June  io,  189^. 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Judging  Gardens  (Novice). — As  you  say  you  have  never  occupied  the 
position  of  a  judge,  we  think  it  would  be  very  unwise  to  undertake  the  duty  of 
adjudicating  on  the  gardens  alone.  You  ought  not  to  be  expected  to  do  so,  but 
might  very  well  act  with  an  experienced  colleague.  It  is  a  serious  thing 
undertaking  such  a  duty  on  the  part  of  any  person  who  feels  he  does  not 
possess  the  requisite  qualifications,  and  the  venture,  for  a  venture  it  would  be, 
might  result  in  injustice  to  competitors,  and  prove  damaging  to  the  adjudicator. 
The  process  of  judging  is  easy  when  a  judge  is  capable  of  appraising  the  value 
of  the  several  items  he  examines.  It  consists  in  determining  on  a  standard 
maximum  number  of  marks  for  each  feature— say  twelve  marks,  as  represent¬ 
ing  the  highest  possible  excellence.  Just  as  the  products  or  features  fall  below 
the  standard,  so  must  the  figures  representing  them.  It  is  rarely  indeed  that 
the  maximum  is  reached,  and  judges  who  commence  with  it  freely  usually 
make  a  great  mistake,  as  they  are  apt  to  subsequently  find  something  better 
than  that  to  which  they  had  given  the  maximum  before,  and  are  then  in  an 
absurd  position.  With  twelve  marks  as  a  standard,  if  you  find  a  certain 
feature  very  good  in  the  first  garden  it  would  be  safe  to  give  it  nine,  as  the 
same  feature  in  the  next  gardeu  might  be  better,  and  worth  ten ;  in  the  third 
it  might  not  be  so  good,  and  only  worth  eight ;  but  in  the  fourth  it  might  be 
better  than  any  seen  before,  and  deserve  eleven  mark3.  So  proceeding  through 
every  feature  in  every  garden,  the  adding  up  of  the  figures  will  determine  the 
relative  merits  of  the  whole ;  but  practical  knowledge  is  essential  for  giving 
exactly  the  right  number  of  marks  in  each  case,  or  all  will  be  wrong  at  the  end. 
A  Surprise  of  Garlic  (A.J.S.). — You  say  that  after  a  small  canal  was 
deepened  several  feet  for  the  purposes  of  navigation,  the  soil  that  was  taken  out 
and  thrown  along  the  banks  and  left  became  covered  with  Garlic  from  seeds 
which,  you  assume,  “could  not  have  been  sown  by  human  hand,  nor  could 
have  spread  from  plants  growing  in  the  district,  as  there  are  none  for  miles.” 
Whether  the  plants  were  true  Garlic  or  not  (Allium  sativum),  we  can  only  say 
that  we  agree  the  seeds  were  not  sown  by  “  human  hand,”  but  had  been 
scattered  in  a  natural  manner  by  plants  growing  there  at  some,  it  may  be, 
remote  period.  No  one  knows  how  long  seeds  will  retain  their  vitality  under 
favourable  preservative  conditions  in  the  earth.  They  cannot  germinate  in  the 
absence  of  oxygen,  but  when  brought  within  its  influence,  also  of  moisture  and 
the  requisite  warmth,  many  long-dormant  unearthed  seeds  germinate  freely. 
We  have  seen  a  similar  instance  to  yours  in  the  deepening  of  an  ancient 
shallow  pond,  a  good  deal  of  the  soil  dug  from  below  the  water  bed  only  being 
slightly  moist.  From  the  banks  formed  by  this  soil  Foxgloves  sprung  up  as 
thick  a3  grass.  We  know  an  estate  which  belonged  to  a  gentleman  who  was 
anxious  to  have  large  breadths  of  common  Furze  (Ulex  europcea).  He  bought 
plants  over  and  over  again,  but  they  nearly  all  failed  to  grow.  The  conclusion 
was  arrived  at  that  the  land  was  not  suitable  for  Furze.  Subsequently,  a 
rather  deep  cutting  was  made  through  it  for  another  purpose,  and  on  the  soil 
thrown  out  Furze  plants  came  up  in  thousands.  A  few  experiments  were  then 
made,  and  it  was  found  that  by  trenching  2  feet  deep  a  similar  result  followed, 
and  in  that  way  clumps  of  Furze  were  established  where  they  were  wanted. 
