July 7, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
713 
ARTIFICIAL MANURES IN THE GARDEN. 
At a recent meeting of the Shirley Gardeners' 
Association, Mr. F. Perkins, of the Royal Agricultural 
College, and who was for some time lecturer under 
the Berks County Council and at the W. E. College, 
Reading, was then introduced, and delivered a most 
interesting and instructive lecture on "The Com¬ 
position of Artificial manures and the Umits of their 
economic use in the gardens." The lecturer first 
dealt with the temporary exhaustion of soils and the 
necessity for manuring, this leading up to the three 
most important plant foods in a commercial sense, 
nitrogenous, potassic, and phosphatic manures— 
shoddy, soot, horn, guano, nitrate of soda, and sul¬ 
phate of ammonia being mentioned in connection with 
the first, Kainit more particularly in relation to the 
second, and bones, coprolities, basig slag, guano, and 
superphosphate in association with the third. Com¬ 
ing to farm-yard manure, Mr. Perkins pointed out 
that it possessed, practically, all the ingredients they 
required, and it was on account of the supply being 
so very inadequate to meet the demand that artificial 
manures had to be resorted to. It was, in fact, ex¬ 
ceedingly difficult to obtain farm-yard manure except 
at a very heavy price, and there was no alternative, 
in the majority of instances, for the use of manures 
of an artificial character. There were limitations, 
however, in regard to the use of manure. The per¬ 
manent and temporary fertilisers of the soil were 
called attention to, and advice was given as to the 
application of various artificial manures, the pro¬ 
perties of which were fully explained, while he urged 
upon his listeners to purchase none but those the 
quality of which was guaranteed by the reputation 
and respectability of the firm from whom they were 
purchased. Artificial manures had a distinct market 
value, and they must not go in for cheapness; but 
the best article.—The lecture was illustrated by 
diagrams and specimens, and at its close several 
questions were asked and answered. 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN. 
Tuberoses. —The last batch of Tuberoses for the 
season should be potted up and placed on a cool 
bottom of ashes. Cover the pots with cocoa-nut 
fibre and leave them there till the bulbs forms roots 
and commence to grow. A cold frame would be the 
best place for this. No water will be necessary till 
the plants push up leaves, if the sashes are kept over 
them. After this gradually expose them to light by 
taking off the plunging material. The lights may be 
removed altogether after a time. 
Abutilons. —A batch of the improved and large 
flowering Abutilons may now be rooted for winter 
flowering. They afford an agreeable change 
from the class of plants usually grown for that 
purpose. They should include yellow, rose and 
pink varieties as well as the white Boule de Neige. 
As they grow up with single stems they do not 
occupy much space for each plant. 
Poinsettias. —Large batches of Poinsettias may 
still be propagated, but the operation should be 
completed by the middle of the month, otherwise 
the stems will not have sufficient time to get 
properly matured to flower well. The earlier batches 
should be hardened off and placed in cold frames 
fully exposed to sunlight. Here they will grow 
more slowly and make short jonated wood. 
Gesneras —To obtain the leaves in their best 
form and most richly coloured condition, the plants 
should not be grown on dry shelves near the glass, 
but in a position where a fair amount of atmospheric 
moisture can be maintained, and where the plants 
can be properly shaded. Weak liquid manure may 
be applied when the pots are getting fairly 
filled with roots. 
Show Pelargoniums.— As the show, fancy, and 
decorative kinds go out of bloom, water should be 
withheld for a few days, after which the stems 
should be cut down. No water should be given till 
the plants commence growing again, after which 
they may be turned out of their pots, the ball 
reduced, and then re-potted in a smaller size. 
Lilies in Pots. —Stake the stems of all tall grow¬ 
ing sorts before there is any chance of their getting 
broken down. Green fly is very troublesome in the 
buds just now and must be dislodged before they 
injure the buds. Give weak liquid manure from the 
time the buds begin to make themselves evident till 
they expand. 
