June  21,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
f.43 
Dipladenias  not  Flowering  (Tyro). — The  shoots  of  the  Dipladenias 
should  be  trained  close  beneath  the  roof  of  your  warmer  house  ;  in  fact, 
they  shonld  do  in  either  temperature,  if  fully  exposed  to  the  sun.  If 
you  do  this,  and  give  a  good  circulation  of  air  daily  during  bright  warm 
weather,  we  do  not  doubt  that  your  plants  will  flower  well.  They  do 
not  flower  satisfactorily  if  grown  in  shade  and  a  close,  confined  atmo¬ 
sphere.  Dipladenias  require  very  careful  watering,  and  although  they 
can  be  well  grown  in  pots,  they  do  m’tch  better  if  convenience  exists 
for  planting  them  out. 
'  Eust  on  Peaches  (C.  G.M.). — The  fruits  are  “rusted”  in  places, 
also  cracked  in  the  oldest  affected  parts,  and  in  others  covered  with  the 
dense  felt-like  coat  of  Sphoerotheca  pannosa,  a  mildew  of  frequent 
occurrence  in  this  form  on  the  Peach.  The  discoloured  blotches  are 
probably  caused  by  wet  lodging  on  the  fruit.  The  affected  fruits  will 
crack  more  or  less  as  they  increase  in  size,  and  the  best  plan  would  be 
to  remove  and  burn  them.  The  disease,  however,  may  be  arrested  by 
rubbing  flowers  of  sulphur  gently  on  the  affected  fruits,  but  it  will  not 
restore  the  epidermal  tissues,  and  the  fruits  will  be  so  cracked  or 
furrowed  as  to  be  worthless  for  table. 
^  Polypodinms  from  Spores  (IT’.  B.  S-). — Polypodiums  are  readily 
raised  from  spores  (“seed”).  Take  an  ordinary  flower  pot  or  seed 
pan  ;  drain  well,  and  fill  to  within  2  inches  of  the  rim  with  broken 
pots  (crocks).  Put  in  1.4  inch  thickness  of  soil,  composed  of  peat  and 
yellow  loam  in  equal  parts,  with  a  third  of  crocks  broken  small  and 
a  fourth  of  sharp  sand.  The  rougher  portion  of  the  compost  should  be 
placed  over  the  crocks,  and  the  finest  at  the  ton,  which  must  be  even 
and  fine,  the  soil  being  pressed  down  firmly.  Water  thoroughly  two 
or  three  times,  ami  after  the  last  watering  scatter  the  spores — the 
powder-like  dust  on  the  under  side  of  the  fronds — on  the  surface. 
Cover  the  pot  or  pan  with  a  pane  of  glass,  resting  it  on  the  pot, 
leaving  a  space  of  about  half  an  inch  between  the  surface  of  the  soil 
and  the  glass.  Put  in  a  shady  place  and  keep  moist.  In  a  few  weeks 
the  sporelings  will  appear,  and  when  they  reach  the  glass  remove  it,  or 
preferably  raise  it  by  pieces  of  wood.  When  the  sporelings  can  be 
handled,  pot  singly. 
Topping  Oleanders  (H.  M). — Oleanders  may  be  cut  back  to  any 
extent.  They  will  break  freely  from  the  old  wood,  so  that  you  may  cut 
them  down  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  soil — say  6  to  9  inches — so  as 
to  secure  a  stem  of  a  few  inches  length.  Keep  rather  dry  a  short 
time  before  and  after  cutting  down,  and  then  water  and  syringe  so 
as  to  encourage  growth.  Avoid,  however,  miking  the  soil  sodden  by 
unnecessary  waterings.  If  you  cut  the  plants  down  they  will  not  flower 
this  year,  and  perhaps  not  next,  as  it  must  make  and  ripen  good 
growth  before  doing  so.  We  should  put  in  cuttings  of  the  strong 
growths  in  sandy  soil  ;  they  root  freely  in  gentle  bottom  heat,  such 
as  that  of  a  Cucumber  bed,  and  make  very  useful  plants  in  6  or 
7-inch  pots.  Cuttings  would  also  root  in  the  conservatory  if 
covered  with  a  hand-light  or  bell-gl'SS.  Plants  so  raised  wou'd,  no 
doubt,  flower  next  year.  The  old  plants  could  be  kept  through  the 
year,  and  you  will  have  the  benefit  of  the  flowers  now  showing.  They 
require  to  be  well  supplied  with  water  when  swelling  the  buds  and 
making  grSwth,  and  kept  rather  dry  in  winter,  but  not  so  as  to  bring 
down  the  foliage.  An  occasional  syringing  is  of  benefit;  avoid,  how¬ 
ever,  wetting  the  flowers,  as  they  are  liable  to  damp. 
