December 23, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
265 
of questions, which are more or less irrelevanty to 
the papers read at preceding meetings, that may well 
be recommended to similar societies whose members 
exhibit that thirst for knowledge which is evident 
here. 
The clubbing of Cabbages created much interest. 
Many remedies were suggested, but good cultivation 
as an important factor against it was generally re¬ 
commended. One member stated that by deeply 
trenching the ground and otherwise enriching the soil, 
he had secured immunity against this disease, 
whereas the same soil not similarly dealt wifh 
gj^jijhited all the well-known effects of bad culture. 
The pruning of Gooseberries also produced a 
lively discussion—some recommending the spur 
system, while others declared in favour of thinning 
out. 
Leaf soil and its manufacture, resulted in 
some differences of opinion, but it was universally 
admitted that much depended on the nature of the 
leaves and the wiodws optvandi put into force to pro¬ 
cure the desired end. Leaves might be rotted 
sufficiently for potting purposes in twelve months, 
but two years, or longer, was better. 
Mr. Butcher, gardener lo Mr. Toynbee, East 
Acton, exhibited a very fine sport from Chrysanthe¬ 
mum J. Stanborough Dibben ; and the secretary, 
Mr. A. Pentney, a curiosity in the shape of a black- 
—very much emaciated—which had committed 
suicide, or accidentally got entangled by the neck in 
the fork of a shrub. 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN. 
Durab'e Variegated Plants.—Even in establish¬ 
ments where flowering plants are not so plentiful as 
might be desired at this season of the year, some 
admirable substitutes may be found in plants that 
do not require much heat to grow and preserve 
them in health. Ficus elastica variegata if properly 
hardened off or has not been grown in a warm place 
will endure for any length of time provided it is w>ell 
exposed to light during the day. Then there is 
that much - neglected plant Coprosma Baueriana 
variegata, also Eurya latifolia variegata. Aspidistra 
lurida variegata, Aralia Sieboldi variegata, 
Ophiopogon Jaburan in variety, Senecio Kaempferi 
maculata better known as Farfugium grande, the 
variegated form of Pteris cretica, and various others 
that might be named, having leathery, durable 
leaves. 
Flowering Plants in Season. —He is fortunate 
who is well supplied with Eranthemum nervosum, 
Ruellia macrantha, Strobilanthes isophylla, Libonia 
floribunda, L. penrhosiensis, Sericographis Ghies- 
breghtii, Reinwardtia (Linum) trigyna, R. tetragyna, 
and Poinsettia pulcherrima. The latter is not 
usually regarded as a flowering plant, but although 
the bracts are the most prized it is in flower all the 
same. The list might be added to considerably, but 
the above are highly serviceable for the dwelling 
room or the conservatory at this season of the year. 
Cut Flowers for Christmas. —Where there are 
plenty of means at command there will be no 
difficulty in supplying any quantity of cut flowers at 
this period after so open a winter. Chrysanthemums 
are still wonderfully plentiful and cheap. Any of 
the above-mentioned may be used for cut flowers. 
Then there is a wealth-of Indian Azaleas, Bouvardias, 
Paper White Narcissus, Roman Hyacinths, Due 
Van Thol Tulips, Zonal Pelargoniums, Begonia 
incarnata better known as B. insignis. Heaths, 
chiefly Erica hyemalis, Epacris of various sorts, 
Richardia africana and the dwarf varieties of recent 
importation, Chinese Primulas in various forms 
including the old double white, Eucharis, and 
various other indoor plants. The Christmas Rose 
will supply a quantity of bloom, but particularly 
if some plants have been placed in heat previcusly. 
Berried Plants. —Solanum Capsicastrum in its 
several varieties is mostly depended upon for a 
supply of berries either on the plant or in the cut 
state, and Holly is, of course, indispensable. Those 
who can add to it the yellow-berried form will find 
much beauty in the contrast it offers to the type. 
