142 
Nov. 1st, 1884. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
DEEP DIGGING AND TRENCHING 
IN KITCHEN GARDENS. 
I have frequently noticed that amateur gardeners 
leave portions of ground that have produced crops the 
previous summer untouched during the -winter, and 
they dig them up only when required for sowing or 
planting spring crops. This is a great mistake. 
Bulging up the surface of every unoccupied spot in a 
kitchen-garden is one of the things most of all insisted 
upon. Experience has demonstrated, hundreds of 
times, that it mellows the soil, destroys the eggs of 
insects, and drives out any acids or other matters that 
exist in old soils to the detriment of the succession of 
annual crops. Indeed, many old gardens that are 
quite unproductive if left alone in this particular, are 
kept in capital condition by constantly attending to it. 
The ridges should be thrown up a foot and a half 
high, in the direction of the slope of the ground, so 
that the water will run off, and not stand in the 
trenches. They may be as close together as they can 
be made, bearing in mind to keep the tops of the 
ridges 18 ins. high. It is a decided advantage to turn 
up a little of the subsoil, say to the depth of a few 
inches each season at the time of ridging. This 
brings a little fresh soil to the surface; and after 
being acted upon by the atmosphere, it mixes very 
kindly with the top-soil, and helps much to keep up 
the fertility of the garden.— E. IF. 
letters to % debitor. 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
I am very sorry to find that there is a prospect of 
the amount it is considered necessary should be raised 
before the pensions can be increased, not being forth¬ 
coming. May I therefore suggest that at the forth¬ 
coming Chrysanthemum Exhibitions throughout the 
United Kingdom, also at the opening meetings of the 
various Botanical and Horticultural Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Societies, and at other gatherings of a social 
character wdiere gardeners most do congregate, the 
President, or Secretary, or some one else who may be 
appointed for the purpose, should take upon themselves 
the duty of bringing the claims of the Institution 
under the notice of the members, and not to rest 
satisfied until each one has contributed something, 
however small in amount, to help in raising the sum 
required, £420 ; so that the promised £500 may be 
secured, and the augmented pensions commence with 
the next election in January. May I also appeal to 
those who may be anxious to contribute, not to wait 
until they are called upon,.but to send what they can 
spare, be it large or small in amount, with the addition, 
if possible, of a neighbouring gardener’s mite, to the 
office of The Gardening World, or to the Secretary 
of the Institution, Mr. E. B. Cutler, 14, Tavistock 
Row, W.C. Do let us, as gardeners, see if we cannot 
raise the amount before the beginning of December.— 
IF. Swan, Oakley, Fallowfield, October 25th. 
[A most excellent suggestion, which we hope will be 
adopted. There ought to be no difficulty in raising 
the amount required, if only some one at each show 
and meeting will take the initiative, and do their 
best.— Ed.] 
EARTH CLOSETS. 
We have here some Earth Closets worked on a plan 
which I think far preferable to that mentioned in your 
last issue. Ours have a door opening at one end of 
the seat outside the closet, through which is passed 
a galvanized iron skip holding from one to two bushels. 
This being placed under the seat receives all the 
excreta, and each closet is supplied with a supply of 
dry soil or ashes, which should be scattered in the 
skip every time the closet is used. They are emptied 
out weekly, and if ordinary care is exercised, very 
little of the unpleasant odour will be noticed. The 
materials collected may be put in a heap and allowed 
to accumulate till wanted to dress the ground. This 
description of closet is far more wholesome than the 
great majority of water-closets attached to cottages in 
towns, or in fact many to be found in suburban villa 
residences, which, from defective ventilation and 
insufficient flushing, are often the source of outbreaks 
of diphtheria and enteric fever, -which need never be 
feared from a properly managed earth-closet. The 
simpler these are in their construction the better they 
are. Attention is everything.—IF. B. (?., The Gardens, 
Shirley Park, Croydon. 
AMERICAN APPLES. 
Enormous importations of American Apples are 
beginning to pour in. At present they are chiefly 
Baldwins, the beautiful Newtown Pippins have not 
yet put in an appearance. A Mend in the “ tinned 
fruit ” line tells me that a large parcel of English 
tinned Apples were offered in Mincing Lane last 
autumn. Owing, however, to some defect either in 
the operation of tinning or the this themselves, the 
fruit scarcely paid the incidental expenses. It is 
much to be regretted that something like two millions 
sterling will be spent in American Apples this year. 
But it must not be forgotten that the freight, and at 
least two profits, will be netted by English dealers. 
Besides the employment afforded to many hundreds of 
fruit-stall keepers must be taken into account. Half 
a loaf is better than no bread.— J. Jones. 
STREET STALLS. 
