Jone 13, 18iP. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
489 
our “Work for the Week” columns this year, it is a wonder you did 
not try it before writing. It has the merit of doing no harm if the 
pipes are not overheated at first, and some persons have found it 
beneficial, though we regard it rather as a deterrent than anything 
else. The drenching and chill of the outside border would predispose 
the Vines to attack. You will not, perhaps, clear the parasite from the 
bunches without applying sulphur to them, but by all means try, 
though do not let the enemy get too firm a footing. A somewhat dry 
buoyant atmosphere should be maintained with a free circulation of air, 
avoiding sharp currents, if any. Your general management appears to 
have been good, if the night temperature has not been too high, that 
depending on varieties, which you do not name. 
Freeslas (II. F. F .).—The bulbs were not ripened last year. This 
may have resulted largely from the cold wet summer. A strong foliage 
growth, under the full influence of sun and air, is essential after flower¬ 
ing, and after the leaves die down, as they must do gradually and not 
prematurely. The pots containing them should be stood in a very sunny 
position, the soil kept quite dry. When the plants are forced early the 
leaves are often of necessity then drawn up tall and thin, when it is 
almost impossible for large bulbs to form and ripen. Your non-flower¬ 
ing plants will be best in a frame, with the sashes drawn off on fine 
days, and nights too ; then, if stout foliage is developed, large bulbs 
will be produced ; but if the plants are already drawn, through being 
grown in a house, they cannot produce bulbs equal to those sold by 
dealers for producing early flowering plants. 
Melons not Setting- (George ).—There is no doubt the soil has 
been too moist at the roots of the plants, and the atmosphere excessively 
moist and cold, with probably a too crowded condition of the growths. 
The remedy is to cease watering, or only give sufficient to prevent 
flagging, and be careful to wet the surface of the bed and the foliage of 
the plants as little as possible. If the growth is crowded thin it well. 
Keep the bottom heat at 80° to 85°, and the top heat 70° to 75° at night, 
with 10° to 15° rise in the daytime from sun heat. Allow a little venti¬ 
lation constantly day and night, and ventilate freely when the weather 
is favourable. When half a dozen blossoms on a plant are fully 
expanded fertilise them, and continue daily to impregnate the fresh 
blossoms as they expand, stopping the shoots bearing the blossoms one 
joint above the fruit at the time of impregnation. When four to six 
fruits on a plant are set and swelling freely remove the others and earth- 
up the roots, supplying water copiously and as often as needed, creating 
a genial condition of the atmosphere by damping on warm afternoons, 
and close early. 
Primula Auricula (J. Wilson ).—The species, a native of Switzer¬ 
land, has yellow flowers, and so have two of its varieties occurring there, 
Primula Auricula lutea and P. A. calycantha. A third variety, also a 
native of Switzerland, P. A. integerrima, has flowers of various colours. 
It is probable that all these ministered to the production of our garden 
varieties. As long ago as 1848 we published the following notes on this 
flower—The Auricula is described and figured by Gerarde in his “ Herbal,” 
which appeared in 1597, and it is there called the Bear's-earor Mountain 
Cowslip. He says there were then many sorts, giving drawings of eight, 
the yellow, the purple, the scarlet, the blush-coloured, and several reds. 
Like Bauhin, he gives them the specific botanical name of Auricula 
Ursi; but by Matthiolus and others it was named Sanicula alpina,from 
its supposed healinsr virtues and mountain birthplace. It was often 
called by ladies the French Cowslip. It is very certain that they were 
thus early much cultivated by French florists, for there is a poem in 
their praise in a curious work published at Douay in 1616, entitled 
“ Jardin d’Hyver,” and with the verses are numerous drawings of the 
Auriculas, or “a’Oreilles d’Ours,” as they are there called. Gesner 
named it Lunaria anthritica and Paralytica alpina. Parkinson says it 
obviously belonged to the Cowslip family, but Ludwig was the first to 
arrange it there under the generic name of Primula. Gerarde says that 
the eight kinds he enumerates were then commonly grown in the gardens 
about London, but it is evident they were not much esteemed ; nor is 
any notice taken of raising varieties from seed. This neglect soon 
passed away, for Johnson, in his edition of Gerarde, published in 1633, 
says that there were then a very great many varieties of these flowers 
growing in the gardens of Mr. Tradescant and Mr. Tuggie. Trades- 
cant’s garden was at Lambeth, and he, at the time Johnson wrote, -was 
gardener to Charles I. 
