JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Febrnary  1,  1900, 
JOG 
Crotons  (Young  Gardener). — Where  a  brisk  moist  heat  can  be  main¬ 
tained  young  healthy  plants  may  be  potted  at  once.  Be  careful  that 
the  soil  in  which  they  are  to  be  potted  has  been  thoroughly  warmed,  or 
a  severe  check  may  result.  The  plants  should  be  potted  in  the  house 
in  which  they  are  to  grow.  Careful  watering  is  necessary  after  repot¬ 
ting  at  this  period  of  the  year.  Plants  that  have  become  bare  at  the 
base  may  be  notched  near  the  top  and  mossed.  As  soon  as  growing 
conditions  are  favourable  they  will  form  roots,  and  may  be  taken  off 
and  be  placed  in  small  pots,  but  as  m  the  case  of  cuttings  they  must 
afterwards  be  watered  with  discretion. 
Stocks  for  Budding  Boses  (Homo,  8.). — There  is  no  esclusively  best 
stock  for  Eoses.  The  common  Dog  Eose  of  the  hedgerows  is  the  sole 
stock  used  for  standards,  as  no  other  has  been  found  so  suitable  in  practice. 
Stocks  obtained  from  seed  of  this  plant,  and  called  seedling  Briars, 
are  much  favoured  in  some  establishments  for  dwarf  Boses,  particularly 
Teas.  The  Manetti  is  also  largely  employed  for  dwarf  Eoses.  It  is 
not,  however,  so  popular  as  formerly,  as  the  strong-growing  Eoses 
attain  too  much  vigour  for  ripening  the  wood,  and  the  vigour  derived 
by  the  weak  growers  is  only  transitory,  and  thus  is  not  approved  for 
all  varieties  or  for  all  situations.  The  De  la  Grifferaie  has  been  used 
to  some  extent,  and  has  gradually  risen  in  favour,  especially  for 
Tea-scented  Eoses.  We  have  had  equally  good  results  from  Briar 
stocks  both  raised  from  cuttings  and  from  seed. 
Aralia  Sieboldi  (R.  F.). — The  plant  presented  the  appearance  of 
having  received  a  check  to  growth,  but  there  was  no  evidence  of  this 
taking  place  at  a  particular  stage,  all  the  leaves  being  similarly  affected. 
It  was  not  very  well  rooted,  having  recently  been  repotted,  though  the 
roots,  both  in  the  old  ball  and  in  the  new  soil,  were,  so  far  as  we  could 
discover,  quite  healthy.  On  the  leaves  we  noticed  a  slight  rust,  such 
as  occurs  in  Begonias  infested  by  Tarsonymus  species,  but  we  failed  to 
discover  the  pest.  Perhaps  vaporisation  with  nicotine  would  give 
relief,  repeating  two  or  three  times  at  intervals  of  a  few  days.  It  is  a 
very  difficult  pest,  however,  to  eradicate  when  it  obtains  a  footing  upon 
plants,  and  spraying  with  the  nicotine  diluted  to  a  safe  strength,  say 
1  part  in  100  parts  water,  and  wetting  the  plants  on  the  under  as  well 
as  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaves,  appears  the  best  preventive  and 
remedy.  We  have  also  found  tobacco  water  useful  against  it. 
Calcined  Bones  as  Manure  (J.  C.  8.). — The  burnt  or  calcined  bones 
are  an  excellent  phosphatic  manure,  bone-ash  ranking  higher  than 
mineral  phosphate.  The  burning  or  calcining  destroys  the  organic 
matter  and  nitrogen  but  leaves  the  mineral  constituents  of  the 
bone,  mainly  tribasic  phosphate.  As  you  say  the  bones  would  have  to 
be  powdered,  we  presume  they  have  not  been  reduced  to  ash,  but  are 
practically  bone  charcoal.  You  may  use  the  burnt  bones  either  rough 
or  powdered,  the  phosphoric  acid  being  yielded  much  slower  by  the 
former  than  the  latter,  4  ozs.  being  a  good  dressing  per  square  yard 
for  flower  beds  and  fruit  borders,  but  double  quantity  may  be  used 
with  advantage  in  many  cases,  pointing  in  and  mixing  with  the  surface 
soil.  For  plants  in  pots  a  handful  or  4  ozs.  may  be  added  to  each  peck 
of  potting  soil.  You  will  of  course  add  other  fertilisers  to  the  compost. 
