March  8,  IfcOO. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
209 
Occupation  of  Man’s  Time  in  Houses  (W.  J.  C.)— Everything 
depends  on  the  sizes  of  the  Orchids,  and  upon  the  dimensions  of 
the  vineries  and  house  of  Carnations ;  but  assuming  there  are  three 
houses  or  compartments  of  Orchids,  and  the  sizes  and  dimensions 
respectively  are  ordinary,  there  will  be  plenty  of  work  in  the  six 
structures  for  one  man.  Of  course  there  will  be  slack  times,  as  when 
the  Orchids  are  resting;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  busy  times,  as  when 
the  general  potting  of  the  Orchids  and  thinning  of  the  Grapes  demand 
prompt  attention,  so  that  a  more  or  less  “  give  and  take,”  coming  we 
presume  under  “  other  jobs,”  has  to  be  practised,  to  mutual  advantage. 
Bfowallia  elata  (D.  C.  C.). — The  seedlings  should  be  potted  either 
singly  or  three  in  a  pot  when  they  are  large  enough  to  handle.  The 
latter  make  fine  masses  for  conservatory  or  greenhouse  decoration. 
After  potting  they  should  be  kept  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  house 
with  a  gentle  heat,  and  syringed  every  morning  and  evening  to  prevent 
the  attacks  of  insect  pests.  They  should  be  stopped  when  a  few  inches 
high,  repeating  when  they  have  grown  a  few  inches,  so  as  to  keep  them 
dwarf  and  bushy,  it  being  necessary  to  stop  them  about  three  times  to 
have  well  furnished  plants.  Supply  liquid  manure,  not  too  strong, 
after  the  fiower  buds  appear.  They  require  plenty  of  light,  so  as  to 
insure  thoroughly  solidified  growth  and  a  floriferous  habit. 
Chrysanthemum  Cuttings  Damping  (Perplexed). — The  cuttings  have 
simply  damped  off  by  an  excess  of  moisture,  the  soil  being  wet  to 
Boddenness,  consequently  sour.  This  has  caused  the  destruction  of  the 
tissues,  and  the  decay  has  spread  upwards,  so  that  the  cuttings  are 
black  level  with  the  soil.  The  only  preventive  is  to  use  sweet  loam 
with  a  third  of  well-decayed  leaf  soil  and  one-sixth  of  sand,  mixed, 
for  filling  the  cutting  pots,  surfacing  them  with  the  latter,  and  using 
a  blunt  dibbler  for  inserting  the  cuttings,  so  that  some  of  the  sand  is 
forced  down  for  the  base  of  each  cutting  to  rest  on ;  a  little  of  the 
sand  will  drop  about  each  cutting,  or  it  can  be  pushed  into  the  hole 
before  closing  the  soil.  With  this  care  and  attention  to  keeping 
the  soil  moist,  but  not  overwatering,  every  cutting  ought  to  root  and 
be  healthy. 
"Weeds  on  a  Lawn  (M.  P.). — The  cause  of  lawns  being  thus  infested 
is  usually  poverty  of  soil,  and  a  good  dressing  of  short  manure  may  be 
applied  now'.  In  early  April  scratch  the  lawn  well  with  an  iron  rake, 
and  during  the  earliest  prospect  of  rain  afterwards,  sow  some  lawn 
grass  seeds  so  as  to  thicken  the  grasses,  distributing  most  seed  on  the 
bare  places.  If  you  have  no  manure  apply  soot,  wood  ashes,  and  quick¬ 
lime,  in  equal  parts,  all  dry  and  well  mixed  at  the  rate  of  a  peck  per 
red,  and  rake  it  well  in.  The  manure  or  some  rich  compost  would  be 
the  more  effective,  as  it  is  ammoniacal  or  nitrogenous  matter,  which  is 
necessary  to  encourage  the  growth  of  the  grass,  and  enable  it  to  gain 
the  ascendant.  A  dressing  of  soot  or  some  artificial  manure  would  be 
of  great  benefit  applied  at  the  time  of  sowing  the  grass  seeds,  or 
nitrate  of  soda  at  the  rate  of  1  lb.  per  square  yard. 
