May  24,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
449 
Stop  the  laterals  at  the  first  leaf,  and  the  sub-laterals  to  one  joint  as 
produced.  The  treatment  practically  amounts  to  renewing  the  rods, 
and  having  a  diminished  crop  for  some  years,  though  increasing  yearly. 
Whether  it  would  be  advisable  to  entirely  lift  the  Vines  is  matter  for 
your  judgment,  after  carefully  examining  the  border  and  ascertaining 
the  state  of  the  soil  and  drainage. 
Adiantum  Farleyense  and  Orchids  Unsatisfactory  {Constant  Sub¬ 
scriber). — We  have  seen  no  healthier  plants  of  the  handsome  Fern 
mentioned  than  were  grown  in  a  mixed  plant  stove.  The  temperature 
of  this  stove  was  never  forced  above  60°  by  fire  heat,  though  it  was 
often  naturally,  and  properly,  much  higher  under  sun  influence.  The 
atmospheric  moisture  was  in  proportion  to  the  heat,  genial  but  not 
excessive,  nor  was  the  shading  dense.  Very  much  shade,  heat,  and 
moisture  are  not  conducive  to  bold  substantial  fronds.  Nor  were 
the  plants  overpotted  in  spongy  material,  consisting  in  part  of  “  Orchid 
peat.”  They  were  grown  in  sound  loam,  kept  sweet  and  porous  by 
crushed  charcoal  and  sand,  pressed  somewhat  firmly  in  the  pots,  small 
rather  than  large  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  plants.  They 
were  watered  with  judgment,  supplies  being  given  always  when 
required,  and  never  when  the  soil  was  sufficiently  moist  for  healthy 
root  action.  If  the  soil,  no  matter  what  kind,  be  allowed  to  become  too 
dry  on  the  one  hand  for  watering,  or  anything  like  sodden  on  the  other, 
there  can  be  no  healthy  growth.  Possibly  the  soil  in  which  your  plants 
are  lingering,  instead  of  luxuriating,  is  sour.  Many  Orchids  could  not 
possibly  remain  healthy  under  the  tropical  conditions  you  describe. 
Some  might  grow  very  well  for  a  time,  but  would  need  different  con¬ 
ditions  of  a  restful  nature  for  solidification  and  flowering.  It  is,  how¬ 
ever,  impossible  to  give  useful  advice  on  Orchids  without  knowing  their 
names. 
“Geranium”  Plants  Rotting  just  above  the  Soil  (If.  C). — The 
“  blacklegging  ”  of  Pelargonium  stems  is  due  to  a  fungus,  Pythium 
De  Baryanum,  the  malady  being  known  to  all  gardeners  as  “damping 
off.”  It  affects  seedlings  and  cuttings  of  a  great  variety  of  plants. 
The  affected  part  shrinks  and  turns  black,  hence  the  term  “blackleg,” 
decaying  and  spreading  so  that  the  stem  becomes  girdled  and  the  plant 
collapses.  Sometimes,  however,  the  plant  possesses  the  vital  force  to 
be  able  to  resist  its  advance,  then  there  remains  only  a  wound  on  the 
affected  part,  and  that  healed  over  by  new  tissues,  the  parasite  being 
completely  thrown  off  or  isolated.  The  disease  extends  from  one  plant 
to  another  in  seed  or  cutting  beds.  The  plants  attacked  and  the  soil 
between  them  becomes  more  or  less  covered  with  the  mildew-like 
growth  of  the  fungus  mycelium,  and  the  resting  spores  are  produced 
and  may  be  dormant  until  favouring  conditions  again  arise  for  their 
germination  and  development.  The  fungus  is  usually  introduced  by 
leaf  mould,  it  being  of  a  saprophytic  as  well  as  parasitic  nature.  It  is 
easily  destroyed  by  giving  the  compost  the  conditions  (heat  and 
moisture)  favourable  to  the  development  of  the  spores,  and  then,  a  few 
days  later,  exposing  it  to  a  very  dry,  hot  atmosphere,  so  as  to  kill  the 
delicate  growth  of  the  fungus.  The  preventive  measures  adopted  by 
gardeners  are  well  working  the  land,  thin  seeding  or  inserting  of 
cuttings,  keeping  the  plants  stocky,  giving  plenty  of  air  to  avoid 
a  stagnant  atmosphere,  and  above  all  things  preparing  the  compost 
some  time  before  use,  so  as  to  have  it  sweet  and  free  from  the  spores 
of  the  fungus.  In  your  case  we  advise  change  of  soil,  though  it  is 
possible  that  watering  the  plants  with  an  extremely  weak  solution  of 
copper  sulphate,  say  1  part  in  2000  parts  water,  or  1  oz.  sulphate  of 
copper  to  I2i  gallons  of  water,  may  arrest  the  fungus. 
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.  (A  Reader). — 1,  Berberis 
Darwini ;  2,  Wistaria  sinensis.  (R.  Sussex). — The  flowering  shrub  is 
Spirma  Thunbergi;  both  the  other  specimens  were  pieces  of  the 
common  Beech,  Fagus  sylvatica.  (G.  J.  IF.). — 1,  Pyrus  spectabilis  ;  2, 
Primus  (Cerasus)  Padus,  the  Bird  Cherry  ;  Rhododendrons  can  only 
be  accurately  named  by  comparison  in  a  large  collection.  (R.  M,  B.). 
