May  6,  189/. 
JOURNAL  OF  SORT  I CULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
M 
Cucumbers  Gummed  {Juno). — The  Cucumbers  are  not  infested 
by  any  disease,  but  are  suffering  from  what  is  known  as  extravasated 
sap,  due  to  excessive  vigour,  for  which  we  do  not  know  of  anything 
more  likely  to  afford  relief  than  allowing  a  freer  growth  of  foliage  and 
keeping  the  atmosphere  more  evenly  moist,  also  the  temperature  rather 
warmer.  Only  sufficient  water  should  be  given  at  the  roots  to  keep  the 
plants  from  flagging,  but  this  must  penetrate  to  the  drainage,  then 
with  the  atmosphere  not  excessively  surcharged  with  moisture,  and 
sudden  depressions  or  fluctuations  of  temperature  avoided,  the  fruit  will 
swell  freely.  You  may  use  equal  parts  by  weight  of  air-slaked  chalk 
lime  and  soot  by  measure,  applying  about  3  ozs.  per  square  yard  at 
intervals  of  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks,  covering  or  mixing  with  a  little 
soil  so  as  to  prevent  loss  of  ammonia.  A  brisk  heat  and  genial  atmo¬ 
sphere,  however,  are  the  chief  factors  in  inducing  the  fruits  to  develop. 
Are  you  certain  that  the  soil  at  the  base  of  the  bed  is  not  dry  ?  If  it  is 
while  most  near  the  surface  the  fruits  will  swell  so  far  and  no  farther. 
Holly  Trees  and  tbelr  Requirements  {W.  W.). — The  common 
Holly  (Ilex  aquifolium)  is  a  native  of  this  country,  Europe,  and  West 
Asia,  and  grows  in  a  great  variety  of  soils  and  situations.  We  have  seen 
very  fine  trees  of  it  on  sandy  loam  of  the  new  red  sandstone  formation, 
on  strong  clayey  loam  of  the  drift,  on  gravelly  loam  of  the  oolite,  and  on 
peaty  soil  overlying  lias.  We  found  the  grandest  specimen  in  some¬ 
what  shaded  places  on  the  slopes  of  a  valley,  the  soil  being  a  rather 
strong  gravelly  loam  incumbent  on  freestone  rock.  It  appears  to  like  a 
generous  soil,  but  absolutely  free  from  stagnant  water,  while  in  very  dry 
soil  it  is  apt  to  lose  its  leaves.  This  may  to  a  certain  extent  be  counter¬ 
acted  by  supplying  manure,  so  as  to  render  the  soil  more  moisture¬ 
holding,  and  afford  nutrition.  We  have  supplied  unhealthy  trees  with 
liquid  manure  from  a  farmyard  tank  after  cutting  their  heads  into  form 
at  the  end  of  April,  a  dish  of  soil  being  formed  about  1  foot  outside  the 
radius  of  the  cut-back  head,  and  4  gallons  of  the  liquid  applied  per 
square  yard.  The  liquid  manure  was  given  during  May,  June,  and 
July,  at  intervals  of  about  three  weeks.  In  two  or  three  yearB  the  trees 
were  pictures  of  health  and  beauty.  Thus  it  was  lack  of  nutrition  in 
that  case  from  which  the  Hollies  suffered.  On  a  Bimilar  soil,  about 
4  feet  deep  overlying  chalk,  Hollies  grew  into  timber-like  trees,  30  to 
40  feet  in  height,  remarkably  profuse  in  foliage  of  a  deep  green  colour, 
and  persistent  in  retaining  it.  Indeed,  it  was  a  Holly  soil,  yielding 
what  this  plant  requires,  as  shown  by  its  ash  constituents 
Potash  (EO)  ..j 
Soda  (NaO) 
Lime  (CaO) 
Magnesia  (MgO) 
Iron  (Fe203)  ... 
