May  31,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
471 
it  is  not  too  dry  below.  Slugs  are  sometimes  to  blame  for  the  failure, 
as  they  frequently  crop  the  young  growths  as  they  appear.  These 
pests  like  to  “  sample”  new  plants  to  a  garden,  and  to  this  cause  many 
have  reason  to  attribute  the  loss  of  this  exquisite  plant. 
Seedling  Amaryllis  (S.  B.).  —  The  flowers  did  not  reach  us  in  a 
proper  condition  for  examination.  We  do  not  think,  however,  that 
the  variety  is  distinct  from  others,  and  certainly  in  the  state  in  which 
it  arrived  is  rather  inferior,  particularly  in  the  narrowness  of  the 
segments.  We  would  advise  your  growing  it  thoroughly  well  next 
season,  as  Amaryllis,  like  other  flowers,  frequently  improve  immensely, 
and  then  submitting  flowers  to  ore  of  the  leading  specialists  in  this 
plant.  If  you  wish  a  favourable  opinion,  however,  you  will  have  to 
adopt  a  better  system  of  packing. 
Compost  for  Peach  Tree  {R.  M.).— An  excavation  3  feet  deep, 
parallel  with  the  wall,  and  not  more  than  half  its  height,  is  ample  for  a 
Peach  border.  If  the  soil  is  wet,  make  a  drain,  3-inch  tile,  near  the 
outside  edge,  with  a  proper  fall  and  outlet,  and  6  inches  lower  than  the 
bottom  of  the  border,  which  should  incline  to  the  drain.  Place 
in  9  inches  of  rubble  about  the  size  of  half  bricks,  then  3  inches 
the  size  of  road  metal,  preferably  old  brick  and  mortar  rubbish 
from  a  building,  excluding  pieces  of  wood  and  the  flner  particles 
by  sifting.  The  surface  of  the  drainage  should  he  as  fine  as  a  gravel 
path,  and  covered  with  thin  sods  to  prevent  it  being  choked  with  soil. 
Substantial  loam,  compact  but  porous,  is  the  best  rooting  medium, 
compactness  being  essential  for  the  retention  of  the  food  elements, 
the  sub-division  of  the  roots,  and  porosity  for  the  percolation  of  water. 
As  the  soil  may  not  alvyays  be  had  according  with  the  above  conditions 
a  good  compost  may  be  formed  thus  : — Take  four  parts  of  red  or 
yellow  loam,  stiff  and  deficient  in  gravel  or  grit,  one  part  burnt  clay, 
one  part  old  mortar  rubbish,  crushed  and  all  pieces  of  wood  picked  out, 
and  one  part  road  scrapings  well  ameliorated.  Chop  the  turfy  loam  in 
pieces  about  2  inches  square,  and  mix  the  ingredients  well,  placing  in 
the  border  compactly  when  in  good  working  order.  About  half  a 
peck  of  wood  ashes  may  be  added  to  each  barrowload  of  soil  with 
advantage,  and  also  a  quart  of  crushed  bones. 
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  oflice  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.  (T.  A.  J.). — 1,  sporeling 
form  !  of  Adiantum  cuneatum  ;  2,  Narcissus  poeticus  recurvus ;  3, 
Cytisus  elegans ;  4,  Habrothamnus  elegans ;  5,  Anemone  nemorosa 
fiore-pleno ;  6,  Muscari  botryoides.  (E.  C.). — 1,  Prunus  rosea  flore- 
pleno  ;  2,  the  Alexandria  Laurel ;  3,  Viburnum  Gloire  de  Versailles ; 
4,  Cryptomeria  japonica.  {Subscriber). — Asparagus  Sprengeri;  Orni- 
thogalum  umbellatum.  (H.  S.,  Winchester). —  1,  Caragana  frutescens  ; 
2,  Choisya  ternata.  (F.  J.  B.). — A  Viburnum,  but  the  specific  name 
cannot  be  given  unless  a  flower  is  sent.  (F.  J.  B.). — 1,  Weigela  (Dier- 
villa)  rosea;  2,  Ulex  pilosa  nana  ;  3,  Choisya  ternata;  4,  Halesia 
tetraptera  (the  Snowdrop  Tree). 
Covent  Garden  Market. — May  30th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
Arums  ...  ...  ...  ... 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Bouvardia,  bunch  . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
leranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
ixia,  doz  bunches  . 
