July  4,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
23 
Iilqald  manure  for  iLsparagrus  (TF.  S.'). — After  the  plants  are 
established  and  fairly  growing,  weak  liquid  manure  given  once  a  week 
would  do  them  good,  but  too  strong  applications  might  do  much  harm. 
Drainings  vary  so  much  in  strength  that  it  is  impossible  to  say  to  what 
extent  your  liquid  should  be  diluted.  If  you  err  at  all  err  on  the  side  of 
weakn.ess,  and  give  each  plant  about  a  gallon  at  a  time.  This  will  be 
far  more  effectual  than  a  multitude  of  driblets. 
Poplars  Palllngr  (^E.  P.). — We  very  much  fear  that  the  Ontario 
Poplars  are  falling  victims  to  the  noxious  gases  for  which  your  district 
is  famed.  The  fact  of  the  trees  collapsing  after  they  have  made  several 
inches  of  growth  appears  to  show  that  the  then  tender  tissues  cannot 
resist  the  atmospheric  influences  that  prevail.  In  the  “  Forester  ”  no 
reference  is  made  to  any  disease  peculiar  to  this  Poplar,  but  the  author 
says  that  large  healthy  trees  can  only  be  produced  where  there  is 
abundant  underground  moisture,  and  recommends  their  being  planted 
where  the  water  table  is  only  2  or  3  feet  below  the  surface.  We  are 
sorry  for  the  misfortune,  for  which  we  very  much  fear  there  is  no 
remedy. 
leaves  Absorbing-  Ammonia  QDouMer'). — Yes,  we  do  know 
that  some  gardeners,  but  very  few,  place  lumps  of  ammonia  on  hot- 
water  pipes  in  order  that  plants  or  Vines  may  be  beneflted.  Relative 
to  the  question  you  raise,  Storer  says,  “  It  is  a  very  interesting  fact 
that  ammonia  gas  and  the  vapour  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  can  be 
absorbed  by  the  leaves  of  plants,  but  their  power  to  absorb  ammonia 
from  the  air  is  practically  less  important  than  at  flrst  might  be  supposed. 
The  proportion  of  ammonia  naturally  present  in  the  air  is  so  insignificant 
that  it  cannot  be  supposed  to  have  much  direct  influence  upon  the 
growth  of  vegetation,  and  in  point  of  fact  it  does  not.  It  is  only  when 
the  atmospheric  ammonia  has  been  accumulated  and  brought  down  to 
the  earth  by  rain  or  dew,  and  has  soaked  into  or  been  fixed  in  the  soil, 
that  it  acquires  any  real  significance.  But  it  is  then  the  roots  of  the 
plants,  and  not  the  leaves,  that  have  to  do  with  the  ammonia ;  it  has 
been  transferred  from  the  air  to  the  soil- water.  In  any  event,  how¬ 
ever,  the  proportion  of  ammonia  naturally  present  in  the  air  and  in 
soils  is  so  small  that  it  must  be  of  quite  secondary  importance  for  the 
support  of  plants  as  compared  with  the  nitrates  naturally  found  in 
the  soil.” 
