December 27, li94. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
589 
All correspondence should be directed either to “ The 
Editor or to “ The Publisher.’' Letters addressed to 
Dr. Hogg or members of the staff often remain unopened 
unavoidably. We request that no one will write privately 
to any of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to 
unjustifiable trouble and expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions 
relating to Gardening and those on Bee subjects, and should 
never send more than two or three questions at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the post, 
and we do not undertake to return rejected communications. 
Clerodendrons In the Winter (ZL D. M.'). —Yes, seedlings of 
C. fallax may be allowed to come into flower in a temperature of 60°. 
If the plants were raised early and have been kept growing they will be 
showing their bright scarlet trusses of bloom, and will be useful in the 
stove before Poinsettias and Euphorbias are fully expanded. Select a 
few of the latest plants for seed-bearing or arrange those needed for 
this purpose in a dry atmosphere, or the flowers will fail to set. Keep 
C. fragrans in small pots and in the temperature advised for C. fallax ; 
if repotted they will grow and fail to flower. To flower this variety 
well it must be confined at its roots. Keep plants of C. Balfourianum 
dry at their roots, that is, those that have finished growth. Do not 
place the plants in a lower temperature than 55°. The earliest plants, 
if rested for another month, re ay then be started into growth, their 
flowers are useful and much appreciated in early spring. 
Seneclo pulcher (^Amateur'). —You are right in assuming that this 
is a vigorous-growing perennial, with large fleshy leaves of a deep green 
colour and shining ; the radical or root leaves are variously dentated 
and lobed, while those on the stem are ragged and irregularly cut. The 
flower stems are from 2 to 3 feet high, very stout, freely branching at 
the top, and supporting numerous flowers with the rays of a brilliant 
purplish crimson colour, and the disc or centre golden yellow, measuring 
3 inches or more in diameter, and lasting a considerable time in beauty. 
It flowers during the late autumn months, when it is of special interest 
and very welcome ; and when well cultivated it is a most attractive 
plant. It may readily be cultivated in ordinary borders, but especially 
does it thrive in rich loamy soil in a damp situation, as it enjoys 
abundance of moisture during the summer. As regards the pot culture 
of this plant, there is no difficulty in securing good flowering plants by 
that treatment in, say, 5 or 6-inch pots, using as soil good yellow loam, 
leaf soil, and well-decayed cow manure, with some wood ashes and sand, 
or in lieu of the ashes fine nodules of charcoal; the latter is of decided 
advantage in growing the plant. Perfect drainage is also essential, and 
an abundance of moisture during the growing season ; and it would be 
advisable to plunge the pots in some material such as spent hops or 
ashes, which would greatly assist to keep the roots cool and moist. 
Chemical IVIanures for Tomatoes ^Cross'). —We are glad you 
found advantage from the mixture advised—four parts bone superphos¬ 
phate, three parts sulphate of potash (not soda, as you give it), and one 
part nitrate of soda ; to that you added hoof and horn dust, one of the 
best food stuffs for eelworm, and we mention it as not recommended 
(untreated with sulphuric acid) by us. The manure named is excellent 
for Tomatoes generally, but the following has given even better results 
in the fruit, which, of course, is everything in Tomato culture :—Bone 
superphosphate, eight parts ; nitrate of soda (powdered), four parts; 
muriate of potash, two parts, mixed'; use 4| ozs. per square yard, or 
8| lbs. per rod. The maximum yields of Tomatoes depend upon a full 
supply of immediately available nitrogen, and we advise that form of it 
as manure which is most inimical to the eelworm, but it is necessary to 
observe that an excess of nitrogen frustrates the object in view, and a 
large amount favours fungoid pests. On account of the fostering of eel¬ 
worm by organic matter in the soil we do not advise the use of blood (unless 
chemically treated), rape dust or cotton seed meal. Of course there is no 
objection to the use of soluble (which means chemically treated) dried 
blood manure, but if it is to be substituted for nitrate of soda in the 
formulre it must be used in much larger amount, as it contains 10 to 
11 per cent, of nitrogen, to nitrate of soda’s 15 to 16 per cent. We have 
no authentic analyses of Tomato fruit and plant to hand, and that we 
have seen do not materially differ from that of the Potato (whole plant, 
including “ Apples ”). 
Wlnter-flowerlngr Orchids (U. P.).—The following note, written 
by a well-known gardener, will exactly answer your question ;—“ First 
on the list is the old and well-known Cypripedium insigne, of which the 
plants are mostly growing in wide pans. Plants in pots do not appear 
to flower so well. Turfy loam and peat in equal portions with chopped 
sphagnum and lumps of charcoal added seem to suit them. Give them 
a good clear drainage, for they should have water freely while growing. 
C. Lowi does best in pots when similarly treated, C. pardinum and 
C. venustum flower freely, but are easily overpotted. C. Godefroym 
appears more delicate still, but its flowers are quite distinct from the 
above, being white and beautifully spotted. The well-known Calanthe 
vestita rubra and C. Veitchi are very showy. Amongst Cattleyas, 
C. guttata is a tall-growing species, producing numbers of spotted 
flowers ; next comes C. Trianas, C. Forbesi, and C. chocoensis alba, not 
a very full flower but showy and free as well as scented, therefore 
desirable to grow. Coming to Dendrobiums, the best for this season is 
D. Wardianum ; several large plants are growing in baskets suspended 
from the roof in full flower, they last about six weeks, and are a feature 
in themselves. D. Pierardi, a much smaller-flowering species, but very 
free. Amongst Lmlias we have in flower L. acuminata autumnalis, 
nearly over now, and a variety of L. anceps with a Lily-like flower, as 
well as L. albida ; these are mostly growing either in baskets or on 
blocks of wood, the latter suit them best. A few plants we have of 
Limatodes bicolor on small blocks of wood, and it is quite at home. 
