530 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jons 27, 1883. 
manner. Selaginella Kraussiana, which you probably refer to, may 
also be pricked thickly into 6-inch pots at once. If 5-inch are used the 
middle of next month will be early enough. The small growing ends may 
be dibbled thickly over the surface of the pots (which should be slightly 
•elevated) with soil in the centre similar to pricking out seedlings. 
These are readily retarded or pushed forward at will, the former by 
placing them in a moderately cool place, and the latter by pushing them 
on in heat. After the small ends display signs of growing freely they will 
•do best for a time in a cool structure. They grow thicker, and the growth 
is sturdier and the plants more compact than when pushed on rapilly 
in heat. After the surface is thickly covered, a month in a warm place 
will be ample to furnish them at the base, so that the pots are hidden. 
Tradescantias soon become unsatisfactory if prepared too early. We 
should root cuttings thickly in boxes towards the end of July as many as 
would plant thickly the number of pots required. By so doing you 
will have good well-developed cuttings ready for inserting thickly into 
the pots that are to be used about the middle of September. They root 
so freely, quickly, and grow so rapidly that if they are prepared too 
•early they become straggling. T. multicolor is the best for furnishing 
purposes. Pelargonium Avalanche is a useful variety for bedding. 
Softening- Water ((?. K. —A gardener who has had much 
•experience with hard water, and great success in Grape growing, favours 
with the following observations :—Although water from chalk webs 
is injurious to plants if used direct from the springs, yet it will 
answer very well for most things except hardwooded plants, if con- 
-venience exist for storing, warming, and softening it. With the excep¬ 
tion of what falls upon the roof and runs into tanks in the houses we 
are dependent entirely upon chalk water pumped from a well 252 feet 
■deep into small supply tanks, therefore when we get the water it is as 
•cold as possible and extremely hard, but by a little management we 
•are enabled to succeed very well. Our water supply in the houses is 
•managed as follows :—The three vineries are at the east end of a range 
■of glass, and measure 82 feet in length, being partitioned off into three 
sections. In each compartment is a brick-built tank lined with cement 
across the borders, the partition and front wall of the house forming half 
•of the tank, which reduces the size of the Vine border in each case by 
the width the tank occupies. Our tanks are 2 feet 10 inches wide in the 
■clear, and extend 11 feet across the border. They are G feet 6 inches 
deep ; at 3 feet high from the bottom one 3-inch cast iron hot-water 
pipe runs round each of the tanks ; the pipe is supported by two bricks 
•on each side projecting out of the wall half their length to support the 
■pipe. This was done when the tank was being built, and is much better 
than breaking a hole in the wall afterwards to fix supports for the pipes, 
ns it is difficult to prevent the tank leaking at that particular place. 
'The tank walls were built in cement instead of mortar. The 3-inch 
pipes round the tanks are connected to the main by 1-inch wrought-iron 
pipes through the tank wall. Outside the tank wall is built a square 
box in brickwork with a flush iron lid, in which are the valves belong¬ 
ing to the tank pipes for turning the heat on or off. It is absolutely 
necessary that valves be fixed to both flow and return pipes. When the 
Vines are in bloom continuous steam rising from a tank maybe injurious, 
hence the heating of the tank should be under command. The flow pipe 
into the tank runs once round, and returns into the main return pipe 
•of the house, and the heat can be applied to the house and not to the 
tank, or vice-versa. The height at which the pipes enter the tank must 
be guided by the height at which the mains run from the boiler. It is of 
mo use fixing the pipes in the tank lower than the mains ; at the same 
time, it should be remembered that the nearer to the top of the tank the 
pipes are fixed the smaller will be the body of heated water, as there are 
many degrees difference in the heat of the water above and below the 
pipes. The process of softening hard water is simple. A large body 
•can be softened with as little trouble as a small quantity. Anticalcaire, 
more commonly called milk of lime, is used. To 250 gallons add 1 lb., 
-and in twenty-four hours the chalk in the water will be deposited at the 
bottom of the tank, and the water rendered soft. Common washing 
■soda is also good for softening chalk water. Dissolve a quarter of a 
pound of soda in hot water, add this to thirty-six gallons of water, 
allowing the water to stand as before for twenty-four hours, when it will 
be soft. The soda also acts as a stimulant to plants. While the precipi¬ 
tation of the chalk is taking place the water will present quite a milky 
-appearance. When using the water from the tank care should be taken 
not to disturb the sediment. It should be cleaned out frequently, 
though not necessarily each time the tank is empty. It is desirable to 
board over the tops of the tanks, leaving a dipping place ; space is then 
provided for standing pots, and the great body of steam rising from the 
-water continually when the heat is applied to the tanks creates too 
much moisture in the house when the tank is open. Although chalk 
water is undoubtedly better for plants when softened by the process 
named, it is not absolutely necessary that it be so treated to command 
success in Grape growing, but it should not be colder than the soil. 