Indian Azaleas. —The main batch of Azaleas 
should now be placed in heat if that has not already 
been accomplished. Remove the seed pods and 
make sure that the foliage is clear of insects before 
putting the plants in heat. Wherever thrips or red 
spider makes its appearance, syringe the plants with 
a strong solution of soft soap to which some tobacco 
juice has been added. 
Fuchsias. —Large specimens will now be in full 
bloom and fit to place in the conservatory. If in 
good turfy, but friable loam they will continue to 
flower all the summer, particularly if aided with 
weak liquid manure, and heavily syringed over the 
top every fine day at closing time. Leave air on all 
night and keep the house as cool as possible. 
Melons. —Real summer weather has at last 
become a certainty, and no difficulty will be experi¬ 
enced in the culture of Melons provided watering 
aud ventilation are properly attended to. Early 
ventilation is of the utmost importance, because if 
the sun shines strongly upon the foliage while still 
dripping with condensed moisture, it is sure to get 
scorched. Nor must the soil in which the roots 
are growing be suffered to get dry. If 
the bed in which the plants are grow¬ 
ing is elevated, and there is free access for the water 
to drain away, a thorough soaking should be given 
each time the plants are watered. Syringe the 
foliage twice a day to keep up the atmospheric 
moisture. 
Cucumbers. —Plants tied to a trellis will require 
frequent attention in the matter of thinning the 
shoots and tying up the remainder to give a succes¬ 
sion of young, fruiting wood. Syringe twice a day, 
and damp down the paths and other available spaces 
several times a day while the weather continues 
warm and bright. 
Peaches on Walls.— The continued dry and 
warm weather will necessitate repeated watering of 
Peach trees on open walls, to keep them in robust 
health, particularly if heavily laden with fruit. 
Green and brown fly and red spider often prove 
troublesome at this season, but may be kept in 
check by a free use of the garden engine upon the 
foliage, thereby watering the trees at the same time- 
The ground should be loosened up on the surface 
with a fork, and top dressed with manure over the 
roots. 
Plums and Chepnles. —These trees are very 
liable to suffer from a pest of aphis. The trees 
troubled with them should be syringed with a strong 
solution of soft soap, to which is added some tobacco 
juice. This should be done in the evening and 
washed off in the morning with the garden engine. 
Net the Cherry trees against birds. 
-- 
Quescions add AnsuieRs 
Books. — E. J. ; " The Epitome of Gardening " 
(Adam and Charles Black) will be the most useful 
under the circumstances.—: " The Tomato, 
its Culture and Uses,” by W. Iggulden (lyi. Fleet 
Street, E.C.). 
Claret Cup. — X.. Try the following:—One bottle 
of claret, one bottle of soda water, half a pound of 
ice broken small, a liquer glass of Maraschino, four 
tablespoonfuls of sugar, a little grated Nutmeg, and 
a sprig of Borage. 
Insects.— W. R. : Otiorhynchus sulcatus, com¬ 
monly called the Vine weevil or the black Vine 
weevil, and a very destructive pest in fruit and plant 
houses if left to its own sweet will, but easily caught 
owing to its peculiar habit of shamming death when 
disturbed by spreading a sheet under the Vines, etc., 
late at night and tapping the canes vigorously with 
the hands. 
Orchid Seed. — R.: The seed pods of Cypripedium 
usually take about twelve months to ripen, and 
germination of the seeds takes place in from ten to 
twelve months, but sometimes in a month or two 
less. 
Mulching Strawberries. — H. W. Sewin : Most 
cultivators mulch their Strawberries about the time 
they come into bloom. The leaves are less bulky at 
that time and the flower stems are short, so that the 
straw can be placed amongst them with little 
trouble. If the object is merely to protect the berries 
from being splashed with sand or soil, then it is a 
matter of small consequence when it is done, pro¬ 
vided it is accomplished before heavy rain soils the 
fruit. If the present had been a wet summer, the 
berries would have been splashed before this time, 
so that in most seasons it would be highly advan¬ 
tageous to accomplish the operation at a much 
earlier period. 
