286 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 2, 1886. 
the roots as soon as they are lifted ; I have known it 
done with lamentable results. Another matter re¬ 
quiring attention is, that the name of each variety 
should be legibly written on a wooden label'and firmly 
attached to the root by means of flexible wire, but it 
should be of a character that is sufficiently durable. 
The roots being dug up and sufficiently dried, the 
next matter is where to store them. They will keep 
well in a dry cellar or any such place where frost 
cannot reach them, and they should be placed on some¬ 
thing raised above the level of the floor, so that they 
are not in immediate contact with damp, as this will 
cause the tubers to become mouldy and decay. A 
bottle-rack, or a stage made somewhat similar, is the 
best place for them, the necks being turned downwards 
so that what moisture is left in the hollow of the stem 
may run from it. I should remark that it is the rule 
to leave 4 ins. to 6 ins. of the stem when the root is 
lifted. Further, the roots should be examined once a 
fortnight during the winter, and any portions that may 
show signs of decay cut away. This is a very important 
matter, especially when only one or two roots of each 
represents a choice variety. 
And though in danger of repetition, I must insist 
upon the importance of properly drying the roots pre¬ 
vious to stowing them away. Mind, they should not 
be dried up so as to present a shrivelled appearance—• 
this is going to the, other extreme. What is wanted is 
merely the surface dried. Then a few weeks after the 
roots have been stored they should be gone over, and 
anj r soil adhering to them removed by a sharp-pointed 
stick, but no necessity arises for washing them. 
Some gardeners are content to place their Dahlia 
roots under the stage of their greenhouse, but while 
they are free from danger through frost, the drip from 
the pots when water is supplied falls upon them and 
often occasions decay. Besides, they give the house a 
slovenly apjrearance, which is not desirable. 
For the purposes of t-ale, it is the custom for growers 
of Dahlias who trade with them to pot the cuttings 
singly in large thumb or small 60-sized pots. What of 
these remain over after the trade is done are allowed to 
occupy a cold frame on an ash bottom, and they arc 
plentifully watered overhead in dry weather. Late in 
the autumn these are cut down, and when the soil has 
become quite dry the roots are shaken free from it, and 
they are put into large pots or any suitable vessel, the 
varieties kept separate, and they are then known as dry 
or pot roots, and are very useful for supplying orders 
during the winter. Some varieties produce better 
flowers from “pot roots” than they do from plants 
struck from cuttings ; but that is one of the wrinkles 
gained by Dahlia exhibitors from the lessons of ex¬ 
perience. Pot roots represent an excellent means of 
sending Dahlias abroad. If each one be bound up in 
a ball of dry moss, they can be sent to America or 
Australia ; but it is essential that they be secured from 
harm from frost. And so I advance the Dahlia subject 
another stage. In my next paper I will deal with the 
matter of propagation.—A. D. 
Flop.ist Flowers, Past and Present. —Although 
I have known your correspondent, Mr. J. Knight, as a 
contributor to your pages, I had not the remotest idea 
that he was in any way connected with the, at one 
time, leading Dahlia growers of Battle, Sussex—a name 
that has been before my eyes, I may say, during nearly 
the whole of my gardening career. In the way of 
garden gossip, I may state that between forty and 
fifty years ago, in my collection of Pelargoniums I had 
one named Lady Montgomery, which was sent out or 
raised by a Mr. Denyer, of Battle. I am writing from 
memory, but I think it was a much darker shade of 
crimson and a larger flower than Dennis’s Perfection, 
which was much grown at that time. 
I once called on Mr. Dennis when lie lived in the 
King’s Boad, Chelsea, as also on Mr. Knight at the 
Exotic Nursery, I think, when I was on my way to 
see the Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, 
and in the palmy days when the late Robert Thompson 
was to the fore. As regards Battle I am, like Mr. 
Knight, personally interested in 'it; my wife being a 
native of that historical old town. ’ Deviate uncle, Mr. 