latinising  XTames  ((7.  W.  D.'). — You  ask,  “What  is  the  rule  for 
placing  one  i  and  two  w’s  at  the  end  of  proper  names  of  plants,  such  as 
Andersoni  in  one  case  and  Veitchii  in  the  other  ?  ”  There  is  no  abso¬ 
lutely  rigid  and  inflexible  rule.  Botanical  nomenclature  is  somewhat 
arbitrary,  and  depends  much  upon  the  taste  and  fancy  of  the  authority 
who  first  names  a  newly  discovered  plant.  There  is  a  rule,  however, 
which  seems  to  be  pretty  consistently  adhered  to  in  cases  such  as  those 
mentioned,  when  the  Latin  genitive  in  i  is  affixed  to  one  of  our  modern 
and  extremely  un-Latin  proper  names,  it  is  that  names  ending  with  a 
soft  or  liquid  consonant,  or  with  a  vowel  (except  when  the  vowel  is  a), 
have  an  i,  while  hard  or  harsh  terminations  have  two  i’s.  Still,  even  to 
this  rule  there  are  so  many  exceptions  that  ordinary  readers  may  well 
become  perplexed,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  writers  in  their  haste  do 
not  always  stop  to  study  consistency.  Botanical  nomenclature,  like  the 
English  language,  is  ifi  the  matter  of  pronunciation  and  spelling,  a  fearful 
and  wonderful  thing,  and  to  make  a  slip  by  no  means  argues  ignorance  or 
stupidity  in  the  perpetrator.  In  international  correspondence  between 
the  learned,  however,  such  nomenclature  is  indispensable,  and  its 
extravagances  may  well  be  tolerated  by  the  purist  for  the  sake  of  its 
utility.  Veitch,  having  a  somewhat  harsh  sound,  would  be  Latinised 
Veitchius,  and  the  name  of  a  plant  raised  by  Mr.  Veitch  would  be 
correctly  rendered  Veitchii,  though  it  would  perhaps  not  be  easy  to  prove 
that  Veitchi  would  be  absolutely  wrong.  Anderson,  Cooper,  and  such 
like  names,  have  softer  sounds,  and  might  be  Latinised  differently,  as 
Andersonus  and  Cooperus.  Thus  plants  invested  with  such  names  after 
their  raisers  would  be  Andersoni  and  Cooperi.  The  question  seems  to 
be  very  much  one  of  euphony  in  converting  a  modern  English  name 
into  the  ancient  Latin  tongue.  You  perhaps  know  that  a  plant  which 
you  might  raise  of,  say,  a  Dracaena,  and  desire  to  name  in  compliment 
to  Mr,  Veitch,  would  not  be  correct  if  rendered  either  Veitchi  or  Veitchii, 
but  Veitchiana. 
Wames  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,  oc  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. 
H.'). — 1,  Lathyrus  latifolius  ;  2,  Lysimachia  vulgaris.  (<7.  IF.  P.). 
— 1,  Tarragon  ;  2,  Pot  Marjoram  ;  3,  Winter  Savory.  (^Kate). — 
1,  Doodia  aspera ;  2,  Osmunda  gracilis  ;  3,  Phlebodium  (Polypodium) 
aureum  ;  4,  Cheilanthes  elegans  ;  5,  Asplenium  biforme  ;  6,  Adiantum 
gracillimum.  (P.  H.  iV.). — 1,  Lychnis  chalcedonica ;  2,  Stachys 
lanata  ;  3,  Linaria  bipartita  ;  4,  Dictamnus  Fraxinella  alba  ;  5,  Spirma 
filipendula  flore-pleno.  (P.  IF.). — 1,  Dracaena  terminalis  ;  2,  Erica 
Cavendishi  ;  3,  Saxifraga  pyramidalis  ;  4,  Melilotus  albus,  (IP.  P.  JV.'). 
— 1  and  3,  Apparently  forms  of  Campanula  turbinata  ;  2,  Geranium 
sanguineum ;  4,  Specimen  insuflicient  ;  5,  Acer  Negundo  variegata  ; 
6,  Send  when  in  flower.  QMontrose). — 1,  Pimelea  syivestris  ;  2,  Un¬ 
determinable  ;  3,  Corydalis  lutea  ;  4,  Tradescantia  virginica ;  .'5,  Dian- 
thus  atrorubens  ;  6,  Geranium  nodosum.  (TT.  J.'). — It  is  practically 
impossible  to  name  Strawberries  from  the  fruits  without  seeing  the 
plants.  No.  1  is  possibly  James  Veitch  ;  No.  2  may  be  Trollope’s 
Victoria  ;  3,  Entirely  spoilt  in  transit.  No  one  can  name  with  certainty 
Strawberries  from  individual  fruits  more  or  less  injured  in  transit. 
(IF.  AT.). — 1,  An  Albuca,  specimen  insufficient  to  determine  varietal 
name  ;  2,  Dictamnus  Fraxinella  purpurea. 
OOVBNT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  3bd, 
Prices  practically  unaltered.  Outdoor  fruit  coming  on  in  fair  supply. 
FRUIT. 
i« 
d. 
s.  d. 
s. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Apples,  Nova  Scotia, 
per 
Gobs,  per  100  lbs. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
barrel . . 
10 
0to21  0 
Currants,  per  half  sieve 
•  • 
3 
0 
3 
6 
„  Tasmanian, 
per 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
2 
0 
case  .. 
