JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
541 
June  17,  1897. 
Soil  In  Which  to  Sow  Seeds  {Tyro). — Exact  proportions  of  loam,  leaf 
soil,  and  sand  cannot  be  given  without  knowing  the  nature  of  the  loam. 
Obviously  sandy  loam  does  not  need  half  the  quantity  of  sand  added  that  is 
requisite  in  strong  or  clayey  loam,  and  similar  remarks  apply  with  reference 
to  leaf  soil.  As  a  rule  rather  strong  loan,  may  have  an  equal  quantity  of 
sifted  leaf  soil  added,  and  about  a  tenth  part  of  sand,  or  more  if  the  loam 
is  sandless.  Assuming  seeds  are  good  much  more  depends  on  the  depth  they 
are  covered  and  uniformity  of  moisture  than  on  any  particular  proportions  of 
soil  ingredients. 
Plunging  Greenhouse  Plants  {Novice). — Many  greenhouse  plants  may 
be  placed  outside  with  advantage  during  the  summer  months,  such  as 
Camellias,  Azaleas,  Tea  Roses,  Callas,  and  Cytisuses  after  their  growth  is 
made.  The  pots  require  to  be  plunged,  so  that  the  roots  which  cluster  round 
the  sides  of  them  may  be  kept  in  a  cool  moist  condition  ;  for  when  the  pots 
are  exposed  to  the  full  blaze  of  the  summer  sun  the  soil  is  rapidly  dried,  as 
well  as  heated,  to  an  extent  which  causes  destruction  to  the  young  active 
roots,  to  say  nothing  of  the  greater  necessity  for  more  frequent  supplies  of 
water.  Plunging  provides  against  all  this,  and  should  always  be  practised. 
The  very  best  material  to  plunge  the  pots  iu  is  ashes.  Plunging  in  garden 
earth  is  commonly  practised ;  but  it  is  not  a  good  plan,  for  worms  find 
their  way  into  the  pots,  to  the  detriment  of  the  roots  and  injury  to  the 
plants.  Worms  do  not  pass  readily  through  ashes,  and  therefore  these  should 
be  chosen  for  the  purpose. 
Propagating  Scarlet  Honeysuckle  {E.  0.).  —  All  the  “  creeper  ” 
Honeysuckles,  which,  of  course,  include  the  Scarlet  Honeysuckle  (Lonicera 
sempervirens),  are  mostly  grown  from  dormant  cuttings  —  that  is,  the 
ripened  growths  of  the  current  year  are  cut  transversely  below  a  bud  or 
joint,  and  the  cuttings,  6  to  8  inches  in  length,  inserted  in  sandy  soil 
two-thirds  of  their  length,  pressing  it  firmly  about  them,  and  watering 
to  settle  it.  This  is  usually  done  under  a  hand-light  or  frame  in  a 
sheltered  situation,  the  cuttings  being  inserted  in  the  early  autumn, 
generally  at  the  end  of  September  or  early  in  October.  Some  take  the 
cuttings  with  a  heel — a  small  portion  of  the  preceding  year’s  wood — 
selecting  stubby  growths.  The  cuttings  will  callus  during  the  winter,  and 
start  into  growth  in  the  spring,  when  they  may  be  lifted  carefully  and 
potted  singly,  or  left  until  the  following  autumn.  Layers  are  also  had 
recourse  to,  which  is  a  sure  method.  The  layering  should  be  done  in 
the  autumn,  making  choice  of  firm  young  wood  and  placing  at  least  one 
joint  in  the  soil  about  a  couple  of  inches  deep.  This  may  be  done  in  a 
plunged  pot,  and  the  following  autumn  the  layer  will  be  well  rooted, 
detached  from  the  parent. 
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  joking,  dry  wool  the  worst. 