Those  instances  came  under  our  personal  observation.  Others  are  published  of 
a  similar  nature,  but  still  more  remarkable.  We  cannot  answer  your  other 
question  ;  but  we  perhaps  might  if  you  could  give  the  botanical  name  of  the 
plant.  We  will  make  some  inquiries  on  the  subject. 
Money  in  Mushrooms  (T.  D.  S.).— Given  full  crops  of  Mushrooms, 
produced  on  ridges  of  manure,  cased  with  soil  and  covered  with  litter,  in  the 
open  air,  there  is  no  outdoor  culture  of  anything  that  is  so  profitable,  always  pro¬ 
vided  the  ridges  are  not  in  bearing  during  the  time  that  Mushrooms  are  plentiful 
in  pastures— September  and  early  October.  You  do  not  say  which  edition  of 
“  Mushrooms  for  the  Million  ”  you  have.  If  it  is  one  of  the  early  ones  you 
should  procure  the  latest,  which  is  the  best  and  most  comprehensive,  the  price 
remaining  the  same— a  shilling  from  booksellers,  or  Is.  2d.  by  post.  Numbers 
of  persons  have  found  Mushroom  growing  profitable,  and  scores  of  miles  of 
ridges  produce  bountifully  from  the  middle  of  October  till  the  middle  of  June  ; 
but  while  several  beginners  succeed  at  the  first  attempt,  others,  as  might  be 
expected,  fail.  If  mistakes  are  made  as  to  “timing,”  with  the  consequence 
that  the  ridges  are  in  bearing  in  September,  the  prices  are  too  low  to  be 
profitable,  while  after  June  good  crops  can  only  be  had  under  special  conditions 
by  experts.  If  the  ridges  are  properly  made  of  the  right  material,  and  ready 
for  spawning  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  good  spawn  is  inserted,  then 
cased,  and  the  whole  mass  moist  when  put  together,  and  kept  so  by  coverings 
to  prevent  evaporation,  Mushrooms  will  be  plentiful  in  October,  after  the  out¬ 
door  supply  is  over.  July,  then,  is  the  best  time  for  beginners  to  conitnence 
the  collection  of  manure.  After  enough  is  obtained,  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks 
must  be  allowed  for  preparation  and  ridging — all  depending  on  its  condition, 
then  usually  a  week  must  pass  before  spawning — this  depending  on  the  heating,  a 
few  days  afterwards  the  soil  is  applied,  the  ridges  covered,  and  Mushrooms 
appear  in  seven  or  eight  weeks.  By  commencing  at  the  time  named  the  manure 
will  probably  be  suitable  without  your  going  to  the  expense  of  roofing  the 
midden  as  you  describe,  but  if  the  owner  will  do  this  by  all  means  let  him. 
You  may  perhaps  have  to  water  the  mass  after  the  shaking  out  is  done. 
It  may  be  well  to  have  the  ridge  3  feet  wide  and  high  in  the  first  trial,  and  a 
large  load  of  manure  will  be  required  for  a  yard  run  of  ridge.  All  requisite 
details  are  given,  and  mistakes  to  be  avoided,, in  the  later  editions  of  the  book. 
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,  it  being  often  difficult  to  separate 
them  when  the  paper  is  damp.  (/.  B.  K.).—  1,  Phlox  amcena ;  2,  Saxifraga 
ceratifolia;  3,  S.  altissima ;  4,  Silene  maritima  flore-pleno ;  5,  Saxifraga 
rotundifolia ;  6,  S.  muscosa.  (J.  B.  C.). — 1,  A  SpiraBa,  possibly  callosa;  4, 
Lonicera  sempervirens;  5,  Limnanthes  Douglasi ;  the  other  specimens  were 
totally  insufficient.  (X.  T.  Z.). — 1,  Pancratium  caribaeum ;  2,  P.  fragrans  ; 
the  other  specimen  was  Rhamnus  alpina. 
