April  8,  1897. 
JOURNAL  ON  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
305 
Caterpillar  on  Flower-bed  Plants  ( Caterpillar )  — It  is  ex¬ 
tremely  difficult  to  advise  anything  for  the  purpose,  as  most  substances 
leave  a  deposit  on  the  foliage,  which  is  very  objectionable  in  the  case 
of  plants  in  flower  beds  on  the  score  of  appearance,  and  some  are  of  a 
poisonous  nature,  smch  as  Paris  green  and  white  hellebore  powder,  there¬ 
fore  scarcely  advisable  for  use  among  flowers.  If  yoa  syringe  the  plants, 
or  sprinkle  them  occasionally  by  means  of  a  watering  can  with  a  fine  rose 
in  the  evening,  with  an  extract  of  quassia  chips,  2  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of 
water,  the  leafage  woald  be  made  so  bitter  as  to  be  unpalatable  to  the 
caterpillars.  The  quassia  chips  should  be  steeped  overnight  in  cold 
water  and  then  boiled  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  allowing  to  cool,  then 
straining.  Of  course,  the  chips  may  be  placed  in  a  much  smaller 
quantity  of  water  for  steeping  and  boiling  ;  suffice  if  they  are  well 
covered  to  allow  of  a  good  extract,  adding  the  required  amount  of  water. 
If  you  add  softsoap  at  the  rate  of  1  oz.  per  gallon  of  water,  dissolving  in 
the  hot  extract  as  it  cools,  it  will  adhere  better  to  the  foliage,  and  be 
even  more  objectionable  to  the  caterpillar,  as  also  to  the  eye,  for  it  leaves 
some  deposit  on  the  leaves.  If  you  do  not  mind  that  add  1  oz.  of  freshly 
ground  white  hellebore  powder  to  each  gallon,  mixing  well.  This  is  a 
poison,  but  it  soon  loses  that  property,  and  is  not  dangerous. 
Plum  Growths  and  Blossom  Blighted  ( F .  W.'). — The  young 
leaves  and  the  blossoms  are  badly  “  blighted,”  as  you  say,  but  not  by 
either  insects  or  fungi,  for  the  flowers  are  perfect  in  ovary  and  stigma, 
also  Btamens  and  anthers,  where  the  petals  are  more  or  less  damaged. 
True,  in  some  cases,  the  whole  flower  is  killed,  and  the  agent  has  been 
frost.  This  has  been  the  cause  of  the  mischief  so  far  as  the  browning  is 
concerned,  but  the  blossom  altogether  is  very  puny,  and  may  be  a  conse¬ 
quence  of  very  heavy  cropping  in  previous  years.  We  examined  the 
growths  and  flowers  very  carefully  for  insects  and  fungi,  and  only  found 
two  scale  insects  and  one  thrips,  the  latter  a  black  one  (Thrips  minu- 
tissima)  which  certainly  could  do  little  harm,  there  not  being  any  trace 
of  injury  from  that  source  on  either  the  growths  or  flowers.  Of  crypto- 
gamous  plants  there  was  only  a  little  moss,  and  that  of  no  material 
consequence.  We  see  little  to  call  for  remedial  measures,  but  you  may 
spray  or  syringe  the  trees  with  a  solution  of  soluble  petroleum,  which 
can  be  readily  made  by  dissolving  lb.  softsoap  in  a  gallon  of  water 
by  boiling,  and  when  dissolved  and  boiling  remove  from  the  fire  and  add 
I  pint  of  petroleum,  stirring  briskly  with  a  switch  made  of  an  old  birch 
broom  until  thoroughly  amalgamated,  and  then  add  hot  water  to  make 
10  gallons,  mixing  well,  and  when  cooled  to  90°  to  100°  apply  either  with 
a  spraying  apparatus  or  syringe.  This  may  be  done  as  soon  as  the  trees 
go  out  of  blossom,  and  it  will  make  end  of  the  scale  and  thrips,  or,  if 
any,  aphides  and  red  spider,  also  the  moss. 
