May 1, 190. ] 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDEXER. 
&71 
are leafless they may be painted with a mixture of clay, tar, softsoap, 
and petroleum. 
Improving- Fruit Trees (I'owwy Ifanrl').—Yon have not the 
slightest need to apologise for writing, -and you can send us a letter 
at any time when you think it will “do you good.” We think your 
efforts in improving the trees and garden generally most commendable, 
and you appear to have proceeded on sound lines. The bird difficulty is 
not easy of solution. It is a very .serious one in some districts where 
the fruit bud destroyers are regarded as “pets” and protected. Birds 
are useful, but an excess in numbers over a given area injurious. It 
is so in respect to most things, and even an excess of “ pets ” does not 
add to the comforts of life. If you bring the intelligence with which 
you are endowed to bear on your work in improving trees and encoun¬ 
tering difficulties, you will have as a reward in due time a fair and, we 
trust, a good measure of success. Towards the realisation of this you 
have our best wishes. Your other note cannot be attended to this 
week. 
Journeymen’s Work In Cardens (.71 F.'). —You ask “ If it is 
usual for head gardeners to send their journeymen out of a night with 
a bulls-eye lamp and a bucket of soot to kill snails as late as half-past 
nine, and to expect them to go about during the summer evenings with 
a barrow of lime for the same purpose ?” It is not usual in all gardens 
for journeymen to be employed as suggested, though we know of young 
men who are responsible for certain crops, who would and do very 
willingly apply soot and lime after dark when the slugs are out on their 
foraging expeditions, because one dressing then is more effectual than 
half a dozen in the daytime, when the depredators have had their feast, 
and are resting beyond reach of the caustic applications. In some 
gardens labourers are employed in such work, and paid by the hour for 
doing it, and that seems a fair and reasonable arrangement; but at the 
same time a young man seldom loses anything by showing his willing¬ 
ness to help in an emergency, and he does so the more cheerfully when 
the head gardener shares in the work, either actively or by his pleasant 
superintendence. 
Wiring- Bouse for Roses—Pruning Marecbal ITlel (f?. L. il/). 
—The wires may be a foot from the glass if there is sufficient head 
room. In low houses we have seen them C inches from the glass, and 
the Roses grew and flowered -well ; but we prefer more space for a free 
circulation of air between the growths and the glass. We cannot refer 
to the method of pruning which you say is advised in our issue of 
April Cth, because there was no issue of the Journal of Horticulture of 
that date this year. We were recently in a lean-to house 30 feet by 
10 feet, the roof of which was covered with Marechal Niel, except 
.5 or G feet at one end. A hundred dozens of blooms had been cut, and 
sold at the rate of 4s. a dozen, and in all probability the long strong 
growths which produced them have since been cut down to the bise of 
the rafters. That method, properly carried out, is the best we know for 
producing the greatest number of the finest blooms of this favourite 
Rose over a given extent of surface. Some persons we know have 
failed with it either because the plants were inherently weak, in¬ 
adequately supported, or allowed to become infested with mildew or 
insects. 
Barnes 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, soft green grass or leaves form the best packing, dry 
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. 
—(C'. II.'). —1, Staphylea colchica ; 2, Ueutz.a gracilis; 3, Scilla peru¬ 
viana; 4, Scilla nutans. (IF. It. O.). —1, Sanguinaria canadensis; 2, 
Omphalodes verna ; 3, Primula rosea; 4, Primula verticillata; .G, 
Primula obconica. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—APRIL .30th. 
A LARGE OTnoignment of Tasmanian Api)les to hand in good condition, prices at 
first ruling liigh but settling down afterwards to fairer values. Hothouse goods in 
steady snpplv. 
FEUIT. 
Apples, 1 sieve. 
B. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
2 
0 
to 6 
0 
Oranges, per 100 ,, .. 
4 
0 
to 9 
u 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Peaches, dozen. 
6 
0 
8) 
0 
Canada, per barrel 18 
0 
25 
0 
lied Currants, per ^ sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
(rrapes, Kew, porlb. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Black „ „ 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lemons, case. 
Melons, each. 
!•) 
0 
15 
0 
xSt. Michael Pines, each.. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Strawberries, per lb. 
3 
0 
G 
0 
G’EGETABLES. 
B. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes, dozen .. ,. 
0 
0 
to 0 
0 
Mii.shrooms, punnet 
1 
c 
to 3 
0 
AspaitMTUH, bundle •. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Mustard A Cress, punnet 
(J 
3 
0 
0 
Beans, Kidney, per lb. ., 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
3 
U 
4 
0 
Beet, lied, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
2 
9 
Parsley, do en bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Hprouts, 4 sieve 
0 
0 
u 
0 
Parsnips, dozen ,. ., 
1 
0 
0 
4) 
Cabbage, dozen ,. ,. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per cwt. 
3 
0 
4 
n 
Carrots, bunch •. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
„ New. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Cauliflowers, dozen.. 
3 
U 
4 
0 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Celery, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Salsafy, bundle .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Coleworts, do». banebes 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, do*. 
Kndire, dozen. 
2 
0 
3 
G 
Seakale, per bkt. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
1 
0 
0 
u 
Shallots, per lb. 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
n 
3 
u 
0 
Herbs, bunch. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
1 
0 
9 
0 
Xjeeks, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes, per lb. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lettuce, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
s 
Turnips, bunch ,, 
u 
4 
u 
U 
CUT FLOtVERS. 
Anemone, dozen bnnehes 
Ariuu Lilies, 12 blooms . 