John Vidler, was the author of “ Battle and its 
Abbey,” and the latter’s uncle was also a native of 
Battle. I merely record these facts to show that since 
Mr. K. has made himself known to me it seems as if 
there existed a' kind of historical ' affinity between' 
us. —George Fry, Lewisham. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
It is particularly requested that correspondents 
will favour us with their communications as early in 
the week as possible, and that they address them only 
to “The Editor.” 
-->®<--- 
QUESTION'S ANT) ANSWERS. 
Libonias and Dipladenias. —Would some of your readers 
kindly give me a few practical hints upon the culture of the 
Libonia and Dipladenia amabilis, I have them both, but fail to 
get any satisfactory results.— C. Hi, Doncaster. 
Names of Plants. — G. W. Gardiner: A small flower of Den- 
drobium Wardianum. 
Larch —Can any of your readers tell me whether the thinnings 
of a Larch plantation can profitably be transplanted on a small 
scale when the trees are about S ft. high? Also whether, in such 
plantations, it is a good thing to lop the lower branches ?—Y. 
Communications Received. —J. T.—S. T. B.—51. Ch. July, 
Paris.—C. W. (thanks for the hint, we will endeavour to oblige 
you).—S- & S.—A. H.—J. P., Paisley.—D. B. & T.—A. F. L.— 
V. C. & Co.—T. S. W.—W. H. D.—B. L.—Hamilton & Co.— 
A. O.—M. T.—A. R.—J. 5V.—D. J. N. 
-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
John Laing A- Co., Stanstead Park, Forest Hill, S.E.—Seeds, 
Novelties, Begonias, and other plants, Ac. 
Dickson, Bp.own, & Tait, 43 and 45, Corporation Street, 
5Ianchester.—Vegetable and Flower Seeds, and Cultural Guide. 
Henry J. Jones, Hope Nursery, Lewisham.—Select List of 
Chrysanthemums. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield Nursery, Crawley, Sussex.—Des¬ 
criptive List of Seeds and Garden Requisites. 
James A. Davidson, Irvine, N.B.—Choice garden and flower 
seeds, Gladioli, &c. 
-->:x<-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
December 30th, 1885. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 89, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, report a small attendance 
and little business doing at to-day’s market. All 
varieties of Clover seeds continue firm with a fair 
demand. Canary, Hemp, Millet, &c. sell slowly at 
prices current last tveek. Blue Peas and Haricot 
Beans are dearer, owing to cold weather causing a 
better demand. 
-->X<-- 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
December 31st. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
■ s.d. s.d. 
Apples, i sieve. 10 3 0 
Grapes, per lb. 10 3 6 
KentCobs,perl001bs.22 6 25 0 
Melons, each. 
Peaches, per doz. 
s.d. s.d. 
Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 1 0 
Pine-apples, St. 
Michaels, each .... 2 6 TO 
Plums . 
Canadian Apples, brl.10 0 20 0 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d. 
Artichokes, Globe,doz. 2 0 3 0 Horse Radish, bundle 3 0 5 0 
Beans, French, per lb. 1 0 1 Lettuces ..per dozen 1 C 
Beet, per dozen. 2 0 3 0 5Iushrooms, p. basket 10 16 
Brussel Sprouts, lb... 0 3 0 4 Onions, per bushel ..5 0 6 0 
Cabbages_per doz. 1 6 2 0 Parsley, per bunch ..0 6 
Carrots, per bunch ..0 6 Radishes, per dozen.. 1 6 
Cauliflowers, English, i Small salading,punnet 0 4 
per dozen . 40 60' Sea Kale, per basket.. 2 0 3 0 
Celery, per bundle ..1 6 2 6 Spinach, per strike ..20 
Cucumbers, each- 1 3 *2 0 Tomatos, per lb.10 16 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 3 6 Turnips, per bunch.. 0 6 
Herbs, per bunch.... 0 2 0 41 
Potatos.- Kent Regents, SOs. to 100s. per ton ; Kent Kidneys, 
SOs. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
Cut Flowers.—Aver. 
s.d. s.d. 
