February 8, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
361 
rains we have had. During the last season, I have 
had about loo head of cattle grazing on about lOO 
acres of Marram Grass for six months, and the 
cattle kept in fair condition during that time. There 
seems to be some doubt in the minds of a great 
many persons, who have heard about the Marram 
Grass, that it is of no use as fodder; bat I can 
assure you that the cattle at Port Fairy thrive well 
on it, and, if it was not for the grass during the 
winter months, the residents' cattle would fare 
badly. I am of opinion that it would make a 
splendid ensilage." Many hundreds of acres of the 
valuable Potato lands bordering the western coast 
qf Victoria have already been saved from destruc¬ 
tion by this valuable grass ; and the grateful testi¬ 
mony of the farmer is, that " if Baron von Mueller 
had conferred no other benefit on the colony than 
this alone, oat of all his other good works, he would 
deserve to live in grateful remembrance as a great 
public benefactor.” Amongst the latest applications 
for plants of this grass are several from India and 
Africa .—Melbourne Leader. 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN, 
Repotting Palms.—In the case df plants that are 
sufficiently large for decorative purposes, larger 
sized pots should be avoided where possible. As 
the pots get filled with roots, the plants can often be 
kept in health for several years by giving an abund¬ 
ant supply of water, particularly during the growing 
season with liquid manure or other stimulants 
occasionally. The drainage of the pots should how¬ 
ever be seen to occasionally. Any loose soil which 
is not occupied with roots may be removed as it is 
generally in a bad condition. 
Cycads.—The bulk of these throw up their crown 
leaves in spring, but many plants even of the same 
kinds will start into full growth at a much earlier 
period. They generally give indications of this by 
the swelling up of the crown bud ; all such should 
be repotted, if that operation is actually needed, 
before growth becomes active. Over potting of this 
class of plants should always be avoided. Drain 
the pots well and use a compost consisting mainly of 
substantial, and fibrous loam with a small quantity, of 
equally good peat and plenty of sharp sand. Pot 
firmly and do not give much water till the plants 
commence to grow. 
Eucharis.—The winter season is the best to 
break up old pot-bound masses for the purpose of 
reducing the number of bulbs in a pot, and also for 
assorting the bulbs into sizes. Good fibrous and mel¬ 
low loam should be employed with sufficient sand to 
render the whole porous and open. Pot firmly and 
carefully. Watering will be necessary to support 
the evergreen leaves, but a moderate amount will 
suffice till fresh growth commences. 
Yuccas and Dracaenas.—The repotting oflarge 
plants in tubs or boxes where such is necessary, 
can be more conveniently accomplished now than 
when woik of all sort becomes more pressing a 
month or two hence. Where it is considered unde¬ 
sirable to give larger pots or boxes, the old balls of 
soil may be reduced with great advantage, so as to 
admit a quantity of fresh material. In potting 
Yuccas, a stock of young plants can generally be 
obtained by pulling off the underground tubers or 
suckers that are usually abundant round the roots 
of old plants. 
Agapanthus.—Old plants that have overgrown 
their pot room can be broken up into convenient sized 
pieces, and repotted in good substantial loam and 
some sand. When growing again and the fresh soil 
fairly permeated with roots, liquid manure may be 
given to assist the production of flowers. 
Carnation and Picotees.—Look over the young 
plants in pots kept in cold frames to remove all dead 
and decaying foliage. In some cases watering may 
be necessary, but in no case should it be given until 
actually wanted. During the prevalence of mild 
weather, the most important operation is free ven¬ 
tilation all day long; it allows the escape of super¬ 
fluous moisture, and keeps the plants healthy and 
strong. This is the most effectual safeguard against 
cold weather when we experience it. 
Dahlias.—The general batch need not thus early 
be started, but scarce varieties put in now would 
give cuttings early next month. Pot those scarce 
kinds singly in light sandy soil, and take off the 
cuttings when about two inches long. Leave a 
small portion of the base of the shoots so as to get 
a succeeding batch of cuttings from them. 
Auriculas. —A top dressing may very advan¬ 
tageously be given now as the plants will be able to 
Veap the benefit of it before they come into flower. 
A good compost for this purpose is fibrous but 
mellow loam with a third of well-rotted cow manure, 
and some silver sand. Press down firmly and allow 
space for watering. Remove all decayed leaves, so 
that nothing in a rotting condition be left about the 
crown. 
Gladioli. —For pot work a quantity of the corms 
according to requirement may be potted up, using 
strong, flowering corms. Give preference to those 
which may be starling into growth, as they would 
be wasting their strength if allowed to keep on grow¬ 
ing in a dry condition till planting time arrives. 
Figs.—Keep up a genial, growing atmosphere in 
the house where the earliest batch of P'igs is being 
brought on. Plants well furnished with leaves will 
require a liberal supply of water at the roots ; but 
overhead syringing must not be neglected. Judicious 
ventilation is also essential to the health of the trees, 
which will be indicated by the greenness of the leaves. 
