January 27,1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
79 
moisten the wh >le. This, if well hammered up, will make safe and sound 
joints. 
Vine for Cool House ( Inquirer , Dublin). —As you exclude Black Ham- 
burghs there is no quest'on of Madresfield Court being the finest black Grape 
for a cool house. It is large in bunch, berry, and of superior quality, doing 
excellently in a cool or moderately heated house. In an unheated house 
the sun heat must be carefully husbanded, and then ripening is assured in 
some seasons and districts. Madresfield Couit Grape is liable to crack, but 
this can be prevented by free ventilation, and not giving water at the roots 
after the Grapes commence ripening. When they change colour for ripening 
give the border a thorough soaking with water or liquid manure, put on a 
covering of manure about 2 inches thick, and then 1 to 6 inches thickness 
of dry material of a rougher description—the finest at the bottom and the 
roughest at the top, and the Vine will not require any further supply of 
water for the season. The mulching with the dry material prevents the 
rising of moisture, and with judicious ventilation this grand Grape will 
not only not crack, but keep for some considerable time, or until the end 
of November or later; this, however, can only be effected in a heated house 
ao as to maintain a temperature of 45° to 50°, and for txpelling damp. 
In an unheated house it will not keep nearly so long ; indeed, Grapes will 
not keep long in a cold hou-e after they are ripe, but a great deal depends 
upon the weather. If you cannot give the special treatment advised, Black 
Champion would probably suit you, o~, if you require a white Grape, 
Poster’s Seedling. 
Nectarine {Idem). —You do not say whether you require an early, mid¬ 
season, or late variety. The beBt early Nectarine is Lord Napier ; mid¬ 
season, Pine Apple; and late, Victoria. They were raised by Mr. Rivers. 
If you require but one, and are not particular as to season, have Victoria, 
which not a few good gardeners consider the best Nectarine in existence. 
Manuring Vine Border ( Aliquis ).—Half-decayed manure is best applied 
to the surface, and allowed to remain so as to keep the soil moist, attracting 
the roots to and keeping them near the surface. The manurial matter will 
be washed down by watering or rain. A heavy covering iB not desirable, 
especially on outside borders, as it deprives the soil of the benefit of warmth 
from the sun in spring, and wholesome atmospheric influences. A 
thin mulching of rather lumpy material is best, adding to it from time to 
time as it becomes reduced, not having it deeper than 2 or 3 inches. In 
winter it will require to be deeper, so as to afford the necessary protection 
to the roots of the Vines in outside borders, and should then be of a littery 
natui e. If the roots are so deep as to allow of the soil being removed to 
admit a dressing of manure, they are too de p, and it would be advisable to 
remove the soil over the roots so as to leave them co ered not more than 
3 inches with Boil, and then apply a dressing of good manure to the surfac \ 
Comparatively fresh manure is preferable to old and much-decayed for 
mulching, whether it be stable or farmyard, the strawy or littery portions 
being removed. 
Peach Buds Falling (A Fifteen-years Header). —The cause of the buds 
falling is not due to the dressing with the insecticide, for at the strength 
named we have used it repeatedly without any injurious effects; but the 
most general cause of the evil is dryness in the late stages of growth, which 
causes the spread of red spider, and the premature ripening and fall of the 
foliage. Keeping the trees too dry at the roots after the leaves fall or 
during the n sting period is a very general cause of the buds dropping. To 
one of those causes or both we attribute the falling of the buds in you • case 
rather than to the insecticide named, assuming it has been applied judi¬ 
ciously. We use a composition formed of 6 ozs. softsoap, dissolved in half a 
gallon of hot water, adding half a gallon of tobacco juice, a quarter of a pint 
of spirits of turpentine, and as much sulphur as will form a thin cream. It 
is kept well mixed, and is fatal to every kind of aphis, red spider, thrips, 
scale, mealy bug, and good against mildew. It is applied with a brush, 
being careful not to dislocate the buds. Any of the advertised insecticides 
are safe, only follow the printed directions carefully, and as we have tried 
all we can vouch for their efficacy and usefulness. 
Lygodium scandens {Idem). —Fresh growths are not produced from 
the old fronds ; but the young growths spring directly from the root, and 
as they advance the old fronds become sere and die. The plan you have 
hitherto practised is the proper one. 
Carnation Leaves Spotted (JR. B .).—If there are faint signs of spot or 
mildew on the “ grass ” when layered, the evil is almost sure to spread after 
the plants are rooted, potted, and stored inflames. Even when the growths 
are clean we have found them more liable to spot when potted late than 
when established in pots earlier, so as to insure aclive root action in the 
autumn. Great cars in watering the plants and ventilating the frames is 
necessary in the winter, anything approaching a stagnant atmosphere being 
injur.ous. It does not follow that “ plenty of air” should be given “day 
and night constantly,” regardless of the weather, as on some very damp 
foggy .days we have found it best to keep the frames closed. Lifting 
the lights and forcing them down rather sharply is often a better method 
of changing the air than propping them up when the air apparently is 
motionless. Not a drop of water should be spilled on the foliage or between 
the pots, a supply being only given to the plants that need it on the morn¬ 
ings of dry days. All the worst leaves should be removed from your 
plants, the earth in the pots stirred, a layer of dry ashes spread for the pots 
to stand on, and sulphur dusted on the leaves of plants that are slightly 
affected ; then with greater care in watering and ventilating the plants may 
improve, or at least such of than that are not beyond recovery. 