Mixing  Lime  with  Soil  for  Tomatoes  (B.  F.).— The  quantity  of 
hot  lime,  or  unslaked — that  is,  freshly  burned — is  1  to  1^  lb.  per  square 
yard  ;  the  greater  quantity  when  the  soil  is  heavy.  The  lime  should 
be  placed  in  small  heaps,  and  be  sprinkled  with  sufficient  water  to 
cause  a  tine  apparently  dry  powder.  It  should  then  be  spread  evenly 
on  the  ground,  leaving  it  there  for  a  day  or  two,  and  then  digging  in, 
taking  small  spits,  so  as  to  mix  evenly  with  the  top  soil.  Salt  does 
good  in  preventing  a  rank  growth  of  Tomatoes  in  rich  soil,  and  should 
be  applied  a  month  or  six  weeks  in  advance  of  planting,  3^  lbs.  per  rod 
being  sufficient,  distributing  evenly  on  the  surface,  and  leaving  there, 
as  the  rain  or  watering  will  wash  it  in  fast  enough.  But  kainit  is 
better,  at  the  rate  of  3  J  lbs.  per  rod,  and  instead  of  lime  basic  cinder 
phosphate,  14  lbs.  per  rod,  and  there  will  be  supplied  phosphoric  acid, 
potash  and  magnesia,  as  well  as  lime  and  salt,  quite  sufficient  in  most 
cases  as  correctives.  If  the  soil  is  very  rich,  and  inclined  to  sourness, 
double  the  amounts  of  kainit  and  basic  slag  may  be  used,  pointing  in 
after  applying,  and  a  month  or  six  weeks  in  advance  of  planting. 
Insects  in  Soil  (if.  M.). — The  specimens  are  of  Lipura  fimetaria. 
It  is  very  common,  and  may  be  found  in  damp  earth  throughout  the 
year,  often  engaged  in  browsing  upon  Carrots,  Potatoes,  or  other  roots. 
It  is  usually  associated  with  dead  and  decaying  vegetable  matter,  and 
is  prevalent  on  the  root-stocks  of  Primulas,  and  also  on  Cyclamens  and 
Freesias.  The  pests  are  easily  killed  by  hot  water,  at  a  temperature  of 
110‘,  which  does  not  injure  the  roots  of  plants  to  which  it  is  applied, 
except  those  of  a  very  delicate  nature.  Lime  water  m  ide  by 
placing  a  lump  of  quicklime  about  the  size  of  a  clenched  hand  in  about 
3  gallons  of  water,  stirring  well,  leaving  exposed  three  or  four 
days,  then  using  the  clear  liquid  only,  as  in  an  ordinary  watering,  will 
either  expel  or  kill  worms,  also  root  mites,  and  the  “white  worms” 
which  sometimes  cause  sickness  in  plants.  There  was  a  specimen  in 
your  soil  of  the  “  white  worm,”  Enchytroeus  Buckholzi,  which  attacks 
the  roots  of  various  plants,  and  appears  to  like  the  more  or  lees 
decayed,  rather  than  the  healthy.  Not  one  of  the  pests  named  would 
arise  from  the  use  of  liquid  manure  from  a  tank  in  which  soot  and 
sheep  droppings  in  a  bag  were  placed.  Only  healthy  and  free-growing 
plants  can  profit  by  liquid  manure,  hence  it  must  be  used  with  judg¬ 
ment,  and  not  given  to  everything  indiscriminately. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  cultivated 
plants,  not  wild  flowers,  or  varieties  that  have  originated  from  seeds  and 
termed  florists’  flowers.  Flowering  specimens  are  necessary  of  flowering 
plants,  and  Fern  fronds  should  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive 
in  a  fresh  state  in  securely  tied  firm  boxes.  Thin  paper  boxes  arrive  in 
a  flattened  state.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form 
the  best  packing,  dry  wool  or  paper  the  worst.  Those  arrive  in  the 
best  condition  that  are  so  closely  or  firmly  packed  in  soft  green  fresh 
grass,  as  to  remain  unmoved  by  shaking.  No  specimens  should  be  sent 
to  rest  in  the  post  office  over  Sunday,  on  which  day  there  is  no  delivery 
of  postal  matter  in  London.  Specimens  in  partially  filled  boxes  are 
invariably  injured  or  spoiled  by  being  dashed  to  and  fro  in  transit.  Not 
more  than  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  the  numbers  should 
be  visible  without  untying  the  ligatures,  it  being  often  difficult  to 
separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp.  (N.  8.  C.). — 1,  Freesia 
refracta  alba;  2,  Begonia  nitida;  3,  B.  Gloire  de  Lorraine;  4, 
B.  Gloire  de  Sceaux ;  5,  B.  metallica;  6,  unrecognisable.  (IF.  E.). — 
1,  Eaphis  flabelliformis ;  2,  Phcenix  rupicola ;  3,  Areca  lutescens ; 
4,  Kentia  Belmoreana ;  5,  Cocos  Weddeliana ;  6,  Chamserops  humilis. 
(Amateur) . — 1,  a  poor  form  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  ;  2,  Cypripedium 
insigne,  true  ;  3,  Oymbidium  Lowianum. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— January  31st. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT. 
s.  d.  B.  d. 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve  3  0  to  7  0 
„  Canadian,  barrel  ...  10  0  15  0 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel  10  0  17  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb .  60  0  70  0 
Grapes,  black  .  16  4  0 
„  Muscat .  2  0  6  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
Melons  . each 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
„  Tangierine,  box... 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
8.  d.  B.  d. 