Tomato  leaves  Mottled  (IK.  L.  H). —  We  subjected  the 
specimen  to  a  careful  examination,  and  found  nothing  but  a  few  out¬ 
growths  here  and  there  of  the  conidial  condition  (Botrytis  cinerea  var. 
sclerotiophila,  Mass  ')  of  the  smother  Potato  fungus  (Sclerotinia  scleroti- 
orum),  of  which  you  need  not  feel  alarmed,  as  you  have  used  fostite  and 
sulphured  the  hot-water  pipes,  both  excellent  methods,  only  do  not 
employ  so  much  fostite  as  to  needlessly  coat  the  fruit,  the  lightest 
possible  dusting  sufficing.  We  would,  however,  urge  early  ventilation, 
some  always,  so  as  to  prevent  moisture  settling  on  the  foliage  and  fruit. 
With  this  and  the  steps  taken  you  may  defy  the  parasite,  which 
certainly  cannot  live  in  a  comparatively  dry  atmosphere.  2,  To  prevent 
any  injury  at  the  roots,  and  fortify  the  plant  inside,  you  may  use 
Little’s  soluble  phenyle,  which  may  be  had  by  order  through  any 
chemist  throughout  the  world,  or  direct  from  Messrs.  Morris,  Little  and 
Son,  Ltd.,  Doncaster.  The  proper  strength  to  apply  to  the  roots  is 
1  part  in  96  parts  water  ==  1  gill  (£  pint)  soluble  phenyle  to  3  gallons  of 
soft  water.  It  is  a  fertiliser  as  well  as  a  germicide  and  eelwormic  de, 
also  miticide.  It  is  not  advised  for  the  tops.  3,  Superphosphate  of  lime 
should  be  sprinkled  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  and  scratched  in,  or,  if 
that  is  not  possible  on  account  of  the  roots,  cover  with  a  little  soil,  only 
a  very  small  amount,  or  it  may  be  washed  in.  If  used  as  a  liquid  do 
not  use  more  than  I  oz.  per  gallon  of  water,  better  too  weak  than  too 
strong. 
Variegated  Patches  on  Tomato  Leaves  ( Festina  L^nte). — We 
have  microscopically  examined  the  leaves  and  discovered  no  disease  in 
the  yellowish  patches,  which  appear  defective  only  in  respect  of  chloro¬ 
phyll,  and  that  simply  localised  to  a  small  portion  of  the  leaflet  surfaces. 
This  occurs  on  a  great  variety  of  cultivated  plants,  especially  Potatoes 
and  Tomatoes,  but  from  what  causes  it  arises  has  not  been  satisfactorily 
explained.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  disease  often  begins  at  such 
places,  hence  may  be  regarded  as  relative  weakness  as  compared  with 
the  other  parts  of  the  leaves.  Indeed  the  spots  often  spread  and  cause 
the  whole  leaf  to  become  similarly  affected,  and  that  without  trace  of 
any  micro-organic  or  visible  agent ;  otherwise  the  leaves  are  very 
healthy,  but  rather  deficient  in  substance,  and  certainly  would  be 
benefited  by  more  air,  not  so  much  to  check  growth  as  to  secure  stouter 
texture  and  a  more  floriferous  habit,  which  is  also  most  disease-resisting. 
We  would  also  advise  the  use  of  fertilisers  of  a  moderate  ammoniacal  or 
nitrogenic  nature  until  the  fruit  is  set  and  swelling,  such  as  dissolved 
bones  3  parts  or  lbs.,  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia  2  parts 
or  lbs.,  nitrate  of  soda  I  part  or  lb.,  and  sulphate  of  iron  ^  part  or  lb., 
mixed,  using  about  4  ozs.  of  the  mixture  per  square  yard,  omitting  the 
nitrate  of  soda  until  the  fruit  sets  ;  then  it  can  be  supplied  very 
advantageously,  as  with  the  plant  stored  with  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash  the  nitrogen  will  be  much  better  utilised.  Of  course  the  nitrate 
of  soda  can  be  employed  when  growth  is  wanted,  but  it  rather  hinders 
than  favours  fruitfulness.  The  flagged  leaves  recovered,  except  at  the 
tips  of  the  leaflets,  and  in  the  tissues  of  these  we  failed  to  discover  any 
fungal  hyphse,  so  that  the  plants  if  affected  at  all  by  drooping  disease 
fungus,  sometimes  Fusarium  solani  var.  lycopersici,  at  others  by  Sclero* 
tinia  sclerotiorum,  are  so  at  the  roots  ;  even  Potato  fungus,  Phytophthora 
infestans,  may  be  carried  over  in  the  seed.  This  shows  why  some  plants 
collapse  under  conditions  that  appear  to  favour  others,  the  sole  difference 
being  that  some  are  infested  and  the  others  quite  clean.  The  only 
safegaard  against  this  is  very  careful  selection  of  seed  from  perfectly 
healthy  plants. 
