Jane 9. 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
475 
across narrow beds or borders, subsequently thinning out some of the 
seedlings and leaving the others to flower. The seedlings if taken up in 
small tufts with earth adhering to their roots transplant very well in 
showery weather. They like rather strong but well-worked and friable 
soil, and if the position is shaded from the mid-day sun it will suit the 
plants admirably. Should the ground be dry at the time of sowing flood 
the drills repeatedly, and after sowing cover the seed half an inch deep or 
thereabouts with sifted soil, loam, leaf mould, and wood ashes being 
excellent, and spread mats on the beds for preventing the rapid evaporation 
of moisture, th s being much better than often sprinkling the seed beds 
in hot weather. The drills should be deep enough that when the seed is 
covered the plants will come up in slight depressions ; in that way water 
can be more effectively applied as it may be needed. We have also sown 
in April, some of the plants flowering in the autumn and very freely the 
following spring. If sown as soon as the seed is gathered flowering com¬ 
mences the following year. The fresher the seed is the better it grows. 
Chrysanthemums In June {F. Godley ).—When first examining the 
bloom we thought it resembled an imperfect example of the Queen of 
England. On submitting it to Mr. C. Orchard he expressed a similar 
opinion. He considers it a late bloom, as it is produced on matured wood 
euch as we see in November. You do not say what time the plant was 
6truck. Flowers of this type are often produced on the side stems of 
vigourous plants after the autumn flower is cut, or through the top of the 
plant being damaged or blind. During last month Mr. Orchard saw at 
Esher (in the gardens Mr. King has just left) clean fresh flowers of Millie. 
Lacroix and J. Laing, while he has at the present time a bloom of Empress 
of India on a young plant ft inches high produced on a cutting struck in 
December last. That he calls an early bloom. More particulars and 
better specimens are requisite for deciding on the name and merits of the 
variety. A very much superior bloom of another variety, quite incurved, 
was sent to us this week ; and last year Mr. Millican exhibited several 
autumn-flowering Chrysanthemums at Chertsey on June 17th with foliage 
as fresh and blooms as good as are often seen in November. Plants raised 
from stem cuttings not unfrequently flower out of season. 
Mushrooms in Boxes (G. B .).—The manure ought not to have been 
u cooled ” but fermented, sweetened, and pressed when quite warm into 
the boxes. It cannot be too good when used in such small bulk, and may 
with advantage contain a less proportion of straw than is advised for large 
beds. On page 101 of the fifth edition of “ Mushrooms for the Million ” it 
is stated that Mr. Isaac Leedham grew full crops in boxes, using horse 
droppings alone ; and on page 125 Mr. Fowler grew them from instructions 
in the work. After fermentation and the manure has been turned a few 
times to sweeten, it should, as is stated on page 30 of the work, be in the 
following condition :—In appearance there should be a homogeneous or 
inseparable mass of straw and droppings, the former preponderating, and 
broken in particles, none of rvliich should exceed 9 inches, and few 6 inches 
in length, the majority being shorter ; the mass should have a slightly 
greasy appearance, be warm brown ia colour, and more than “ warm ” as 
regards temperature—in fact, it should be as hot as the hand can be borne 
in it. And now to the test for purity. This is simple. Draw a large 
handful from the interior of the bulk and apply it to the nostrils ; if the 
result is in any degree offensive another turning is needful, but if.no 
impurity is detected then the mass may be regarded as sweet. This is a 
negative test. A positive test is this—a rather pungent and somewhat 
agreeable scent, having a suspicion of the odour of Mushrooms. When 
this is the result we have the most tangible evidence of possessing a 
medium in the best manner suited for the production of Mushrooms. 
"There is yet another element that must not be overlooked—namely, that of 
moisture. If the mass is too wet its decay will be too rapid; if it is too 
•dry a steady and continuous heat will not be maintained. Generally 
speaking, however, when a heap of fermenting manure is well managed 
the four important requisites—texture, heat, purity, and moisture—will be 
present in the proper relative proportions; but still, with the object of 
making that matter plain to all, it may be said that the material must be 
sufficiently moist to be pressed into a firm adherent mass, yet not so wet 
that a drop of water can be squeezed from a handful of it by the greatest 
muscular pressure. If the temperature of the miniature beds (in the boxes) 
does not rise place them close together, and throw a covering a foot thick, 
more or less, over them of fermenting manure, and we think they will 
soon be ready for spawning. 
