March  11,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
221 
the  lime  being  over  33  per  cent.  Ten  per  cent,  is  a  maximum  quantity 
to  use,  and  even  then  the  lime  must  be  the  best  chalk  lime,  and  the  com¬ 
post  allowed  to  lie  for  about  three  months.  Of  course  you  can  make  the 
percentage  what  you  like  by  adding  loam  and  leaf  mould  when  preparing 
the  compost,  but  unless  the  added  ingredients  are  sterilised  what  will  be 
the  good  of  the  lime  treatment?  To  the  heap  we  should  now  add  eight 
parts  loam,  and  the  leaf  mould  you  intend  to  use,  incorporating 
thoroughly  and  leaving  till  the  time  required  for  potting.  This  will  give 
a  good  blending  of  the  ingredients,  and  no  doubt  form  a  suitable 
compost. 
Vine  leaves  Scorched  ( Ignoramus ). — There  is  no  fungoid  disease 
or  micro-organism  either  on  or  in  the  tissues,  but  a  slight  form  of 
scorching — at  least,  it  appears  as  such — which  is  probably  owing  to  the 
extremely  thin  texture  of  the  leaves  and  their  sudden  exposure  to  a  cold 
current  of  air.  The  growths  are  very  weak,  and  certainly  would  have 
been  better  for  a  freer  amount  of  air,  especially  in  the  early  part  of  the 
day.  Besides,  they  appear  unfruitful.  Could  you  not  improve  the 
condition  of  the  Vines  by  a  judicious  use  of  fertilisers? 
Propagating-  Ficus  elastica  ( J .  J.).  —  This  extremely  useful 
decorative  plant  is  easily  increased  by  cuttings  or  eyes  having  a  leaf 
attached,  inserting  the  cuttings  or  eyes  singly  in  small  pots  in  Bandy 
loam  with  a  little  leaf  soil  added,  letting  the  base  of  the  cutting  rest  on  a 
little  silver  sand  and  filling  the  hole  with  the  same,  eyes  being  placed  about 
an  inch  in  the  soil.  Place  in  a  close  frame  in  a  propagating  house  or  one 
with  a  stove  heat,  and  keep  close,  moist,  aDd,  if  need  be,  shaded  until 
rooted,  then  gradually  inure  to  the  air  of  the  house  and  grow  on,  shift¬ 
ing  into  larger  pots  as  required ;  but  this  plant  does  not  require  a 
large  amount  of  root  space,  or  rather  the  smaller  the  pots  the  more 
useful  the  plants  as  a  rule  for  decorative  purposes,  very  fine  plants 
being  had  in  6-inch  pots  or  less. 
Tomato  Troubles  ($.  J.  A  ). — We  have,  in  accordance  with 
established  practice,  read  your  letter,  addressed  to  Mr.  Iggulden  at  this 
office.  It  shall  be  sent  to  him,  and  he  can  answer  it  privately  if  he 
likes  (a  stamped  directed  envelope  is  not  enclosed) — not  through  our 
columns,  as  it  was  not  addressed  to  the  Editor  ;  and  both  his  and  your 
attention  may  be  drawn  to  our  desire,  published  at  the  head  of  this 
column.  We  note  that  “  a  heavy  dressing  of  quicklime  ”  acted  with 
decided  benefit  againBt  black  stripe  in  one  house,  and  not  in  another  ;  but 
where  it  failed,  “  it  was  found  on  digging  in  the  autumn  that  it  had  not 
been  mixed  with  the  soil,  but  formed  a  solid  layer  where  it  had  been  dug- 
in.”  It  is  justly  due  to  Mr.  Abbey  that  he  be  made  aware  of  the  manner 
in  which  some  of  his  advice  is  carried  out.  After  inspecting  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  Tomato  plants,  we  are  more  than  ever  satisfied  that  the 
sounder  the  principles  of  cultivation  and  the  more  carefully  the 
necessary  details  in  routine  are  carried  out,  the  greater  the  immunity 
of  the  plants  against  destruction  by  their  enemies,  and  we  shall  be  a 
little  surprised  if  Mr.  Iggulden  dissents  very  strongly  from  this  view  of 
the  case.  If  he  does  it  will  not  alter  our  opinion. 