Haines 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 o 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. 
(.7. B.'). —1, Arum italicum ; 2, Adiantum pedatum ; 3, not included ; 
4, Cacalia articulata. ( It. O. J/.).—1, Lilium tenuifolium ; 2, Pole- 
ruonium coeruleum, 3, GcraDium striatum ; 4, Gazania splendens; 
5, Linaria hepaticsefolia. (S’. 71).—1, Gentiana lutea ; 2, Orchis macu- 
lata ; 3, Lilium pardalinum. ( C. A. L. ).—1, Spirma Aruncus ; 2, Cen- 
taurea speciosa var. ; 3, Pelargonium echinatum ; 4, Alyssum saxatile 
variegatum ; 5, Veronicarupestris ; G, Lithospermumprostratum. (Z7.fr.). 
—Perhaps Telephone. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— June 26th. 
Large S'lppUe-i of Sirawb; rrioi reaohing us just now at low rric:a. Grapes 
consiuountl/ depressed. Trade brisk. 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Artlohokes, dozan .. 
,, 
2 
0 
to S 
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, puntel 
n 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen .. 
,, 
1 
0 
2 
0 
New Point038, per cwt. .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Broccoli, bundle .. 
,, 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, buslel .. •• 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Brussels Sprout*. £ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
b 
0 
Cabbage, dozen 
.. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Capsicums, per 100 
as 
6 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt... .. 
C 
0 
B 
0 
Carrots, bunch .. 
. , 
0 
4 
0 
0 
,, Kidnev,per cwt. 
i 
0 
8 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle •• .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle 
, , 
1 
8 
2 
0 
3alsi?y, bundle .. .. 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Coleworte, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonsra, bundle ## 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, each .. 
.. 
0 
8 
0 
6 
Shallots, per tb .. .. 
0 
s 
0 
u 
Endive, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Hero?, bunch .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per ft. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Leeks, bunch „ 
0 
a 
0 
4 
Turnips, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
O 
FRUIT. 
8. 
a. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
a. 
a. 
a 
Apples, 1 sieve.. .. 
2 
0 to 4 
u 
Oranges, per 100 .. .. 
4 
0 
tsr 9 
0 
,, Nova Scotia and 
Peaches, dozen . 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Canada, per barrel 
7 
0 
16 
0 
Pears, dozen . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Gherr'es, £ sieve .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plum*, £-sieve .. .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Crapes, per ft . 
1 
8 
3 
0 
St. Micnael Pine , each 
2 
0 
fi 
0 
Lemon* , case .. .. 
10 
0 
IS 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
0 
8 
0 
9 
CUT FLOWERS. 
8. 
d. 
s 
a. 
8. 
d 
B. 
d. 
Auemones, doz. b inches 
1 
6 to 4 
0 
Narcis i (vario n) .. .. 
2 
0 
to fi 
u 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
P.*na.e3, dozen bunches .. 
i 
n 
3 
0 
Asteri (Fr), per bunch.. 
i 
0 
2 
e 
Pelargoniums, 12 trnases 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
,, scarlet, 12 bunchss 
3 
0 
6 
c 
Cnciui dozen bl cm3 .. 
