January 13, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
37 
vals'of a fortnight or three weeks, as well as soot, guano, or some other 
quick acting fertiliser, if in our judgment such may be needed. An ounce 
of nitrate of soda and twice that quantity of superphosphate of lime applied 
' each square yard of ground is a good top-dressing for Beet. Early thin- 
ng and hoeing between the rows at intervals of a week or ten days, as 
. ather nits, are important factors in producing good roots. Iberis 
gibralte _as much finer flowers than I. sempervirens has, but the latter 
is .the h , and produces fine masses of flowers in spring. You had 
better , „nem both and increase the one that succeeds the best in your 
Salt ane ’me'for Light Soil (IK. M .).—Light soils do not require as a 
rale so muc. .ime as clays, and the quantity depends a great deal upon the 
presence or otherwise of vegetable or organic matter in the soil. If the soil 
contains much vegetable matter, as in the case of grass land recently 
broken up, or is full of decaying vegetable and animal matter from heavy 
dressings of manure, or rich in humus by a long course of manuring and 
cropping, G tons of quicklime per acre (3 qrs. or 84 lbs. per rod—30j square 
yards) is a suitable and sufficiently heavy dressing. If, on the other hand, 
the land is not “fat” or in fairly good heart, 3 or at most 4 tonB per acre 
will be a proper quantity to apply. The dressing "of lime may be given in 
March, or as soon as the ground is in good working order. Twenty bushels 
of salt is a maximum quantity per acre, and should only be given in the 
case of light soil, and where the object is not only to supply salt as a source 
of fertility, but as destroying slugs. Ten bushels is a good average dressing, 
and is sufficient in most cases as a manure ; but a great deal depends upon 
the location of the land, for near the sea the application of salt is not of 
benefit, as the soil contains enough generally, though we have known a 
light dressing of 5 bushels per acre even near the sea to materially increase 
the weight of the crops. Salt should be applied in spring either before or 
after putting in the crops. 
Forcing Strawberries (J. B .).—For affording ripe fruit in May the 
plants should be introduced by or before the middle of February. They 
should be placed on a shelf near the glass, and not subjected to a higher 
temperature by artificial means than 50° to 55°, admitting air freely above 
that, and GO 0 to 65° from sun heat until the flowering is over and the fruit 
is swelling freely. The temperature may be increased to 60° to 65° at night 
and 70° to 75° by day, with an advance of 5° to 10° from sun heat. It will 
not be necessary to cover the flue with some material that will give out a 
moist heat, as by so doing the flue would be of little value ; besides, suffi¬ 
cient moisture can be obtained by syringing available surfaces in the 
morning and early afternoon. Seakale is not sold by weight in Covent 
Garden Market. The heads of the Seakale are cut with a small portion of 
the crown when 6 to 8 inches long, and arranged in punnets, twelve to 
eighteen heads being placed, each according to their size. A piece or strip 
of light coloured blue paper is placed round the middle of the Seakale, 
which enhances the whiteness, giving it with the rose tips of the Kale quite 
a taking appearance. 
Pruning and Top-dressing \in.aa'[(Merchint ).—You ought to have very 
good Grapes next year, provided you do not overcrop the Vines norover- 
crowd the foliage. When, what is termed the long spur system of pruning 
is adopted by amateurs they are very apt to err in those respects. If the 
laterals are not much more than a foot apart on each side of the rods you 
■will do well to consider the advisability of shortening every alternate 
lateral to the lowest good bud, as close to the main rod as possible, taking 
one growth from each of these spurs this year, not allowing it to fruit, and 
it would in all probability be in good condition for bearing in 1888. The 
longer pruned laterals will be more than sufficient for producing a crop 
during the ensuing season. If you cannot see your way towards adopting 
the plan suggested you will need to exercise sound judgment in disbudding 
in spring, not only with the view to the current year’s crop of fruit but in 
the production and maturation of wood for the following season. You may 
prune your Vines now, without waiting for the “ one or two leaves at the 
points ” to fall. You cannot do better than add lime rubbish, and especially 
smashed oyster shells, to your heavy soil. With plenty of these, which are 
excellent for Vines, you may dispense with lime rubbish, as the shells are 
composed of more than 90 per cent, of carbonate of lime with a little 
phosphate and animal matter. The smaller they are broken the better. 
Top-dress the Muscat Vine border as well, where the roots are coming 
through the surface. One barrowful of crushed shells may be added to 
about five of the soil if it is very strong. You have done well by notching 
the old roots and top-dressing to get the border so well filled with active 
fibres bristling through the surface. Do not permit it to be loose by deep 
digging, nor dry at any season of the year, though, obviously, the soil 
must not be decidedly wet, especially in the winter ; in the summer the 
surface should be constantly moist, and this is easily managed with the 
assistance of manurial mulchings for arresting evaporation of the water 
that is periodically applied. 
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 
ehould 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. 
(<71 H.) —We do not undertake to name florists’ flowers. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 12th. 
Prices remain without alteration, business being still very quiet. Hot¬ 
house Grapes in heavy supply at low values. Large cargoes St. Michael 
Pines to hand this week. 