I\ot  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.  {Dianthus).  —  1,  Salisburia  adiantifolia ; 
2,  Abies  orientalis ;  3,  Abies  Tsuga  ;  4,  Taxodium  sempervirens.  {H.  D.). — 
1,  Cercis  siliquastrum ;  2,  Ercilla  spicata  ;  3,  Lilium  pyrenaicum. 
OOVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — June  16th. 
FRUIT. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples,  j  sieve . 0  0  to  0  0 
Lemons,  case 
11 
0  to  14 
0 
Filberts  and  Oobs,  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 
6 
4 
u 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
1. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  ..  0  0 
to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  to  0 
4 
Beans,  J  sieve  . 0  0 
0  0 
3 
6 
4 
o 
Beet.  R<*d,  dozen ..  ..  ..  1  0 
0  0 
Parsley, dozen  bunohes 
2 
0 
3 
(' 
Carrots,  bunch .  0  3 
0  4 
1 
0 
o 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  ..  2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
n 
Celery,  bundle  .  I  U 
o  o 
1 
o 
1 
o 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches  2  0 
4  0 
Seakale,  per  basket  .. 
1 
6 
1 
9 
Cucumbers  . 0  4 
0  8 
Scorzonera,  bundle  .. 
1 
6 
a 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . 1  3 
1  6 
o 
3 
o 
o 
Herbs,  bunch  . . 0  3 
0  0 
Spinach.  pad  __  t. 
0 
o 
4 
f 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  half  sieve  .. 
1 
6 
i 
Lettuce,  dozen  ..  ..  l  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
0 
4 
0 
p 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 0  6 
0  8 
Turnips. bunch  ..  . 
.  . 
0 
3 
0 
9 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
g.  d. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz.  6  0  to  36  0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen  . . 
4 
0 
to  8 
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 
18 
0 
Calceolarias,  per  dozen  ..  3  0 
6  0 
Lobelias,  per  cozen  .. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Coleus,  per  dozen  ..  ..  4  0 
6  0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  .. 
_  . 
3 
0 
4 
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 
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 
15 
0 
dozen  . 4  0 
18  o 
,,  (specimens''  .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen  ..  4  0 
13  n 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred  6  0 
8  0 
„  Scarlet,  per  doz. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  ..  1  0 
7  0 
Rliodanthe,  per  dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  eaoh  1  0 
6  0 
Spiraea,  per  dozen 
•  4 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Bedding  plants  and  roots  for  the  garden  in  boxes,  and  in  great  variety. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— OUT 
FLOWERS. — Orohid  Blooms  in  varies-. 
s. 
Anemones, dozen  bunches..  1 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ..  2 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bnoh.  2 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  ..  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ..  1 
Cornflower,  dozen  bunches  1 
Eucharis,  dozen . 3 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  ..  2 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 4 
Gladioli,  dozen  bunches  . .  4 
Iris  (various),  doz.  bunches  4 
Lilac,  White  (French),  per 
bunch . 8 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 2 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays, 
per  bunch . 1 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
bunohes  . .  4 
Marguerites,  12  bunohes  . .  2 
Mignonette,  dozen  bunches  2 
d.  s.  d. 
6  to  3  0 
0  4  0 
0  3  6 
4  0  6 
0  3  0 
6  3  0 
0  4  0 
0  4  0 
0  6  0 
0  12  0 
0  0  0 
6  4  0 
0  4  0 
0  2  0 
0  8  0 
0  3  0 
0  4  0 
Myosotis,  dozen  bunches  . . 
Narciss  (various),  dozen 
bunches  . 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms 
Pseony  (English),  Pink, 
dozen  bunches . 
Paeony  ( English )  Red, 
dozen  bunches . 
Pasony  (French),  per  bunch 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
Pinks,  dozen  bunches 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  bunches 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
,,  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
,,  Safrano(English),doz. 
,,  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  .. 
