214 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  29, 1895. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIYED. 
W,  Clibran  &  Son,  Oldfield  Nsrseriep,  Altrincham. — Bulh  Catalogue. 
Dicksons,  Limited,  Chester. — Roses  and  Floioering  Roots. 
Fisher,  Son,  &  Sibray,  Limited,  Handsworth  Nurseries,  Sheffield. — 
Rulhs  and  Flowering  Roots. 
Laing  &  Mather,  Kelso-on-Tweed. — Autumn  Catalogue  of  Bulbs  Ac- 
Mr.  Sydenham.  Tam  worth. —  Violas. 
W.  Welch,  Eush  Green,  Eomford. — Bulbs. 
*0*  All  correspondence  should  be  directed  either  to  “  The 
Editob  or  to  “  The  Publisher.”  Letters  addressed  to 
Dr.  Hogg  or  members  of  the  staff  often  remain  unopened 
unavoidably.  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to 
unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense. 
Correspondents  should  not  mix  up  on  the  same  sheet  questions 
relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on  Bee  subjects,  and  should 
never  send  more  than  two  or  three  questions  at  once.  All 
articles  intended  for  insertion  should  be  written  on  one  side  of 
the  paper  only.  We  cannot  reply  to  questions  through  the  post, 
and  we  do  not  undertake  to  return  rejected  communications. 
Fruit  at  the  Cardiff  Show. — We  are  desired  to  state  that  the 
piece  of  plate  tor  the  collection  of  fruit  at  the  above  show  was  won  by 
Mr.  George  Hawkins,  Hendrefoilan  Gardens  (and  late  of  Ewenny 
Priory),  not  by  Mr.  Hopkins,  as  inadvertently  stated  in  our  report 
last  week. 
Incrustation  from  Garden  Wall  (J.  E.'). — The  suhstance  you 
forward  is  carbonate  of  lime,  and  is  due  to  the  lime  in  the  water  used 
in  watering  or  syringing.  Such  water  ought  not  to  be  used  for  such 
purposes,  and  filling  hot-water  apparatus  until  softened  hy  treatment 
with  anti-calcaire  or  milk  of  lime,  1  lb.  to  250  gallons,  stirred,  and  left 
twenty-four  hours,  when  the  lime  or  chalk  will  be  deposited  at  the 
bottom  of  the  tank, 
Blsqualifylngr  Exhibits  (J.  E.'). — In  our  opinion,  if  an  exhibitor 
stages  seven  varieties  in  a  class  when  the  stipulations  are  for  six,  he 
ought  to  be  disqualified.  If  one  man  stages  seven  varieties  in  such  a 
class,  why  may  not  another  include  eight  ?  A  similar  case  of  disqualifica¬ 
tion  was  made  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  Saturday.  In  your  class  of  six 
“  varieties,”  if  an  exhibitor  had  staged  that  number  of  distinct  Potatoes 
and  no  more,  he  would  not  have  been  open  to  disqualification.  The 
stipulation  ought  to  have  been  for  six  distinct  “  kinds.” 
Henry  Jacoby  Felargronlum  Iicaves  Diseased  (J^.  W.  T.'). — 
The  leaves  have  not  been  attacked  by  any  insect,  but  by  a  parasitic  fungus 
named  Eamularia  gerani,  Fuckel,  which  has  caused  the  browning  and 
destruction  of  the  tissues,  and  it  is  now  occupied  sparingly  by  a  sapro¬ 
phytic  fungus  called  Aspergillus  glaucus.  This  variety  is  rather  subject 
to  the  attacks  of  Eamularia,  and  sometimes  collapses  from  blackness  in 
the  stem,  which,  however,  is  caused  by  a  Fusarium.  As  a  preventive 
lime  freely  mixed  with  moderately  rich  soil  is  usually  all  that  is  needed, 
with  due  attention  to  watering  and  ventilation. 
Daffodils  for  market  (  A.  G.  O.  ).  —  Ajax  vars.  : — Edward 
Leeds,  Maximus,  and  Emperor  ;  Ajax  with  white  wings.  Empress,  Dean 
Herbert,  Harrison  Weir,  Scoticui,  and  Grandis ;  Star  Narciss,  Leedsi, 
Queen  Bess,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Conspicuus,  General  Murray,  Backhousei, 
V/illiam  Wilks  ;  and  of  the  Burbidgei  section,  Burbidgei  (one  of  the  best 
for  cutting),  Constance,  Model,  and  Vanessa.  Poeticus  vars. ; — Praecox 
grandiflorus.  Gardenia-flowered  ;  and  Tazetta  orientalis.  Those  you 
have — Sir  Watkin,  Golden  Spur,  Horsefieldi,  rugulosus,  cynosure, 
princeps,  obvallaris,  ornatus,  and  the  old  double  Daffodil — are  amongst 
the  best  for  your  purpose. 
