494 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 4th, 1885. 
Moss on Grass Land.— Your correspondent ■who 
asks information on this subject, may dismiss from 
his mind all the mechanical means that have been 
suggested for destroying moss on grass land. Moss 
simply grows there because the soil is deficient of 
something that the grass requires for it to make 
vigorous growth. I saw a remarkable illustration of 
this some years ago. In front of a farm-house in 
Essex, there was the finest mossy lawn I ever saw. 
It was like treading on three inches of sponges. I was 
there on business at the time the farm changed hands. 
I was there in the autumn of the next year. The new 
or in-coming tenant neglected to keep the grass closely 
cut early in the spring, and he afterwards concluded 
that he might then as well leave it as a crop for hay! 
After this grass had been cut for hay, every vestige of 
this fine moss-bed had disappeared. As the grass was 
thin from the moss having previously been master of the 
situation, instead of there being a velvety tread on this 
lawn, the surface under the feet appeared to approach 
the conditioh of a gravel path. Now, your correspon¬ 
dent must feed his grass. In the absence of a 
knowledge of the locality from which he writes, it 
cannot be said what fertilizers would be suitable food 
for his grass. In Cheshire there is nothing like or 
equal to raw bone, or super-phosphate, while in Essex 
and the eastern counties generally, and in some other 
counties, or districts of counties, a dressing of phos¬ 
phate, or bone, is scarcely perceptible in the following 
crop. But,.as a rule, a dressing of two or three 
cwt. of super-phosphate, and one cwt. of the best 
Peruvian guano, or nitrate of soda, will be quite 
sufficient to push the grass forward for killing 
the moss. As your correspondent appears to be 
an amateur, or in a small way as a grower of grass, 
I may suggest that, after the hay-crop is off, he might 
advisedly procure five or ten sheep, and six or eight 
hurdles, and feed the sheep well with cake and corn, 
and any green food he had at his command, or could 
procure. This would renovate his pasture for years. 
There is no plan like folding sheep on pasture to bring 
it up to a high condition of fertility. If he bought a 
few lambs in July, he would have both the pleasure of 
seeing the way in which they progressed, and of 
growing his own early mutton. I may add, if your 
correspondent does not care to enter into the sugges¬ 
tion of folding sheep on his pasture, he should consult 
his neighbours as to what artificial manures are best 
suitable to the soil of his district.— Bono. 
Insect Pests in a Greenhouse.— After thoroughly 
clearing out all useless lumber and rubbish, I should 
advise “ Suburbanist ” (p. 462) to shut up the green¬ 
house, making it as air-tight as possible, and to give 
two or three good fumigatings with sulphur. Next he 
should make up a wash of black soap, sulphur, and 
paraffine, an equal quantity of each, using about a pint 
of it to each gallon of boiling -water. With this liquor 
wash well every part of the wood-work and the walls, 
going over it all twice, and scraping out the crevices 
with a knife point. The walls and brick-work may 
then have a nice coat of whitewash, or, better still, a 
wash over with thin cement; and the wood-work a 
coat of paint. 
To kill woodlice: “take 1 drachm of powdered 
arsenic and 1 lb. of dry grated cheese, mix well 
together, and keep dry. Bore holes an inch in 
diameter and an inch deep into small pieces of wood, 
and put a portion of the mixture into the bottom of 
each hole, squeezing it down firmly with a stick. 
Lay the'pieces of wood about with the holes down¬ 
ward, or place them against the wall with the holes 
next to it. The speedy destruction of the woodlice 
will soon follow, if the operation is repeated every two 
or three days.” 
After this, “ Suburbanist” may safely risk a stock 
of plants, and it will be his own fault if he is again 
troubled with mealy-bug or woodlice.— Authentes. 
-- 
Old Gardening Book. —Your correspondent “ T.,” 
at p. 461, inquires for information respecting an old 
gardening book, of which I think I have a copy. The 
title-page runs as follows : “ The Theory and Practice 
of Gardening, wherein is fully handled all that relates 
to fine gardens, co mm only called Pleasure Gardens, by 
Le Sieur Alexander le Blond. Done from the late 
edition printed at Paris, by John James, of Greenwich. 