FRUIT. 
B. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Apples 
6 to 4 
0 
Melon . 
0 
0 to 0 
0 
»» 
Nova Scotia and 
Oranges .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Canada, per barrel 10 
0 
13 
0 
Peaohes . 
perdoz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries 
0 
0 
0 
Pears. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cobs 
0 
70 
0 
Pine Apples English., tb. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Figs 
0 
0 
0 
Plums. 
£ sieve 
1 
0 
2 
0 
G rapes 
6 
3 
9 
St. Michael Pines 
. .each 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Lemous 
0 
15 
0 
Strawberries .. .. 
per tb. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8 
d. 
8. d 
8. d. 
8. d 
Artichokes .. .. dozen 
l 
0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce.dozen 
i 
0 
to 1 
8 
Asparagus .. .. bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. ..punnet 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney .. per lb 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mustard and Cress punnei 
c 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red .. .. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions.bunch 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Broccoli.bundle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts .. £ sieve 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Parsnips .. .. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage.dozen 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes. cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Capsicums .. .. 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney .. cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
n 
Carrots.bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Rhubarb.. .. .. bundle 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. .. dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy .. ., ,. bundle 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Celery .bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera .. .. bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Soakale .. .. per basket 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Cucumbers .. .. each 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Shallots.lb. 
0 
8 
0 
8 
Endive.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach.bushel 
8 
0 
4 
9 
Herbs .bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .lb. 
0 
8 
1 
0 
Leeks .bunch 
0 
8 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi .. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 
0 
Ficus elastica .. each 
l 
6 to 7 
0 
Arbor vitas (golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Fuchsia .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
, (common) dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage Plants, var. each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Azalea .. .. per dozen 24 
0 
42 
0 
Hyacinths .. per dozen 
9 
9 
12 
0 
Bedding Plants, var. doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hydrangea .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Begonias .. .. dozen 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Ivy Geraniums per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemum .. dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lilium auratum per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cockscombs per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lobelias .. .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cyperns.dozen 
4 
0 
12 
0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, dozen 30 
0 
60 
0 
Mignonette .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ viridis .. dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Musk .. .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Erica, various .. dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Myrtles.dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
„ hyemalis per dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var. .. each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
„ graoilis per dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonymus, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Poiusettia .. per dozen 12 
0 
0 18 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Primula sisensis per doz. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Ferns jn Tariety .. dozen 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Solanums per doz. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Abntilons .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
1 
0 
to 2 
0 
Arum Lilies .. 12 blooms 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Marguerites .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Asters .. .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mignonette .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Azalea .. .. 12 sprays 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Narciss, Paper-white, bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Bouvardias .. per bunch 
0 
8 
1 
0 
„ White, English, bunch 
1 
s 
1 
8 
Camellias .. 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
8 
Carnations .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
8 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Roses .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemums 12 bches. 12 
0 
24 
0 
„ (indoor), per dozen 
l 
0 
2 
0 
„ 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ Tea. dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Cornflower .. 12 bunohes 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ red (French) dozen 
2 
6 
8 
8 
Dahlias .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parme Violets (French) 
6 
0 
7 
6 
EpiphyUum .. doz. blooms 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Poinsettia .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Eucharis .. per dozen 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Primula (single) per bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Gardenias .. 12 blooms 
9 
0 
24 
0 
„ (double) per bunch 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Gladioli .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pyrethrum .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 sprays 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Stocks, various 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lapageria, white, 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Tropasolnm .. 12 tranches 
1 
8 
2 
0 
Lapageria, red ., 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Tuberoses .. 12 blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ longiflorum,12bIms. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Violets .. .. 12 bunches 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Lilac (white), French, bunch 
8 
0 
8 
0 
„ Czar, French, pe bunch 
i 
8 
2 
6 
SOIL LESSONS. 
What a singular conception of Mother Earth and her re¬ 
quirements had our forefathers! To read the clauses of an 
old lease, replete as it is found to be with quaint expression 
and nonsensical restrictions, affords one a curious insight 
into the degree of knowledge possessed by farmers in bygone 
days, for we may be assured that such restrictions were 
made and received in perfect good faith as indispensable to 
successful farming. Agriculture then was hardly regarded 
as a science; soils were treated just as though they were 
animals requiring rest, and which it was attempted to afford 
them by long fallows. A regular shift, whether four-course or 
otherwise, was regarded as part and parcel of all good hus¬ 
bandry ; the soil must have a rest every four or five years, or 
crops would fail, and farmers fail too. We have ere now 
told how upon one of our farms—a small one of 125 acres—we 
found 30 acres in fallow when it came upon our hands, but 
this year not an acre of it will be suffered to be uncropped. 
To be able to do this, however, a farmer must be on the 
alert to turn every opportunity to account to render the soil 
clean and fertile. Clean and fertile ! mark the words, reader; 
and mark, too, how frequently we use them. Is your soil in 
a condition to justify your use of such an expression as 
descriptive of it ? Is it clean in the full and most compre¬ 
hensive meaning of the term ? Clean by the absence of foul 
