March  18,  189?, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER , 
241 
Men  Employed  In  Gardens  ( W .  E.). — The  precise  number  of 
persons  employed  in  the  gardens  yon  name  is,  we  are  authoritatively 
informed,  twenty-six. 
Chrysanthemums  (T.  T.). — No  person  in  the  world  could  give 
the  required  information  without  much  better  samples  before  him  than 
those  you  have  sent.  If  you  wait  until  the  leaves  are  more  developed, 
then  send  samples  characteristic  of  the  varieties  in  a  small  box,  with  a 
little  damp  moss  or  green  grass  as  packing,  so  that  the  leaves  reach  us 
somewhat  in  the  same  condition  that  they  leave  you,  we  will,  as  far  as 
is  possible,  comply  with  your  wishes,  which,  however,  must  be  repeated, 
as  your  present  letter  cannot  be  preserved.  Leaves  simply  enclosed  in 
envelopes  have  the  moisture  extracted  from  them  by  the  absorption  of 
the  paper,  and  the  post  office  punches  complete  the  finishing  process  of 
destruction. 
Yew  Wood  (G.  Hart'), — The  wood  of  the  Yew  is  remarkable  for 
its  toughness  and  elasticity,  and  is  celebrated  for  the  purposes  to  which 
it  was  anciently  applied  in  making  that  most  formidable  weapon  of  our 
ancestors,  the  longbow.  The  wood  is  at  present  valued  by  cabinet 
makers  and  inlayers  on  account  of  its  beautiful  red  veins,  and  it  is  also 
a  good  material  for  flood  gates,  cogs  for  wheels  of  mills,  and  other  works 
where  strength  and  durability  are  required.  We  have  no  idea  of  its 
commercial  value  at  present,  so  little  being  placed  in  the  market  of 
English  growth,  and  other  woods  being  so  cheap ;  but  there  is  a  demand 
for  heavy  woods,  and  probably  this  may  apply  to  Yew.  Could  you  not 
consult  a  timber  merchant  or  make  inquiries  of  cabinet  makers  1 
Proportion  of  Seeds  to  length  of  Row  (Tyro). — We  do  not 
think  the  estimate  is  very  far  wrong.  We  do  not  approve  of  so-called 
cheap  and  doubtful  seeds  and  sowing  thickly,  but  prefer  thoroughly 
good  seeds  and  sowing  thinly.  A  quart  of  Broad  Beans  will  sow  a  row 
of  about  150  feet ;  Early  Peas,  140  feet  ;  Late  Peas,  160  feet ;  Scarlet 
Runners,  150  feet ;  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  280  feet.  An  ounce  of  Onion 
seed  will  sow  a  drill  of  150  feet ;  Carrot,  180  feet ;  Parsnip,  200  feet ; 
Beet,  60  feet ;  Parsley,  180  feet.  In  sowing  small  seeds  broadcast 
half  ounce  of  Lettuce  or  seeds  of  the  Cabbage  tribe  suffices  for  8  square 
yards,  and  1  oz.  of  Radish  seed  will  sow  5  square  yards.  As  to  Potatoes 
the  length  of  row  a  peck  will  plant  depends  on  the  size  of  the  tubers.  The 
early  varieties  as  usually  sold  will  extend  over  about  150  feet  length 
of  row. 
Depth  and  Distance  for  Sowing  and  Growing  (Idem). — Broad 
Beans — Rows,  2  feet ;  seeds,  4  inches  apart  and  3  inches  deep.  Sow  very 
early  (March).  Scarlet  Runners — Rows,  8  feet ;  Beeds,  6  inches  apart  and 
3  inches  deep  (May).  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans — Rows,  2  feet ;  seeds,  5  inches 
apart,  3  inches  deep  (May).  Peas — Rows,  distance  equal  to  height  of 
plantB ;  seeds,  2  inches  apart  in  flat  drills,  3  inches  deep  (February  to 
June).  Onions — Drills,  10  to  12  inches  apart  and  nearly  an  inch  deep  ; 
thin  the  plants  to  4  inches  asunder.  Sow  in  March  or  early  April,  and 
early  in  August.  Carrots — Early  Horn,  sow  in  March  or  early  April,  cover 
the  seed,  and  thin  tie  plants  the  same  as  Onions.  Main  crop,  end  of 
April,  thinning  early  to  5  or  6  inches  apart,  in  rows  quite  a  foot  asunder. 