Names of Plants. —We onlv undertake to name species of plants, not 
varieties that liaTe 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 Him 
boxes. Slightly damp moss or soft green leaves form the best packing, dry 
cotton wool the worst. Not more than sixspecimens can be named at once. 
(H. J. P.). —1, not recognisable ;\2, Staphylea colchica; 3, Lunaria biennis. 
( Orchidist ).—Scuticaria Hadweni. 
Ventilating Floors (L. B .).—“ A Lanarkshire Bee-keeper ” says if you 
read the articles on cheap hive-making you will find all particulars about 
making ventilating floors. The floor and stand combined is separate from 
the hive, as it should be. The case for the stand is made the same size as 
the hive, and in the same manner, from 4 to 6 inches deep—square, if 
square, and octagon if of that shape, or round, such as some straw hives 
are. Then feet not more than 9 inches high, nailed at proper angles, or in 
the corners of the square case. Now fill in the parts between the feet, and 
projecting half an inch beyond to within an inch of the top at front, and 
<lrooping towards the back, so that a little shutter or false floor, one-quarter 
of an inch thick, cleated with a bar at each end to prevent warping, is 
flush with bottom edge of back, where a little button holds it up, and at 
the front by one or a pair of hinges. The incline on this floor is for the 
purpose of getting the debris cleaned easily away, along with the many 
parasites that infest bees. The zinc is tacked on the top edge of the stand, 
and has five holes to the inch. All the damp falls to the bottom floor, and 
if peat such as “ F. M., Dumfriesshire,” uses is laid upon it, it will absorb 
the damp, and can be removed and renewed often, and all the parasites 
with it destroyed. The zinc is the floor proper, and is effectual fn securing 
hives against moisture, provided other things necessary are performed. 
With floors of this sort the entrances to hives can be kept much closer, 
which keeps the hive warmer and promotes breeding during spring where 
it is necessary to have wide doorways. 
Name of Bee (N. G., Birkenhead ).—Specimen almost too damaged for 
certain identification, but the insect is a species of Osmie, allied to the 
hive bee. It is a bee partly social, partly solitary in habit, and occurs at 
times very numerously about old wails, stony banks, and cliffs of chalk or 
limestone. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET_ June 8th. 
Good supplies in hand, with business somewhat Blower and prices easier. 
FRUIT. 
8. d. 8. d. 
6 0 to 19 0 
0 50 0 
s. d. s. d. 
Apples,sieve.2 0 to 6 0 
„ Nova Scotia and 
Canada, barrel 10 0 13 0 
Cherries, J sieve .... 0 0 0 0 
Cobs, 100 lbs. 50 0 65 0 
Figs, dozen . 3 0 6 0 
G rapes, per lb. 2 6 4 0 
Lemons, case.10 0 15 0 
Melon,each . 2 6 3 0 
Oranges, per 100 .. 
Peaches, dozen .. ..10 
Pears, dozen.1 
Pine Apples, Kuglisb, 
per lb. .. 1 
Plums, J 9leve.0 
St. Michael Pine*, each 2 
Strawberries, per lb. .. 2 
2 0 
2 0 
0 0 
6 0 
5 0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Artichokep, dozen .. .. 
l 
0 
to 2 
0 
Lettuce, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 to 
i 
6 
Asparagus, bundle .. .. 
l 
6 
4 
0 
Mushrooms, punnet 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Beans, Kidney,per lb. .. 
l 
S 
0 
0 
Mustard and Cress, punt. 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Beet, Red, dozen .. .. 
l 
0 
2 
0 
Onion?, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Broccoli, bundle .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Brussels Sprout?, J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips, dozen .. .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cabbage, dozen .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes, per owt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicum?, per 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„ Kidney, per cwf. 
Rhubarb, bundle .. .. 