Phosphoric  acid  (P05) 
Sulphuric  acid  (S03) 
Silica  (SiOj) 
Chlorine  (Cl) 
19- 16 
5-08 
35-68 
20- 58 
0-85 
503 
103 
7-86 
024 
The  chief  mineral  elements  required  are,  therefore,  lime,  magnesia, 
potash,  and  silica,  and  it  is  likely  that  your  soil  may  be  deficient  in 
lime.  Where  Hollies  did  not  grow  well  we  added  some  old  mortar 
rubbish,  and  a  good  dressing  of  manure,  trenching  the  ground  about 
2  feet  deep,  mixing  the  whole  well  together,  and  the  plants  did  well 
afterwards.  But  most  good  soils  will  grow  Hollies,  the  common  species 
being  found  on  nearly  all  soils,  and  its  innumerable  varieties  are  well 
known  and  extensively  cultivated.  It  submits  to  almost  any  amount  of 
pruning,  but  this  should  be  practised  either  in  September  or  in  April, 
both  in  the  case  of  trained  trees  and  the  clipping  of  hedges.  Transplanting 
is  best  done  at  the  beginning  of  May  or  early  in  autumn,  when  there  is 
sufficient  time  for  new  roots  to  be  formed  before  winter.  It  does  not 
transplant  well  when  old,  and  trees  of  large  size  had  from  nurseries 
require  frequent  removal  to  enable  their  safe  transplantation.  For 
fences,  young  plants  are  best,  or  even  seedlings,  but  these  take  eight  or 
ten  years  to  make  a  fence  4  feet  high.  It  pays  to  have  the  ground 
trenched  to  the  depth  of  2  feet,  and  about  3  feet  in  width,  incorporating 
a  quantity  of  manure  with  it  at  the  same  time.  This  is  best  done  some 
time  previously,  say  in  autumn,  as  it  gives  time  for  the  loosened  and  up¬ 
turned  soil  to  get  mellowed  and  sweetened,  as  also  for  the  manure  to 
become  decomposed  ;  but  it  should  be  considerably  decayed  when  used. 
The  soil  will  then  be  in  good  order  for  planting  in  May.  As  for  Hollies 
growing  well  on  an  old  battle  field  of  Cromwell’s  there  may  be  some¬ 
thing  in  the  bones  of  ancient  warriors  supplying  phosphate  of  lime,  but 
on  his  great  field — Marston  Moor — there  is  nothing  very  remarkable  in 
the  way  of  Hollies  or  other  trees,  yet  the  Nidd  valley  is  remarkably  good 
land. 
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 
Benders  of  fruit  or  flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  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.  {G.  G.) — 1,  Bramley’s  Seedling; 
2,  Northern  Greening,  3,  unknown;  4,  Catillac.  {D.  S>). — 1,  Beurr6 
Bance  ;  2,  Moss’s  Incomparable  ;  3,  Northern  Greening.  {It.  D.  J.).— 
1,  Easter  Beurifi  ;  2,  Catillac.  {N.  N.). — The  Apple  is  Scarlet  Leadington, 
an  old  and  valued  Scottish  Apple  possessing  much  of  the  character  of 
the  ancient  Catshcad. 
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  Bhould  be  visible  without  untying  the  ligatures, 
at  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp. 
(S.  P.  T.). — Cerasus  (Prunus)  Padus.  (A.  L.  K.). — Prunus  nana. 
{S.  H.). — Iberis  corresefolia.  {O.  A.). — 1,  Doronicum  plantaginenm 
excelsum ;  2,  Begonia  metallica  ;  3.  Lycium  europseum.  {Inquirer). — 
Dendrobium  chrysotoxum.  {C.  C.  S.). — 1,  Phlox  setacea;  2,  Spiraea 
hypericifolia  ;  3,  Spergularia  marina ;  4,  Genista  racemosus. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— May  5th, 
FRUIT. 
I. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
1.  d. 
0. 
d. 
ATvnlfifl.  1  sfp.vfl 
..  1 
3  to  2 
6 
Lemons,  case  ••  .. 
11  0  to  14 
0 
Filberts  and  Gobs,  per  1001b.  0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  j  sieve  ..  .. 
•  • 
0  0 
0 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
0 
4 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines, each 
•  • 
3  0 
8 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  .. 
..  0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0 
4 
Beans,  £  sieve  ..  .. 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  ..  .. 
1  6 
4 
0 
Beet,  R^d, dozen  ..  .. 
..  1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley ,  dozen  bunohes 
•  • 
2  0 
1 
0 
Oarrots,  bunch  ..  .. 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  ..  .. 
1  0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers ,  dozen  . . 
..  2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  owt.  .. 