Artificial Manure for Vines. — Omega : The 
wording of your question would lead us to infer that 
what you want is some manure containing nitrogen 
in the form ofammonia. This can be had in the form 
of carbonate of ammonia, which is sold in the form 
of small lumps like lump sugar and of the same 
colour. Place two or three lumps in a pan over the 
hot-water pipes and leave them there. They will 
gradually evaporate into the air when you can 
replace them with two or three more lumps as often 
as the previous ones disappear. If your house is a 
small one, be careful not to use too much of the 
carbonate of ammonia at one time because it is 
powerful. The lumps should be distributed over the 
house rather than kept in one place. Most cultiva¬ 
tors keep their evaporating pans filled with liquid 
manure from the stables, and use little or nothing 
else. 
Names of Plants. —W. P. : Stanhopea tigrina. 
W. H. IF.: The Carolina Allspice, Calycanthus 
floridus. A. C.: Both Roses are to all appearance 
and intents the same, namely well-coloured blooms 
of Gloire de Dijon. Omega : The Wood Stachys or 
Wood Betony (Stachys sylvatica). W. D. : i, Rosa 
lucida; 2, Ardisia crenulata; 3, Potentilla arguta ; 
4, Erigeron speciosus; 5, Rosa gallica var. Rosa 
Mundi; 6, Fuchsia gracilis ; 7, Aspidium angulare 
var. 
Communications Received. —S. & S.—T. L.— 
W. L.—A. N.—J. C.—H. C.—J. T.—A. Dickson-- 
Scot.—W. J.—G. R. S. (will write you).—H. C. P. 
TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED- 
Fred Horsman & Co., Colchester.—Orchid 
Specialities. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
July, y/d. 1894. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 
39, Seed Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report 
the Market for Agricultural seeds dull. Mustard and 
Rape in moderate request. Rape seed is easier, some 
holders being anxious to reduce Stocks before new 
crop is marketed. No business doing in Trifolium 
incarnatum. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
July djh, 1894. 
Fruit,—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d s, d. 
Apples.per bushel 00 00 
Cherries, per hit. sieve 40 6 f 
Tasmanian Apples, 
per case 8 0 12 6 
s. d, s. d. 
Grapes, per lb. 10 30 
Pine apples. 
—St. Michael's, each 26 60 
Strawberries, per lb. 0 6 16 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
i, d, t, d. 
ArtlchokesGIobedoz. 30 60 
Beans, French, perlb. 16 20 
Beet.per dozen 20 30 
Cabbages ... per doz. 1626 
Carrots ... per bunch o 6 
Carrots, new, per bch. i 6 
Cauliflowers, Eng.dz. 30 60 
Celery.per bundle 16 20 
Cucumbers .each 04 08 
Endive, French, doz. 26 30 
Herbs .per bunch 02 06 
Horse Radish, bundle z 0 
t. d. I, d. 
Lettuces ...per dozen 20 30 
Mushrooms, p. basket 10 16 
Onions.per bunch 04 06 
Parsley ... per bunch 0 6 
Radishes... per dozen i 6 
Seakale...per basket 00 00 
Smallsaladlngmunnet o 4 
Spinach per bushel 3 0 
Tomatos. per lb. 0 6 i • 
Turnips.per bun. 0 6 
Turnips,new,per bch. i 6 
4 0 I 
Plants in Pots.—Average Wholesale Prices 
t. d. I. d. 
Arum Lilies, per doz. S 0 12 0 
Aspidistra, per doz 18 0 42 o 
—specimenplants.eachs o 15 o 
Calceolaria, per doz. 306 0 
Cyperus .per doz. 4 0 12 0 
Dracaena term., doz. 18 0 36 0 
Dracaena viridis,doz. 9 0 18 0 
Evergreens,invar.doz 6 0 24 0 
Ferns, invar.,per doz. 4 0 18 0 
Ferns, small, per 100 4 0 10 0 
Foliage Plants, doz. 12 0 60 0 
Heaths.per doz. g 0 24 0 
Heliotrope...per doz. 3060 
Hydrangea...per doz. 9 0 24 0 
1. d. t d. 
