April  )5,  1897, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
329 
Hlppeastrums  {Amateur). — The  beat  evidence  aa  to  the  efficacy 
or  otherwiae  of  any  particular  product  ia  that  which  reaulta  from 
practical  experience.  It  ia  impoBaible  for  Hippeaatruma  to  grow  satis¬ 
factorily  and  flower  freely  if  the  roota  are  not  in  a  healthy  8tate.  The 
moat  auccessful  cultivatora  of  these  plants  grow  them  in  a  compoBt  of 
two-thirda  good  fibroua  loam  and  one-third  of  decayed  friable  cow 
manure,  with  a  little  leaf  aoil  and  ailver  sand,  the  whole  mixed  for  some 
weeks  prior  to  use.  The  bulbs  are  kept  dry  through  the  winter  in  the 
pots  in  which  they  grew  in  the  summer.  Early  in  the  year  the  old  soil 
is  shaken  from  the  bulbs,  and  any  decayed  matter  removed  from  them. 
They  are  then  placed  in  pots  not  more  than  2  inches  wider  than  the 
diameter  of  the  bulbs,  using  the  compost  named,  which  ia  pressed  down 
firmly.  The  pots  are  plunged  to  their  rims  in  old  tan  or  leaf  mould,  and 
if  in  gentle  bottom  heat  all  the  better.  The  plunging  material  prevents 
the  soil  drying,  and  precludes  the  necessity  for  watering  till  the  flower 
stems  are  2  or  3  inches  high  and  leaves  pushing  strongly.  Then  the 
supply  of  water  is  increased  more  and  more  with  advancing  growth,  and 
the  pots  are  crowded  with  healthy  roots.  Plants  thus  treated  are  now 
flowering  magnificently.  Overwatering  before  the  roota  are  active  and 
growth  free  ia  extremely  prejudicial. 
Mushroom  Spawn  (H.  I.)  — What  is  commonly  called  Mushroom 
“spawn,”  aa  represented  by  silky  looking  threads,  which  interlace 
masses  of  manure,  ia  really  the  plant  of  the  fungus  Agaricus  campestris, 
the  Mushroom  itself  being  the  fruiting  form  of  the  plant,  aa  producing 
conidia  or  spores.  When  these  are  mature  and  fall  on  a  medium  suit¬ 
able  alike  in  constituents,  moisture,  and  temperature,  they  produce 
white  filamentous  growths,  which  spread  in  all  directions  that  favour 
their  extension  till  they  produce  a  cobweb-like  mass.  This  is  the 
mycelium  (spawn)  or  plant  of  the  Mushroom.  Eventually  in  a  favour¬ 
able  medium  the  growth  thickens  and  produces  tubercles,  which  develop 
into  Mushrooms.  The  first  growth  direct  from  the  spores,  which 
resembles  a  cottony  mass,  through  the  ramifications  of  the  mycelium,  is 
known  as  “  virgin  spawn,”  and  is  in  great  demand  by  makers  of 
“  spawn  bricks,”  because  of  its  strength.  The  bricks  impregnated  and 
filled  with  this  virgin  spawn  are  not  sold,  but  retained  for  propagating 
purposes — that  is,  portions  of  them  are  inserted  in  other  “  bricks  ”  made 
from  manure  and  loam,  shaped  in  moulds  when  the  mass  is  sufficiently 
dry,  but  not  too  dry,  for  the  purpose.  These  impregnated  bricks  are 
packed  on  their  edges,  but  without  the  faces  touching,  forming  a  floor  ; 
then  others  are  similarly  placed  on  them  in  an  opposite  direction  ;  and 
so  on  till  the  pile  is  completed.  The  whole  is  then  covered  with  3weet 
fermenting  manure  of  sufficient  thickness  to  maintain  a  genial  warmth 
of  about  70°.  The  mycelium  then  spreads,  or  the  “spawn  runs,”  and 
in  a  few  weeks  the  bricks  are  completely  permeated.  The  covering  is 
then  gradually  removed,  and  the  bricks  dried  and  stored  for  use  or  sale. 