Parsnips — Drills,  14  i aches  apart  and  1£  inch  deep.  Sow  early  (March), 
thin  to  6  or  8  inches  asunder.  Beet — Drills,  15  inches  apart  and  2  inches 
deep  ;  Turnip-rooted  for  summer  use  sow  in  April,  long- rooted  early  in 
May.  Thin  early  to  8  inches  asunder.  Turnips — Drills,  15  to  18  inches 
apart  and  half  an  inch  deep.  Sow  thinly  April  to  July  (ready  in  about 
eight  weeks),  later  for  storing.  Thin  early  to  9  inches  asunder.  Small 
seeds  of  Cabbage,  Lettuce,  and  Winter  Greens  are  best  sown  very  thinly 
in  drills  6  inches  apart  and  £  inch  deep.  The  first  smooth  seed  leaves 
should  not  touch  each  other.  When  2  or  3  inches  high  dib  the  plants 
5  or  6  inches  apart  to  get  sturdy  for  final  transplanting  in  showery 
weather  with  small  forks.  Many  plants  and  crops  are  spoiled  by  sowing 
seeds  too  thickly,  leaving  plants  unthinned  too  long,  and  transplanting 
too  late.  Good  sets  of  early  Potatoes  may  be  planted  about  a  foot  apart 
in  rows  twice  that  distance  deep  when  the  ground  is  dry  in  March  or 
early  April.  Cover  the  sets  4  inches  deep  in  March,  3  inches  in  April. 
Hoe  between  all  rows  once  a  week  to  prevent  weeds,  and  draw  out  those 
in  the  rows  when  the  weeds  are  half  an  inch  high. 
Planting  Shrubs  (S.  E.  H.,  France). — Shrubs  for  winter  flowering 
in  the  position  named  are  Azara  microphylla,  Elaeagnus  glabra,  Vibur¬ 
num  tinus  (Laurustinus),*  V.  t.  Roebeli,*  Photinia  japonica,  Skimmia 
japonica,*  Chimonanthus  fragrans,*  Cydonia  japonica,  Daphne  Me- 
zereum*,  and  its  varieties  atrorubrum*  and  flore  alba,*  with  Jasminum 
nudiflorum  (climber).  Rhododendron  catawbiense,  in  several  shades 
of  colour,  often  flowers  in  February,  but  usually  in  March.  Those 
marked  with  an  asterisk  are  the  most  reliable.  Both  winter  and  spring 
flowering  shrubs  may  be  safely  transplanted  during  the  next  three  weeks, 
or  p^u  later  if  the  plants  are  obtained  in  pots.  Should  it  not  be  con- 
v<  nien  to  carry  out  the  work  now  it  may  be  delayed  till  October  or 
No  ember.  To  insure  success  in  planting  a  dry  bank  in  a  shady  position, 
the  soil  must  be  thoroughly  prepared.  If  the  bank  is  closely  interlaced 
with  tree  roots  the  stronger  ones  must  be  cut  away  with  an  axe.  The 
ground  should  then  be  dug  with  a  spade  to  the  depth  of  a  foot  if  possible, 
placing  well  decayed  manure  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench  as  the  work 
proceeds.  If  a  few  inches  of  fresh  soil  can  then  be  placed  over  the 
surface  the  plants  will  make  quicker  progress,  but  this  is  not  absolutely 
necessary.  At  a  distance  of  7  feet  apart  plant  Cotoneaster  microphylla, 
and  train  the  shoots  to  strong,  upright  stakes  ;  then  over  the  whole 
remaining  space  Vinca  major  and  V.  minor,  keeping  the  smaller  variety 
near  the  edges  of  the  bank.  If  the  plants  are  set  10  inches  apart  they  will 
soon  grow  into  a  compact  mass,  and  give  but  little  subsequent  trouble. 