Ivy Geraniuips, doz. 40 60 
Lobelia .per doz. 30 40 
Marguerites, perdoz. fl 0 12 0 
Mignonette, per doz 40 80 
Musk .per doz. 2040 
Nasturtiuns.perdoz. 16 40 
Palms in variety,eacb 2 6 10 o 
Palms, Specimen ... 15 0 63 0 
Pelargoniums,per dz. 6 o 12 0 
—scarlet.per doz...3 0 60 
Rhodanthea, per doz. 40 60 
Spiraea...per doz.... 6 0 12 o 
Stocks.per doz. 30 50 
Cut Flowers.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
!. d. s. d. t. d. 3. d. 
Arum Lilies, I2blms. 20 30 
Bcuvardlas, per bun. 06 10 
Carnations...per doz. 10 30 
Carnation, doz. bchs. 40 60 
Cornflower, doz.bchs. 10 20 
Eucharis ...per doz. 30 40 
Forget-me-Not, 
doz. bchs. 10 30 
Gardenias 12 blooms 1030 
Heliotropes,i2sprays 03 06 
Iris .doz. bchs. 40 90 
Lilium Harrisii, 
doz. blooms 20 40 
Lilium candidum 
doz. bchs. 12 0 18 0 
Lilium candidum 
doz. blms. 04 06 
Lily of the Valley, doz. 
sprays.i 020 
LilacFrench,perbch. 30 50 
I MaldenhairFern,i2bs.4 0 60 
Marguerites, 12 bun. 2 0 40 
Mignonette... 12 bun. 40 60 
Orchid Bloom in var. 
per bloom, from 03 10 
i Pelargoniums 12 sps. 04 06 
— scarlet.12 bchs. 30 60 
Poppies ...doz. bchs. 10 30 
Pyrethrum doz. bun. 20 60 
Primula, double, bun. 06 10 
Roses .doz. bchs. 20 So 
Roses, yellow, dozen 2 0 a 0 
— Red.doz. blms. 06 i o 
— Safifrano...per doz. 10 16 
— Tea.per dozen 06 20 
Spiraea, 12 bun. 40 So 
Stocks.doz. bchs. 20 30 
Sweet Sultan doz bchs I 630 
Tuberoses, per doz 04 06 
OOiTTIBJSrTS 
PAGE 
Angraecum Fournierianumyoy 
Azaleas, hardy...712 
Century Plant, the.706 
Cineraria Heritieri.7r2 
Covent Garden Market ...709 
Crops, watering.707 
Cucumbers, French .711 
Cypripedium Lysenianum 707 
Eulalia japonica zebrina ...704 
Floriculture.708 
Gardeners’ Calendar.713 
Gardeners, the Wayward 710 
Herbaceous Plants in FI. ...705 
Lawn Watering Machine 704 
Masdevallia Cassiope .707 
National Chrysanthemum 
Society .704 
National Rose Show at 
Windsor.706 
PAGE 
Orchid Growers' Calendar 707 
Orchid Notes .707 
Paeonies, double-flowered 705 
Phlomis fruticosa .712 
Philadelphus grandiflorus 708 
Pinks, border, at Chiswick 708 
Plants, new, Certificated ...710 
Pseudophaenix Sargentii...7i2 
Railway Embankments ...703 
Roses, classification ol.703 
Scfiaphosepalum gibberosum 
707 
Slough Nurseries .705 
Southernwood as a Hedge 
Plant .704 
Tomatos, ripening.708 
Vegetable Garden, the.707 
Vegetable with a History...711 
Violas, rayless.708 