The Pompon Dahlia is quite a favourite for the 
poor man’s bouquet. I noticed a grand display of 
these formidable posies in Hampstead Road on Satur¬ 
day last. They were made up in round bunches, and 
dotted over with three or four small trusses of Scarlet 
Pelargoniums. The addition of a few sprays of some 
small-leaved evergreen, Box, Euonymus, or Privet, 
would have improved the make-up considerably. The 
Potatos, Celery, Onions, and Turnips exhibited on 
these stalls was remarkable for fine quality, and some 
of the arrangements were in capital taste. Tomatos—- 
Spanish, I suppose—were plentiful at M. per lb. 
With the exception of Dahlias, Chrysanthemums were 
the most plentiful flowers.— L. E. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Rosa Devoniensis.— G. TT.— It was Dr. Foster who raised 
it under the circumstances related at p. 124. 
Cabmen's Shelter.— T. 0.—The photograph was taken 
by “ The West End School of Photography,” 16, Edgware 
Road. 
Lady Downe’s Grape Shrivellixg.— B. C. A 1 .—An 
experienced and very successful grower of this late Grape, who 
had the misfortune to have his crop spoiled last year much in 
the same way, attributed it to having pinched hack the shoots 
too much and crippled the root action at the time it was most 
wanted. This year he has given the shoots more freedom, and 
the Grapes are all right. It is possible you may have un¬ 
wittingly done the same. 
Bulbs, &c. — Novice. —It would hardly do alone, but mixed 
with loam, would make a good potting compost for bulbs. 
The wood ashes we should not care to use with the 
sphagnum, little lumps of charcoal is the best for that. The 
Pyrethrum is perfectly hardy and may he left in the ground 
without protection. Ixias can he grown very well in the open- 
air if you have a light, warm, and well-drained soil. The bulbs 
must he planted about 4 ins. deep, and from 3 ins. to 4 ins. 
apart. If very severe frost sets in the beds should be covered 
with a little fern or cocoa-nut fibre refuse. 
Names op Plants.— R. Stevens.— Impatiens Roylei. 
Native of Temperate Western Himalaya, India. 
Communications received.— C. T.—It. P. G.—W. S.— 
Jt. }).—C. H.—H. W. W.—W. C.—W. T. B.—D. Cameron.— 
G. P.—W. P. It. 
——- 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
The Editor begs to inform Ms readers that 
special attention will be paid in the columns of 
The Gardening World, to the answering of questions 
on all subjects connected with practical horticulture, in 
which department he will have the assistance of several 
gardeners of great experience and known ability. To 
save time, however, as far as possible, correspondents 
are specially requested to write only on one side of the 
paper; to write their questions in as few words as 
possible consistent ivith clearness; and where two or 
more questions arc askecl on widely different subjects, to be 
good enough to put them on separate pieces of paper. 
It is also 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.” 
Trade Catalogues Received, 
B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, N.—Special offer to the 
trade of novelties in Flower and Vegetable Seeds. 
Alexander E. Campbell, Cove Gardens, Gourock, N.B. 
—Descriptive Catalogue of Choice Hybrid Gladioli. 
James Cocker & Sons, Sunny Park. Aberdeen.—Descriptive 
list of select Boses. 
Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, N.—Stove and Green, 
house Plants, Hardy Shrubs, Boses, Ac. 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
October 29th. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, of 152, Houndsditch, and 
39, Seed Market, Mark Lane, London, report little 
business doing at to-day’s market. All varieties of 
Clover Seed are neglected, but the recent export orders 
for White Clover, coupled with a small continental 
demand, has caused this seed to advance in value, 
and as stocks are low, the price may not recede until 
colder weather enables larger supplies to be marketed. 
Bye-grasses are firm, although buyers decline to 
operate. Bird Seeds and Blue Peas are selling 
slowly at rates current last week. 
— a—- v~ -<>- yT ' — 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
October 29th. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Apples, i-sieve. 1 6- 4 0 
Pigs, per dozen . 0 C- 0 9 
Grapes, per lb. 1 0- 4 0 
Kent Filberts and 
Cobbs, per 100 lb. 60 0-62 6 
s. d. s. d. 
Melons, each. 3 0-40 
Pine-apples. Eng., lb. 4 0-50 
„ St. Michael's ea. 3 0- G 0 
Peaches, per dozen... 6 0-80 
Pears, French, p. doz. 16-36 
Vegetables.—Average Betail Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Artichokes,Globe,per 
dozen . 2 0- 4 0 
Beans, French, lb. ... 0 4- ... 
Beet, per dozen . 2 0- 3 0 
Cabbages, per dozen 1 6- 
Carrots, per bunch... 0 8- 
Caulillowers, English, 
dozen'. 3 0- 
Celery, per bundle ... 1 6- 
0 6-08 
Cucumbers, each 
Endive, French, per 
dozen . 2 6- 3 
Garlic, per lb. 0 6- .. 
