April  5,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
297 
vines  and  Manure  (E.  J.  C.). — Basic  slag  was  recommended  for 
Vines  as  a  source  of  phosphoric  acid  yielded  slowly  to  the  soil,  and  also 
for  its  free  lime.  We  have  no  recollection,  however,  of  advising 
sulphate  of  ammonia  to  be  applied  with  basic  slag,  and  hardly  think  we 
have  done  so,  unless  the  case  was  an  exceptional  one,  and  of  which  you 
give  no  data.  Replying  to  your  present  questions  : — 1,  The  dose  of 
basic  slag  should  not  be  repeated  during  the  growing  season,  as  the 
phosphoric  acid  will  come  too  slowly  to  profit  the  Vines.  Quicker 
acting  substances  should  be  used,  the  following  being  more  to  the 
purpose  for  feeding  during  growth — bone  superphosphate,  dry  and 
crumbling,  three  parts  ;  powdered  saltpetre,  two  parts ;  and  ground 
gypsum,  one  part,  mixed,  applying  4  ozs.  per  square  yard  when  the 
Vines  are  started  or  commencing  to  grow,  again  when  the  Grapes  are 
thinned,  and  again  when  the  stoning  is  completed  and  the  berries  are 
beginning  their  first  swelling.  This,  with  the  “  pump  sewage,”  should 
give  excellent  results.  2,  The  Peaches  and  Nectarines  that  have  been 
dressed  with  basic  slag  the  same  as  the  Vines  may  be  treated  in  a  similar 
manner  with  the  fertiliser  named,  but  it  is  not  advisable  to  stimulate 
the  trees  much  in  the  early  stages  of  the  fruit  swelling,  or  until  they 
have  stoned,  as  nitrogenous  food  favours  wood  rather  than  fruit 
growth.  The  mixture  may  be  applied  at  starting  the  trees,  or  when 
the  buds  commence  swelling ;  after  the  fruit  has  been  thinned  for  the 
stoning,  or  just  before  this  begins  ;  and  when  the  stoning  is  completed, 
the  fruit  then  taking  its  last  swelling  for  ripening. 
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 
beat  condition  that  are  so  closely  or  firmly  packed  in  soft  green  fresh 
grass,  as  to  remain  unmoved  by  shaking.  No  specimens  shonld  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.  (C.  J.  IT.). — 1,  2,  and  4,  all 
forms  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  .and  not  one  of  them  is  over  the 
average  of  merit ;  3,  O.  gloriosum  ;  5,  O.  Edwardi.  {^Amateur) , 
Sedum  Sieboldi ;  2,  Sempervivum  tectorum ;  3,  Diplacus  (Mimulus) 
glutinosus ;  4,  Allium  neapolitanum.  (C.  Q.  A  .)  — 1,  Daphne 
Mezereum  ;  2,  Akebia  quinata ;  3,  Abutilon  vexillarium  variegatum  ; 
4,  Asplenium  Ruta  muraria ;  5,  Cyrtomium  falcatum  ;  6,  Polypodium 
aureum. 
Names  or  Fruits  {H.  U.  R.). — No.  1  closely  resembles  the  Red 
Winter  Calville.  No.  2  is  suggestive  of  small  fruits  of  Small’s 
Admirable,  but  are  so  much  bruised  as  to  preclude  certain  identifi¬ 
cation.  It  is  possible  that  both  varieties  are  local  seedlings,  of  which 
there  are  many  in  your  county. 
- - 
Covent  Garden  B[arket. — April  4tli. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
„  giant,  bundle 
Beans,  Jersey,  per  lb . 
„  Madeira,  basket  ... 
Beet,  Red,  doz.... 
Brussels  Sprouts,  h  sieve... 
Cabbages,  per  tally 
Carrots,  per  doz. 
B.  d 
2  6 
5  0 
15  0 
2  0 
2  6 
0  6 
1  6 
9  0 
3  0 
3  0 
,  8.  d. 
to  3  0 
6  9 
20  0 
2  6 
3  6 
0  0 
2  0 
12  0 
4  0 
4  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
„  Tenerifle,  cwt.... 
Radishes,  Jersey,  long, doz. 
„  French,  round,  doz. 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets 
B.  d.  8.  d. 
0  lOto  1  2 
0  8  0  10 
18  0 
0  8 
1  6 
15  0 
0  0 
8  0 
4  0 
6  0 
28  0 
0  10 
0  0 
18  0 
Celery,  per  bundle  ... 
•  •  • 
1  0 
1  9 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
0  3 
0  0 
Cucumbers,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
8  0 
3  0 
5  0 
Endive,  doz . 
•  •  • 
1  6 
2  0 
Sprue,  French,  per  doz. ... 
9  0 
10  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
♦  •  » 
0  2 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
4  6 
5  6 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
4  0 
6  1. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Plante  in  Pots. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.d 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
12  0to24  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
4  0  to  8  0 
Arbor  Vila),  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
36  0 
t'lrus  elastica,  each . 
1  6 
7  6 
Arums,  per  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
8  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
•  •• 
18  0 
36  0 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
8  0 
15  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
16  0 
20  0 
1  0 
2  0 
Bort  nias,  doz . 