The second edition, with very large additions, and a 
new Treatise on Flowers and Orange Trees. London : 
printed for Bernard Lintot, at the Cross Keys, between 
the Temple Gates in Fleet Street, 1728.” To assist 
further in its identification I may say that Chapter 
five, “ Of Walks, Counter-walks, and Hedges,” com¬ 
mences on p. 51.— R. Maher, Yattendon Gardens, near 
Newbury .— [“ T.” desires us to thank Mr. Maher for 
his note, which has given him the information desired. 
—Ed.] 
Lapageria rosea. —Your correspondent “ C. E.,” 
p. 475, should not cut the old growths down to the 
ground, but he may with advantage reduce them in 
length if it is necessary to do so. I would advise him 
to wait until the plant begins to break, as gardeners 
term the early stage of bud growth, and then cut back 
to a strong bud. I would not recommend the use of 
tan bark as a mulching, but leaf-soil instead—a 
sweeter and better material. “ C. E.” can easily keep 
the slugs off by wrapping some cotton-wool around 
the shoots .—South Hants. 
Vine Borders. —I am about making a vine border, 
and shall be glad if some experienced gardener or 
amateur will tell me what is the best soil to use, and 
whether it should have manure mixed with it or not; 
also is drainage necessary, and, if so, what is the 
proper material to use ? As the house is to be only 
heated to keep out frost, can I grow other than 
Hamburgh Grapes ? I should like a good white, if 
there is one hardy enough.— Caractacus. 
Fig for Out-door Cultivation. —What is the best 
kind of Fig to grow out-of-doors, and will the plant bear 
away from a wall without protection, and can I plant 
now ? In doing this, will it be necessary to make a 
border, or prepare the soil in any way, or confine the 
roots to a limited space to prevent the Fig making too 
much wood, as I am anxious to have it bear well ?— 
Scarborough. 
Transplanting Evergreens : Propagating Rhodo- 
dendrons. —Will some one tell me what is the proper 
time for transplanting evergreens, and whether I can 
increase my Rhododendrons by layering. I know 
such things as Laurels root in that way, but the wood 
of the Rhododendron seems so very hard. Is grafting 
difficult, and if not, when should it be done ?— A 
Lover of Hardy Plants. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Walnuts: Grafting. — Young Gardener. —You must not 
graft them before the leaves begin to expand in the month of 
May, as the flow of sap is too excessive before then for a union 
to take place. 
Lindley Library. — Header. —Any gardener or member 
of the general public can obtain permission to use the Library 
from the Trustees or the Assistant Secretary of the Royal 
Horticultural Society. We would not advise you, however, to 
go there on the days when the Committees meet, as the 
Council and the Scientific Committee meetings are held in 
the same room, and the Library is virtually closed on the 
days of all others when it should be open. 
Herbs.— J. Brown. —Hyssop, Pot Marjoram, Tarragon, 
Mint, and Pennyroyal, are most generally propagated by divid¬ 
ing and replanting the old roots, and the sooner it is done the 
better now r . Let the soil be good, and as most of them are 
surface-rooters, mulch the bed with short manure. Chamomile, 
Tans}', and Liquorice are also propagated by root-cuttings. 
Roses.— J. T —To get them in flower in June, introduce 
the plants into gentle heat now. 
Glycerine Barometer.— if. A. II— Try Messrs. Negretti 
and Zambra, High Holborn. 
Chrysanthemums—V. A. C. —Keep the rooted cuttings in 
the cold frame for a few weeks longer, but let them have 
plenty of air. You should watch them carefully now, and 
keep them regularly potted on before they get pot-bound. 
Gladioli.— J. A. C.— You can plant them as late as the end 
of this month, but the sooner the better if you want them to 
bloom in the early autumn. Plant the corms about four inches 
deep, and put some sharp sand under and over the corms when 
planting them. 
Names of Plants.—N. 31. A .— I. Puschkinia libanotica. 
