May  10,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
407 
Spots  on  Pear  Leaves  {Anxious). — The  cause  of  the  spots  is  the  Pear 
gall  mite  (Phytoptus  pyri)  in  each  of  which  spot  there  is  a  small 
cavity  occupied  by  nearly  white  four-legged  microscopic  creatures,  or 
bluntly  oval  bodies — the  primary  eggs  of  the  cycle — those  found  later 
not  being  more  than  “  buds,”  and  are  much  larger.  The  spots  are 
very  numerous — indeed,  run  together — but  each  has  a  small  opening 
in  the  under  side  of  the  leaf  protected  more  or  lees  by  hairs.  All  are 
due  to  the  action  of  the  mites,  which  in  bad  cases  greatly  weaken 
the  tree,  causing  the  leaves  to  turn  brown  or  black  and  fall  pre¬ 
maturely.  Probably  the  safest  remedy  is  bisulphide  of  calcium 
made  by  boiling  1  lb.  of  flowers  of  sulphur  and  1  lb.  quicklime  in  a 
gallon  of  water  for  fifteen  minutes,  constantly  stirring  whilst  it  is 
boiling,  then  allowed  to  settle,  and  the  clear  liquid  poured  off  for  use. 
This  placed  in  a  stone  bottle  and  tightly  corked  in  a  dark  place  will 
keep  indefinitely.  Dilute  with  100  parts  of  water  for  use,  or  say  1  gill 
(quarter  pint)  of  the  liquor  to  3  gallons  of  water,  and  apply  with  a 
syringe,  taking  care  to  wet  the  under  side  of  the  foliage,  then  some  will 
enter  the  apertures  or  be  held  there  sufficiently  for  destroying  the  mites. 
The  bisulphide  solution  should  be  kept  off  paint,  otherwise  it  will  dis¬ 
colour  it  fora  time.  Eepeat  the  syringing  if  necessary,  but  one  appli¬ 
cation  usually  suffices  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  infection,  though 
it  will  not  restore  destroyed  tissues  to  health. 
Pests  Destroying  Plants  in  Pots  {White  Worms). — No.  1  pest  belongs 
to  the  natural  order,  Oligoohseta,  and  to  the  genus  Enchytrseus,  the 
species  bein^  B.  Buckholzei,  which  attacks  the  root  hairs  of  various 
plants  and  sets  up  disease.  As  the  manure  swarmed  with  the  pests, 
they  were  thus  introduced  and  fostered.  They  induce  a  sour  condition 
of  the  soil,  which  quite  as  much  as  their  attack  contributes  to  the  loss 
of  roots.  You  use  the  manure  and  the  leaf  mould  too  raw,  not  reducing 
the  former  to  a  rotten  state  and,  the  latter  into  the  condition  of  mould, 
the  processes  of  disintegration  being  effected  in  the  soil,  and  in  excess 
of  water  resulting  in  sourness.  The  other  pest,  No.  2,  is  the  so-called 
“  pill  beetle,”  and  is  popularly  known  as  the  Armadillo,  A,  vulgaris. 
It  also  lives  on  living  vegetable  substances  as  well  as  those  in  a 
state  of  decay,  the  freshness  and  openness  of  the  material  submitted  to 
us  accounting  for  its  presence.  We  can  simply  suggest  a  thorough 
preparation  of  the  compost  materials  before  use.  The  white  worms 
succumb,  as  you  have  found,  to  Fir  tree  oil  insecticide,  lime  water,  and 
Jeyes’  fluid,  but  you  say  these  substances  injure  the  roots  of  the  plants. 
Possibly  the  first  and  last  named  articles  have  been  applied  too  strong, 
the  lime  water  not  being  injurious  unless  used  in  excessive  amount 
and  to  plants  that  require  peaty  soil.  Woodlice  should  be  trapped; 
two  pieces  of  old  board  placed  one  upon  the  other  with  a  pebble 
between,  sprinkling  a  little  bran  on  the  lower  one,  form  an  excellent 
trap.  This  should  be  examined  every  morning,  and  the  woodlice 
brushed  into  a  pail  of  hot  water. 
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.  {R.  G.  jV.). — Iris  fimbriata.  See 
illustration  and  accompanying  letterpress  on  page  402.  {J.K.). — The 
specimen  is  too  small  for  positive  identification,  but  most  probably  it  is 
Edgeworthia  chrysantha.  (R.  G.). — Lathyrus  vernus.  (T.  T.). — 1, 
Saxifraga  muscosa ;  2,  Doronicum  plantagineum  ;  3,  Magnolia  con- 
spicua  ;  4,  M.  Soulangeana  ;  5,  Prunus  Padus  ;  6,  Berberis  stenophylla. 
(P.  R.). —  1,  Berberis  Darwini;  2,  Osmanthus  ilicifolius ;  3,  dead;  4, 
Pteris  serrulata  ;  5,  Adiantum  grandiceps  ;  6,  specimen  insufficient, 
send  fertile  frond.  (T.  A.  J.). — 1,  Chorozema  cordatum  splendens  ; 
2j  Anthurium  Scherzerianum  ;  3,  an  Anthurium,  species  undeterminable; 
4,  a  Flax,  probably  Linum  perenne  ;  5,  a  Megasea,  probably  latifolia  ; 
6,  send  fresh  specimen. 
- - 
Gardeners’  Charitable  and  Provident  Institntions 
Covent  Garden  J(arket. — May  9th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
6  OtolO  0 
8  0  14  0 
Appl88,  English,  sieve  ... 