— 1,  Cattleva  Mendeli,  good  form  ;  2,  Ltelia  purpurata;  3,  Cypripedium 
Lawrenceanum  ;  4,  Dendrobium  Bensonige.  (T.  G  ). — Cerasus  avium 
flore  pleno.  (IF.  C.  &  S.). — Triteleia  uniflora,  see  page  448. 
Covent  Garden  B(arket.— May  23pd. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
B.  d.  8.  d. 
Apples,  English,  sieve  ...  6  OtolO  0 
„  Californian,  case  ...  8  0  14  0 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel  15  0  22  0 
„  Tasmanian  .  8  0  18  0 
Apricots,  per  box  .  1  G  0  0 
Cherries,  per  box  .  0  9  13 
„  black,  house  ...  6  0  8  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb .  80  0  90  0 
Q-rapes,  black  . 
Lemons,  case  . 
Melons,  house,  each 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
„  Californian, seedless 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
Pines.  St.  Michael’s,  each 
Strawberries,  lb . 
Ixia,  doz  bunches  . 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
„  mauve,  bundle 
r.ily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
Maidenhair  Fern,doz.bnch 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
,,  Yellow  doz.  bnchs. 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
„  Egyptian,  cwt.  ... 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Peas,  Jersey,  lb . 
„  French,  per  pad  ... 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
„  new  Jersey,  lb. 
„  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
Radishes,  long, doz . 
„  round,  doz. 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  bushel  . 
Tomatoes,  foreign,  doz.  lb. 
„  English,  doz.  lb. 
Turnips,  bunch . 
„  new  . 
Narcissus,  double  white, 
doz.  bunches  ... 
„  Pheasant-eye,  doz. 
bunches  . 
Odontoglossums  . 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  doz . 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
„  Marechal  Niel,  doz. 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
„  La  France,  doz. 
,,  Mermets,  doz . 
Smilax,  bunch ...  . 
Tulips,  scarlet,  bunch . 
„  yellow,  bunch . 
,,  bronze,  bunch . 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
s.  d.  s.d. 
1  0  to  2  0 
0  9 
3  0 
„  giant,  bundle 
4  0 
6  0 
Beans,  Broad,  per  flat  ... 
„  Jersey,  per  lb . 
8  0 
4  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
5  0 
7  6 
Carrots,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  new,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
3  0 
5  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
1  9 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
0  10 
1  2 
Cos,  doz.  ...  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Mint,  green,  doz.  bunches  2  0 
0  0 
Average 
Wholesale 
Arums  . 
B.  d.  B.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
0  6 
0  9 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  6 
2  0 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
0  0 
12  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  6 
2  6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
6  0 
9  0 
3  0 
3  0 
3  0 
3  0 
0  6 
6  0 
8  0 
3  0 
3  0 
3  0 
4  0 
4  0 
4  0 
4  0 
1  0 
18  0 
10  0 
4  0 
4  0 
6  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz. 
Arums,  per  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azaleas,  various,  each 
Boronias,  doz . 
Crotons,  doz . 
Dracsena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Rrica  various,  doz.  ... 
Buonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Bvergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
„  small,  100  ... 
Ficus  elastica,  each ... 
8. 
d. 
8.  ' 
d. 
12 
0to24 
0 
6' 
0 
86 
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 
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 
1 
6 
7 
6 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz.... 
„  pink,  doz.  ... 
Hyacinths,  Dutch,  doz.... 
Hydrangeas,  white,  each 
pinK,  doz.  ... 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
„  specimens  . 
Spiraeas,  per  doz . 
B.  d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0’ 
4  0  15  0 
10  2  0 
5  0  15  0 
16  0  24  0 
6  0  12  0 
10  GO 
3  0  6  0 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
0  8  to  0  Iff 
0  2 
0  0 
4  6 
5  6 
8  0 
0  0 
2  0 
4  0 
0  9 
1  0 
2  6 
3  6 
3  6 
6  0 
0  2 
0  5 
18  0 
28  0 
0  6 
0  0 
1  0 
0  0 
0  3 
0  0 
2  0 
3  0 
4  6 
5  6 
8  0 
9  0 
3  0 
4  6 
0  0 
0  Iff 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
4  0  to  0  0 
1  0 
0  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 
8.  d. 
S.d 
1  0  to  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  () 
1  0 
2  0 
3  0 
6  0 
8  0 
10  0 
8  0 
12  0 
6  0 
9  0 
1  0 
15  0 
21  0 
63  0 
8  0 
12  0 
How  we  Feed  Ourselves. 
Trade  Catalopes  Received. 
W.  Cooper,  755,  Old  Kent  Road,  S.'E.— Structures. 
W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate.— Hardy  Pla7tts. 
Van  Meerbeek  &  Co.,  Hillegom,  near  Haarlem. — Wholesale  Bulb  and 
Plant  Catalogue. 
Not  a  day  or  a  week  passes  when  we  do  not  see  grave  charges 
brought  against  the  British  agriculturist.  These  charges  generally 
take  the  form  of  indictments  of  bad  management — our  methods  of 
tilling  are  old  fashioned— extravagant,  and  inutile.  We  do  not  get 
the  uttermost  that  the  land  will  yield  ;  w^e  are  not  as  wideawake  as 