Abutilon, 12 bunches 2 0 4 0 
Acacia mimosa,French 
per bunch. 06 10 
Anemone, 12 bunches 
Arum Lilies, 12 blms. 6 0 9 0 
Asters, 12 bunches 
Azalea, 12 sprays .... 10 16 
Bouvardias, per buu. 0 6 10 
Camellias, 12 blooms. 3 0 6 0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 10 3 0 
Carnations, 12 bunch. 
Chrysanthemums, 12 
blooms. 2 0 4 0 
Chrysanthemums, 12 
bunches . 9 0 IS 0 
Cyclamen, 12 blooms. 0 6 0 8 
Epiphyllums,12blins. 0 6 10 
Eucharis, per dozen.. 5 0 9 0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms. 6 0 IS 0 
Heliotropes, 12 sprays 0 6 10 
Lapageria, white, 12 
blooms. 30 40 
Lapageria, red, 12blms. 10 2 0 
Plants in Pots. — Aver 
s.d. s.d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, doz. . 6 0 IS 0 
Arum Lilies, per doz. 12 0 IS 0 
Asters, per doz. 
Azalea, per dozen ..24 0 42 0 
Begonias, per dozen.. 6 0 12 0 
Bouvardias, per dozen 9 0 IS 0 
Chrysanthemums, per 
dozen pots . 
Cineraria, per dozen. .10 0 12 0 
Cockscombs, per doz. 
Cyclamens, per dozenl2 0 24 0 
Cyperus, per dozen .. 4 0 12 0 
Dracaena term., doz. .30 0 60 0 
— viridis, per’dozen ■ 12 0 24 0 
Evergreens, in ,yar., 
per dozen . 6 0 24 0 
Ferns, in var.,'doz. .. 4 0 IS 0 
Ficus elastica, each.. 16 7 0 
Fuchsias, per dozen.. 
Wholesale Prices. 
Lilium Longiflorum, 
s.d. 
s.d. 
12 blooms . 
9 0 12 0 
Marguerites, 12 bun... 
3 0 
6 0 
Blignonette, 12 bun... 
Pelargoniums, per 12 
3 0 
6 0 
1 sprays . 
1 0 
1 6 
— scarlet, 12 sprays.. 
0 S 
1 0 
Poinsettia, doz. blms. 
4 0 
S 0 
Primula, double, bun. 
0 9 
1 6 
. Primulas,Chinese,bun. .. 
Roman Hyacinths, 12 
0 6 
' sprays . 
1 0 
2 0 
Roses (coloured) .. 
2 0 
4 0 
1 Roses (indoors), doz. 
1 0 
3 0 
Roses, Tea, French,, 
0 9 
1 6 
Roses, red, per dozen 3 0 
Stephanotis, 12 sprays 
4 0 
Tuberoses, per dozen. 
1 C 
2 6 
Tulips, 12 blooms.... 
1 0 
1 6 
, Violet, 12 bunches .. 
— Czar, French, per 
1 0 
1 6 
bunch. 
2 0 
3 0 
— Parme. 
4 0 
6 0 
White Jasmine, bun.. 
0 6 
0 9 
age Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Foliage Plants, vari¬ 
ous, each. 2 0 10 0 
Heaths or Erica, var., 
per dozen .10 0 24 0 
Hyacinths, per doz... 9 0 12 0 
Hyacinths, Roman, 
per dozen .12 0 15 0 
Hydrangea, per dozen 
LUium ianeifolium, 
per dozen . 
Blarguerites, per doz. 9 0 12 0 
Mignonette, per doz. 
Palms in variety, each 2 6 21 0 
Pelargoniums, doz. . . 
Pelargoniums,scarlet, 
per dozen . 40 60 
Foinsettia, per dozenl2 0 IS 0 
Primula, single, doz.. 4 0 6 0 
Tulips, per dozen pots S 0 12 0 
I 
MOW READY. 
CARTERS’ 
VADE-MECUM 
FOR 1886. 
Contains several Coloured 
Plates and hundreds of 
illustrations of Choice 
Vegetables and Pretty 
Flowers. It also gives 
concise instructions to 
ensure successful 
cultivation. 
Price 1/- Post Free. 
GRATIS TO INTENDING CUSTOMERS. 