Maxillaria picta is also growing well and flowering freely on wood ; 
this is a small prettily marked flower, and lasts quite six weeks. 'We 
have several each of the following Odontoglossums in full flower— 
0. Alexandras, O. Cervantesi, 0. maculatum, and 0. Rossi majus. In 
Oncidiums there is nothing very showy just yet, but we have in flower 
0. ornithorhynchum, 0. flexuosum, O. tigrinum, and 0. unguiculatum 
in the first named the flowers are scented much like new mown hay, 
the colour mauve, it is a free-flowering plant. I must not leave out 
the cream of the winter-flowering Orchids, Coelogyne cristata, which 
anyone who pretends to have a collection of Orchids should not omit.” 
ITames 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. 
QH. P.'). —1, Streptosolon (Browallia) Jamesoni; 2, Sparmannia 
africana. (^Orchidisf ).—The flower is a good form of Cypripedium 
insigne. (4. B. C.'). — 1, Asplenium bulbiferum; 2, Adiantum 
formosum. (^Yorlis'). —1, Cuphea platycentra; 2, Correa cardinalis ; 
3, Erica hyemalis. (2d 2?.).—Curculigo recurvata. (6*. M.'). —Cypri¬ 
pedium barbatum. (J. W. A.).—Adiantum tenerum. 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. —December 26tii, 
N 0 ckange. Christmas trade dull. 
FRUIT 
I. d. N. d. 8. d. a. d. 
Apples, per half sieve .. I 6 to 4 6 Lemons, case .10 0tol5 0 
„ Nova Scotia, per Peaches, per doz. 0 0 0 0 
barrel. 10 0 15 0 Plums, half sieve .... 0 0 0 0 
Grapes, per lb.0 6 16 St. Michael Pines, each .. 2 0 6 0 
Cobs , per 100 lbs. 21 0 23 0 Strawberries per lb. 0 0 0 0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Beans, Kidney, per Ib, .. 
0 
6 
to 0 
9 
Mustard and Cress, punnet 
0 
2 
to 0 
0 
Beet, Red, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions, bushel. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley, dozen bunches .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers, dozen .. .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Parsnips, dozen. 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Celery, bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes, per ewt. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Ooleworts, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy, bundle. 
1 
0 
1 
5 
Cucumbers, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Seakaie, per basket .. ,. 
1 
3 
1 
9 
Endive, dozen . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera, bundle .. .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots, per lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Leeks, bunch . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach, bushel . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Lettuce, dozen. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Tomatoes.per lb. 
0 
2 
0 
6 
Mushrooms, punnet ,. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips, bunch. 
0 
3 
0 
4 
AVERAGE WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
CUT FLOWERS.—Orchid Blooms in variety. 
S. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arum Lilies, 12 blooms .. 
6 
0 
to 8 
0 
Poinsettia, dozen blooms .. 
3 
0 to 8 
0 
Azalea, dozen sprays ,. .. 
0 
6 
1 
3 
Pyrethrum, dozen bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Asparagus Fern, per bunch 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Roses (indoor), dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Bouvardias, bunch .. .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„ Tea, white, dozen 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 
1 
6 
3 
0 
,, Yellow, dozen .. .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Chrysauthemums,doz.bchs. 
4 
0 
12 
0 
„ Safrano (English),doz. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„ doz. blooms 
1 
0 
4 
0 
., Mardchal Niel, doz. .. 
3 
0 
S 
0 
Eucharis, dozen . 
3 
6 
4 
6 
„ (French), yellow, doz. 
Gardenias, per dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
blooms . 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Geranium, scarlet, doz. 
„ (French), Red, dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
blooms . 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Lilac (French) per bunch 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Smilai, per bunch .. .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Liliumi longiflorum, per 
Stephanotis, dozen sprays 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Tuberoses. 12 blooms.. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Marguerites, 12 bunches .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Violets (English), dozen 
Maidenhair Fern, dozen 
bunches . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
bunches . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Violets (French), Parme, 
Mignonette, 12 bunches .. 
2 
6 
4 
0 
per bunch . 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Orchids, per dozen blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Violets (French), Czar, per 
Pelargoniums, 12 bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunch . 
1 
9 
2 
0 
Primula (double), dozen 
Violets (French), Victoria, 
•• •• 4* •• 
0 
6 
1 
0 
dozen bunches. 
1 
6 
2 
6 
PLANTS 
IN POTS. 
B. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
Arbor Vitee (golden) dozen 
6 
0 to 12 
0 
Ferns, in variety, dozen .. 
4 
OtolS 
0 
Aspidistra, per dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
(small) per hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra, specimen ant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Ficus elastica, each .. .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Chrysanthemums, pa loz. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Foliage plants, var., each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
,, large,p doz. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Lycopodiums, per dozen .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Cyclamen, per doze 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Marguerite Daisy, dozen .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Dracaena, various, dozen .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Myrtles, dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracffina viridis, dozen ,. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Palms, in var., each .. .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Erica, various, per dozen .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
„ (specimens) .. .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Euonymus, var., dozen .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Poinsettia, per dozen .. 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens, in var., per 
Primulas, per dozen .. .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanums, per dozen .. .. 
10 
0 
12 
0 