Destroying  “  Palm  Bug  ”  on  Hoots  of  Palms  (^Stafford).— 
Had  you  sent  us  an  infested  root  we  should  have  been  better  able  to 
advise,  it  being  always  uncertain  prescribing  for  described  infections, 
and  still  more  so  when  no  details  are  given.  As  you  have  used 
lime  water  as  strong  as  thought  safe,  also  repeatedly  used  clear  soot 
water,  we  assume  the  pest  is  protected  by  a  mealy  coat,  which  resists 
the  liquid ;  but  as  we  hardly  think  the  creature  is  amphibious,  you 
should  stop  all  holes  in  the  pots,  flood  them  with  soot  or  lime  water,  and 
so  drown  or  suffocate  the  insects.  Or  you  may  try  a  solution  of  nitrate 
of  soda,  2  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of  water,  stopping  the  holes  in  the  pots  and 
flooding  them  with  the  solution  for  about  an  hour,  then  remove  the  clay 
and  water  well  with  tepid  water  so  as  to  wash  most  of  the  nitrate  of 
soda  solution  out  of  the  soil,  the  watering  needing  to  be  repeated  once 
or  twice  to  effect  this.  It  may  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  soaking  of 
nitrate  of  soda,  for  it  will  not  destroy  the  eggs  of  the  “  Palm  hug,”  if  we 
conjecture  rightly  as  to  what  it  is. 
Dendroblums  (^Orchid). — The  great  majority  of  the  evergreen 
Dendrobiums  require  a  winter  temperature  of  45°  or  50°,  a  light  sunny 
position,  and  just  enough  water  at  the  roots  as  will  keep  them  from 
shrivelling.  This  will  suit  all  you  mention,  and  they  all  flower  during 
the  spring  and  early  summer  months.  The  onlf  other  requirements 
during  this  season  are  to  keep  the  plants  free  from  insects  and  allow  a 
free  circulation  of  air  about  them.  If  they  finish  growing  hy  about  the 
beginning  of  August,  a  week  or  two  in  the  open  air  is  very  beneficial  if 
carefully  attended  to  at  the  roots,  but  by  the  end  of  the  month  they 
must  always  be  under  cover  again. 
Destroying  Hnts  QBlacliants'). — The  recipe  you  ask  for  is  : — White 
arsenic,  1  oz. ;  place  in  an  old  iron  pot  with  a  quart  of  water,  then  boil 
until  reduced  to  a  pint  or  a  little  more  of  liquid,  add  I  lb.  of  coarse 
sugar,  mixing  thoroughly.  This  mixture  can  either  be  dropped  about 
the  runs  and  around  the  nests,  or  placed  in  saucers  in  the  ants’  haunts. 
It  must  be  used  with  the  utmost  caution,  as  it  is  a  poison  fatal  to 
animal,  also  to  vegetable  life.  Unless  you  can  satisfy  a  chemist  there 
will  be  a  difficulty  in  procuring  it.  The  quantity  named  will  suffice  for 
one  setting  down  in  each  of  the  houses  you  mention,  but  the  ultimate 
amount  will  depend  on  circumstances. 
Cleansing  Tomato  Seed  QObeids'). — We  do  not  know  of  any 
quicker  process  of  cleansing  the  seeds  from  the  pulp  than  squeezing  the 
fruits  and  rubbing  the  pulp  in  a  vessel  until  the  seeds  are  quite  free, 
then  the  sound  seeds  will  sink,  the  rougher  parts  of  the  pulp  float,  and 
can  he  readily  skimmed  off.  Then  pouring  off  the  watery  matter  above 
the  seeds  carefully,  leaving  those  at  the  bottom,  they  are  easily  cleansed 
hy  fresh  water  and  a  similar  process  of  pouring  off,  or  after  the  first 
washing  the  seeds  may  be  placed  in  a  hair  sieve  in  water,  and  by 
whisking  about  with  the  hand  they  will  soon  be  free  from  any  matter, 
the  soluble  particles  mixing  with  the  water,  and  the  larger  parts  floating, 
so  that  it  is  only  a  question  of  skimming  and  washing  to  secure  clean 
seeds. 
Propagating  Amorphophallus  {Rivieri). —  Amorphophallus 
Eivieri  is  somewhat  difficult  to  increase,  as  the  corms  are  of  considerable 
size  and  rarely  make  offsets,  which  is  the  general  mode  of  increase. 