Several of the Cotoneasters, such as C. microphylla, 
C. frigida, C. buxifolia, and C. Simonsii, might he 
made to do good service with their berried shoots 
where the berries have not been devoured by birds. 
The dull berries of the Ivy, the bright heps of the 
Sweetbrier, the Dog Rose, and several garden 
varieties might be turned to good account. Under 
glass we have the species of Callicarpa, Ardisia, 
Rivina, Otaheite and other Oranges, and others 
supplying a great variety of colour. Pernettyas, 
either in pots or planted out, supply berries of many 
shades of colour. 
Bouvardias,—When the trusses of bloom have 
been cut, the plants need not be stood out of the 
way in some cool house until required for propaga¬ 
tion. They should be retained in a temperature 
ranging from 50° to 60° according to convenience, 
and when the top trusses have been cut the plants 
will throw out side shoots and supply useful trusses 
of smaller size later on. Excellent kinds for this 
sort of treatment are President Cleveland, Elegans, 
Hogarth, Priory Beauty, Alfred Neuner, President 
Garfield, and the white Vreelandi. 
Camellias.—The early varieties will come in 
handy for the supply of cut flowers, particularly the 
old Alba plena ; but the bulk of them are still only 
in the bud state, and the buds in some cases are very 
small. They must not be forced, otherwise the 
flowers will be small and of poor duration. A tem¬ 
perature of 50° is too high, and when anything 
approaching that is unavoidable on account of other 
things in the house, an attempt should be made to 
keep the atmosphere damp by occasionally lightly 
syringing them. 
Peaches.—The night temperature, even in the 
earliest house where the buds are commencing to 
move, need not exceed 45° to 50^^ at any time, 
although the heat may be allowed to rise considerably 
during the day from sun heat. Air may be given 
when the temperature rises to 65° or about it. 
A second house may now be started in establishments 
possessed of a number of Peach houses. In houses 
that are meant for a late supply, the temperature 
may be allowed to drop as much as it will, even 
several degrees below freezing point, so long as there 
are no other plants in the same requiiing 
protection. 
Forcing Pits.—With plenty of hot water piping 
at command there will be no difficulty in keeping up 
a temperature of 65" or thereby, but where it has to 
be done by fermenting manure, attention must be 
given as occasion requires to renew the linings. 
Ventilation may be given if the heat is likely to rise 
too high in the frames that have been planted with 
Patatos and sown with Radishes, Carrots, and 
similar things, otherwise they will get unduly 
hastened. 
--I-- 
QUEScions sno AnsiueR?. 
Mushrooms.— Western'. It is impossible to lay 
down any hard and fast rule as to how long a bed 
should keep in bearing, or what weight of mushrooms 
should be yielded by a bushel of spawn. It all 
depends upon the skill of the grower and the materials 
he has to work with. We have known beds that 
only lasted like yours from five or six weeks, and we 
have known others that continued in bearing for 
nearly a year. In underground cellars they will fre¬ 
quently keep in bearing from six to nine months, 
but this cannot be expected when the beds are liable 
to fluctuations of temperature. From 2 lbs. to 3lbs. 
weight of mushrooms per week from a bushel of 
spawn planted is a very poor return. 
Pruning a Vine.— Vine : If the cane is hard and 
well ripened it should bear fruit freely enough next 
year. Cut the new growth back to within 6ft. of last 
year’s wood, and prune the side shoots in to the 
most prominent eye or bud at their base. 
Names of Plants.— H. McLeod', i, Taxus baccata 
adpressa ; 2, Taxus baccata var. (we should like to 
see it in fruit) ; 3 and 4, Taxus baccata ; 5, Taxus 
baccata variegata ; 6, Tsuga Pattoniana. If you 
send not more than half-a-dozen specimens at a time 
we shall be very glad to assist you as far as we can. 
R.M : I, Selaginella uncinata; 2, Selaginella apus; 3, 
Pteris quadriauritaargyrea ; 4, Pteris straminea;5, 
Aspidium capense ; 6, Camptosorousrhizophyllus ; 7, 
Asplenium marinum. 