Ground  Infested  with  Slugs  and  Snails  ( Gardener ). — Whpn 
land  is  thoroughly  infested  with  these  pests,  ‘‘so  bad  indeed  that  such 
seedlings  as  Seakale,  Scorzonera,  and  Onions  never  come  through,  as 
they  are  all  eaten  off  in  the  ground,”  it  is  difficult  to  effect  a  clearance.  | 
The  best  procedure  is  to  give  the  land  a  dressing  of  lime,  1£  cwt.  per 
rod  (30^  square  yards),  placing  the  freshly  burned  best  chalk  or  land 
lime  in  small  heaps  convenient  for  spreading,  slaking,  using  only  just 
sufficient  water  to  cause  it  to  fall  to  a  fine  apparently  dry  powder,  and 
whilst  hot  spreading  evenly  on  the  surface,  pointing  in  with  a  fork  as 
soon  afterwards  as  possible,  and  taking  small  spits  so  as  to  mix  evenly. 
It  is  be9t  done  in  a  dry  time,  or  when  the  ground  is  in  good  working 
order,  with  a  prospect  of  fine  weather.  The  ground  need  not  be  stirred 
deeper  than  6  inches,  as  the  lime  will  get  down  fast  enough.  This  will 
permanently  improve  the  land,  especially  of  an  old  garden  or  of  a  heavy 
nature,  and  do  much  towards  freeing  it  of  the  slugs.  In  addition  to  the 
lime  dressing,  or  it  not  convenient  to  use  it,  which,  however,  we  strongly 
advise,  you  may  employ  the  following  mixture  : — Bone  superphosphate, 
dry  and  crumbling,  3J  lb=. ;  kainit,  best  quality,  3£  lbs. ;  nitrate  of  soda, 
95  per  cent.,  If  lb.,  mixed,  per  rod  (30f  square  yards),  which  will  give 
excellent  results  both  as  a  grub  killer,  slugicide,  and  manure ;  but 
remember  this  is  a  maximum  dressing,  and  meant  only  for  bad  cases. 
It  should  be  applied  a  few  days  in  advance  of  sowing  or  planting, 
and  must  not  be  more  than  lightly  pointed  in.  We  have  found  it  an 
excellent  practice  to  cover  the  seed  in  the  drills  with  wood  ashes  in  a 
moist  state,  they  having  been  exposed  to  the  weather  so  as  to  become 
moistened  through,  and  then  what  is  known  as  bleached,  Another 
very  excellent  dressing  is  air-slaked  chalk  lime  and  dry  soot  in  equal 
parts  by  measure,  using  \  lb.  per  square  yard  or  15  lbs.  per  rod,  point  in 
with  a  fork  about  6  inches  deep,  taking  small  spits  and  mixing  evenly. 
This  acts  well  both  as  a  manure  and  pest  destroyer. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  plants, 
not  varieties  that  have  originated  from  seeds  and  termed  florists’  flowers. 
Flowering  specimens  are  necessary  of  flowering  plants,  and  Fern  fronds 
Bhould  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  iu  firm 
boxes.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the  best 
packing,  dry  wool  the  worst.  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. 
(M.  E.). — Stenotaphrum  glabrum  variegatum.  ((7.  P.), — Anthericum 
variegatum.  (./.  H.  S. ). — 1  and  2,  Dracaenas  ;  these  are  florists’  varieties 
that  can  only  be  named  by  comparison  ;  3,  Statice  profusa  ;  4,  possibly  a 
Diosma,  no  flowers ;  5,  a  Gymnogramma,  send  fertile  frond  ;  6,  Franciscea 
latifolia. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— -March  10th. 
FRUIT. 
i.  d  s.  d.  a. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 1  3  to  2  6  Lemons,  oase  . . 11 
Filberts  and  Cobs,  per  1001b.  0  0  0  0  Plums,  j  sieve  . 0 
Drapes,  per  lb .  2  0  3  0  |  St.  Michael  Pines. eaob  ..  3 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
0 
0  to 
0 
0 
Mustard  and  Oress,  punnet 
0 
Beans,  J  sieve  . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  .. 
3 
Beet,  Bed,  dozen . 
l 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches 
2 
Oarrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  .. 