2. Pritillaria laneeolata. 3. Allium neapolitanum.— G. B .— 
Saxifraga (Megasea) ligulata.— Scotv.s. —Your Camellia is the 
old Red Warratah.— T. B. —Dendrobium chrysotoxum.— G. S. 
—Dendrobium nobile, true, and not a bad variety. 
Communications Received.— J. J.—J. W.'s.— Scribo — 
D. P. L—M. C.—R. A. R—H. W. W.—W. D. M—A. B. 
— - 
Trade Catalogue Received. 
Rawlings Brothers, Old Church, Romford.—Descriptive 
list of Dahlias. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
The Editor begs to inform his 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 depart¬ 
ment 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 con¬ 
sistent with clearness ; and where two or more questions 
are asked on widely different subjects, to be good enough 
to put them on separate pieces of paper. 
Correspondents who may .require their communica¬ 
tions, if not accepted , to be returned, must in all cases 
enclose stamps for the return postage. The name and 
address of every writer must be given, not necessarily 
for publication, if that is not desired, but simply as a 
guarantee of the writer's bona fides. No notice what¬ 
ever will be taken of anonymous letters. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET, 
March 26th. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Apples, 4-sieve. 2 6- 6 0 
— (Nova Scotian, per 
barrel .12 0-1S 0 
Grapes, per lb. 5 0-10 0 
Pine-apples, Eng.,lb. 10-2 0. 
s. d. s. d. 
Kent Filberts and 
Cobbs, per 100 lb. 55 0- 
St. Michaels. 3 0-80 
Strawberries, per lb. 6 0-12 0 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices, 
s. d. s. d. 
Artichokes,Globe,per 
dozen . 2 0- 4 0 
Asparagus, English, 
per bundle . 10 0 
Beans,French.per lb. - 2 6 
Beet, per dozen _ 2 0- 3 0 
Brussels Sprouts,p. lb.O 4- 
Cabbages,Spring,doz. 1 G- 2 0 
Carrots, per bunch... 0 6- 
Cauliflowers,English, 
per dozen . 4 0- 0 0 
Celery, per bundle ... 1 6- 2 6 
Cucumbers, each ... 1 0- 1 6 
Endive, French, per 
dozen . 2 6- 3 6 
s. d. s. d. 
Garlic, per lb. 0 6- 
Herbs, per bunch ... 0 2- 0 4 
Horae Radish, bundle 3 0-50 
Lettuces, Cabbage, 
per dozen ..7... 2 0- 
— Cos, each . 0 6- 
Mushrooms, p. basket 10-20 
Onions, per bushel ...3 0-5 0 
Parsley, per bunch... 0 6- 
Radishes, perdozen... 1 6- 
Small saladine, per 
punnet .7. 0 4- 
Spinach, per strike... 2 0- 
Tomatos, per lb. 
Turnips, per bunch... 0 6- 
Potatos. —Kent Regents, 80s. to 100s. per ton ; Kent Kidneys, 
80s. to 100s. per ton; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
Cut Flowers.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. 
Abutilon, 12 hunches 2 0-40 
Arum Lilies, 12 blms. S 0- 0 0 
Azalea, 12 sprays ...0 6-10 
Bourvardias, per bun. 1 0-16 
Camellias, 12 blooms 10-30 
Carnations, 12 blooms 16-30 
Chrysanthemums, 12 
bunches . 
— large, 12 blooms... 
Cyclamen, doz.blooms 0 3-0 6 
Cineraria, per bunch 0 6-10 
Epiphyllums,12 blms. 0 4-06 
Eucharis, per dozen G 0- 9 0 
Gardenias, 12 blms. 4 0- S 0 
Heliotropes,12 sprays 0 6-10 
Hyacinths, Roman, 
doz. sprays . 0 6-09 
Lapageria, white, 12 
blooms. 2 0-30 
Lapageria,red, 12blms.l 0-2 0 
Lily of the Valley, 
doz. sprays .7. 0 9-16 
s. d. s. d. 