SEEDSMEN 
By Royal Warrant to H.R.H. the 
PRINCE OF WALES, 
II, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, Y/.C. 
Clearance Land Sold. 
CEDRUS DE0DARA. —The most beautiful Shrub 
and Tree grown, of graceful habit, lovely colour, quick- 
growing Evergreen. Is. each, post free. 
CLIMBERS.— Ampelopsis Veitchi (the Ivy Virginian- 
Creeper), Roses, Honeysuckles (Red and Yellow trumpet), 
Jasmines (White and Yellow), Hop Plants, Ivies, Coton- 
easters, (Evergreen, its graceful sprays are covered with 
scarlet berries during autumn and winter), Clematises, 
Wisterias. 6s. per doz., post free; our selection. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS.—Finest exhibition va¬ 
rieties, strong plants—Alpha, Amateur, Black Prince, 
British Queen, Countess, Crimson Queen, Due de Blalakoff, 
Duke of Edinburgh, Elton Pine, Frogmore Late Pine, James 
Veitch, Keen’s Seedling. Lucas. Marshall 5Iac Blahon. Presi¬ 
dent, Sir Harry, Sir Charles Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton. 
3s. per 100, carriage free Quantities cheaper. 
CURRANTS.—Prolific Black, large bushes, 2s. per 
doz. ; 6 doz. carriage paid in England 
GIANT RED CURRANTS. —The largest variety 
known. 2s. per doz. ; 6 doz. carriage paid. 
RHUBARB.—(Large clearance ; land sold).—Linnseus, 
Prince Albert, Defiance. Good crowns, 3s. per doz. ; strong 
stools, 6s. per doz.; less for hundreds. Xot carriage paid. 
PAMPAS GRASS .—Good plants of this most orna¬ 
mental and hardy grass, Is. each, post free; large plants, 2s. 
ASPARAGUS, forcing.—(Large clearance ; laud sold). 
—Fine roots, 2 years, 2s. ; 3 years, 3s. ; forcing, 4s. per 100. 
Also 1, 4, and 5 years' planting. 
GLADIOLUS.—Dazzling crimson, scarlet, brown, and 
yellow mixed, 9d. per doz.; 5s. per 100 ; 45s. per 1,000 ; all 
post free. 
Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Greengage, and Apricot 
Trees, 6 for 6s.; 11s. per doz. Our selection so long as 
unsold. 
RED-HOT ^PQKER PLANT (Tritoma uvaria).—■ 
Brilliant scarlet, long-flowering, and hardy plant. Oil. each, 
post free ; 3 for Is., free. 
QUICK-FENCING PLANT (Myrobella). - The 
most rapid-growing, certain, and stubborn fencing plant on 
anyjsoil; perfectly hardy; also superior for mending gaps. 
17s. per 1,000 ; sample 100, post free, 2s. 9d. 
STRAWBERRY TREE.— A handsome Evergreen 
Shrub, producing very beautiful flowers, and fruit re¬ 
sembling Strawberries during October and November. Is. 
each, post free. 
ALMOND TREE .—This loveliest and earliest- 
flowering Shrub and Tree is completely covered with delicate 
rose-coloured blooms, even before the snow and frost have 
disappeared. Is. each, post free. 
FREEMAN & FREEMAN, 
Economic (§>e<?8smen & ©Turseromm, 
__NO RWICH. 
FERNS A SPECIALITY. 
THE LARGEST STOCK IN THE TRADE. 
12 different Ferns and Selaginellas "(our selection), out of pots ‘ 
carriage free, for 3s. 6 d., 4s. 64., 6s. 64. 
25 ditto, Ss. 6<i., 11s. 64., 15s. 64., 21 s. 
50 ditto, 21s., 27s. 6 d., 32s. 64., 37s. 64. 
100, in 25 varieties, 27s. 64., 32s. 64., 52s. 64. 
100, in 50 ditto, 32s. 64., 52s. 64., 65s. 
Illustrated Catalogue, Is. Smaller Catalogue, of over 1,200 
species and varieties, free on application. 
W, & l BIRKENHEAD, 
FERN NURSERY, ' 
SALE, MANCHESTER. 