The present is a suitable time for making and plant¬ 
ing new borders of Fig trees. As the roots must be 
restricted, it is a good plan to concrete the bottom, 
putting in plenty of drainage and insuring the 
requisite outfall for superfluous water. Only a part 
of the border need be made the first season, and 
when completed it need not be wide. 
Peaches. —Attend to the disbudding of the trees 
in the early house as soon as that becomes necessary. 
Go over the upper part of the trees first, and in 
removing superfluous buds, leave those best situated 
and as near the base of the present fruiting branches 
as possible to furnish next year's fruiting wood. 
Cherry House. —Should green or black fly make 
its appearance with the warm atmosphere and the 
commencement of growth, the trees should be 
syringed with quassia water two or three times at 
intervals of as many days. If the weather is dull at 
the time, so much the better, as the liquid will hang 
the longer on the trees and be more effectual. This 
should be accomplished before the expansion of the 
blossom, or if too late, deferred till after the fruits 
are set. 
- 
Questions add AnsroeRs. 
Smilax for Sprays.— Win. Robertson : By Smilax 
we understand that you mean the plant generally 
known as Myrsiphyllum asparagoides. If so, it is a 
native of the Cape and requires greenhouse treat¬ 
ment ; but as soon as fresh growth commences in 
spring we would give it the benefit of a higher 
temperature than a greenhouse, with a moist atmos¬ 
phere. A warm fernery or similar house would 
enable it to give much fuller satisfaction in the 
summer months. It will be all the greener if you 
do not grow it exposed to direct sunshine during the 
heat of the day. Of course you could shade it 
lightly. Fibrous loam with about a third of leaf- 
soil and plenty of sand will meet its requirements as 
to compost. The roots may be planted in long boxes 
along the back wall of a house, or a narrow, well- 
drained border may be made for it. Give plenty of 
water at the roots, and syringe overhead when grow¬ 
ing. Suspend pieces of twine, fastening them to 
the boxes at the .bottom, for the stems to twine or 
climb upon. 
Vine Rods Gnawed by Mice.— W. T.: We 
should graft or inarch the worst of them, and cover 
the injured part of the rest with a plaster of cow 
dung and clay, tying some moss round the whole. 
If the gnawed portion is not very wide or deep it 
will heal over sufficiently for the vines to carry on 
their work. The rest may be grafted or inarched 
below the injury. If you have pot vines and choose 
to inarch them, sink the pots in the soil for the con¬ 
venience of getting the young ro.ds low enough for 
the position. These processes can be m:)st success¬ 
fully performed when the first few leaves are fully 
expanded and the vines in bloom. To do it earlier, 
say when the buds are swelling up or even have com¬ 
menced to grow, would be courting failure owing to 
the excessive flow of sap at this period, and which 
is termed bleeding. Until the first leaves are 
expanded to carry off this excess of watery sap, it 
would be dangerous to cut the bark, as no union 
could take place. By pricking the bark with the 
point of a knife you can test the rods as to their con¬ 
dition ; if the sap continues to ooze out for some 
days delay the operation till a drop or two of fluid 
is all that appears. Then you may with safety 
accomplish the operation of grafting or inarching. 
Lopping of Trees.— Omega ; The, lopping of 
large branches would not immediately lessen the 
hold the roots have upon the soil, but the trees 
would, on the contrary, be better able to support the 
trunk and remaining portion of the head. Roots 
must, however, be fed, and if you deprive the tree 
of branches to any serious extent, the roots must 
gradually perish and so hasten the decay of the 
whole tree prematurely. The more projecting and 
dangerous branches only should be reduced in size, 
but not entirely deprived of leaf-bearing shoots if 
you can reasonably avoid it. 
Vapour of Tobacco Juice. — Omega : Fumigation 
with Tobacco is sometimes, though not often, recom¬ 
mended for the destruction of red spider. If fairly 
successful there is no reason why your plan of 
placing a red hot iron in Tobacco juice should not be 
attended with the same favourable results. Those 
who have tried this plan have found no injury 
resulting to either flowers or foliage. You should 
proceed judiciously and cautiously by way of experi¬ 
ment, until you ascertain whether the more tender 
flowers suffer injury or not. In a house of mixed 
plants there are always some concerning the hardi¬ 
ness of which you are not certain. Should the 
spider not be destroyed at the first experiment, you 
cannot do better than repeat it at intervals of two or 
three days until the pest has been subdued, using a 
greater amount of vapour each time so long as it 
causes no apparent injury. 
Communications Received.— N. N. S.—J. H. L. 
—T. C.—J. H.—A. D. W.—J. S.—W. M.—J. S.— 
R. O. 
-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
W. P. Laird & Sinclair, Dundee.—Garden seeds, 
implements, &c. 
Dobbie and Dicks, 66, Deansgate, Manchester.—■ 
Vegetable and flower seeds. 
- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
January 2gth, 1894. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 
39, Seed Market, Mark Lane, report a moderate 
demand for Clover seeds. English Red and Cow- 
grass offer on easier terms. White Clover is higher. 