Protecting  Apricots  from  Frosts  (W,  R.  S.). — As  you  want  a  material 
that  may  remain  over  the  tree  constantly  you  can  employ  a  double 
thickness  of  herring  net.  This  will  break  the  force  of  cold  cutting 
winds,  arrest  and  prevent  the  settling  of  dew  on  the  tree,  and  thus 
comparatively  dry,  the  blossom  and  young  fruit  will  be  preserved  from 
injury.  To  keep  the  net  from  the  tree,  poles  should  be  set  in  the 
ground  about  6  feet  apart  and  18  inches  from  the  wall.  They  should 
extend  about  a  foot  higher  than  the  branches,  and  rest  against  the 
surface  of  the  wall,  securing  them  with  string  or  nails.  The  net  should 
be  fastened  to  the  wall  just  above  or  level  with  the  top  of  the  poles,  and 
let  down  over  the  tree,  resting  on  the  poles,  and  reach  to  within 
18  inches  of  the  ground,  but  be  kept  clear  of  it,  securing  the  netting 
to  the  poles  at  the  bottom.  The  netting  must  extend  over  the  tree 
sideways  and  be  secured  to  the  wall  on  both  sides,  being  drawn 
taut  and  kept  clear  of  every  part  of  the  tree.  It  should  be  put  up 
when  the  first  blossoms  show  colour — that  is,  appear  wfcite — and  remain 
until  the  weather  becomes  warm  and  settled  in  May,  or  sufficient  foliage 
has  been  produced  to  protect  the  fruit. 
Names  of  Plants. — Vie  only  undertake  to  name  sp^ecies  of  cultivated 
plants,  not  wild  fiowers,  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,  soff;  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.  (A  Weekly  Reader). — Three 
pretty  forms  of  Odontoglossum  Rossi;  No.  3  resembles  O.  R.  coeru- 
lescens.  (J.  S.). — 1,  Dendrobium  speciesum  Hilli;  2,  D.  pallens  ;  3,  a 
poor  form  of  Cattleya  Trianm.  (Young  Gardener). — JSschynanthus 
cordifolius.  (0.  T.).  —  I,  Helloborus  olympicus  ;  2,  Ornithogalum 
nutans  ;  3,  Cardamine  hirsuta  ;  4,  Dielytra  eximia  ;  5,  Senecio  Ghies- 
breghti.  (A.  H.  D.). — 1,  A  well  spotted  but  poorly  shaped  form  of 
Odontoglossum  crispum  ;  2,  0.  luteo-purpureum. 
00  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— March  7th, 
AVERAGE 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve 
„  Californian  . 
„  Canadian,  barrel  ... 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb . 
Grapes,  black  . 
,,  Muscat . 
WHOLESALE 
B.  d.  s.  d. 
5  OtolO  0 
7  6  10  0 
15  0 
17  0 
90  0 
5  0 
8  0 
PRICES.— FRUIT. 
10  0 
10  0 
80  0 
2  6 
4  0 
s.  d.  B.  d. 
Lemons,  case  .  4  0tol6  0* 
Melons,  each  .  0  6  1 1 
Oranges,  per  case  .  5  0  15  0 
„  Tangierine,  box  ...  0  6  19 
„  Californian, seedless  16  0  24  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case...  6  0  9  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each  1  0^  6  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
8.  d.  s.d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ...  2  6  to  3  0 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle  5  0  6  9 
„  giant,  bundle  15  0  20  0 
Beans,  Jersey,  per  lb .  2  0  2  6 
„  Madeira,  basket  ...  2  0  2  6 
Beet,  Red,  doz .  0  6  0  0 
Brussels  Sprouts,  J  sieve...  3  0  3  6 
Cabbages,  per  tally .  9  0  12  0 
Carrots,  per  doz .  5  0  7  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz .  20  30 
Celery,  per  bundle .  10  19 
Cucumbers,  doz .  4  0  8  0 
Endive,  doz .  16  2  0 
Herbs,  bunch  .  0  2  0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  3  0  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
„  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
Radishes,  Jersey,  long,  doz. 