These  are  called  “  first  removes,”  or,  in  olher  words,  the  first  obtainable 
after  impregnation  with  virgin  spawn,  and  are  the  best  that  can  be 
purchased.  If  some  of  these  are  used  for  producing  others,  these  are 
“  second  removes  ”  (not  so  strong,  but  good),  and  if  these  are  again  used 
for  propagation  we  have  “  thirds  ”  (less  strong),  and  so  on  ;  the  further 
from  the  spores  the  weaker  the  spawn,  or  plant,  and  consequently  the 
“  fruits  ”  of  it,  if  any — the  Mushrooms,  It  is  not  so  much  a  question 
of  the  hardness  or  softness  of  the  bricks  as  the  strength  of  the  spawn 
that  invests  them  with  value.  Those  you  had  which  answered  so  well 
were  probably  “  first  removes,”  and  as  a  good  price  would  have  to  be 
given  for  them,  a  good  price  would  have  to  be  charged  ;  but  the  spawn 
would  not  be  “  dear  ”  all  the  same,  because  of  the  abundant  produce 
resulting.  Very  few  retail  vendors  of  Mushroom  spawn  make  their  own, 
any  more  than  builders  make  their  own  bricks.  It  is  professional  work, 
and  cannot  well  be  learned  without  practical  guidance.  You  may  find 
more  on  the  subject  in  “  Mushrooms  for  the  Million,”  and  see  an 
illustration  of  the  germination  of  the  spores  by  the  eminent  artist  and 
fungologist,  Mr.  Worthington  G.  Smith. 
STamei  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. 
(C.  E.). —  1,  Specimen  insufficient;  2,  Pteris  cretica  albo-lineata  ; 
3,  Lygodium  scandens ;  4,  Adiantum  sssimile;  5,  A.  pubescens  ;  6,  a 
poor  specimen,  possibly  A.  macropbyllum.  {II.  S.). — The  small  flower 
is  Maxillaria  picta  ;  the  large  flower  was  dead.  {C.  P.  C.). — 1,  Cupressus 
Lawsoniana  erecta  viridis ;  2,  C.  macrocarpa  ;  3,  unknown  ;  4,  Abies 
Douglasi.  {E.  D.). —  Dendrobium  fimbriatum  oculatum.  (P.  P). — 
•  1,  Daphne  Mezereum  album  ;  2,  Primula  rosea  ;  3,  Saxifraga  Boydi  ; 
4,  Streptosolon  Jamesoni ;  5.  Celsia  Arcturus.  {S.  R.  S.).  —  1, 
Athyrium  filix-fcemina  orbiculare ;  2,  Poly  podium  verrucosum  ;  3, 
Cibotium  princeps  ;  4,  Polygala  Dalmaisiana.  {Somerset). — The  two 
Conifers  are  not  synonyms  in  Veitch’s  “Coniferae”  and  other  works. 
1,  Pinus  Bolanderi ;  2,  P.  contorts. 
Notice  to  Nurserymen,  Seedsmen  and  Florists.  —  G.  H. 
Richards  requests  us  to  announce  that  he  has  removed  his  offices  from 
Old  Shot  Tower  Wharf  to  124,  Southwark  Street,  S.E.  (and  this  is  the 
address  for  all  letters  and  orders  in  future),  where  he  has  taken  a  large 
warehouse  for  the  manufacture  and  storage  of  the  light  goods  con¬ 
nected  with  his  horticultural  sundries  business.  The  warehouses  at 
Old  Shot  Tower  Wharf  (five  minutes  distant)  being  retained  for  the 
storage  of  peat,  manures,  and  heavy  goods  generally. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
M.  Bruant,  4  Poitiers. — Plants. 
E.  Cappe  &  Son,  Au  Vesinet,  Seine  et  Oise,  France. — P.ants. 
M,  CuthbertsoD,  Rothesay,  N.B. — Seeds  and,  Plants. 
Ch.  Molin,  8,  Place  Bellecour,  Lyon. — Chrysanthemums. 
J.  Peed  &  Sons,  West  Norwood. — Dahlias,  Carnations,  Perennials , 
Trees  and  Shrubs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea. — Plants. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — April  14th. 
fruit. 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
f. 
d. 
8. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
i 
3  to  2 
6 
Lemons,  case  .. 