Annual like Wallflower.— A. Horne'. Arysi- 
mum ochroleucum and its varieties would be very 
good substitutes, but they flower pretty much about 
the same time as the Wallflower. You could employ 
no better substitute for the purpose named than 
Erysimum arkansanum, which is an annual with 
precisely the same habit as the Wallflower, and when 
sown in spring, flowers during a considerable period 
of summer. The flowers are large, and of a clear 
yellow, although not equal to those of the best 
modern strains of Wallflower, but you will find it by 
no means a bad substitute. Thin out the seedlings 
to 3 in. or 4 in apart when they are about an inch 
high, and the plants will branch more freely and 
last a much longer time in bloom than when 
crowded. 
« 
Victoria Forget-me-Not. —G. L .; It is obtainable 
from seed, and is sold under the name of Myosotis 
sylvatica Victoriae. Raised in this way a large per¬ 
centage of it comes true to character. Of course it 
should have been sown last September, or even 
earlier for spring flowering, but by putting it into 
heat a little later on you can hasten the flowering 
period. When well up, the plant must be kept 
cooler by placing it in a house from which the frost 
is merely excluded. Later on transfer it to a cold 
frame, transplanting it once or twice, if necessary, in 
spring to get the plants to some size. Next year, 
sow the seeds about the end of August in the open 
air, and you will experience no trouble with it. 
Communications Received. —H. C. P.—R. D.— 
W, S. (we shall be glad to oblige you at any time).— 
W. Y. B.—W. A. B. (next week. Too late for the 
current issue).—R. L.—J. C.—A. P.—J. A. 
-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Sutton & Sons, Reading.— Amateur's Guide in 
Horticulture for 1894. 
Edward Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
— Spring Catalogue of Flower and Vegetable Seeds. 
B. S. Williams & Sons, Upper Holloway, 
London, N.—Flower, Vegetable and Agricultural 
Seeds. 
- ^ - 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
December 18th, 1893. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 
39, Seel Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report a 
steady sale for Trefoil at advancing rates. Super¬ 
fine English Red Clover and Cowgrass do not 
find buyers at recent advance. Foreign Red Clover 
White Clover, and Alsike steady. Ryegrasses un¬ 
changed. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
Dec. 20th, 1893. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d s. d. 
Apples.per bushel 20 76 
Cob Nuts, per 100 lb. 40 0 42 6 
Grapes, per lb. 0916 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Pine apples. 
—St. Michael's, each 26 60 
(. d. J. d 
ArtlchokesGlobe doz. 3 0 
Beans, French, perlh. i 0 
Beet.per dozen 2 0 
Cabbages ... per doz. 2 0 
Carrots ... per bunch 0 6 
Cauliflowers, Eng.dz. 3 0 
Celery.per bundle 2 6 
Cucumbers .each 0 3 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 
1. d. 1. d. 
6 0 Horse Radish, bundle 2 0 
Lettuces ...per dozen 2 0 
Mushrooms, p. basket i 0 
Onions.per bunch 0 4 
Parsley ... per bunch 0 6 
Radishes... per dozen i 6 
Smallsalading.punnet 0 4 
Spinach ... per strike 3 0 
Tomatos. per lb. o 6 
3 o 
3 0 
5 0 
0 6 
3 0 
4 0 
3 0 
I 6 
0 6 
Plants in Pots.—Average 
t, d. s. d. 
Chrysanthemumsdoz. 4 0 12 0 
Cyperus .per doz. 4 0 12 o 
Dracaena term., doz. 18 o 36 o 
Dracaena viridis,doz. 9 0 18 0 
Evergreens,invar.doz 6 o 24 0 
Ferns, invar.,per doz. 4 0 18 0 
Ferns, small, per 100 40 80 
Foliage Plants, doz. 12 0 60 0 
Heaths....;....per doz. 9 0 18 0 
Cut Flowers.—Average 
s. d. 