1 
Cauliflowers .  dozen  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
2 
.  elery,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle  .. 
1 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunchei 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket 
1 
Cucumbers  . 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle 
1 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
l 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  .. 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach,  pad 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve 
1 
Lettuce,  dozen  . 
] 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
0 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
0 
8 
Turnips,  bunch  .. 
0 
o.  -.  d. 
0  to  14  0 
0  0  0 
0  8  0 
d.  s.  d- 
2  to  0  4 
6  4  0 
0  3  0 
0  0  0 
0  4  9 
0  10 
6  1  0 
6  0  0 
3  0  0 
0  4  0 
6  10 
4  0  9 
3  0  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
to  0 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
8 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Azalea,  per  dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Cinerarias,  per  dozen. .  . . 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Hyacinths,  large,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Oyclamen,  per  dozen.. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  pots 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Daffodils,  per  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
„  „  „  in  boxes 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  ..  .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen.. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Erica,  per  dozen . 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„  hyemalis,  per  dozen  10 
0 
15 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens'*  .. 
2> 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  variety 
Spiraia,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
dozen . 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ferns  in  variety ,  dozen  .. 
0 
0 
18 
0 
„  in  boxes,  per  dozen 
0 
8 
1 
6 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
-OUT  FLOWERS. — Orchid  Blooms  in 
variety. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Anemones, dozen  bunches.. 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0 
to  6 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Mimosa  (French)  per 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
2 
0 
3 
6 
bunch . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Narciss,  White  (French), 
Bouvardias,  bunoh  ..  .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
dozen  bunches . 
3 
6 
4 
6 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Narciss,  Yellow  (French), 
Daffodils,  double,  dozen 
dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunches . 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
Daffodils,  single,  dozen 
blooms  . 
1 
6 
.12 
0 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Pelargoniums.  12  bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Eucharis, dozen  ..  .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  ouuches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozeD 
1 
0 
2 
6 
6 
0 
9 
0 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Hyacinths  (Roman).  12 
„  Red ,  dozen  blooms  . . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
sprays,  and  per  bunch  . . 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
0 
6 
0 
9 
„  Safrano  (English), 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunch . 
8 
0 
5 
0 
,,  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
Smilax,  per  bunch 
4 
0 
6 
0 
blooms  . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Snowdrops,  dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms . . 
1 
0 
i 
6 
per  bunch . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms.. 
0 
6 
i 
0 
Marguerites.  12  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Violet  Parme,  per  bunch  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
bunches  .  ^  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„  (French),  per  dozen 
bunches  -  -  , . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
REAL  OLD  CHESHIRE. 
Does  it  exist  now,  or  is  it,  like  many  other  good  things,  only  a 
fancy  of  the  imagination  ?  That  we  yearly  eat  a  great  deal  of 
cheese  that  never  had  the  slightest  acquaintance  with  a  British 
cow  is  perfectly  certain.  We  do  not  for  one  moment  say  it  is  not 
good  cheese,  but  we  do  object*  to  paying  English  prices  for  a 
foreign  commodity. 
Since  the  commencement  of  this  decade  agricultural  affairs  have 
assumed  a  very  black  outlook.  Nothing  that  the  farmer  grew  or 
reared  could  be  disposed  of  so  as  to  leave  a  margin  of  profit,  but 
still  from  one  small  western  county  the  cry  of  depression  had  not 
been  raised.  Cheshire,  with  her  fine  dairy  land  and  her  name  for 
world-famed  cheese,  held  her  own  ;  but,  alas  !  on  Cheshire  farmers 
at  last  the  storm  has  broken,  and  the  years  of  1895  and  1896  will 
be  accounted  as  years  of  great  disaster.  When  things  are  at  the 
worst  the  proverb  says  they  mend,  but  now-a-days  we  hardly  know 
when  we  have  reached  the  lowest  depths.  Whitchurch  in  Cheshire 
has  a  noted  cheese  fair — or  as  it  is  locally  called  a  cheese  “  pitch  ”  ; 
here  the  cheese  is  sold  wholesale  to  the  factors,  who  in  their  turn 
supply  the  shops  and  warehouses. 