TRADE  CATALOGUE  RECEIVED. 
J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill.  —  Dahlias,  Begonias,  Caladiums , 
Carnations. 
OOVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  9th. 
FRUIT. 
3. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
o 
0  to  0 
0 
Lemons,  case  ..  .. 
li 
0  to  14 
0 
Filberts  and  Gobs,  per  1001b. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
St.  Michael  Pines. each 
•  • 
3 
0 
8 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Strawberries,  per  lb.  .. 
•  • 
1 
ft 
4 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
e. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Oress,  punnet 
0 
2 
to  0 
4 
Beans,  i  sieve  . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  ..  .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Beet,  Bed,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley ,  dozen  bunohes 
•  • 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt.  .. 
•  • 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Celery,  bundle  . 
1 
u 
0 
0 
Salsafy ,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunohes 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale ,  per  ba  sket  . . 
•  • 
1 
6 
1 
9 
Cucumbers  . 
0 
4 
0 
8 
Soorzonera,  bundle  .. 
•  • 
1 
6 
0 
0 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb  ..  .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
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 
0 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
0 
8 
0 
3 
0 
9 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitse  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen  . . 
•  • 
6 
0 
to  9 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Hydrangeas,  per  dozen 
•  • 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Aspidistra  ,specimen  plant 
6 
0 
10 
6 
Lilium  Harrissi,  per  dozen 
12 
0 
IS 
0 
Calceolarias,  per  dozen  . . 
4 
0 
S 
0 
Lobelias,  per  dozen  .. 
•  • 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Coleus,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
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 
0 
0 
Erica,  (various)  per  dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
•  • 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Euonymus,  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  . 
4 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens'  .. 
•  • 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Ferns  in  variety  .dozen  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen 
•  . 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
5 
0 
8 
0 
„  Scarlet,  per  doz. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Ficus  elastics,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Rhodanthe,  per  dozen 
•  • 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1 
0 
6 
0 
Spiraea,  per  dozen 
•• 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Bedding  plants  and  roots  for  the  garden  in  boxes,  and  in  great  variety. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES—  OUT 
s.  d.  s.  d.  j 
Anemones, dozen  bunches,.  1  6  to  3  0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ..  2  0  4  0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bnoh.  2  0  3  6 
Bouvardias,  bunoh  ....  0  6  0  9 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ..10  3  0 
Cornflower,  dozen  bunches  2  0  4  0 
Eucharis,  dozen  ......  3  0  4  0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ....  2  0  4  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches .  4  0  6  0 
Iris  (various), doz.  bunohes  4  0  12  0 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
bunch .  86  40 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  .  20  4  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
per  bunch .  1  0  20| 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
bunehes  .  40  80 
Marsruerites,  12  bunches  ..  2  0  3  0 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches  3  0  6  0  i 
FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety . 
d.  s.  d. 
6  to  2  0 
Mj  osotis,  dozen  bunches  . . 
Narciss  (various),  dozen 
bunches  . 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
Pasony  (English),  Pink, 
dozen  bunches . 
Paeony  ( English )  Red, 
dozen  bunches . 
Pasony  (French),  per  bunch 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
Py rethrum,  dozen  bunches 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen  .. 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
„  Red ,  dozen  blooms  . . 
„  8afrnno(English),doz. 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
Imilax,  per  bunoh  ..  .. 
ruberoses,  12  blooms. .  . . 
Wallflowers,  dozen  bunches 
4  0 
12  0 
9  0  12  0 
5  0 
0  9 
8  0 
3  0 
2  0 
6  0 
5  0 
‘  A  SERIOUS  COMPLAINT. 
Every  now  and  again  comes  an  outcry  as  to  the  ravages  of 
certain  diseases  amongst  stock.  That  all  stock  is  mortal  is,  alas  !  a 
fact  too  well  known  to  need  comment.  We  farmers  expect  and 
calculate  for  a  certain  percentage  of  less,  but  how  often  the  loss 
exceeds  even  the  most  liberal  estimate.  An  extreme  season  either 
