April  12,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
319 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of 
superior  varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless 
Ajiples  and  Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  he  named,  it  has  been  decided  to 
name  only  specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the 
inferior,  which  are  not  worth  sending  or  growing.  The  names  and 
addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  or  flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases 
be  enclosed  with  the  specimens,  whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit 
are  sent  by  post  or  not.  The  names  are  not  necessarily  required  for 
publication,  initials  sufficing  for  that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be 
named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that  number  cannot  be  preserved. 
They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of  change  towards  ripening. 
Dessert  Pears  cannot  he  named  in  a  hard  green  state.  The  practice  of 
pinning  numbers  to  the  eyes  of  the  fruits  tends  to  destroy  one  of  the 
most  characteristic  features  and  increases  the  difficulty  of  identification. 
When  Plums  are  sent  to  be  named  young  wood  of  the  trees  should 
accompany  them.  Leaves  of  the  trees  are  necessary  with  Peaches  and 
Nectarines,  with  information  as  to  whether  the  flowers  are  large  or  small. 
(J.  W.). — Your  specimens  most  closely  resemble  the  Gooseberry  Apple  ; 
see  description  on  preceding  page.  (ff.  L.). — 1,  Hoary  Morning;  2, 
Wellington  ;  3,  Dutch  Mignonne;  4,  Newton  Wonder,  in  excellent  con- 
dition  ;  5  and  6,  not  recognised,  probably  local  seedlings.  {W.  J.  E.). — 
1,  New  Northern  Greening  ;  2,  Wellington  ;  3,  Cockle’s  Pippin ;  4,  Bess 
Pool ;  5,  Bramley’s  Seedling. 
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.  (B.  J.  M.). — 1,  Acacia 
Drummondi  ;  2,  Rhododendron  fragrantissimum  ;  3,  Daphne  Mezereum  ; 
4,  Polypodium  pedatum  ;  5,  Doodia  caudata.  (L.  T.).— 1,  Dendrobium 
nobile  nobilius;  2,  Epidendrum  vitellinum ;  3,  Odontoglossum  luteo- 
purpureum  ;  4,  0.  triumphans,  see  excellent  varieties  illustrated  on 
page  301;  5,  Dendrobium  primulinum;  6,  D.  fimbriatum  oculatum. 
(M.  H.y — 1,  a  good  variety  of  Olivia  miniata ;  2,  an  Amaryllis  or 
Hippeastrum,  which  probably  never  had  a  distinctive  name  ;  3,  Strepto- 
solon  Jamesoni.  {R.  C.  J.).  —  1,  Phaius  grandifolius  ;  2,  Lycaste 
Skinneri ;  3,  Dendrobium  Wardianum ;  4,  Argra?cum  sesquipedale. 
(J.  W.).  —  Odontoglossum  Rossi  majus  ;  2,  Blechnum  occidentale ; 
Selaginella  canaliculata. 
Covent  Garden  Harket.— April  lltli. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
g.  d.  8.  d. 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve  6  OtolO  0 
„  Californian,  per  case  8  0  14  0 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel  15  0  22  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb .  80  0  90  0 
Grapes,  black  .  2  6  5  0 
„  Muscat .  4  0  8  0 
s.  d.  B.  d. 
Lemons,  case  .  4  0tol5  0 
Oranges,  per  case  .  5  0  15  0 
„  Californian, seedless  16  0  24  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case...  6  0  9  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each  10  6  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Cut  Flowers. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
2  0  to  3  0 
Mimosa,  per  bunch . 
1  6 
to  2  0 
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 
Oduntoglossums  . 
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 
K6d,  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  Niel,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0 
Hyacinth,  Roman,  doz.  ... 
5  0 
6  0 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
6  0 
8  0 
„  La  France,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0 
„  lancifolium  album  ... 
3  6 
4  6 
„  Mermets,  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 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Plants  in  Pots. 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz. 
Arums,  per  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Boronias,  doz . 
Crotons,  doz . 
Cyclamen,  doz. 
Daffodils,  pot  . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
Average 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
„  giant,  bundle 
Beans,  Jersey,  per  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 . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
B.  d.  8.  d. 
12  0to24  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
8.  d.  B. d 
4  0  to  8  0 
6  0 
36  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  6 
7  6 
6  0 
8  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
6:o 
18  0 
36  0 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
8  0 
15  0 
16  0 
20  0 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
1  0 
2  O' 
20  0 
24  0 
Hyacinths,  Dutch,  doz. ... 