Horticultural  Exhibits  and  Eailway  Charges  (W.  H.  J). — As  we 
had  no  really  authoritative  information  on  this  subject,  we  com¬ 
municated  with  the  Great  Eastern  Eailway  Company,  whose  reply  is  as 
follows  : — “  In  reply  to  your  letter  t  beg  to  inform  you  that  no  alteration 
whatever  has  been  made  in  our  rates  and  arrangements  for  the  convey¬ 
ance  of  exhibits  to  and  from  horticultural  shows,  (a)  Plants,  fruit,  or 
flowers,  to  or  from  flower  and  agricultural  shows,  are  charged  single 
owner’s  risk  (or  company’s  risk)  rates  for  the  double  journey,  providing 
they  remain  the  property  of  the  exhibitor,  (b)  Passengers  travelling 
with  plants  and  flowers  are  (on  all  occasions)  allowed  to  carry  as 
luggage  or  part  of  their  luggage,  the  usual  weight  free,  any  excess 
being  charged  for  at  the  excess  luggage  rate  (owner’s  risk).  When 
conveyed  under  the  latter  arrangement  any  excess  has  to  be  paid  for 
both  on  the  forward  and  return  journeys.  Exhibitors  at  horticultural 
shows  have  therefore  the  option  of  having  their  consignments  charged  at 
the  ordinary  trade  rates  as  per  clause  (a),  which  are  very  low  (in  no 
case  on  this  line  exceeding  2s.  4a.  per  cwt.),  and  this  insures  free 
return  in  case  the  goods  are  unsold,  or  if  travelling  with  them  they 
can  claim  the  usual  allowance  under  clause  (b),  and  in  the  event  of 
any  excess,  pay  for  same  at  the  excess  luggage  rate  both  going  and 
returning.”  This  will  probably  apply  to  all  the  English  railway 
companies,  but  we  cannot  say  definitely. 
Names  of  Plants  {StirlBig). — Rhodochiton  volubile.  (C.  P.). — 
1,  Geum  coccineum ;  2,  Papaver  nudicaule ;  3,  Centranthus  ruber. 
(F.  J.  L.). — 1,  Viburnum  plicatum  ;  2,  Weigela  amabilis ;  3,  Astrantia 
major;  4,  Cirois  siliquastrum,  the  Judas  Tree;  5,  Ornithogalum 
nutans;  6,  Saxifraga  rotundifolia.  (D.  M.). — I,  Blechnum  spicant ;  2, 
Adiantum  pubescens  ;  3,  Aerides  F  eldingi.  {E.  J.). — Solannm  nigrum. 
(Mac). — 1,  Calycantl  us  floridus  ;  2,  Tacsonia,  probably  Van-Volxemi, 
good  leaves  ought  to  have  been  sent ;  3,  Stapelia,  probably  normalis  ; 
4,  Phyllocactus  sp.,  flower  decomposed  on  arrival.  In  Nos.  2,  3,  and  4, 
good  flowers  and  leaves  ought  to  have  been  sent,  as  when  several 
species  are  closely  allied  it  is  impossible  to  be  absolutely  certain  with 
incomplete  specimens. 
Covent  Garden  ll[arket. — Jnne  20tL 
Maekets  heavy  and  dull. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
Apples,  Tasmanian . 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
8  0tol8  0 
Grapes,  black  . 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
1  0  to  3  0 
Apricots,  box . 
0  8 
1  3 
Lemons,  case  . 
10  0 
30  0 
Cherries,  box  . 
0  9 
1  3 
Melons,  house,  each 
1  0 
2  0 
„  J  bushel . 
5  0 
10  0 
Oranges,  case  . 
10  0 
25  0 
„  1  bushel . 
3  0 
6  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
1  0 
6  0 
Gooseberries,  J  bushel  ... 
2  0 
2  6 
Strawberries.bskt  4  to  6  lb. 