The Onion Mag-grot (I). J/.). — In our experience the Onion 
maggot may be to a great extent prevented, but when once the grubs 
have penetrated into the centres of the plants they cannot be destroyed 
without destroying the crop also. Preventive measures are twofold— 
using soot, lime, and salt freely just before sowing the seed, and then 
sowing in drills which have been made 3 inches deep and nearly filled 
with wood ashes, covering the seed also wnth this material. In gardens 
where the Onion fly abounds it is wise to adopt the above precautions, 
and especially to have the Onion bed as far distant as possible from the 
site on which a previous crop has been injured. The next, and we con¬ 
sider the most effectual means of saving the crop, is when the plants are 
growing, and immediately they are attacked by the fly. Close obser¬ 
vation and prompt action are requisite in this matter. Had you 
examined the plants closely during the morning of bright days in May 
and early June you would have seen a number of white specks on them 
like particles of pollen, and if you had examined these through a good 
pocket magnifier you would have found they were clusters of eggs, 
which would, as seen, resemble ants’ eggs, but more pointed. The 
Onion fly, Anthomyia ceparum, deposits these in thousands, and from 
these the maggots emerge that destroy the crop. As these eggs, as we 
have carefully observed, do not adhere to the leaves by any glutinous 
substance they are easily washed off ; in fact, they may be shaken off or 
blown off if needed, but the best plan is to dislodge them with the 
syringe and forcible applications of petroleum and soapsuds—a small wine- 
glassful of the former well mixed in a gallon of the latter. One good 
syringing daily so long as the eggs are being deposited will, as we have 
proved to our own satisfaction, save a crop of Onions. If applications of 
petroleum and soapsuds are not effectual in your case now, you may con¬ 
clude you did not write to us soon enough for information. We know 
of no better remedy, but shall be glad to publish the experience of those 
who have been successful in extirpating the destructive pest in question-. 
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 cottorr 
wool the worst. Not more than six specimens can be named at once r 
and the numbers should be visible without untying the ligatures, 
it being often difficult to separate them when the paper is damp. 
( W.M.M.). —Pancratium caribreum. ( A. S.). —1, Brassia verrucosa. 2, 
Epidendrum cochleatum. ( J.C. ).—1, Davallia elegans. 2, insufficient. 
3, Asplenium longissimum. ( G. A.). —1, Pteris argyrea. 2, Davallia 
foeniculacea. (II. P.). —1, Pteris serrulata cristata. 2, Adiantnm 
formosum. 3, Scolopendrium vulgare crispum. 4, Chorozema corda- 
tum. 5, Nephrolepis tuberosa. 6, Onychium japonicum. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 12th. 
Market qu'et owing to the holidays. 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
a. 
Artichokes, dozen .. •• 
8 
0 to 8 
0 
Lettuce, dozen .. 
• • 
0 
9 
to 1 
3 
Asparagus, bundle .. .. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
• • 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney,per lb. .. 
0 
0 
0 
9 
Mustard & Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
0 
O 
Beet,Red,dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Potatoes, per lb. 
• • 
0 
2 
0 
8 
Broccoli, bundle .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel .. 
.. 
s 
0 
4 
0 
Brussels Sproute, 4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
s 
0 
» 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. .. 
l 
< 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen •• 
• • 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Capsicums, per 100 .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt... 
• • 
4 
0 
1 
0 
Carrots, bunch •• •• 
0 
4 
0 
0 
„ Kidney, per cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
a 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle •• 
• • 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsify, handle .. 
• • 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Coleworts, doz. bunches 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzouera, bundle 
• • 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, each .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Shallots, per lb. .. 
• • 
0 
S 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen.. .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. 
• • 
8 
0 
4 
a 
Herbs, bunch .. .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. 
• • 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Leeks, bunch. 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch •• 
• • 
0 
4 
0 
0 
FRUIT. 
S. 
d. 
0 . 
d. 
B. 
a. 
0 . 
d. 
Apples, 4 sieve.. .. .. 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
• • 
4 
0 
ti- 9 
0 
,, Nova Scotia and 
Peaches, dozen .. .. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Canada, per barrel 
7 
0 
16 
0 
Pears, dozen .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries, $ sieve .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums, 4-sieve .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes, per lb. 