•  • 
2  0 
4 
9 
Celery,  bundle  ,.  .. 
0 
0 
0 
Salsaf y ,  bundle  . .  . . 
1  0 
1 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches  2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  .. 
•  • 
1  6 
1 
0 
Ououmbers  ..  .. 
4 
0 
8 
Scorzonera,  bundle  .. 
•  • 
1  6 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen 
..  1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  . .  . . 
0  3 
0 
0 
Herhm,hnnch  tt 
..  o 
3 
0 
u 
Spinach,  pad  ..  .. 
0  0 
4 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  ..  .. 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve  . . 
•  • 
1  6 
1 
0 
Lettuce,  dozen  ..  ., 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb.  .. 
•  • 
0  4 
0 
9 
Mushrooms,  per  lb.  .. 
..  o 
6 
0 
8 
0  3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
1. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8. 
d 
Arbor  Vitas  (various)  doz.  6 
Oto  36 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1  0 
to  6 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  per  dozen 
..  9 
0 
18 
0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen  . . 
.  , 
8  0 
10 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen 
..  18 
0 
36 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen  .. 
## 
6  0 
10 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant  6 
0 
10 
8 
Hydrangeas,  per  dozen 
•  • 
9  0 
12 
0 
Azalea,  per  dozen 
..  18 
0 
36 
0 
Lilium  Harrissi, 
per 
Cinerarias,  per  dozen. . 
..  6 
0 
9 
0 
dozen  . 
12  0 
18 
0 
Cyclamen,  per  dozen . , 
..  8 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . . 
•  • 
3  0 
6 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen 
..  12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  per 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen 
..  9 
0 
18 
0 
dozen  . 
6  0 
9 
0 
Erica,  (various)  per  dozen  9 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
•  • 
6  0 
8 
0 
Buonymus.  var.,  dozen 
..  6 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  ..  .. 
6  0 
9 
0 
Evergreens,  in  variety. 
per 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  .. 
•  • 
1  0 
16 
0 
dozen  . 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens''  .. 
•  • 
21  0 
63 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen 
..  4 
0 
13 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen 
•  • 
9  0 
16 
0 
Ferns  ( small)  per  hundred  5 
0 
8 
0 
„  Scarlet,  per  doz. 
4  0 
8 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  . . 
..  1 
0 
7 
0 
SpirEea,  per  dozen  .. 
•  4 
6  0 
9 
0 
Bedding  plants  and  roots  for  the  garden  in  boxes,  and  in  great  variety. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRIOBS.— OUT  FLOWBRS.— Orohid  Blooms  in 
8.  d.  8. 
1  6  to  3 
Anemones,  dozen  bunches 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ..  2  0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bnoh.  2  0 
Azalea,  per  dozen  sprays  ..  0  6 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  ..  0  6 
Carnations.  12  blooms  ..  16 
Daffodils,  double,  dozen 
bunches  ..  1  6 
„  single,  doz.  bunches  2  0 
Eucharis, dozen . 3  0 
Gardenias,  dozen  .,  ..  2  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 4  0 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
bunch . 8  6 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 3  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
per  bunch . 0  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
bunohes  .,  ..  ..  ..  4  0  8 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  ..2  0  3 
6  0 
4  0 
4  0 
1  0 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches 
Narciss,  (various;,  dozen 
bunches  . 
Narciss,  Yellow,  dozen 
bunches . 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums.  12  bunches 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  ouuches 
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  bunches 
Violet  Pacme,  per  bunch  . . 
„  per  doz.  bunches  . . 
Wallflowers,  dozen  bunches 
s.  d. 
3  0 
variety. 
s.  d* 
to  6  0 
13  2  0 
2 
12 
9 
2 
3 
1 
2 
4 
4 
2 
8 
7 
1 
6 
4 
1 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
0 
6 
0 
“TILL  THE  DOCTOR  COMES.” 
This  was  the  title  of  a  most  excellent  little  book  we  once  met 
with  years  ago.  It  was  what  one  might  call  “  a  first  aid.”  There 
is  with  even  the  beet  informed  bo  much  ignorance  about  the 
symptoms  of  common  diseases,  and  in  accidents  it  is  so  easy  to  lose 
one’s  wits  altogether,  that  a  book  of  this  kind  is  most  useful. 