2  0 
3  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
1 
6  to  2  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6  toO  8 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
0 
9 
3  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  n 
„  giant,  bundle 
9 
0 
12  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
5  6 
6  6 
Beans,  bushel . 
1 
0 
3  0 
„  Egyptian,  cwt.  ... 
6  0 
0  0 
„  Jersey,  lb . 
0 
6 
0  9 
Parslev,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Beet,  Eed,  doz . 
0 
6 
0  0 
Peas,  Jersey,  lb . 
0  9 
1  0 
Cabbages,  tally . 
5 
0 
7  6 
„  English,  per  bushel 
4  0 
6  0 
Carrots,  new,  bunch 
0 
3 
0  6 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
5  0 
10  0 
Cauliflowers,  spring,  doz. 
4 
0 
6  0 
„  new  Jersey,  cwt. 
12  0 
15  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1 
0 
•1  9 
„  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
12  0 
14  0 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2 
0 
4  0 
Radishes,  long,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Fndive,  doz . 
1 
6 
2  0 
„  round,  doz. 
1  0 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  4 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
n  0 
Spinach,  brishel 
2  0 
0  0 
Lettuce,  doz.  . 
0 
6 
n  0 
Tomatoes,  English,  doz.  lb. 
3  0 
5  0 
,,  Cos,  score,  from 
0 
6 
2  6 
Turnips,  new  . 
0  4 
0  8 
Mint,  green,  doz.  bunches 
2 
0 
0  0 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz.... 
6  0 
8  0 
Average  Wholesale 
Prices, — Cut  Flowers. 
s. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arums  . 
2 
0  to  3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
2  0  to  3  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2 
0 
2  6 
Narcissus,  double  white. 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1 
6 
2  0 
doz.  bunches  ... 
4  0 
8  a 
Cattleyas,  per  doz . 
0 
0 
12  0 
Odintoglossums 
5  0 
7  6 
Eucharis,  doz . 
4 
0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
4  0 
6  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1 
6 
2  6 
Pmouies  . 
6  0 
12  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  6 
3  6. 
bnohs . 
6 
n 
9  0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
Iris,  various,  doz.  bnchs. 
6 
0 
12  0 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
2  0 
3  & 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
3 
0 
4  0 
,,  Tea.  white,  doz.  ... 
2  0 
3  a 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
3 
0 
4  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
3  0 
4  0 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
3 
0 
4  0 
„  Marechal  Niel,  doz. 
6  0 
12  0- 
IJly  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
6 
0 
18  0 
„  English  (indoor)  : — 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
„  La  France,  doz. 
3  0 
6  0 
bunct  es . 
6 
0 
8  0 
,,  Mermets,  doz . 
3  0 
8  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3 
u 
4  0 
Sinilax,  bunch . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Yellow  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
Tulip-,  yellow,  bunch 
1  0 
1  6 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Plants  in  Pots. 
Acacias,  per  doz. 
Arbor  Vitw,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azaleas,  various,  each 
Boronias,  doz . 
Orotons,  doz . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Kerns,  var.,  doz 
,,  small,  100  ... 
Ficus  elastiea,  eech  ... 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
12 
0to24 
0 
6 
0 
36 
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  1 
o  7 
6 
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 . 
g.  d.  8.  d. 
1  0  to  5  0 
8  0  15  » 
6  0  10  0 
8  0  10  0 
2  6  5  O' 
12  0  15  0 
10  2  0 
3  0  6  0 
8  0  10  0 
8  0  12  0 
6  0  9  0 
1  0  15  0 
21  0  6.3  0 
8  0  12  0 
The  Agricultural  Returns. 
We  have  been  favoured  with  a  copy  of  the  above  for  1899,  and 
though  260  pages  of  statistics  are  too  much  to  deal  iiith  closely*  a 
few  points  of  general  interest  may  be  found. 
Greater  confidence  in  the  future  of  the  Wheat  trade  may  have 
accounted  for  the  increase  of  213,000  acres  in  the  Wheat  area  of  1898, 
but  if  so  the  confidence  must  soon  have  been  dispelled,  for  in  1899  there 
was  a  reduction  of  101,225  acres,  leaving  the  aggregate  but  little  over 
2,000,000.  The  lessened  demand  for  Wheat  straw  and  its  low  price 
may  have  been  a  factor  in  causing  tliis  diminution  in  the  acreage* 
Barley  and  Oat  straw  always  have  their  home  value  as  fodder,  but 