10  0 
18  0 
18  0 
30  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  per  pot 
0  8 
1  0 
6  0 
8  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
6  0 
0  6 
1  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
12  0 
1510 
12  0 
30  0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
8  0 
12  0 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
8  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  0 
15  0 
6  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  . 
21  0 
63:0 
4  0 
18  0 
Solanums  per  doz . 
9  0 
18  0 
4  0  18  0 
Wholesale 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
2  6  to  3  0 
Prices. — Vegetables. 
Lettuce,  doz . 
B.  d.  B.d. 
0  lOto  1  2- 
5  0 
5  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  8 
0  10 
15  0 
20  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
2  0 
2  6 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
4  0 
8  0 
2  6 
3  6 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
0  6 
0  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
3  6 
6  0 
1  6 
2  0 
,,  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
18  0 
28  0 
9  0 
12  0 
Radishes,  Jersey,  long,doz. 
0  8 
0  10 
3  0 
4  0 
„  French,  round,  doz. 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets 
1  6 
0  0 
3  0 
4  0 
15  0 
18  0 
1  0 
1  9 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
0  3 
0  0 
4  0 
8  0 
3  0 
5  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Sprue,  French,  per  doz. ... 
9  0 
10  0 
0  2 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
4  6 
6  & 
0  8 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
4  0 
6  0 
Plants,  Injurions  and  Otlierwise. 
Rightly  or  wrongly,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  igaorance  shown 
respecting  the  properties  of  many  weeds  and  plants  that  are  found  on 
almost  all  farms.  Of  course  a  weed  is  always  out  of  place,  but  as 
weeds  form  part  of  the  primeval  curse,  we  shall  not  be  rid  of  them 
yet  awhile.  Some  may  possess  good  properties ;  others,  alas  !  are 
undesirable,  if  not  even  actually  dangerous,  and  some  again  are  actively 
dangerous. 
In  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society  for  last  year  is  a 
most  interesting  paper  by  the  consulting  botanist,  W.  Carruthers,  Esq  , 
on  his  work  during  the  year.  It  is  full  of  useful  information,  and 
well  worth  a  close  reading;  .but  as  perhaps  few  of  our  readers  will 
have  a  chance  of  coming  at  the  article  in  question,  we  )  ropose  to 
mention  s  me  of  its  salient  points.  Part  of  this  gentleman’s  work  is 
the  examination  of  seeds  an'l  their  testing  as  regards  the  germinating 
powers  ;  this  is  a  most  useful  work,  as  f  irmers  should  have  full  value 
for  their  money.  The  seed  bill  is  always  a  heavy  one,  and  a  season 
missed  is  missed  for  ever.  That  field  shows  signs  for  years  to  come 
where  the  growth  of  seed  has  been  irregular  and  “  chancy.”  Mr. 
Carruthers  is  consulted  by  many  members  of  the  Royal  as  to  the 
injurious  properties  of  many  plants.  So  often  mysterious  ailments 
arise  among  stock,  and  owner  and  vet.  are  both  sadly  puzzled  to  see 
what  the  real  mischief  springs  from.  Some  stock  appear  to  possess 
curiously  morbid  or  depraved  appetites,  and  notwithstaiiding  good 
pasture,  will  leave  it  to  eat  ail  manner  of  rubbish.  (By  the  way,  we 
once  knew  of  some  incalvers  who  feasted  royally  on  nitrate  bags  that 
had  been  washed  and  hung  out  to  dry.  The  bags  disappeared,  and 
the  cows  followed  quickly,  or  at  least  the  greater  part  of  them.) 
We  are  all  ready  to  admire  the  beauty  of  a  grass  field  rendered 
“  golden  ”  by  Buttercups ;  nothing  can  be  gayer  or  brighter,  and  yet 
every  species  contains  an  acrid  and  irritating  juice.  Generally  it  will 
be  found  that  stock  will  leave  Buttercups  severely  alone,  but  a  case 
occurred  last  year  where  it  might  be  inferred  that,  for  some  reason,  or 