11 
0  to  14 
Filberts  aud  Cobs,  per  1001b. 
0 
0 
0 
o 
Plums,  A  sieve 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
3 
0 
3 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
•  • 
3 
0 
8 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
Asparagus,  per  100  . .  . . 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Oress, 
punnet 
0 
2  to  0 
Beans,  J  sieve  . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  .. 
3 
6 
* 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
l 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches 
•  • 
2 
0 
i 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  .. 
1 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
•  • 
2 
0 
4 
Celery, bundle 
l 
0 
o 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle  .. 
1 
0 
1 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket 
•  • 
•  • 
I 
6 
1 
Oucumbers  . 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle 
•  • 
1 
6 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
X 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  .. 
Spinach,  pad 
0 
3 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve 
•  • 
1 
6 
1 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
•  • 
0 
4 
0 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
0 
8 
Turnips,  bunch  .. 
0 
3 
0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
d 
0 
C 
0 
d. 
4 
0 
0 
0 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0- 
0 
8 
0 
a.  d.  a.  d. 
Arbor  Vitas  (various)  doz.  6  0  to  36  0 
Arum  Lilies,  per  dozen  ..90  180 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  ..  18  0  36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant  5  0  10  6 
Azalea,  per  dozen  ..  ..  18  0  36  0 
Oinerarias,  per  dozen..  ..  6  0  9  0 
Cyclamen,  per  dozen . .  ..8  0  12  0 
Draoama,  various,  dozen  ..  12  0  30  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  ..9  0  18  0 
Erica,  (various)  per  dozen  9  0  18  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  ..6  0  18  0 
Evergreens,  in  variety, doz.  4  0  18  0 
Perns  in  variety, dozen  ..4  0  IS  0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred  5  0  8  0 
Roots  for  the  garden  in  * 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— OI 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Anemones, dozen  bunches.. 
1 
6  to  3 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
5 
0 
9 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bnoh. 
2 
0 
3 
6 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Daffodils,  double,  dozen 
bunches . .  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Daffodils,  single,  dozen 
bunches  . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Eucharis  .dozen . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Gardenias ,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz, 
bunches  . 
6 
0 
9 
n 
'Hyacinth  (boxes)  Dutch.. 
1 
6 
4 
0 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
bunch . 
8 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
per  bunch . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
bunches  . «  . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
i 
0 
to  7 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  eaoh 
i 
0 
5 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
Hyacinths,  large,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
10 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  pots 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen.. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
0 
0 
9 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
,,  (specimens'*  ..  .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
15 
0 
„  Scarlet,  per  doz. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Spirasa,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
.es,  and  in  great  variety. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
FLOWERS. — Orchid  Blooms  in 
Tariet 
>'  .. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
Narciss,  (various ),  dozen 
3 
0  to  6 
0 
bunches  . 
Narciss,  Yellow,  dozen 
1 
3 
2 
0 
bunches . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Pelargoniums.  12  bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
c 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  punches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
0 
9 
1 
6 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
6 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
„  Safrano  (English), 
1 
6 
4 
0 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms. .  .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0- 
Violet  Parme,  per  bunch  . . 
2 
6 
3 
6 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
„  (French),  per  dozen 
1 
0 
1 
8 
bunches 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Wallflowers,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
4 
0 
In  taking  up  the  “  Agricultural  Gazette  ”  of  March  29fch  we 
found  one  or  two  things  of  more  than  ordinary  interest  to  us,  and 
we  shall  here  reproduce  them  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  have 
not  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  the  above-named  paper. 
There  has  been  much  said  on  the  subject  of  cheap  carriage  of 
agricultural  produce,  a  more  direct  method  by  which  to  bring  the 
consumer  into  nearer  touch  with  the  producer,  and  so  far  the  great 
obstacle  has  been  expense  of  transit. 
Now  the  Great  Eastern  Railway  took  the  matter  in  hand  last 
year,  and  issued  their  list  of  prices,  which  was  fair  and  reasonable. 
The  goods  were  conveyed  to  purchasers  in  London,  and  during  the 
year  1896  60,000  such  parcels  or  boxes  had  been  carried.  This 
year  is  but  in  its  first  quarter,  yet  the  months  of  January  and 
