plenty of moisture and not too much air. It should be often sprinkled 
in bright weather. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Messrs. Dammann & Co , San Giovanni a Teduccio, Naples, Italy.— 
Bulls, Roots, and Orchids. ( Wholesale ). 
Messrs. E. P. Dixon & Sons, 57, Queen Street, Hull.— New and Choice 
Plants, including Chrysanthemums. 
Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood Road, 
London, S.E .—Herbaceous Plants and Florists' Flowers, also Price 
List of Sundries. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —June 5th. 
A good business doing, with prices well maintained. 
VEGETABLES. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Artichokes, dozen .. 
• • 
2 
0 
to 8 
0 
Lettuce, dozen •• 
0 
9 
to 1 
3 
Asparagus, bundle .. 
• • 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
, , 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. 
.. 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
a 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen 
Broccoli, bundle .. 
a « 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Potatoes, per ID. 
0 
2 
0 
8 
. , 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bus!el 
1 
0 
4 
0 
Brussels Sprout., J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
t 
0 
S 
0 
Cabbage,dozen 
a. 
1 
8 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen 
.. 
I 
0 
0 
0 
Capsicums, per 100 
• a 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt... 
a . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Carrots, bunch .♦ 
, , 
0 
4 
0 
0 
„ Kidney, per cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. 
0 
a 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle 
. , 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsify, bundle .• 
. , 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, each .. 
0 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots, per lb .. 
Spinach, bushel 
0 
H 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Hero?, bunch .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Leeks, bunch .. 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch .. 
• a 
0 
4 
0 
0 
FRUIT. 
R. 
a. 
0. 
d. 
B. 
4. 
s. 
a. 
Apple", J sieve. 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Oranees, per 100 .. .. 
4 
n 
tv 9 
a 
,, Ni-va Scotia and 
Peaches, dozen. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Panada, per barrel 
7 
0 
16 
0 
Pears, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oherr'es, $ stave .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pium*, £-*tave. 
0 
0 
0 
O 
Gr.pes, p«r tb. 
1 
8 
5 
0 
8t. Michael Pine , each 
2 
0 
fi 
0 
Lemons case. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
2 
0 
5 
8 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
3. 
d. 
s 
d. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
6. 
Auemo-ies (French), doz. 
Lupngeria, 12 bloorrs .. 
1 
0 
to 2 
8 
b inches. 
i 
6 to 4 
0 
Maiienhar Fern, doz. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
l 
6 
3 
0 
bunches. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Azalea, 12 sprays 
0 
« 
1 
n 
Marguerites, 12 bnnohes 
2 
0 
0 
Btaeuelta, cta»eu bunches 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mignonette. 12 bunches 
8 
0 
6 
a 
Bouvardia*, buneb .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
M yosotis or F* -rgetrasnots 
Camellias, White, l*bl... 
2 
0 
4 
0 
doz. bum lies 
1 
6 
4 
» 
Red, 12 blooms 
Carnations, li blooms .. 
0 
9 
i 
6 
Narcisi (vario u) .. .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums. 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Cimrmn, per bunch 
0 
6 
i 
0 
,, scarlet, 12 bunchss 
Pohantbus, doz. bunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Encharis, dozen .. .. 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 
2 
6 
6 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
4 
0 
Primroses, doz. bunches.. 
0 
6 
1 
O 
^1 d oli, per bunch., .. 
1 
0 
1 
« 
R ises, Red, 12 bl ioms .. 
,, (indoor), dozen 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Lis, dozen bunches 
6 
0 
12 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilac, Wniie (French), 
per bunch . 
,, Tea. dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
6 
0 
,, yellow . 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac (Engl.) 12 bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
fl,;irau diz nb nches .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Liluim candidum, doz. 
StephiDotin, dor. sprtys 
2 
0 
3 
0 
blooms. 
0 
9 
i 
6 
Tiberoses 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
Tulips, <*ozen bnaches .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
blooms. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Violets, 12 bunches.. .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Li’yoftheValley.12 apravg 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Violets, Par me (French), 
„ „ 12 b inch 8 
3 
0 
9 
0 
per bnnih 
8 
0 
4 
a 
„ „bnnch French 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Wallflowers, dez. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
e. 
a. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
A. 
AraliaSieboldi, dozen .. 
ft 
0 to 12 
0 
Feres, in variety dozen 
4 
0 to 18 
0 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Ficus elastic*, e- ch 
l 
6 
7 
0 
Arbor vit!e(golden-i dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Foltag.4 pl\i ts, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Asters, 12 pots. 
Azalea, per dcz9n .. ,. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
G i.ir.ta, per ioztn .. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
12 
0 
S) 
0 
Hy-1 ranges. per dozen .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Begonias, various, per doz. 6 
0 
18 
0 
Lily ot the Vtlley, 
Bedding p'ants In variety, 
doz. pot* . 
12 
0 
18 
0 
per doz. from .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
L -bed *p, per dozen 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Bedding plants, in boxes, 
6 
0 
ii 
a 
each . 
l 
6 
2 
6 
Mignon tte. per dozen .. 
5 
0 
10 
o 
CHladium8, per doz. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
M is v , per do en .. .. 
3 
0 
6 
O 
Ohrietmas Hose .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cineraria, per dozen 
G 
0 
9 
0 
Nasturtiums, per dozen.. 
g 
6 
4 
0 
Dracainaterminalis, doz. 
30 
0 
60 
0 
Palms, in var , each 
Pelargonium' 5 , scarlet, 12 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Dracaena viridi*. doz. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
2 
6 
6 
0 
Erica Cavenctahi, doz. .. 
18 
0 
30 
0 
Pel rgonium®, per dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
„ various, doz. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Sf i: m , p dozen .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Euooymus. var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„ p*lmata. per coz. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Evergreens, in vafc, dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
S ooks, per dozen .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
THE NEW “ROYAL” JOURNAL. 
We turn to this useful publication again as a veritable gold 
mine to the agriculturist, not with any intention of giving even a 
comprehensive sketch of its contents, but rather to glean a few of 
its chief items of useful information for those of our readers who 
have not seen it. It is matter for congratulation that the mantle 
of its late editor has fallen upon so able a successor, whose antece¬ 
dents, combined with great ability, ought indeed to render himt 
singularly suitable for the post, for he was born and educated iir 
the very heart of the great corn-growing district of East Anglia, 
and it is the boast of many a young man now in Bury St. Edmunds 
that he was at school with Ernest Clark. 
The statistics affecting British agricultural interests, while 
showing what a vast amount of money is annually expended upon- 
imported farm produce, are of especial value as an indication of 
national food requirements which tillers of the soil in the home 
country fail to supply. We are aware they cannot do so with- 
many things, but with others there is surely a wide field for enter¬ 
prise. Butter, cheese, lard, poultry, eggs, fruit, Potatoes, and Onions 
all fall more or less within the province of the farmer. We are 
told repeatedly at this season of the year about British butter 
which is practically unsaleable, yet the fact remains that we expend 
annually considerably upwards of eleven millions upon imperted- 
butter and margarine. The market is an open one, there is nothing¬ 
like a monopoly in the trade, and anyone able to produce really- 
first-class butter of uniform quality may command attention, such' 
an article being always in request at special and profitable rates. 