„  French,  round,  doz. 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
Sprue,  French,  per  doz. ... 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
Turnips,  bunch . 
8.  d.l  Is.d'. 
0  10  to  1  2 
0  8  0  10 
0  2 
4  0 
2  0 
3  6 
18  0 
0  8’ 
0  0 
8  0 
4  0 
6  0 
28  0 
0  10 
0  0 
12  0 
0  0 
6  0 
9i0 ;  10  0 
4  6  -;i,5  6- 
4  0  6  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS 
s.d.  s.d. 
12  0to24  0 
6  0  36  0 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
Arums,  per  doz .  8  0  12  0 
Aspidistra,  doz .  18  0  36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ...  15  0  20  0 
Boronias,  doz .  20  0  24  0 
Orotons,  doz .  18  0  30  0 
Cyclamen,  doz .  8  0  12  0 
Daffodils,  pot  .  10  16 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz .  12  0  80  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ...  9  O'  18  0 
Erica  various,  doz .  30  0  60  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
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 
s,  d. 
4  0 
1  6 
1  0 
12  0 
1  0 
10  0 
0  8 
3  0 
12  0 
8  0 
6  0 
1  0 
s.d. 
to  8  0 
7  6 
5  0 
18  0 
2  0 
18  0 
1  0 
6  0 
15  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
6  0 
18  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
Solanums  per  doz . 
9  0 
18  a 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d» 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
2  0  to  3  0 
Marguerites,  doz,  bnchs. 
3  0  to  4  0 
Arums  . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Mimosa,  per  bunch . 
1  6 
2  a 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
0  6 
0  9 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
6  0 
8  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
2  6 
3  6 
Narcissus,  white,  doz.  bun. 
3  0 
4  0 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
10  0 
12  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
Daffodils,  double,  doz.  bnch 
6  0 
8  0 
„  double,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  single,  doz.  bnch. 
6  0 
12  0 
Oduntoglossums  . 
5  0 
7  6 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
8  0 
12  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  Red,  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
bnchs . 
6  0 
9  0 
„  Safrano,  packet 
3  6 
4  0 
Hyacinth,  Roman,  doz.  ... 
5  0 
6  0 
,,  ■  Tea,  white,  doz. 
3  6 
6  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
6  0 
8  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
5  0 
7  6 
,,  lancifolium  album  ... 
3  6 
4  6 
„  Marechal  JNiel,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0 
„  ,,  rubrum... 
3  6 
4  6 
Smilax,  bunch . 
5  0 
6  0 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
8  0 
10  0 
Tulips,  scarlet,  bunch . 
0  6 
0  8 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  yellow,  bunch . 
1  0 
1  6 
„  mauve,  bundle 
6  0 
8  0 
,,  bronze,  bunch . 
1  0 
1  6 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
9  0 
18  0 
Violets,  Parma,  bunch  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Maidenhair  Fern, doz. bnch 
8  0 
10  0 
,,  dark,  French,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
„  „  English,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
SCIENCE  AS  APPLIED  TO  NOXIOUS  WEEDS. 
Let  the  early  summer  months  be  upon  us,  and  we  shall  take  up 
no  agricultural  paper  without  seeing  the  word  Charlock  ”  staring  us 
out  of  countenance.  In  fact,  already  now  there  are  signs  of  the 
invasion,  for  questions  are  being  asked,  and  answers  given,  as  to  the 
best  way  of  dealing  with  this  plague.  Anything  is  a  plague  that 
usurps  the  rightful  place  and  nourishment  of  our  crops.  Weeds,  of 
course,  we  expect  to  contend  with ;  not  only  the  annoying,  tiresome 
Twitch,  of  which  the  tiniest  scrap  will  live  and  grow,  but  all  the  host 