4 
0 
0 
0 
Carrot?, bunch .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Cauliflower?, dozen 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafv, bundle .. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Celery, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Scorzouera, bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Colewort?, doz. bunches 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Soakale, basket .. .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers, each .. .. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Shallot?, per tt> . 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Endive, dozen. 
i 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach, bushel .. .. 
8 
0 
4 
0 
0 
2 
0 
o 
Tomatoes, per lb. .. .. 
Turnips, bunch .. •• 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Leek?, bunch. 
0 
8 
0 
1 
0 
4 
0 
6 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
p. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a. 
Aralia Sieboldi. dozen .. 
8 
0 to 12 
0 
Fuchsia, dozen. 
6 
0 to 
9 
0 
Arbor vitae (golden) dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Genista, dozen. 
Geranium (Ivy), dozen .. 
0 
0 
0 
u 
,, (oommon), dozen.. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Azalea, dozen. 
18 
0 
30 
0 
HydraDgea, dozen .. .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Begonia?, dozen .. , 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Lilies Valiev, dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Caloeol Aria, dozen" 1 .. .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Lilium longiflorum, doz. 
24 
0 
86 
0 
Cineraria, dozen 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Lobelia, dozen. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, doz. 30 
0 
60 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
,, viridi?, dozen.. 
12 
0 
24 
0 
Mignonette, dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Erica, various, dozen 
18 
0 
42 
0 
Musk, dozen . 
8 
0 
6 
0 
Euonymus, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var., each 
2 
6 
21 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen 
i 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums, dozen 
6 
0 
15 
0 
Ficus elastica, each 
i 
6 
7 
0 
„ scarlet, dozen 
8 
0 
9 
0 
Foliage Plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Spiriea, dozen. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s 
d. 
P. 
a. 
Abntllons, 12 bunches .. 
Anemones, 12 bundles .. 
Arnm Lilies, 12 blooms.. 
Azalea, 12 sprays .. .. 
Bluebells. 12 bunches .. 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
Camellias, blooms .. 
Carnations, 12 blooms .. 
,, 12 bunohes .. 
Cornflower, 12 bunohes .. 
Cowslips, 12 bunohes .. 
Eucharis, dozen .. .. 
Gardenias, 12 bloom9 .. 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 
sprays 
Ixia, 12 bunches 
Lapageria, white,12 blms. 
Lilinm longiflorum, 12 
blooms. 
Lilac (white), French, 
bunch . 
Lily of Valley, 12 spray? 
„ „ 12 bunches 
0 to 4 0 
0 6 
4 0 
1 6 
0 0 
2 0 
0 0 
6 0 
S 0 
0 0 
4 0 
0 0 
8 0 6 0 
4 0 
0 9 
2 0 
7 0 
1 0 
6 0 
Marguerites, 12 bunches 
Mignonette, 12 bunches 
Myosotis, 12 bunches .. 
Narciss, 12 bunches 
„ White, English, bch. 
Pelargoniums, 12 trusses 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
Poinsettia, 12 blooms ., 
Primroses, 12 bunohes .. 
Primula (single), bunch.. 
„ (double), bunch .. 
Polyanthus, 12 bunches.. 
Ranunoulus, 12 bunohes 
Roses, 12 bunches .. .. 
„ (indoor), dozen .. 
„ Tea, dozen .. .. 
„ red dozen .. .. 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays .. 
Troparolum, 12 bunches 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms .. 
Tulips, dozen blooms .. 
Violets, 12 bunohes.. .. 
.. Czar, French, bunch 
6 U 
6 0 
6 0 
0 0 
1 0 
0 6 
0 0 
0 to 6 0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
9 
4 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
0 
9 
6 
0 
0 
0 
9 
2 
4 
0 
6 0 
0 0 
1 6 
3 
4 
4 
2 
1 
0 
0 
0 
OUR CEREAL CROPS. 
BARLEY. 
When Wheat became so cheap and the depreciation 
in value appeared likely to continue, the culture of Bur ey 
assumed such a degree of importance in the eastern i coun¬ 
ties as it had never had before. Barley was to piove the 
