October 18, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
375 
advisable for the north generally. You do not even say where you 
reside. Peruse the supplement very carefully (page 103), and generally 
underline what you note as particularly meeting your case. You must 
let the manure accumulate till you have at the least four loads, then 
prepare it as advised in page 28. What is meant by loads is stated on 
page 18. We think all the points in your letter are now met. If you 
write again and refer to matter in the book please quote the page in 
each instance, also send your address. The pages quoted in this reply 
have reference to the seventh edition of “ Mushrooms for the Million,” 
the largest, latest, and best, and not to previous issues of the work. 
Iieaf Soil from Oak Xieaves (ZT. M,'). —Some of the best leaf 
soil we ever used was that from Oak leaves, which formed where the 
leaves fell. In Oak woods and coppices we have always noticed that 
where the Oak leaves accumulated as top-dressings among the brake 
there the brake grew best, and there in time was formed a half peaty- 
like bed that was unsurpassed for general plant-growing, and more 
especially Ferns. There is tannic and also some gallic acid in Oak 
leaves, but it is so small as not to be harmful; and you may satisfy 
yourself of this by examining the roots of any vegetation near or among 
the leaves. Moreover, tannic acid is soluble, and when leaves have lain 
damp in the position, and for the length of time you name, very little 
tannic acid will be left, even supposing it not to be decomposed, which 
it readily does under conditions that turn leaves to soil. But a simple 
way of testing whether a sample of leaf soil is unwholesome or not is 
to sift some with loam and sand and to strike cuttings of some plants 
with fleshy roots and examine these. If they root freely and, on exami¬ 
nation, are found healthy, all is right. But even if not, it is hardly 
likely that tannic acid will be the cause of the mischief. 
Forming Wew Beds of Iilly of the Valley (^Aiceces'). —Select 
a piece of ground with an east or west aspect, but sheltered from 
winds. Lily of the Valley, however, prefers shade without being over¬ 
hung by trees, or the soil prejudiced by their roots, or injuriously 
affected by the dryness of buildings, as moisture is essential. Good 
ground is necessary, being manured and well trenched. The crowns 
should be lifted when the foliage dies down, or from then to before they 
commence growing in spring. They should be divided into sizes: 1, 
Those of the current year’s formation—small, pointed, and with buds at 
the base. 2, Two-years crowns—stouter than the preceding at the base, 
without prominent buds or few there, and not so tapering at the point. 
These may produce flowers of medium strength, or not any next year. 
3, Three-years crowns—large, plump, especially at the base, rounded or 
bulged in the middle, and much blunter than the others at the apex. 
Such are flowering crowns, but many in old beds are found of even 
thickness, and with sharp points. These will not flower, but they are 
easily distinguished by their narrowness from the flowering crowns— 
conspicuous by their bulkiness and bulging in the middle, or blunt ends. 
In planting a shallow trench should be cut out so as to admit the roots 
straight down, or nearly so, each crown having all the roots issuing from 
its base intact, and 2 or 3 inches of root stem with its roots. Place the 
crowns upright in the trench, about 2 inches apart, so that their points 
are just below the surface, and fill in the soil firmly. Another trench 
should then be planted 9 inches from the first, and so on ; and by 
leaving out every sixth row space will be afforded for cleaning the beds 
and gathering the flowers and watering. The three sizes should be put 
in separate beds or compartments, so that the small size will produce 
nothing beyond leaves, the second flowers of medium strength, if any, 
and the largest ones be certain to flower the following year. A light 
mulching of short manure or leaf soil will be of benefit, and water 
should be given freely in dry weather. The beds will last several years, 
and when the plants become too crowded they should be lifted and 
replanted in fresh ground. The row system is better than the even¬ 
planting method. Any good loamy soil will grow them well, but 
alluvial or vegetable soil containing plenty of sand is preferable. 
TTames of Fruits. — Notice. —We have pleasure in naming good 
typical fruits (when the names are discoverable) for the convenience of 
regular subscribers, who are the growers of such fruit, and not col¬ 
lectors of specimens from non-subscribers. This latter procedure is 
wholly irregular, and we trust that none of our readers will allow 
themselves to be made the mediums in infringing our rules. Special 
attention is directed to the following decision, the object of which is 
to discourage the growth of inferior and promote the culture of superior- 
varieties. In consequence of the large number of worthless Apples and 
Pears sent to this office to be named, it has been decided to name only 
specimens and varieties of approved merit, and to reject the inferior, 
which are not worth sending or growing. 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 any 
beyond that number cannot be preserved. They should be sent on the 
first indication of change towards ripening. Dessert Pears cannot be 
named in a hard green state. («Z IF.).—The Plum is Rivers’ Late 
Red. (IF. C.'). —Apple Devonshire Queen. (iZ. P.).—The Pear is 
Black Worcester. 
Wames 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. 