Lilium  Harris!,  12  blooms  • 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
jilac,  white,  bundle 
'  <ly  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
aidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
hunches . 
targuerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
„  Yellow  doz.  bnchs. 
mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
Narcissus,  double  white. 
2  0 
2  6 
doz.  bunches  ... 
3 
0  to  4  0 
0  6 
0  9 
,,  Pheasant-eye,  doz. 
1  6 
2  0 
bunches  . 
1 
0 
0  0 
0  0 
12  0 
Odontoglossums  . 
5 
0 
7  6 
3  0 
4  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
8 
0 
12  0 
1  6 
2  6 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2 
6 
3  6 
,,  Red,  doz . 
2 
0 
4  0 
6  0 
9  0 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
2 
0 
3  0 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
2 
0 
3  0 
3  0 
40 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
3 
0 
4  C 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Marechal  Niel,  doz. 
6 
0 
12  0 
3  0 
4  0 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
6  0 
18  0 
„  La  France,  doz. 
3 
0 
6  0 
„  Mermets,  doz . 
3 
0 
8  0 
8  0 
10  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
4 
0 
6  0 
3  0 
4  0 
Tulips,  Parrot,  doz.  bnchs. 
4 
0 
8  0 
3  0 
4  0 
„  yellow,  bunch . 
1 
0 
1  6 
3  0 
5  0 
,,  bronze,  bunch . 
1 
0 
1  6 
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 . 
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 
16 
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 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Genistas,  per  doz . 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz.... 
„  pink,  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 . 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Apples,  English,  sieve  ...  5  OtolO  0 
„  Californian,  case  ...  8  0  14  0 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel  15  0  22  0 
„  Tasmanian  .  8  0  18  0 
Apricots,  per  box  .  16  0  0 
Cherries,  per  box  .  0  9  13 
„  black,  house  ...  6  0  8  0 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb .  80  0  90  0 
Grapes,  black  . 
Lemons,  case  . 
Melons,  house,  each 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
„  Californian, seedless 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
Strawberries,  lb . 
Average 
Wholesale 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
1  0  to  2  0 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
0  9 
3  0 
„  giant,  bundle 
4  0 
6  0 
Beans,  Broad,  per  flat  ... 
8  0 
4  0 
„  Jersey,  per  lb . 
1  0 
0  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
6  0 
7  6 
Carrots,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  new,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
3  0 
6  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 
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 . 
6.  d. 
8.d 
1  6  to  7  6 
1  0 
5  0 
8  0 
15  0 
6  0 
10  0 
8  0 
10  0 
2  6 
5  0 
12  0 
15  0 
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 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
4  0 
15  0 
1  0 
2  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  8  to  010 
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  0 
0  0 
0  10 
Legislative  Proposals. 
Mr.  Long’s  Agricultural  Holdings  Bill  having  been  brought 
before  Parliament,  it  has  been  quickly  followed  by  another  proposed 
by  Mr.  Channing.  Both  have  met  with  a  great  deal  of  criticism, 
and  it  is  very  unlikely  that  either  will  become  law  ;  in  fact  Mr. 
Channing’s  Bill  has  no  chance  whatever,  and  even  Mr.  Long’s 
Government  measure  very  little,  for  who  knows  how  soon  we  may 
find  Parliament  dissolved  ? 
Whereas  some  of  Mr.  Channing’s  proposals  are  so  un practicable 
as  to  be  quite  out  of  all  probability  of  realisation  at  present,  the 
chief  critics  of  Mr.  Long’s  Bill  found  their  objections  to  it  on 
account  of  its  not  going  far  enough.  The  Bill  does  seem  at  first 
sight  to  deal  with  several  burning  questions  of  tenant  right  in 
rather  a  tinkering  manner,  leaving  them  very  nearly  in  their 
previous  condition,  but  as  long  as  the  landlord  is  to  have  any 
authority  or  power  as  to  the  management  of  his  property,  his  rights 
must  be  considered  as  well  as  the  whim  or  convenience  of  the 
tenant. 
Two  of  the  burning  questions  are  whether  the  consent  of  the-, 
landlord  should  be  necessary  before  a  tenant  put  up  buildings  or 
lay  land  down  to  grass.  Mr.  Long  says  yes  to  both. 
With  regard  to  laying  land  down  to  grass  we  think  the  tenant 
might  be  given  a  free  hand,  and  no  doubt  few  landlords  would  be-^ 
found  who  would  object  doing  so.  The  only  case  we  can  imagine- 