5 
0 
11  0 
Lemons,  case 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Asparagus,  English., 
per 
Peaches,  per  dozen  .. 
3 
0 
12 
0 
bundle  . 
1 
0 
3  0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
O 
0 
6 
0 
Cherries,  per  half  sieve 
•• 
3 
6 
8  0 
Strawberries,  per  lb.  . . 
•  • 
0 
2 
0 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
9. 
d 
s.  d. 
9. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
Beans,  Kidney,  per  lb. 
0 
6 
to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2 
to  0 
u 
Beet,  Red,  dozen  . .  . . 
1 
0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel  ,.  .. 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots,  bunch  . .  . . 
0 
3 
0  4 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  . . 
3 
0 
6  0 
Parsnips,  dozen  .. 
1 
0 
0 
e 
Celery,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1  3 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Coleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4  0 
Salsafy,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Cucumbers,  dozen 
1 
6 
3  6 
Seakale,  per  basket  . . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
3 
1  6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  . . 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . .  . . 
0 
3 
0  0 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  . .  . . 
0 
2 
0  0 
Spinach,  bushel  .. 
1 
0 
1 
8 
Lettuce,  dozen  . .  . . 
0 
9 
1  6 
Tomatoes. per  lb.  .. 
*  , 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Mushrooms,  punnet  . . 
•  • 
0 
9 
1  0 
Turnips,  bunch  . .  . . 
0 
3 
0 
6 
A.VERAGB  WHOLESALE  PRIOES.— OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety . 
8 
d 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
•• 
d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
3 
0 
to  4 
0 
Orchids,  dozen  blooms  .. 
1 
6  to  12 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Pansies,  various,  dozen 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  . . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Primula(double ),  doz.  spys. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Moss,  per  dozen  . .  , , 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Iris,  various,  per  dozen 
„  YeUow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
0 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
4 
6 
5 
0 
dozen . . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilium  candidum,I2  blooms 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  blooms 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„  „  doz.  bunches 
18 
0 
3J 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  . , 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„  lanoifolium,  12  blooms 
4 
0 
6 
0 
,,  various,  doz.  bunches 
3 
0 
9 
a 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ,.  .. 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
1 
C 
3 
0 
Spirfea,  dozen  bunches  . . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
Scephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
1 
6 
2 
U 
banches  . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms..  .. 
u 
4 
0 
6 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
fl. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (golden)  dozen 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Heliotrope,  per  dozen 
6 
0  to  8 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Hydrangeas,  per  dozen  . . 
12 
0 
42 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Lobelia,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Calceolaria,  per  doz . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Coleus,  per  doz . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
DracEena,  various,  dozen  .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracsena  viridis,  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonvmus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„  (specimens)  ..  .. 
?1 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen  6 
0 
24 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  . . 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Perns,  in  variety,  dozen  . . 
4 
0 
18 
0 
„  scarlets,  per 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  . .  . . 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Bhodanthe,  per  dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
9 
0 
10 
0 
Roses,  per  dozen . 
8 
0 
24 
0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Schizanthus,  per  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
Q 
Geraniums,  Ivy,  per  dozen 
7 
0 
10 
0 
Spiraea,  per  dozen  ..  ., 
6 
0 
8 
0 
RAILWAY  RATES. 
Among  the  burdens  which  farmers  are  said  to  have  to  bear 
unfairly,  none  has  had  greater  prominence  given  them  by  the 
popular  agitator  than  preferential  railway  rates,  or  the  carrying 
by  the  railway  companies  of  imported  farm  produce  for  long 
distances  at  much  lower  rates  per  ton  than  they  would  carry 
home-grown  produce  for  shorter  distances.  Repeatedly  have 
figures  been  quoted  to  prove  this — quoted  without  a  word  of 
explanation,  and  so  it  has  come  about  that  the  farmers  them¬ 
selves  believe  this  fhing  to  be  true,  and  they  have  repeatedly 
asked  for  relief  from  a  burden  which,  on  the  face  of  it, 
appears  to  be  as  oppressive  and  unfair  as  it  can  be. 
To  take  one  example  out  of  many,  from  Southampton  docks 
to^l^ine  Elms,  London,  a  distance  of  76  miles,  the  rate  for 