(A. 31. C.'). —Lilium tigrinum. (^Amateur'). —1, Helianthus rigidus ; 
2, Aster Amellus. (P. IF).—Cineraria maritima. (//. P.).— 1, Cypri- 
pedium barbatum ; 2, C. Lawrencianum. (P. P.).—I, Helianthus 
multiflorus fl.-pl. ; 2, Aster xVmellus bessarabicus. (P. P).—1, Fuchsia 
procumbens ; 2, Allamanda Hendersoni. (X F Z ').—Eccremocarpua 
scaber. {P. 31.). —Catalpa syringrefolla. (P. P.).—1, Sedum carneum 
variegatum ; 2, Adiantum macrophyllum. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. —October 17th. 
Market quieting down, with prices more settled. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, per half sieve 
Oobs per 100 lbs. 
Lemons, case ., 
s. 
d. H. d. 
s. 
d. 
a. 
d 
.. 1 
G to 3 6 
Peaches, per doz. 
.. 1 
Oto 10 
0 
.. 0 
6 16 
Plums, half sieve ., 
.. 1 
6 
3 
0 
.. 22 
6 25 0 
St. Michael Pines, each 
.. 2 
0 
6 
0 
.. 10 
0 15 U 
Strawberries per lb. .. 
.. 0 
0 
0 
0 
vegetables. 
a. 
d. s. d. 
a. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per half 
sieve. 
Beet, Red, doien. 
Carrots, bunch. 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. 
Celery, bundle . 
Coleworts, dozen bunches 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
Endive, dozen . 
Herbs, bunch . 
Leeks, bunch . 
Lettuce, dozen. 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
Asparagus Fern, per bunch 
Asters (English) doz.bnchs. 
Bouvardias, bunch .. 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
„ doz. bunches.. 
Chrysanthemums „ 
„ doz. blooms 
Cornflowers, doz. bunches 
Dahlias „ 
Eucharis, dozen. 
Gaillardia, dozen bunches 
Gardenias, per dozen 
Geranium, scarlet, doz. 
bunches. 
Gladiolus, dozen sprays .. 
Lilium longiflorum, dozen 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
Arbor Vitae (golden) dozen 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
Aspidistra, specimen plant 
Asters, dozen pots 
Chrysanthemums, per doz. 
,, large, per doz. 
Coleus, per dozen 
Dracajna, various, dozen .. 
Dracreua viridis, dozen .. 
Erica, per dozen 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
Evergreens, in var., dozen 
Ficus elastica, each .. 
1 0 to 1 
0 9 
6 
0 
4 
0 
3 
0 
2 6 
1 6 
0 0 
0 0 
1 0 
Mushrooms, punnet .. ,. 0 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 0 
Onions, bushel.3 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 2 
Parsnips, dozen.1 
Potatoes, per ewt.2 
Salsafy, bundle.1 
Scorzonera, bundle ., ,. 1 
Shallots, per lb.0 
Spinach, bushel.1 
Tomatoes.per lb.0 
Turnips, bunch.0 
9 to 1 0 
2 0 0 
0 0 
3 0 
0 5 
0 4 
PRIOBS.— 
OUT FLOWERS.—Orchid Blooms in variety 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
4 
0 
to 6 
0 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
0 
3 
0 
bunches. 
4 
0 
to 6 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Primula (double), dozen 
3 
0 
9 
0 
sprays . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
o 
0 
6 
0 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ (outdoor), doz. bnchs. 
6 
C 
12 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen 
0 
6 
1 
6 
1 
0 
1 
6 
„ Yellow, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ Safrano (English),doz. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
., Marechal Nisi, doz... 
1 
6 
4 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Smilax, per bunch 
2 
0 
3 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Stephanotis, dozen sprays 
4 
0 
6 
0 
G 
0 
9 
0 
Tuberoses, 12 blooms.. .. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
1 
6 
3 
0 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
0 tol8 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
„ (small'i per hundred 
4 
0 
G 
0 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
6 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium Harrisi, per dozen 
12 
0 
24 
0 
3 
0 
G 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„ yellow, doz. pots 
6 
0 
10 
0 
18 
0 
42 
0 
Mignonette, per doz. 
6 
0 
0 
0 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
12 
0 
15 
0 
Palms, in var.. each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Primulas, per dozen ., .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Solanums, per dozen .. .. 
10 
0 
12 
0 
ROUGH PASTURE. 
To break up old pasture in tbe manner described last week, 
or by paring and burning, is an extreme measure tbat applies 
only to extreme cases. There is no common rule for genera 
application, each case must be treated precisely as previous 
inspection or knowledge of the pasture shows to be necessary 
When pasture is not excessively foul there are all kinds of 
possibilities as to what may be done in the way of improvement. 
A scheme must be thought out, the manner and cost of improve¬ 
ment carefully elaborated in full detail, and the result in view 
grasped so clearly that an assurance may be given to the owner 
of the land that his outlay will prove a sound and profitable 
investment. No light matter this, and it is only the confidence 
resultant from wide and intimate experience of such work that 
enables one to advise an outlay of £8 to £10 an acre upon it. 
We did so in reference to some pasture in the midlands two 
years ago, and the result is so satisfactory that some more poor 
pasture on the same estate is to be taken in hand for improve¬ 
ment this winter at a similar cost. 
