April  1,  18S)7. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
£83 
Anti-blight  Powder  (Faithful). — The  particular  kind  used  by 
Mr.  Fenn  for  dusting  Potatoes  and  Tomatoes  was  Tait  and  Buchanan’s, 
supplied  by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sugden,  12,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  who 
will  send  you  a  leaflet  showing  the  bellows  on  application.  Lists  of 
Vermorel’s  appliances  for  the  same  purpose  can  be  obtained  from  Messrs. 
Charles  Clark  &  Co.,  20,  Great  St.  Helens,  London,  B.O.  They  have 
been  advertised  in  the  Journal. 
Chemical  Manures  for  Potatoes  (H.  F.). — You  have  not  done 
wrong  in  applying  the  kainit  broadcast.  The  superphosphate  you  may 
spread  in  the  drills  with  the  sets,  a  large  handful  over  a  length  of  7  or 
8  yards.  The  nitrate  of  soda  will  be  more  economically  used  as  a 
top-dressing  immediately  the  plants  are  ready  for  the  first  hoeing,  a 
handful  over  a  length  of  14  or  15  yards — not  on  the  plants  nor  close 
round  the  stems,  but  evenly  scattered  on  the  soil  between  them.  The 
more  finely  the  substance  is  crushed  the  better.  Replies  to  corre¬ 
spondents  are  published  as  soon  as  possible,  but  many  do  not  reach  us 
in  time  for  answering  in  the  current  issue,  as  in  this  case.  To  make  sure 
of  immediate  replies  your  questions  should  reach  us  on  Saturdays. 
Anemone  fulgens  Unsatisfactory  QP.  J.  P.). — There  is  nothing 
the  matter  with  the  roots,  and  though  tUe  leaves  are  more  or  less  withered 
there  is  not  any  parasite  on  them.  Probably  the  plants  get  too  much  sun, 
and  are  too  dry  in  summer  on  the  south  border  to  store  sufficient  matter 
for  satisfactory  flowering.  We  have  found  them  thrive  best  in  the  half 
shade  of  trees  in  front  of  a  shrubbery,  the  situation  not  being  dry,  but 
moist,  and  the  soil  a  good  loam.  We  have  also  had  them  very  fine  in 
borders  shaded  from  midday  sun  in  summer,  and  gorgeous  in  the  spring 
on  the  moist  parts  of  rockwork.  The  soil  should  be  of  a  rather  sandy 
nature,  enriched  with  leaf  mould  or  thoroughly  decayed  manure.  The 
Apple  is  Shepherd’s  Fame,  an  old  orchard  variety,  not  generally  grown. 
Names  of  Fruits. — Notice. — We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and 
Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  be  named ,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only 
specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit ,  and  to  reject  the  inferior , 
which  are  not  worth  sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of 
senders  of  fruit  or  flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  bp  enclosed  with 
the  specimens,  whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or 
not.  The  names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials 
sufficing  for  that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any 
beyond  that  number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the 
first  indication  of  change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot 
be  named  in  a  hard  green  state.  ( S .  S.). — 1,  Catillac  ;  2,  Easter  Beurifi  ; 
3,  Ashmead’s  Kernel.  (A.  U.). — 1,  Yorkshire  Greening ;  2,  Newton 
Wonder  ;  3,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin  ;  4,  Winter  Pearmain.  (P.  T.). — 
Dumelow’s  Seedling  ;  the  two  Pears  are  unknown  to  us,  and  are  in  all 
probability  local  seedlings.  (IF.  S.). — 1,  Belmont ;  2,  Belle  Angevine. 
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  freBh  Btate  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 .  W.  F.). — Camellias  such  as  yours  come  within  the  category  of 
florists’  flowers,  and  can  only  be  named  by  comparison  in  such  large 
collections  as  those  of  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  and 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  ( U .  T.  H  ). — Your  specimen 
is  of  Butchers’ Broom,  Ruscus  acaleatus.  ( O.B. ). — 1,  Doodia  caudata  ; 
2,  Asplenium  palmatum  ;  3,  Sedum  carneum  variegatum,  ( J .  V.). — 
Cotoneaster  Simmonsi.  (<r.  J.).  —  All  your  specimens  were  dead 
through  careless  packing.  ( F .  F.).  —  1,  Dendrobium  Pierardi ;  2, 
Phalaenopsis  Stuartiana.  ( L .  TF.). —  Cornus  mascula.  (J.  H.). — 
1,  Daphne  Mezereum  ;  2,  Primula  rosea. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— March  31st. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  l  sieve  . .  .,  . . 
Filberts  aud  Cobs,  per  1001b. 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
Asparagus,  per  100  ,. 
Beans,  £  sieve  . 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
Carrots,  bunch  ..  ..  .. 
Oauliflowers,  dozen  ..  .. 