1 
< 
4 
0 
St. Michael Pine , each 
2 
0 
ft 
0 
Lemons case .. .. .. 
10 
0 
16 
0 
Btrawberries, per lb. 
•• 
2 
0 
5 
0 
CUT FLOWERS. 
8. 
d. 
B 
a. 
Anemones, doz. bunches 
1 
6 to 4 
0 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms •• 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch . • • • 
0 
9 
i 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
a 
0 
Cineraria, per bunch 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Cornflower, doz. bnchs... 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Eucharis, dozen •• •• 
2 
6 
5 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms •• 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Gladioli, per bunch.. .. 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Iris, dozen bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilac, White (French), 
per bunch . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium candidum, doz. 
blooms. 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Lilium longiflorum, 12 
blooms. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Lilyof theValley.12 sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ „ 12 bunches 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Maidenhair Fern, doz. 
bunches. 
• 
0 
9 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bnnohes 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Moss Roses, 12 bchs. (Fr.) 
4 
0 to 9 
0 
PLANTS 
S. d. *. a. 
Myosotia or Forgetmenots 
dor. bunches 16 4 0 
Narclss (various) .... 2 0 6 O' 
Pansies, dozen bnnohes .. 2 0 4ft 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 0 9 1 O' 
„ scarlet, 12 bunches 3 0 6 ri 
Peonies, dozen blooms ..06 10 
Polyanthus, doz. bunches 2 0 4 0 
Pyrethram, doz. bunches 
(French) 12 0 18 0 
„ English White, 
12 bloomB ..0 4 0 6 
„ English Coloured, 
12 blooms .. 0 2 0 4 
Ranunculus, doz. bunches 0 0 6 0 
Roses, Red, 12 blooms .. 2 0 4 l» 
„ (indoor),dozen ..10 2 0 
„ Tea, dozen .... 2 0 4 0 
„ yellow .. 2 0 6 0 
Spiraea, dozen bunohes ..4 0 8 0 
Stephanotis, doz. sprays 2 0 SO 
Sweet Peas, doz. bunches 4 0 8 0 
Sweet Sul'an, „ 4 0 6 0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms ..10 16 
IN POTS. 
B. 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 6 
Arum Lilies, per dozen .. 9 
Arbor vita 1 (golden) dozen 12 
Asters, 12 pots.0 
Begonias, various, per doz. 6 
Bedding plants in variety, 
per doz. from .. .. 1 
Bedding plants, in boxes, 
each.1 
Caladiums, per doz. .. 12 
Calceolaria, per dozen .. 4 
„ Herbaceous „ 6 
Christmas Bose .. .. 0 
Cineraria,per dozen .. 6 
Dracwnaterminalis, doz. 24 
Dracsena viridis, doz. .. 12 
Erica Cavendishi, doz. .. 18 
„ various, doz.12 
Euonymus, var.. dozen 6 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 6 
d. a. d. 
0 to 12 0 
0 12 0 
0 24 0 
0 0 0 
0 18 0 
0 0 0 
6 2 6 
0 18 0 
0 8 0 
0 12 0 
0 0 0 
0 9 0 
0 42 0 
0 24 0 
0 30 0 
0 24 0 
0 18 0 
0 24 0 
s. 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 4 
Ficus elastic, each .. 1 
Foliage plants, var., each 2 
Fuchsia, per dozen.. .. 4 
Geraniums, Ivy, doz. .. 8 
Hydrangea, per dozen .. 9 
Lobelias, per dozen .. 4 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 6 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 4 
Musk, per do-en .. .. 2 
Myrtles, dozen.0 
Nasturtiums, per dozen.. 2 
Palms, in var., each .. 2 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, 12 2 
Pelsrgoniums, per dozen 6 
Saxafraga pyramid alis, 
p»r dozen.9 
Spiriea, per dozen .. .. 6 
„ palmata, per doz. 12 
B'ocks, per dozen .. .. 3 
d. i. d. 
0 to 18 0 
6 7 0 
0 10 0 
0 9 0 
0 6 0 
0 18 0 
0 6 0 
0 12 0 
0 8 0 
0 4 0. 
0 12 0 , 
6 4 0- 
6 21 0. 
6 6 0 
0 18 O' 
0 18 0 - 
o 12 a 
0 24 0 
0 4 0 