Arum Lilies, I2blms. 4 0 
Azalea, dozen sprays i 0 
Bcuvardias, per bun. 06 10 
Camellia doz. blooms 10 20 
Carnations...per doz. 10 30 
Chrysanthemums 
doz. bunches .2 060 
doz. blooms.06 30 
Eucharis ...per doz. 30 60 
Gardenias 12 blooms 20 40 
Heliotropes,i2 sprays 06 09 
Lilium Harrisii, 
doz. blooms 60 90 
Lily of the Valley, doz. 
sprays.i 636 
Lilac,French,per bch. 40 60 
MaidenhairFern,i2bs.4 060 
Margneiites, 12bun. 20 40 
Narciss, French,white 
doz. bchs. 16 30 
Narciss, French, 
yeliow, doz. bchs. 16 30 
Orchid Bloom in var. 
per bloom, from 03 10 
Wholesale Prices. 
J. d. t d. 
Liliums, various, per 
doz.12 0 24 0 
Marguerites, perdoz. 9 0 12 0 
Mignonette, per doz. 6 0 10 o 
Palms in variety,each z 6 10 0 
Palms, Specimen ... 15 o 63 0 
Pelargoniums sclt.dz. 20 40 
Poinsettia, per doz. 12 o 15 0 
Solanums ...per doz. 9 0 12 0 
Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Mignonette... 12 bun. 10 40 
Mimosa, French. 
per bch. 06 10 
Pelargoniums, 12 sps. 06 10 
— scarlet.12 bchs. 40 90 
Poinsettia, doz. bloom 40 90 
Pyrethrum doz. bun. 16 40 
Primula, double, bun. 06 10 
Roses, (French) 
doz. blooms 06 16 
— . per box 20 40 
Roses, yellow, dozen z o 40 
— Red.doz. blms. 10 16 
— Safrrano...per doz. 20 30 
— Tea.per dozen 06 20 
I Tuberoses, per doz 04 06 
Violets, Parme, French 
per bch. 4050 
Violets, Czar, French 
per bch. 2030 
Violets,English 
doz. bchs. 16 * 0 
I Violets, French, 
doz. bchs. 10*6 
s. d. 
8 o 
1 6 
OOZtTTEOSrTS. 
Anthurlum Londinense . 
Apple Sucker, the . 
Asparagus Ferns. 
Bean, a climbing French ...259 
Begonia Queen of Whites...261 
Berries, Winter .260 
Cabbage, Christmas Drum¬ 
head .264 
Calanthe Veitchi Superha 259 
Chrysanthemum J. S. 
Dibbens .264 
Chrysanthemums, judging 255 
Chrysanthemums, new.256 
Clematises, planting .257 
Cotoneasler buxifolia.257 
Cropping, preparing for ...259 
Cypripediums from Ame¬ 
rica .261 
Cypripedium Eonone.259 
Cypripedium venustum 
Measuresianum .259 
Cypripedium fascinatum ...259 
Cypripedium Warnhamen- 
sis.259 
Evergreens as pot plants ,,.257 
PAGE 
Ferns, some British .257 
Foliage Plants at Holloway 260 
Gardeners' Associations .,.264 
Gardeners’ Calenuar.265 
Herbaceous Plants, hardy 261 
Hippeastrum, Mrs. W. Lee 264 
Laelio anceps Finckeniana 259 
Laelio-Cattleya Nysa.239 
London Allotments.256 
Lycaste Imschootiana .259 
National Amateur Gar¬ 
deners' Association.260 
National Rose Society .255 
Odontoglossum crispum 
Thomsonae .259 
Orange, a seedling.264 
Orchid Notes and Glean¬ 
ings .259 
Pansies in Winter .264 
Plants, new. Certificated ...263 
Spring Gardening .262 
Thorns, flowering .263 
Trees and Shrubs,grouping 262 
Vegetable Garden, the.259 
Zygopetalura rostratum.259 
PAGE 
.264 
263 
257 