Oelery,  bundle  . 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
Ououmbers  ,, 
Endive,  dozen  . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunoh  . 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
Mushrooms ,  per  lb . 
B. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
* 
1. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
i 
3 
to  2 
6 
Lemons,  case  .. 
11 
0  to  14 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  J  sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
3 
0 
St.  Michael  Fines, each 
•  • 
3 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
a. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Ureas,  punnet 
0 
a  to  o 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunohes 
2 
0 
3 
0 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
s 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
9 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Salsaf  y ,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
1 
0 
a 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket 
1 
6 
1 
0 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
l 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Spinach,  pad 
0 
0 
4 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve 
1 
6 
1 
0 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
8 
0 
8 
Turnips,  bunch 
•  I 
•  # 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
i 
0  to  7 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
l 
0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Genista,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
0 
0 
10 
0 
Azalea,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Hyacinths,  large,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cinerarias,  per  dozen . .  . . 
8 
0 
9 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  pots 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Cyclamen,  per  dozen..  .. 
S 
0 
IS 
0 
„  „  „  in  boxes 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Daffodils,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  ..  .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  .. 
IS 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen.. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  .. 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Erica,  tier  dozen . 
9 
0 
13 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
„  hyemalis,  per  dozen  10 
0 
16 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
i 
0 
16 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  variety,  doz. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Spirsea,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen  .. 
4 
0 
13 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots  . .  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
S 
0 
8 
0 
Roots  for  the  garden  in  boxe3,  and  in  great  variety. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Anemones, dozen  bunches.. 
l 
6  to 
3 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0  to 
6 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  biooms  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
NarciS3,  White,  dozen 
Asparagus  Fern,  per 
bunches  . 
1 
3 
2 
0 
bunoh . 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Narciss,  Yellow,  dozen 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
bunohes . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
n 
9 
0 
Daffodils,  double,  dozen 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunches  . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  uuuches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Daffodils,  single,  dozen 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
bunches  . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
8 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  .. 
4 
0 
e 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
2 
6 
5 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Safrano  (English), 
bunches  . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
bunch  . 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
blooms  . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
Violet  Parme,  per  bunch  .. 
2 
0 
2 
6 
per  bunch . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Maidenhair  Fern, per  dozen 
„  (French),  per  dozen 
bunohes  ..  . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
bunches 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Wallflowers,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
4 
0 
POTATOES — WHAT  TO  PLANT. 
Potato  growers  have  had  such  a  bad  time  of  it  for  the  last 
two  years,  and  the  present  outlook  in  the  trade  is  so  gloomy,  that 
many  are  asking  themselves,  not  “What  shall  we  plant  ?”  bat 
“  Shall  we  plant  at  all  ?”  No  doubt  many  fields  were  sown  with 
Wheat  last  autumn  that  would  have  been  reserved  for  Potatoes  had 
not  a  higher  price  for  Wheat  tempted  the  occupier  to  put  in  that 
crop.  Everything  that  has  occurred  since  has  been  in  discourage¬ 
ment  of  the  Potato  planter,  so  we  confidently  anticipate  a  consider¬ 
ably  reduced  acreage  of  the  tuber.  We  earnestly  hope  we  may 
prove  correct,  for  no  doubt  over-production  has  been  the  chief  and 
almost  only  cause  of  the  depression  in  price. 
The  great  desideratum  in  a  Potato  nowadays  is  quality.  We 
can  remember  the  time  when  the  British  public  was  much  less 
critical  as  regards  its  Potato  supply,  and  for  a  good  reason,  the 
British  public  had  to  take  what  it  could  get  and  be  satisfied.  That 
was  before  the  enterprise  of  Mr.  Clarke  had  given  us  the  Magnum 
Bonum.  Farmers  were  still  growing  the  old  standard  sorts,  and 
sending  their  Regents  to  market  when  the  disease  left  them  any 
to  send. 
Now,  however,  all  is  changed  ;  many  new  sorts  of  great  value 
have  been  raised,  very  much  larger  crops  can  now  be  grown  than 
formerly  under  the  same  conditions,  and  the  chief  difficulty  of  the 
would=be  planter  is  to  decide  between  the  rival  claimants  to  his 
choice. 
The  growers  of  second  earlies — i  e.,  varieties  which  are  marketed 
before  October  and  direct  from  the  land  without  storing— have 
had  so  much  the  best  of  it  of  late  that  it  seems  likely  that  we 
shall  have  an  undue  proportion  of  second  early  varieties  planted. 
The  chief  in  this  class  are  Snowdrop,  Elephant,  Hebron,  and 
Reading  Giant.  Of  these  the  Giant  is  the  heaviest  cropper  and 
the  least  liable  to  disease,  but  generally  the  worst  in  quality  ;  it  ia 