„  Californian,  case  ... 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel  16  0  22  0 
„  Tasmanian  .  8  0  18  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb .  80  0  90  0 
Grapes,  black  .  5  0  10  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
Lemons,  case  . 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
„  Californian, seedless 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
Strawberries,  lb . 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ...  2  6  to  3  0 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle  0  9  3  0 
„  giant,  bundle  15  0  20  0 
Beans,  Broad,  per  flat  ...  8  0  4  0 
„  Jersey,  per  lb .  10  0  0 
„  Madeira,  basket ...  2  6  3  6 
Beet,  Red,  doz .  0  6  0  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally .  6  0  6  0 
Carrots,  doz .  3  0  4  0 
„  new,  bunch .  19  2  3 
Cauliflowers,  doz .  16  3  0 
Celery,  bundle .  10  19 
Cucumbers,  doz .  2  0  4  0 
Endive,  doz .  16  2  0 
Serbs,  bunch  .  0  2  0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  3  0  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 0  10  12 
,,  Cos,  doz .  3  0  5  0 
Mint,  green,  doz.  bunches  3  0  6  0 
Mushrooms,  lb .  0  8  0  10 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
„  Egyptian,  cwt.  ... 
„  Spanish,  case 
Parslev,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Peas,  Jersey,  lb . 
,,  French,  lb . 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
„  new  Jersey,  lb. 
„  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
Radishes,  Jersey,  long,  doz. 
„  French,  round,  doz. 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  bushel  . 
Sprue,  French,  doz. 
Tomatoes,  doz.  lbs . 
Turnips,  bunch . 
••  D6W  •••  •••  ••• 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
Arums  ...  ...  ...  ... 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cattlevas,  per  doz . 
Daffodils,  single,  doz.  bnch. 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Lilium  Biarrisi,  12  blooms 
,,  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
„  mauve,  bundle 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
Maidenhair  F  ern,doz.bneh 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
2  6 
Odontoglossums  . 
0  6 
0  9 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
1  6 
2  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  0 
12  0 
fy  doz>  ••• 
2  0 
6  0 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
1  6 
2  6 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perlee) 
6  0 
9  0 
„  Marechal  Niel,  doz. 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
3  0 
4  0 
„  La  France,  doz. 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Mermets,  doz. . 
3  0 
4  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tulips,  scarlet,  bunch....'.. 
,,  yellow,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
6  0 
18  0 
8  0 
10  0 
,,  bronze,  bunch . 
3  0 
4  0 
Violets,  Parma,  bunch  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
„  English,  doz.  ... 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
Arums,  per  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azaleas,  various,  each 
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. 
„  small,  100  ... 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
12  0to24 
0 
6  0 
36 
0 
•  •• 
6  0 
8 
0 
•  •  • 
18  0 
36 
0 
•  •• 
15  0 
20 
0 
•  •  • 
2  6 
5 
0 
•  •  • 
20  0 
24 
0 
•  •• 
18  0 
30 
0 
•  •  • 
6  0 
8 
0 
•  •  • 
0  6 
1 
0 
12  0 
30 
0 
•  •  • 
9  0 
18 
0 
•  •• 
8  0 
18 
0 
•  •  • 
6  0 
18 
0 
•  •  • 
4  0 
18 
0 
♦  •  • 
4  0 
18 
0 
•  •• 
4  0 
8 
0 
Ficus  elastiea,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz.... 
„  pink,  doz.  ... 
Hyacinths,  Dutch,  doz. ... 
Hydrangeas,  white,  each 
,,  pinlc,  doz.  ... 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
„  specimens  . 
Spiraeas,  per  doz . 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
4  0tol5  0 
5  0 
15  0 
16  0 
24  0 
6  0 
12  0 
1  0 
6  0 
3  0 
6  0 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
0  2  to  0  0 
7  0 
9  0 
8  0 
0  0 
10  0 
12  0 
2  0 
4  0 
0  9 
1  0 
0  7 
0  0 
3  6 
6  0 
0-  2 
0  5 
18  0 
28  0 
0  8 
0  10 
0  9 
0  0 
4  0 
7  0 
0  3 
0  0 
2  0 
3  0 
4  0 
6  0 
4  6 
6  6 
3  0 
4  0 
0  5 
0  7 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
3  0  to  5  0 
5 
0 
7 
6 
8 
0 
12 
0 
2 
6 
3 
6 
2 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
3 
0 
8 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
6 
0 
8 
1 
0 
1 
6 
1 
0 
1 
6 
3 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
8. 
d. 
8. 
a 
1 
6  to  7 
6 
1 
0 
5 
0 
8 
0 
15 
0 
6 
0 
10 
0 
8 
0 
10 
0 
10 
0 
18 
0 
2 
6 
5 
0 
12 
0 
15 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
15 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
1 
0 
15 
0 
21 
0 
63 
0 
8 
0 
12 
Lincoln  April  Fair. 
The  Gaedeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution.  —  Secretary, 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  175,  Victoria  Street,  S.W. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society.— Becrefary, 
Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balham,  London,  S.W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund.— Secrefort/,  Mr.  Brian  Wynne, 
8,  Danes  Inn,  Strand,  London,  W.C, 
“ The  greatest  fair  in  England,”  says  “  Whitaker’s  Almanack;” 
and  when  we  consider  the  fair  as  a  whole,  the  time  it  occupies,  the 
variety  of  customers  which  it  brings  together,  and  the  quality  of  its 
wares,  we  think  that  Whitaker  is  justified  in  making  the  statement 
referred  to. 
The  great  fair  takes  place  during  the  last  whole  week  of  April, 