„  (outdoor)  doz.  bunches 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms . .  . . 
s.  d.  s.  d 
1  6  to  2  0 
2  0  4  0 
1  6  12  0 
6  0  9  0 
4  0  5  0 
0  6  0  9 
4  n  8o 
2  0  4  0 
16  3  0 
0  6  10 
10  2  0 
16  4  0 
10  3  0 
10  2  0 
3  0  5  0 
4  0  9  0 
2  0  4  0 
10  16 
NOW  AND  THEN,  OR  ’TIS  SIXTY  YEARS  AGO. 
Early  in  this  century  a  new  writer  arose — a  writer  who 
veiled  his  identity  for  a  long  time — a  writer  who  brought  all  the 
reading  world  to  his  feet.  His  first  work  was  entitled,  “  Waverley,  or 
’tis  Sixty  Years  Ago,”  and  it  was  not  until  he  had  published  several 
other  volumes  that  he  became  revealed  as  Sir  Walter  Scott.  The 
events  he  depicted  were  full  of  life  and  go — battle,  rebellion,  and 
murder.  But  what  were  all  the  years  of  his  life  compared  with 
these  last  sixty  years  during  which  her  gracious  Majesty  has  held 
the  sway  over  us  ? 
In  many  cases  changes  come  so  gradually  ;  the  transition  from 
old  to  new  is  so  slow  that  we  are  not  fully  aware  of  their  magni¬ 
tude.  It  is  only  when  we  come  to  some  great  or  notable  turning 
point  or  milestone,  and  look  back  on  the  way  we  have  travelled, 
that  we  at  all  estimate  the  distance  we  have  covered.  We  rest 
and  spend  some  little  time  in  retrospect,  and  move  on  sadder  and 
wiser. 
This  year  of  a  glorious  anniversary  is  a  stopping  place  to  pause 
and  reflect.  The  Royal  Agricultural  Society  is  one  year  younger 
than  her  Majesty’s  reign,  and  if  arts  and  sciences  have  taken  giant 
strides  so  has  agriculture.  There  are  three  classes  of  society 
intimately  interested  in  this  great  industry — landlords,  tenants, 
and  labourers — and  their  positions  are  about  reversed.  In  1837, 
and  for  some  decades  after,  landed  property  was  held  to  be  the 
best  of  investments.  Now  it  is  considered  one  of  the  worst. 
There  was  a  day  of  prosperity  for  landlord  and  tenant  in  the 
sixties,  to  be  followed  only  by  a  night  of  prolonged  darkness.  The 
labourer  did  not  earn,  in  the  southern  and  eastern  counties,  enough 
to  keep  body  and  soul  together  ;  now,  for  shorter  hours,  he  gets 
liberal  payment. 
All  the  burdens  on  land  have  increased  a  hundredfold,  and 
there  are  no  compensating  clauses.  Perhaps  machinery  is  the 
thing  in  which  we  see  the  most  marked  improvement.  It  is 
hardly  possible  to  find  any  implement  of  husbandry  as  it  was  sixty 
years  ago  ;  our  children  do  not  understand  what  a  flail  can  be,  and 
except  for  Bible  reference  a  sickle  or  reaping  hook  are  dead  letters. 
Take  the  simple  plough  of  our  forefathers,  put  it  side  by  side  with 
the  varieties  introduced  by  a  hundred  makers. 
Think  of  the  time  when  one  drill  was  the  boast  of  a  parish, . 
and  an  old  Crosskill  reaper  the  wonder  of  a  neighbourhood.  All 
manner  of  steam  appliances  that  are  now  used,  and  used  so 
unconcernedly,  are  the  result  of  hard  brain  work,  and  we  make  of 
•team  our  handiest  servant.  Who  does  not  remember  the  hordes 
of  hard-working  Irish  labourers  who  came  year  by  year  to  harvest 
our  heaviest  crops,  and  who  could  work — yes,  and  drink  and  fight 
too — as  no  Englishman  could  ?  They  are  in  the  vanished  past. 