Efforts  should  therefore  be  made  to  induce  the  plant  to  seed  wherever 
practicable.  Division  is  usually  the  method  of  propagation  pursued, 
the  best  time  to  operate  being  just  when  they  commence  their  new 
growth,  securing  as  many  roots  to  each  division  as  possible,  each  having 
a  growing  shoot.  Any  rootless  pieces  should  he  placed  in  heat  shortly 
after  removal.  This  hastens  the  formation  of  roots  and  excites  top 
growth.  We  do  not  know  of  any  more  rapid  mode  of  increase,  except  that 
from  seed,  which,  however,  does  not  frequently  occur  in  this  country, 
and  to  secure  perfect  seeds  the  flowers  should  be  carefully  fertilised. 
Roses  —  Drawing  to  ScAle  (Regular  Subscriber').  —  There  are 
some  things  that  cannot  be  taught  in  the  form  you  desire.  Take  an 
opportunity  of  calling  at  a  nursery,  and  ask  to  see  examples  of  Hybrid 
Perpetual  and  Tea-scented  Eoses,  also  Manetti  and  English  Briar  stocks, 
and  you  will  he  able  to  perceive  the  difference  between  them.  As  a  rule. 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  are  strong  in  growth,  with  rough  leaves  and  large 
blooms  of  varied  colours  ;  while  Tea  Eoses  have  smooth,  glossy  leaves, 
with  white,  yellow,  or  pink  flowers.  The  Italian  Briar  (Manetti)  is 
paler  green  in  its  foliage,  with  rounder  leaflets  than  the  English  Briar. 
If  you  see  them  growing  together  you  will  never  forget  them,  and  this 
is  what  we  advise  you  to  do.  The  difference  between  the  blooms  of 
H.P.  and  Tea  Eoses  can  be  seen  at  flower  shows,  where  separate  classes 
for  the  two  sections  are  provided.  A  schoolmaster  or  pupil  teacher  will 
instruct  you  how  to  draw  to  scale  in  ten  minutes.  Sixteen  feet  to  the 
inch  simply  means  that  for  every  16  feet,  measured  by  a  line  in  the 
garden,  you  show  in  as  many  inches  on  a  sheet  of  paper,  and  every  foot 
in  measurement  would  be  represented  by  l-16th  of  an  inch  of  the  rule. 
For  instance,  one  of  the  lines  in  which  this  reply  is  printed  is  3^  inches 
long  ;  this  would  represent  on  the  scale  mentioned  a  length  of  56  feet  in 
the  garden.  Great  exactitude  is  requisite  in  drawing  to  scale,  and  when 
this  is  insured  the  measurements  are  bound  to  come  right. 
Cos  and  Cabbage  Dettuces  for  Growing  under  Glass 
( TU. -D.).— The  best  varieties  we  have  grown  for  a  supply  of  Lettuces 
during  the  winter  and  early  spring  were — Gos  :  Bath  or  Brown  Sugar- 
loaf  and  Hick’s  Hardy  White.  Cabbage  ;  Commodore  Nutt,  Early  Paris 
Market,  and  All  the  Year  Eound.  A  large  grower  of  Lettuces  for 
marketing  early  recommends  Golden  Queen  and  Lorthois  (Trocadera), 
as  the  best  small  and  large  Cabbage  Lettuces  respectively,  but  we  see 
no  reason  to  multiply  names.  As  to  the  value  durin^January,  February, 
and  March,  we  are  unable  to  say,  as  we  have  not  been  able  to  produce 
them  in  those  months  to  compete  successfully  with  fine  examples  of 
well  blanched,  and  heavy  well-grown  specimens  of  Improved  Eound- 
leaved  Batavian  (which  corresponds  to  Cos  Lettuce),  and  Green  Curled 
Improved  (corresponding  to  Cabbage  Lettuce)  Endives.  Indeed,  it  is 
extremely  difficult  to  produce  either  Cos  or  Cabbage  Lettuces  during  the 
months  of  January,  February,  and  March  of  a  size  and  quality  acceptable 
to  the  British  market.  We  have  sent  what  we  considered  fine  consign¬ 
ments  to  Covent  Garden,  and  have  been  appalled  at  the  returns.  A 
grower,  be  it  said,  for  a  millionare,  is  greatly  in  love  with  the  electric 
light  for  bringing  Lettuces  forward  in  the  dark  months,  but  on  being 
asked  for  an  account  of  cost  and  advantages,  collapses  with  the  retort 
that  growers  force  Lettuces  in  America  for  market  by  aid  of  the  electric 
light.  April,  as  a  rule,  is  as  soon  as  we  could  command  Lettuces  for 
market  that  paid  for  the  trouble  of  growing,  even  with  the  aid  of  frames 
and  artificial  heat,  damp  being  the  great  enemy  to  contend  with,  and 
usually  spoiled  the  best  specimens. 