•  •  • 
20  0 
24  0 
Hyacinths,  Dutch,  doz.... 
10  0 
18  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
Cyclamen,  doz. 
Daffodils,  pot  . 
•  •• 
18  0 
30  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  per  pot 
0  8 
1  0 
... 
6  0 
0  6 
8  0 
1  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
3  0 
12  0 
6  0 
15  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
30  0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
8  0 
12  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •  • 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
8  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  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  0 
Ferns,  var.,  do2. 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
B.  d. 
B.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve 
5  OtolO  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
4  0tol5  0 
„  Californian,  per  case 
8  0 
14  0 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
5  0 
15  0 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel 
15  0 
22  0 
„  Californian,  seedless 
16  0 
24  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb . 
80  0 
90  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
6  0 
9  0 
Grapes,  black  . 
2  6 
5  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
1  0 
6  0 
,,  Muscat . 
4  0 
8  0 
Average  Wholesale 
Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
2  0  to  3  0 
Mimosa,  per  bunch . 
1  6 
to  2  (> 
Arums  . 
4  0 
6  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
3  0 
5  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Narcissus,  white,  doz.  bun. 
2  6 
3  6 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
0  6 
0  9 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  9 
3  0 
Odontoglossums  . 
5  0 
7  6 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
10  0 
12  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
8  0 
12  0 
Daffodils,  double,  doz.  bnch 
6  0 
8  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
„  single,  doz.  bnch. 
6  0 
12  0 
yj  ^icd^  doz*  •*•  •••  ••• 
4  0 
6  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
2  6 
3  6 
Gardenias,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
3  6 
6  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
5  0 
7  6 
bnchs . 
6  0 
9  0 
„  Marechal  JNiel,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0 
Hyacinth,  Roman,  doz.  ... 
5  0 
6  0 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
Lilium  Harris!,  12  blooms 
6  0 
8  0 
,,  La  France,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0 
,,  lancifolium  album  ... 
3  6 
4  6 
„  Merniets,  doz. . 
3  0 
6  0 
,,  ,,  rubrum... 
3  6 
4  6 
Smilax,  bunch . 
4  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. 
6  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 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
„  „  English,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Green  Peas  as  a  Field  Crop. 
Though  a  large  jtroportion  of  this  year’s  crop  of  Green  Peas  is, 
as  it  should  be,  already  in  the  ground,  there  is  yet  time  to  sow  some 
of  the  midseason  and  later  sorts.  Farmers  are  very  cautious  folk, 
and  are  hardly  persuaded  to  make  ventures  into  unknown  regions, 
but  there  are  many  farms  so  situated  near  to  large  centres  of  popu¬ 
lation  and  containing  soil  suitable  for  Pea  growing,  where  a  reasonable 
acreage  of  this  vegetable  might  be  made  very  productive  and  lucrative. 
We  say  reasonable  acreage.  We  mean  with  a  view  to  the  supply  of 
labour  wherewith  to  pull  the  pods  the  moment  they  are  ready  for 
market.  There  is  generally  a  good  supply  of  suitable  hands  in  and 
about  large  towns ;  catch-penny  hands  are  generally  on  the  look  out 
for  such  work  ;  women  who  will  work  may  earn  three  or  four  shillings 
per  day,  and  there  is  an  attraction  to  townspeople  in  spending  a  few 
days  in  the  fields.  In  fine  weather  women  can  take  their  families 
with  them  and  camp  out,  as  the  hoppers  do  in  Kent.  Near  a  town 
a  farmer  might  find  it  easier  to  market  20  or  30  acres  of  Peas  than 
to  market  one  from  a  remote  village.  Then  there  is  the  advantage  of 
having  his  market  near  at  hand,  so  that  he  can  get  a  quick  sale, 
which  is  desirable,  for  Peas  are  very  perishable  if  kept  long  in  masses. 
Growers  at  a  distance  from  their  market  sometimes  have  the 
mortification  to  find  that  their  produce  has  not  paid  for  pulling  and 
railway  expenses.  We  have  known  Peas  to  be  condemned  as  unfit 
for  food,  and  money  having  to  be  paid  fcr  carting  them  away.  The 
cause  was  heating  from  being  too  long  in  bags  without  removal.  In 
other  cases  salesmen  have  to  take  Is.  or  Is.  6d.  per  cwt.  for  produce 
so  as  to  get  them  removed  before  worse  happens.  The  farmer  who  is 
independent  of  the  railway,  and  can  cart  his  Peas  in  direct,  must 
thus  have  a  great  pull  over  those  at  a  distance. 
We  have  shown  the  dark  side  of  Pea  growing,  now  we  must  show 
the  bright.  We  have  known  a  crop  of  6  tons  per  acre,  and  another 
case  where  lOO  bags  (of  8  pecks)  per  acre  were  sold,  commencing  at. 
14s.  per  bag  and  finishing  at  Gs,,  the  average  being  about  9s.,  or  £45' 
per  acre.  This  was  a  10  acre  plot,  and  if  there  had  been  a  sufficient 