Trefoil and Alsike steady. Ryegrasses unchanged. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
Jan. 3isf, 1894. 
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. s. d. s. d. 
s. d. 
Pine apples. 
—St. Michael’s, each 2 6 
s. d 
6 0 
ArtichokesGlobe doz. 
Beans, French, perlb. i 
Beet.per dozen 2 
Cabbages ... per doz. 2 
Carrots ... per bunch 0 
Cauliflowers, Eng.dz. 3 
Celery.per bundle i 
Cucumbers .each 0 
Endive, French, doz. 2 
Herbs .per bunch 0 
Plants in Pots. 
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. 0 6 
Turnips.per bun. 0 6 
4 0 
3 0 
I 6 
0 6 
■Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. 
Arum Lilies, per doz. 9 o 15 o 
Azalea, per doz. 24 o 36 o 
Cyperus .per doz. 40120 
Dracaena term., doz. 18 0 36 o 
Dracaena viridis,doz. 9 0 18 o 
Evergreens,invar.doz 6 0 24 0 
Ferns, invar.,per doz. 4 o 18 0 
Ferns, small, per 100 4 0 10 0 
Foliage Plants, doz. 12 0 60 0 , 
Cut Flowers.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
d. 
t d, 
iS o 
9 o 
12 0 
Heaths.per doz. 9 o 
Hyacinths... per doz. 6 0 
Marguerites, perdoz. 9 0 
Palms in variety,each 2 6 10 0 
Palms, Specimen ... 15 0 63 0 
Poinsettia, per doz. 12 o 15 o 
Solanums ...per doz. 9 0 12 o 
Tulips. doz. pots 60 80 
s. d. s. d. 
Arum Lilies, izblms. 20 40 
Azalea, dozen sprays 06 10 
Bcuvardias, per bun. 06 10 
Camellia doz. blooms 1020 
Carnations...per doz. 10 30 
Chrysanthemums 
doz. bunches .3 o 80 
Eticharis ...per doz. 30 40 
Gardenias 12 blooms 6 0 12 o 
Heliotropes,i2sprays 06 09 
Hyacintlis, doz. spks. 20 40 
Lilium Harrisii, 
doz. blooms 60120 
Lily of the Valley, doz. 
sprays.o 610 
Lilac,French,perbch. 4 060 
MaldenhairFern,i2bs.4 060 
Margueiites, 12 bun. 20 40 
Narciss, French,white 
doz. bchs. 30 50 
Narciss, French, 
yellow, doz. bchs. 26 36 
Orchid Bloom in var. 
per bloom, from 03 to 
s. d. s. d. 
Mignonette... 12 bun. 40 90 
Mimosa, French. 
per bch. i 
Pelargoniums 12 sps. 0 
— scarlet.12 bchs. 4 
Poinsettia, doz. bloom 3 
Pyrethrum doz. bun. 
Primula, double, bun 
Roses, (French) 
doz. blooms i o 
— .. per box 5 o 
Roses, yellow, dozen 2 o 
— Red.doz. blms. i 0 
— Saffrano...per doz. 2 o 
— Tea.per dozen 0 6 
Tuberoses, per doz o 6 
Tulips, doz. blooms 0 6 
Violets, Parme, French 
per bch. 3 o 
Violets, Czar, French 
per bch. 2 0 
Violets,English 
doz. bchs. I 
Violets, French, 
I doz. bchs. I 
2 0 
I c- 
9 o 
4 o 
4 o 
1 o 
2 o 
8 0 
4 o 
1 6 
3 0 
2 0 
I 0 
I 6 
4 0 
3 o 
620 
029 
GOIsTTEaSTTS. 
PAGB 
Adaonema costatum.360 
Albert Nursery, the.353 
Aloe brachystachys.352 
Arachnanthe Cathcartii.355 
Aspasia epidendroides .355 
Bees, about .352 
Carnations.352 
Cypripediums .356 
Dermatobotrys Saun- 
dersiae.360 
Dieffenbachia Jenmanni ...360 
Div ning Rod, the .359 
Earl’s Court Exhibitions, 
the.351 
Epidendrum Skinned .355 
Fairy Rings . 355 
Freesia refracta alba.360 
Gardeners' Calendar ..361 
Gardeners’ Testimonials....356 
Hollyhock, the. 359 
Marram Grass.3^ 
PAGE 
Maxillaria punctata .355 
Omphalodes verna.360 
Orchid Notes .355 
Orchids, a chat about .353 
Parsnip culture .359 
Peach buds dropping .360 
Reinwardtia trigyna .353 
Rhododendron praecox ...360 
Rhubarb forcing.354 
Root action. 35S 
Roses, garden .356 
Saccolabium bellinum .355 
Saccolabium giganteum ...355 
Science Gleanings.355 
Sowing and Planting.354 
Streptocarpus VVendlandi 357 
Tomato Culture .356 
Thrift, a gardener on.358 
Vegetable Garden, the.354 
Water Barrow, an im¬ 
proved.353 