Marguerites, 12 bun. 4 0-90 
Nareiss, various, 
French, doz. bun. 4 0-90 
Pelargoniums, per 12 
sprays. 10-16 
—scarlet.per 12 sprays 0 9-10 
Pinks, various, 12 
hunches. 
Primula, double bun. 10-16 
Primulas,Chinese.bun 4 0-6 0 
Pyrethrum, 12 bun. 
Roses (coloured). 2 0-60 
Roses, indoors, p. doz. 10-40 
Roses (French), per 
doz. 10-30 
Stephanotis, 12 spr. S 0-12 0 
Tuberoses, per dozen 
Tulips, per doz.0 9-1 0 
Violets, doz. bun. ... 0 4- 0 9 
— French, per. bun. 0 6-16 
— Parma, per. bun... 3 0-40 
White Jasmine, him. 0 6-10 
Plants in Pots.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s. d. , s. d. s. d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, per : Perns, in var., dozen 4 0-1$ 0 
dozen . 6 0-24 0 Ficus elastica, each... 16-70 
Arum Lilies, per doz. 9 0 IS 0 Foliage Plants, vari- 
Azalea, per doz.18 0-42 0 ous, each . 2 0-10 0 
Begonias, per dozen 4 0-12 0 | Genista, per dozen 9 0-15 0 
Bouvardias, dozen ... 9 0-18 0 Hyacinths, doz. 6 0-90 
Cineraria, per dozen 9 0-15 0 Li’lium, various, per 
Cockscombs, dozen - doz. .. 
Cyclamens, doz. 9 0-18 0 Marguerites, per doz. 9 0-1S 0 
Cyperus, per dozen 4 0-12 0 Palms in variety, each 2 6-21 0 
Dracaena term., doz. 30 0-60 0 Pelargoniums, scarlet 
— yirMis, per dozen 12 0-24 0 per dozen 7 . 4 0- 6 0 
Epipliyllums, doz. ...18 0-24 0 Petunias, per dozen 
Evergreens, in var., Poinsettia, doz. 
per dozen . 6 0-24 0 Spirea, per dozen.12 0 IS 0 
Prices for Easter are not to be depended upon, the price 
varies according to demand and supply. 
e p 
CONTENTS. 
PAGE 
Alesander or Alexander.., 491 
Amateur criticism . 483 
Amateurs* Garden, the ... 4SS 
Azalia indica . 483 
Bath Spring Show . 433 
Bedding Plants, dwarf ... 491 
Caladiums . 486 
Carnations, propagating 
( illustrated) . 485 
Cattleya Lawrenceana ...492 
Clay's Fertilizer . 493 
Clay soils, on working . 487 
Cycad, a new . 7 .. 4S4 
Cyclamens . 484 
Daffodils (illustrated) ... 4S8 
Flowers . 491 
Flowers, Cut, on packing 492 
Flower Show Jargon . 4S3 
Fruit Culture under Glass 490 
Gardening Miscellany . 484 
Grafting Apples and (Pears 490 
Greenhouse plants, useful 491 
llarefield Grove . 4S6 
Hibiscus, the.486 
Higligate Nursery, the ... 492 
Horticultural Societies ... 493 
PAGE 
Insects in a Greenhouse 434 
Kitchen Gardener’s 
Calendar. 491 
Lapageria rosea. 491 
Moss on Grass Land. 494 
National Chrysanthemum 
Society. .493 
Notes and Queries . 493 
Orchid Conference, Pro¬ 
gramme of the .492 
Orchid Notes . . 492 
Orchids, on potting . 4"2 
Packing Cut Flowers . 492 
Potatos, new . 483 
Rhododendron Coimtess 
of Haddington . 491 
Royal Botanic Society . 4^4 
Snow and Snow Guards... 493 
Spiraeas and other Spring 
Flowers . 485 
Telegraph Posts.484 
Tigridia speeiosa alba. 491 
Vanda Strangeana . 432 
Victoria and TParadise 
Nurseries. 487 
Vines on House Fronts ... 486 