Herbs, per hunch ... 0 2- 0 4 
Horse Badish, bundle 3 0-40 
Potatoes— Kent Begents, 80s. to 100s. per ton; Kent kidneys, 
SOs. to 100s. per ton; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
Cut Flowers—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Lettuces, Cabbage, 
per dozen . 1 6- 
— Cos, each . 0 2- 
Marrows, each. 0 3- 
Mint, green, bunch... 0 4~ 
Mushrooms, p. basket 1 0- : 
Onions, per bunch ... 0 6- 
Parsley, per bunch ...0 6- 
Radishes, per dozen... 1 6- 
Small salading, per 
punnet. 0 4- 
Spinach, per strike... 2 0- 
Tomatos, per lb. 0 9- 
Turnips, bunch . 0 6- 
s. d. s. d. 
Abutilon, 12 hunches 2 0-40 
Azalea, 12 sprays ...16-20 
Bourvardias, per bun. 0 9-10 
Camellias, 12 blooms 3 0-60 
Carnations, 12 blooms 10-20 
Chrysanthemums, 12 
bunches . 2 0- 6 0 
— large, 12 blooms... 10-30 
Cornflower, 12bun.... 2 0-40 
Dahlias, 12 bunches 3 0-60 
Eucharis, per dozen 4 0-60 
Gardenias, 12 blnis. 3 0-60 
Gladiolus, various, 12 
spikes . 1 0- 3 0 
Heliotropes, 12 sp. ... 0 6- 1 0 
Lapageria,red,12blms.l 0-2 0 
s. d. s. d. 
Lapageria, white, 12 
blooms. 2 0-30 
Marguerites, 12 bun. 4 0-90 
Pelargoniums, per 12 
sprays. 1 0- 1 6 
—scarlet.per 12 sprays 0 4- 0 9 
Pinks, various, 12 
bunches.- ... 
Primula, double bun. 10-16 
Pyrethrum, 12 him. 
Boses, out-door, 12 
hunches . 9 0-12 0 
Boses, indoors, p. doz. 2 0-60 
Stephanotis, 12 spr. 6 0-90 
Tuberoses, per dozen 10-16 
White Jasmine, him. 0 6-10 
Plants in Pots.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, per 
dozen . 6 0-24 0 
Begonias, per dozen 4 0-12 0 
Bouvardias, dozen... 9 0-1S 0 
Chrysanth., dozen ...4 0-6 0 
Cockscombs, dozen 
Cyperus, per dozen 3 0-90 
Draciena term. doz. 30 0-60 0 
— viridis, per dozen 12 0-24 0 
Evergreens, in var., 
per dozen . 6 0-24 0 
Ferns, in var., dozen 4 0-18 0 
s. d. s. d. 
Ficus elastica, each... 16-70 
Foliage Plants, vari¬ 
ous, each . 2 0-10 0 
Fuschias, per dozen 3 0-60 
Heliotrope, dozen ... 3 0- 6 0 
Lilium,various,p.doz. 
Marguerites, per doz. 
Palms in variety, each 2 6-21 0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet 
per dozen . 2 0-60 
Petunias, per dozen 
Solanums, dozen. 9 0-13 0 
CON T 
PAGE 
Amateurs’ Garden . 136 
Adiantums, two .good 
( illustrated) . 136 
Apples, American. 142 
Ardisia mammillata . 13S 
Artichokes, Jerusalem ... 131 
Beet, Perennial or Spanish 139 
Beriberis Stenophylla . 136 
Brussels Sprouts . 139 
Buckwheat. 137 
Celery, Henderson’s 
White Plume. 139 
Chrysanthemum shows ... 132 
Cocoa-nut fibre refuse ... 136 
Dahlia, White Bedder ...136 
Diaging and Trenching ... 142 
Earth Closets. 142 
Echeveria seeunda glauca 136 
Eucharis . 138 
Flowers . 13S 
Fruits . 138 
Fruits at the Health Ex¬ 
hibition. 13S 
Fruits and Vegetables v. 
Flowers . 131 
Fuchsias . 136 
Gardeners’ Royal Bene¬ 
volent Institution . 142 
ENTS. 
PAGE 
Gardening Miscellany. 132 
Gardening Statesmen ..... 131 
Grape-growing at Loug- 
leat. 134 
Lettuces and Endive . 139 
Lilies, Japanese . 132 
Lobelia, cardinalis . 136 
Manures for the Garden 133 
Michaelmas Daisies. 134 
Orchids, the cost of. 132 
Parsley. 139 
Peas, new American. 139 
Piper porphyrophylla . 139 
Plant-houses, work in the 139 
Raspberries. 13S 
Rhododendrons, hybrid 
( illustrated ) . 133 
Boses for a North Wall ... 136 
„ for Spring forcing... 139 
Salvia Blue Beard . 13S 
Strawberries, Autumn 
treatment. 138 
Tomato, The Stamfordian 139 
Town and Suburban Plant¬ 
ing . 132 
Vegetables . 139 
W eather, the . 131 
Willdenovia teres . 132 