4  0tol5  0- 
0  6 
5  0 
0  6 
6  0 
1  0 
1  6 
15  0 
1  9' 
9  0 
6  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
giant,  bundle 
Beans,  Jersey,  per  lb . 
,,  French  Kidney,  lb. 
„  Madeira,  basket  ... 
Beet,  Red,  doz....  ...  ... 
Brussels  Sprouts,  J  sieve... 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
Carrots,  per  doz . 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
Celery,  per  bundle . 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
Endive,  doz . 
s. 
d. 
8.  1 
d. 
6 
0  to  0 
0 
5 
0 
5 
9 
15 
0 
20 
0 
2 
0 
2 
6 
1 
6 
0 
0 
2 
0 
2 
6 
0 
6 
0 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
7 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
1 
0 
1 
9 
4 
0 
8 
0 
2 
6 
0 
0 
8 
d.  8.  d. 
Herbs,  bunch  .  0  2  to  0  0- 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  3  0  0 
Lettuce,  doz .  16  20 
Mushrooms,  lb .  0  6  0  ^ 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet  0  2  0  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt.  4  0  4  6 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ...  2  0  4  0 
Potatoes,  cwt .  2  0  6  0 
,,  Teneriffe,  cwt....  18  0  28  0 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets  ...  12  0  15  O' 
Shallots,  lb .  0  3  0  0 
Spinach,  per  bushel .  3  0  6  0- 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ...  6  0  8  0 
Turnips,  bunch .  0  3  0  4- 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
Arums  . 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
Christmas  Roses,  doz. 
Chrysanthemums,  white 
doz.  blooms 
,,  yellow  doz.  blooms 
„  bunches,  var.,  each 
Daffodils,  double,  doz.  bnch 
„  single,  doz.  bnch. 
Eueharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Hyacinth,  Roman,  doz.  ... 
Lilium  Harris!,  12  blooms 
„  lancifolium  album  ... 
„  ,,  rubrum... 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
„  mauve,  bundle 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
2  6  to  5  0 
8  0 
6  0 
2  0 
0  6 
2  6 
12  0 
1  0 
2  6 
0  9 
3  6 
24  0 
2  0 
6 
5 
1 
8 
15  0 
8  0 
6  0 
6  0 
6  0 
8  0 
3  6 
3  6 
8  0 
5  0 
8  0 
9  0 
9  0 
8  0 
3  0 
10  0 
18  0 
10  0 
8  0 
9  0 
8  0 
10  0 
4  6 
4  6 
12  0 
6  0 
10  0 
18  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,doz. bnch 
'  Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
!  ,,  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
.  Mimosa,  per  bunch . 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
Narcissus,  white,  doz.  bun. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bunches 
„  double,  doz.  bunches 
Odontoglossums  . 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
Poinsettias,  doz . 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  doz . .  ... 
„  Safrano,  packet 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  Marechal  Niel,  doz. 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tulips,  scarlet,  bunch . 
„  yellow,  bunch . 
„  bronze,  bunch . 
Violets,  Parma,  bunch  ... 
„  dark,  French,  doz. 
„  „  English,  doz. 
B.  d.  8.  d 
8  OtolO  O 
3  0  4  0 
4 
1 
6 
2 
4 
2 
5 
8  0 
12  0 
6  0 
6  0 
3  6 
3 
5 
6 
6 
0 
1 
1  0 
4  0 
2  6 
2  0 
6  0 
2  0 
8  0 
6  0 
6  a 
4  6 
7  6 
12  0 
18  0 
8  0 
8  0 
4  O' 
6  0 
7  & 
12  0 
7  6 
0  8 
1  6 
1  G 
6  0 
3  6 
3  a 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  . 
Arums,  per  doz . 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Chrysanthemums,  each 
Crotons,  doz . 
Cyclamen,  doz. 
Daffodils,  pot  . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
6  0to36  0 
18  0  24  0 
18  0 
15  0 
1  0 
18  0 
8  0 
1  0 
12  0 
9  0 
30  0 
6  0 
4  0 
4  0 
36  0 
20  0 
4  0 
30  0 
12  0 
1  6 
30  0 
18  0 
60  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
Hyacinths,  Dutch,  doz. ... 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  per  pot 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
,,  specimens  . 
Poinsettias,  per  doz.  ... 
Solanums  per  doz . 
s.  d.  s.d. 
4  0  to  8  0 
1  6  7 
1  0 
1  6 
10  0 
0  8 
3  0 
12  0 
8  0 
6  0 
1  0 
21  0 
15  0 
9  0 
5 
2 
18 
1 
6 
15  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
63  0 
20  0 
18  Q 