Azalea, dozen sprays 
llouvardias, bunch 
Camellias, dozen blooms 
Carnations, I'i blooms 
Cowslips, dozen bunches 
Daffodils, dozen bunches 
Deut'ia, per bunch 
Eucharis, dozen 
Forget-me-not, doz. bnch 
(rardenias, I'i blooms 
Hyacinths (Dutch), in 
boxes.each 
Hyacinths (English), doz. 
bunches . 
Hyacinths (Roman) dozen 
sprays . 
Lapageria, 12 blooms 
Liliuni, various, 12 blms. 
„ iongiflorum,12blir.s. 
Lily of the Valley, dozen 
sprays . 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
Aralia Sieboldi, dozen .. 
Armu Lilies, per dozen .. 
Christmas Rose 
Cineraria, per dozen 
Cyclamen, tier dozen 
Daffodils, i2 pots .. 
Deutzia, 12 pots 
Epiphyllum, per dozen .. 
Erica, Cavendishi, per pt. 
„ various, dozen 
„ ventricosa, per doz. 
Euonyraus, var., dozen .. 
Evergreens, in var., do en 
Ferns, in variety, dozen.. 
P. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
R. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
1 
0 
to 4 
0 
M.aidenhair Fern, dozen 
to 9 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bnnehea,. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
{) 
G 
1 
0 
,, Fr., large bnch 
Norcissns, 12 bunches .. 
1 
G 
2 
0 
1 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 tnispes 
1 
0 
1 
6 
0 
0 
1 
0 
„ Bcarlet, 12 bnclis 
4 
0 
G 
0 
2 
0 
G 
0 
Primroses, dozen bunches 
Primula(doublo l i Bprays 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
4 
(1 
G 
1 
0 
1 
G 
4 
0 
0 
0 
„ f single) 11 sprays 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Ranunculus, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen .. 
1 
G 
8 
0 
„ lied, 12 blooms .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
G 
0 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen.. 
1 
0 
8 
0 
„ Yellow. 
3 
0 
4 
() 
3 
0 
G 
0 
Spircea, dozen bunches .. 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
G 
0 
9 
0 
1 
G 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Tulips (Eng.), doz. bnch. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Violets, dozen bunches .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
1 
0 
8 
0 
„ French, per bunch 
1 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
G 
0 
,, Parme, per bunch 
3 
G 
5 
0 
Wallflowers, doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
WTiite Lilac, French, per 
2 
0 
6 
0 
bunch. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
PL.t.NTS 
IN POTS. 
P. 
d. 
P. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
P. 
dv 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ficus elastica, each.. .. 
1 
6 
to 7 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
IJ 
0 
6 
0 
:4 
0 
Genista, per dozen . • .. 
Hyacinths, 12 pets .. 
8 
0 
1-? 
0 
18 
0 
80 
0 
0 
u 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
LUy of the Valley, 12 pots 
12 
0 
18 
0 
5 
0 
<) 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
9 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette, per dozen .. 
G 
0 
8 
u 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Musk, per dozen 
Myrtles, dozen. 
4 
0 
G 
a 
6 
0 
a 
0 
G 
0 
12 
0 
24 
0 
42 
0 
Palms, in var., each.. .. 
2 
6 
!l 
V 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Primula (single), per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Rhodanthe, per dozen .. 
8 
0 
10 
0 
2 
0 
s 
0 
Roses (Fairy', per dozen 
„ 12 pots. 
8 
0 
10 
0 
12 
0 
18 
0 
12 
0 
24 
0 
15 
0 
21 
0 
Saxifraga pyramidulis. 
0 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
per dozen . 
0 
0 
G 
0 
24 
0 
Spiriea, 12 pots. 
8 
0 
12 
9 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips, 12 pots. 
G 
0 
9 
0 
Bjdding riants in variety, in boxes and pots. 
THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL 
SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
The issue'of the first part of this journal in a quarterly form 
is a new departure, calculated to extend the usefulness of this 
Society, for the work, though less bulky as a quarterly than a half- 
yearly publication, has a wider and more general scope, which in¬ 
cludes many minor details of agriculture, and short pithy articles- 
under the distinctive heading of “Notes, Communications, andi 
Reviews,” the first of which by ]\Ir. Charles Whitehead on “ Fruit 
Farming for Profit ” is really a review of Mr. J. Wright’s prize 
essay on “ Profitable Fruit Growing,” of which the veteran 
Kentish “ grower ” evidently entertains a high opinion, for he 
says of it, “ To those whose lot is not cast amid orchards and fruit 
plantations, who are ignorant it may be of the first principles of 
fruit culture, this work would be invaluable.” 
Of special articles Mr. Ernest Clarke, Secretary of the Society, 
has an interesting paper on “ The Foundation of the Royal Agri¬ 
cultural Society,” followed by the important contribution of Sir 
James Caird on “ Fifty Years’ Progress of British Agriculture,” in 
which the chief features—not by the way always progressive—are 
pourtrayed with a masterly hand. The writer “ marks time in 
every change of our agriculture during the existence of the Society, 
and notably so when he says, “ The collapse of prices which took 
place in 1885, falling as it did upon an agricultural class already 
impoverished, has greatly disheartened both landlords and tenants,, 
and has seriously crippled their power to give employment to their- 
labourers. Its effects are at the same time felt among the trades¬ 
men in the country villages and towns, whose business is dependant 
on the spending power of the country squires and farmers. It is 
a remarkable fact, illustrative of the change of the agricultural 