Names of Fruits.—The names and addresses of senders of fruit to be named 
must in all cases be enclosed with the specimens, whether letters referring 
to the fruit are sent by post or not. The names are not necessarily required 
for publication, initials sufficing for that. Only six specimens can be 
named at once, and surplus fruits beyond that number cannot be preserved. 
{ H . E.). —London or 5-crowned Pippin. {P Green). —Yerulam. 
Names of Plants.—We only undertake to name sp-cies 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. 
{G. S .).—Ccelogyne ocellata, the other specimen was not received. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 26th. 
No alteration, with supplies quite equal to the demand. Market quiet. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. s. d. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
d 
Apples .. .. 
i 
6 
to 4 0 
Melon .. 
a 
0 
to 0 
0 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Oranges 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Canada 
per barrel 10 
0 
13 0 
Peaches .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cherries .. .. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Pears.. .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gobs . 
. 100 lb. 60 
0 
70 0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
1 
6 
a 
0 
Figs . 
. dozen 
0 
0 
0 0 
Plums .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Grapes. 
9 
6 
3 0 
St. Michael Pines ..each 
a 
0 
5 
0 
Lemons .. .. 
0 
15 0 
Strawberries 
*. •• per ft. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
s. d 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Artichokes .. 
.. dozen 
l 
0 to 0 0 
Lettuce .. 
i 
0 
to 1 
6 
Asparagus .. 
.. bundle 
0 
0 
0 0 
Mushrooms 
.. ..punaet 
0 
8 
l 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
.. per lb 
0 
6 
1 0 
Mustard and Cress punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 0 
Ouions .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
0 
0 0 
Parsley .. 
dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. i sieve 
s 
0 
2 6 
Parsnips .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
1 
6 
0 0 
Potatoes .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
« 
2 0 
,, Kidney .. cwt. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
4 
0 0 
Rhubarb .. 
.. .. bundle 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
s 
0 
4 0 
Salsafy .. 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 0 
Scorzonera 
.. .. bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
s 
0 
4 0 
Soakale .. 
.. per basket 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
•. each 
0 
8 
0 4 
Shallots .. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Endive .. .. 
1 
0 
2 0 
Spinach .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. ,. 
0 
2 
0 0 
Tomatoes 
0 
6 
1 
U 
Leeks .. ,. 
0 
8 
0 4 
Turnips .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
0. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi .. dozen 
9 
0 to 18 
0 
Ficus elastics .. each 
1 
6 to 7 
0 
Arbor vitro (golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Fachsia .. 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 
86 
0 
Hyacinths .. per dozen 
6 
9 
10 
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 
Cineraria .. per dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Lilium auratum per doz. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Chrysanthemum .. dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lobelias .. .. per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cyperus.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 
Myrtles . dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Erica, various . . dozen 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Palms, in var. .. each 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
2 
6 
21 
0 
„ hyemalis per dozen 12 
0 
24 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„ gracilis per dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Poinsettia .. per dozen 12 
0 
0 
18 
Euonymus, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Primula sisensis per doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanums per doz. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns, in variety .. dozen 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips .. . .per doz. pots 
6 
0 
9 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
8. 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
8 . 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Abntilons .. 12 bunches 
a 
0 to 4 
0 
Lily of the Valley, 12 sprays 
0 
9 
to 1 
< 
Arum Lilies .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerites.. 12 bunches 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Azalea .. .. 12 sprays 
i 
0 
i 
6 
Mignonette .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
6 
Bouvardias .. per bunch 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Narciss. Paper-white, bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Camellias .. 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ White, English, bunch 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Carnations .. 12 blooms 
i 
0 
8 
0 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
0 
9 
1 
0 
„ .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Chrysanthemums 12 bches. 
12 
0 
21 
0 
Roses .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ 12 blooms 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ (indoor), per dozen 
l 
0 
a 
0 
Cornflower .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ Tea. dozen 
a 
0 
4 
9 
Dahlias .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
„ red (French) dozen 
2 
6 
8 
6 
Epiphyllam .. doz. blooms 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Parmo Violets (French) 
6 
0 
7 
0 
Eucharis .. per dozen 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Poinsettia .. 12 blooms 
4 
0 
9 
< 
Gardenias .. 12 blooms 12 
0 
21 
0 
Primula (single) per bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Gladioli .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
(double) per bunch 
1 
0 
i 
0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 spray3 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Stocks, various 12 bunches 
Tropaeolum .. 12 bunches 
0 
0 
0 
0 
, .... 12 sprays 
Lapageria, white, 12 blooms 
6 
0 
9 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Tuberoses .. 12 blooms 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lapngeria, red ..12 blooms 
1 
0 
a 
0 
Tulips .. .. doz. blooms 
0 
9 
i 
0 
„ longiflorum, 12 blms. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Violets .. .. 12 bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Lilac (white), French, bunch 
6 
0 
8 
0 
„ Czar, French, per bunch 
2 
0 
2 
6 
SOIL LESSONS. 
We bave before us upon our writing table a ball of clay 
that is so hard as to require a knife to scrape any of it into 
powder, it being hardly possible to make any impression 
upon it with a thumb nail. We made this ball recently 
while watching the process of draining some heavy land on 
a clay farm, the soil of which is more retentive of moisture 
than any we have met with hitherto. The drains are only 
15 feet apart and 22 inches deep, at which depth the chalk 
is found, and into which a few deep drains will be introduced. 
The clay burns well, and we burn as much as we can every 
year, our object being to gradually give the entire farm a 
thorough dressing of burnt clay, but it is a heavy and expen- 