The  best  time  of  the  year  to  carry  out  the  work  is  early  November.  If 
done  during  the  present  month  a  little  attention  in  the  way  of  watering 
will  be  necessary  during  the  first  summer. 
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 
should  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  in  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, 
at  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp. 
(J.  G.). — Only  one  specimen  was  in  a  proper  state  for  identification, 
all  should  have  been  in  flower  or  in  fruit.  Possibly  they  are — 1,  a 
Pittosporum  ;  2,  a  Cratsegus  ;  3,  a  Berberis  ;  4,  a  Ceanothus  ;  5,  a 
Clematis  ;  6,  is  Cornus  mas. 
OOVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — March  17th, 
FRUIT. 
i. 
d 
0. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
0. 
d 
Apples,  £  sieve . 
1 
3 
to  2 
6* 
Lemons,  case 
ii 
0  to  14 
0 
Filberts  and  Cobs,  per  1001b. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  £  sieve  . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
drapes,  per  lb . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  .. 
3 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
0. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  to  0 
4 
Beans,  J  sieve  ..  ..  . . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  . .  ..  •• 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunohes  .. 
2 
0 
1 
0 
Oarrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  owt.  ..  .. 
2 
0 
4 
9 
Celery,  bundle  . 
1 
a 
0 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle  ..  ••  •• 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunohe* 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
1 
6 
1 
0 
Oucumbers  . 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  •«  ••  - . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  ..  - .  m , 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach,  pad 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  ..  ..  .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve  ..  .. 
1 
6 
1 
0 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb . 
0 
4 
0 
9 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
0 
8 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitse  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
to  0 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus  elastlca,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
8 
Foliage  plants,  var.  eaoh 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Azalea,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Oinerarias,  per  dozen . .  . . 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Hyacinths,  large,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cyclamen,  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 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„  hyemalis,  per  dozen  10 
0 
15 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
16 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens ,  in  variety 
Spiraea,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
dozen  . 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots  . .  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen  .. 
0 
0 
13 
0 
„  in  boxes,  per  dozen 
0 
8 
1 
6 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in 
variety 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d 
Anemones, dozen  bunches.. 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0  to  6 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  bloom3  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Mimosa  (French)  per 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
2 
0 
3 
6 
bunch..  1 . 
1 
0 
l 
6 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Narciss,  White  (French), 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
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,  var.  doz.  blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Daffodils,  single,  dozen 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Py rethrum,  dozen  marches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen  .. 
1 
O' 
2 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunches . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Hyacinths  (Roman).  12 
„  Safrano  (English), 
sprays,  and  per  bunch  . . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
,,  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
bunch  . 
8 
0 
5 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
Snowdrops,  dozen  bunches 
i 
0 
2 
0 
blooms  . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms. .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
per  bunch . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Violet  Parme,  per  bunch  . . 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
i 
6 
2 
6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
„  ( French'),  per  dozen 
bunohes  . .  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
bunches  . .  . . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
WAY  ” 
With  a  prospect  of  grass  keeping  becoming  more  abundant  as 
spring  advances,  and  spring,  as  we  write,  seems  not  only  at  our 
door,  but  over  the  threshold,  it  appear*  to  be  but  natural  that  we 
should  ask  ourselves  with  what  are  we  stocking  oar  pastures,  and 
what  are  the  prospect  of  such  stock  for  the  future.  We  have 
before  us  the  American  live  stock  statistics  published  on  January  1st, 
1897,  and  we  think  they  afford  very  instructive  reading  for  all 
interested  in  the  breeding  and  rearing  of  cattle  and  sheep  in  this 
country. 
It  would  serve  no  useful  purpose  to  give  the  statistics  in  full 