Pm nies, doz n blooms .. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
P ukfl (/ario if*) 12 b iclia. 
s 
0 
fi 
0 
Cineraria, per bunch ., 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Pol-autbus, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Cun-il >wer, doz. bnchs... 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pj ret hr am, doz. bunches 
Encbaris, dozen .. .. 
2 
6 
6 
0 
(French) 
12 
0 
IS 
0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Engli li White, 
(-1 id'oli, per banch.. .. 
0 
fi 
1 
6 
1*2 bloom s 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Iris, dozen bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„ Engli-h Coloured, 
Lil-sc, Waite (French), 
12 11 joms 
0 
2 
0 
4 
per bunch . 
O 
0 
5 
0 
Roses, Mcas.d'-z. l unches 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Lilium candiuum, doz. 
,, (indoor).dozen 
0 
r 
1 
6 
blooms. 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Mixed, dcz bunches 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium longiilorum, 12 
ted, rirzin buuche3 
4 
0 
9 
U 
blooms. 
2 
0 
5 
0 
,, „ 12 bljoms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lapageria, 12 blooms ., 
1 
0 
2 
6 
„ Tea, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Maidenfca ; r Fern, doz. 
.. Yallow . 
S 
0 
6 
0 
biu-ches. 
8 
0 
9 
0 
R.nrm i, dcz n b .nones .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Stephanoti* 1 , dor. f*pr*ys 
2 
a 
8 
0 
Mignonette. 12 bunches 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Sweet Peas doz. bunches 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Myosofciuor F-rge-tmenots 
Sweet Sul an, „ 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
doz. bum hes 
1 
8 
4 
0 
0 
8 
i 
0 
PLANTS 
IN TOTS. 
S. 
a. 
s. 
(1. 
8. 
d. 
P. 
d. 
Aralia Skb ddi, dozen .. 
6 
0to 12 
0 
Ficus elastic*, each 
i 
6 
to 7 
0 
A'um Lilies, per dozen .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Foli«g j pi iits, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
u 
Arborvlt£e(goldon'i dozen lj 
0 
24 
0 
Fuolida, per doz-n.. .. 
Geranium 3 . Ivy, doz. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Asters, 1*2 pots. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Begonias, v*riou3, per doz 
4 
0 
12 
0 
Hy Irangea, per ; ozen .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Bidding p’auts in variety, 
Lobe.iis, per dozen 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
per doz. trom 
1 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
1*4 
0 
Bedding plant 3 , bx*., each 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Mignonttte. per dozen •• 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Caladiums, per doz. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Musi, per do en .. .. 
Myrtles, dozen. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Calceolaria, p *r dozen .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
G 
0 
12 
0 
„ Herbaceous „ 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Nasturtium*, per dozen.. 
2 
6 
4 
0 
Christmas Rose .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Palm*, in var., each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Cineraria, per dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Pelargonium 3 , scarlet, 12 
2 
G 
6 
0 
Drachma terouualis, doz. 
24 
0 
42 
0 
P*-l rg jniutn®, per dozen 
fi 
0 
18 
0 
lira* £e la viridi*, dcz. .. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Rh danthe. par dozen .. 
G 
0 
9 
0 
Erica Caveudisbi, doz. .. 
18 
0 
30 
0 
3 xifraaa pyraundalis, 
18 
0 
„ various, doz. 
Euonymus, var. dozen 
12 
0 
24 
0 
p -r dozen. 
9 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Spi. eg ', p *r dozen .. 
„ psxlmata, per doz. 
« 
0 
12 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
12 
0 
21 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
4 
0 
18 
0 
3*ock3, par dozen .. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
ENSILAGE. 
Amidst the making of excellent hay we return to the subject of 
our last article, simply because the experience of barely another 
week has shown more strongly than ever how desirable it is that 
ensilage should be understood and enter into the ordinary routine 
of farming as speedily as possible. In two instances have we 
recently seen a magnificent crop of Clover mown and thrown 
prematurely into cocks, where, owing to showery weather, it 