Karnes  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. 
( Telmah ). — To  name  plants  from  such  scraps  as  you  have  sent  is  an 
impossibility.  Send  fresh  ones  packed  properly,  and  we  will  gladly 
assist  you.  ( Salix ). — 1,  Salix  alba  ;  2,  S.  fragilis  ;  3,  S.  viminalis 
4,  S.  Caprea  ;  5,  S.  purpurea.  (W.  M.  <?.). — Sparaxis  tricolor. 
GO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— April  7th. 
FRUIT. 
1. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples,  }  sieve 
1 
3  to  2 
6 
Lemons,  case  .,  .. 
11 
0  to  14 
0 
Filberts  and  Cobs,  per  1001b. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  J  sieve  ..  .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
3 
0 
3 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
•  • 
8 
0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
1. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
a  to  o 
4 
o 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  . .  .  • 
t 
6 
« 
0 
Beet.  Red,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley ,  dozen  bunohes 
•  • 
s 
0 
8 
0 
OftriYiLs,  bunch  *T 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  ..  . « 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes!  per  owt.  .. 
•  • 
a 
0 
4 
9 
Celery,  bundle  TT  TT 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Salsafy ,  bundle  . .  . . 
i 
0 
1 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunohes 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  . . 
•  • 
l 
6 
1 
0 
Cucumbers  . 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle  .. 
•  • 
l 
6 
0 
0 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  ••  •• 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs,  hnnnh  T.  TT  M 
0 
3 
0 
u 
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. 
0. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
5 
0  to  8 
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  .. 
•  • 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Cinerarias,  per  dozen . .  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Hyacinths  large,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cyclamen,  per  dozen..  .. 
s 
0 
12 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  pots 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Daffodils,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  .  • 
•  • 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena, various,  dozen  .. 
12 
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,  per  dozen . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  ..  .. 
0 
0 
9 
0 
„  hyemalia,  per  dozen  10 
0 
12 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  .. 
.. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
« 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens)  .. 
•  • 
2« 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  variety,  doz. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Spiraea,  per  dozen  .. 
•  4 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots 
•  • 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Roots  for  the  garden  in  boxes,  and  in  great  variety. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
Anemones, dozen  bunches.. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
Asparagus  Fern,  per 
bunob . 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  . . 
Bouvardias,  bunoh  ..  .. 
Oar  nations ,  12  blooms 
Daffodils,  double,  dozen 
bunches  . ,  . .  .  ■  • . 
Daffodils,  single,  dozen 
bunches  . 
Eucharis. dozen . 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
bunch  . 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
per  bunch . 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
bunches  . .  . 
Marguerites,  12  bunohes  . . 
PRICES. — 
s.  d.  8. 
1  6  to  3 
2  0  4 
2  0  3 
0  6  0 
0  6  0 
16  3 
16  3 
2  0  4 
3  6  4 
3  0  6 
4  0  6 
8  0  4 
2  0  4 
0  6  1 
6  0  8 
2  0  3 
IUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
Narciss,  White,  dozen 
bunches  . 
Narciss,  Yellow,  dozen 
bunches . 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums.  12  bunohes 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
Py rethrum,  dozen  uuuches 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
„  Safrano  (English), 
dozen..  ..  ..  .. 
,,  Pink,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms..  .. 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms . .  . . 
Violet  Parme,  per  bunoh  .  . 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
„  (French),  per  dozen 
bunches 
Wallflowers,  dozen  bunches 
a.  d. 
3  0 
variety 
a.  d 
to  6  0 
13  *  0 
1  0 
1  6 
6  0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0  6 
1  6 
2 
12 
9 
2 
3 
1 
2 
4 
4 
2 
8 
6- 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
4 
WHO  GETS  IT? 
Not  the  lawful  owners,  of  that  we  have  been  quite  sure  for 
a  long  time,  but  it  is  the  way  of  the  world  ;  the  weakest  always  go 
to  the  wall.  The  work  of  individuals  is  awamped  by  the  work  of 
