November  7,  1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
449 
Stephanotls  Fruiting  (72.  W.). — It  is  not  very  unusual  for  the 
Stephanotis  to  form  seed  pods  of  the  nature  you  describe,  but  at  the 
same  time  they  are  not  by  any  means  common.  We  have  had  several 
sent  to  us  from  time  to  time,  though  we  might  go  into  a  hundred  gardens 
and  not  find  one. 
Apple  Waxy  (^An  Old,  Sithscriber'), — The  Apple  has  part  of  the 
flesh  of  a  firm,  hard,  waxy  consistence,  and  that  part  is  singularly  sweet, 
acid  less  in  flavour.  The  cells  of  that  part  of  the  fruit  are  completely 
filled  with  starch  grains  passed  into  fruit  sugar  (levulose  or  fructose), 
there  not  having  been  any  transference  or  conversion  of  the  chlorophyll, 
but  the  granules  of  that  substance  have  combined  with  the  starch  grains 
and  formed  a  remarkably  tough,  waxy  flesh.  It  is  probably  due  to  a 
deficiency  of  potash  in  the  soil,  and  to  the  hot  weather  prevailing  in 
September.  The  waxiness  is  common  to  some  varieties,  such  as  Duchess 
of  Oldenburg,  Esopus  Spitzenburg,  and  Gravenstein.  The  Calville  type 
varieties  are  also  subject  to  it,  and  certainly  indicates  a  high  concen¬ 
tration  of  juices,  as  in  “  mumpers  ”  or  small  Apples  found  in  clusters  on 
many  trees,  especially  where  there  is  a  deficiency  of  potash  salts  in  the 
soil,  and  in  hot  dry  seasons.  Several  specimens  were  sent  us  in  1893. 
Dressing  for  Soli  In  Tomato  Houses  (TE.  IF.). — As  you  have 
lost  “  thousands  of  Tomato  plants  ”  this  year  from  eelworm  (your 
remarks  about  slime  fungus  coming  after  eelworm  are  wholly  con¬ 
jectural),  you  may  give  each  square  yard,  as  you  do  not  wish  to  “  hurt 
the  soil,”  a  3-gallon  watering-potful  of  soft  water  containing  ^  pint  of 
soluble  phenyle  well  stirred,  first  stirring  the  surface  of  the  soil 
lightly  but  evenly,  so  as  to  ensure  the  regular  penetration  of  the  solution, 
using  it  with  a  fine  rose  watering  pot,  and  having  the  soil  moderately 
dry,  such  as  soil  should  be  when  it  requires  watering  to  prevent  plants 
flagging.  The  day  after  mix  all  to  a  depth  of  18  inches  with  a  fork. 
At  planting  time  in  spring,  or  whenever  fit,  and  the  plants  are  a  foot 
high,  water  each  with  a  gallon  of  soluble  phenyle  solution  (1  oz.  to  the 
gallon)  in  a  circle  described  a  foot  all  round  the  plant.  If  your  plants 
are  affected  with  either  "  drooping  ”  disease,  which  is  never  caused  by 
eelworm,  but  by  either  Plasmadiophora  solani  or  Fusarium  solani, 
and  sometimes  by  Phytophthora  infestans,  you  will  oblige  by  sending  a 
specimen  here  for  examination.  The  authority  you  think  wrong  is  far 
the  greater  of  the  two  you  mention  on  the  subject  of  your  note,  and  was 
the  first  to  advise  the  use  of  soluble  phenyle  after  carefully  conducted 
experiments. 
Charcoal  for  Orchids  (^Charcoal'). — Undoubtedly  charcoal  is  one 
of  the  most  useful  aids  to  Orchid  culture  in  existence.  There  is  no 
other  material  that  acts  so  well  in  a  double  capacity  so  to  speak — that 
is  as  a  mechanical  agent — in  keeping  the  compost  open  and  aerated,  and 
in  taking  up  moisture,  also  ammonia  in  some  cases,  and  giving  it  off  in 
suitable  proportions  to  the  need  of  the  plants.  It  is  valuable  in  the 
compost  for  terrestrial  Orchids,  and  doubly  so  in  the  case  of  epiphytal 
species.  The  principal  point  that  could  possibly  be  urged  against  its 
use  is  that  in  the  case  of  plants  badly  drained  it  may  hold  moisture  to 
excess.  If  the  compost  is  properly  prepared,  the  pots  well  drained,  and 
the  plants  judiciously  watered — and  all  these  points  are  necessary  to 
successful  Orchid  culture — then  charcoal  cannot  do  harm,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  does  an  infinite  amount  of  good  in  the  manner  described 
above ;  but,  like  every  other  good  thing,  charcoal  must  be  properly 
used,  and  it  must  also  be  of  good  quality.  It  should  be  selected  from 
Oak  or  other  hard  wood,  properly  but  not  over-burnt,  and  all  the  fine 
dusty  portions  must  be  sifted  out.  Use  it  in  this  way.  and  note  the 
manner  in  which  the  large  fleshy  roots  of  an  Aerides  or  Vanda  cling  to 
it,  or  how  those  of  Cattleyas  and  similar  kinds  seem  almost  to  wrestle 
for  possession  of  a  chance  piece  in  the  compost,  and  no  better  or  more 
decisive  answer  will  be  required  to  your  question.  It  is  quite  certain 
that  although  in  a  badly  managed  and  waterlogged  compost  charcoal 
may  be  something  akin  to  the  famous  chips  in  porridge,  yet  where 
other  details  are  properly  carried  out  it  is  of  the  greatest  utility. 
Growing  Onions  on  ITewly  Broken  up  Bey  Dand  {Onion), — 
Onions  do  not,  as  a  rule,  succeed  well  on  freshly  broken  up,  turfy  soil, 
the  plants  being  frequentiy  patchy,  the  seedlings  falling  a  prey  to 
various  root  pests,  and  those  that  survive  are  prone  to  grow  more  to  top 
than  bulb,  this  being  perhaps  due  to  the  roots  not  reaching  the  turf  until 
late  in  the  season,  but  it  is  mainly  an  outcome  of  the  comparative 
looseness  of  the  soil  as  compared  with  land  some  time  under  crops.  As 
you  are  trenching  the  ground,  which  is  the  proper  thing  to  do,  providing 
too  much  of  the  subsoil  is  not  brought  on  the  top,  and  that  of  a  poor 
hungry  stubborn  nature,  you  may  apply  a  dressing  of  thoroughly  rotten 
manure,  20  tons  per  acre  not  being  too  much,  spreading  it  evenly,  and 
pointing  in  to  a  depth  of  4  to  6  inches.  This  should  be  done  in  the 
autumn  or  early  winter,  and  at  the  same  time  you  may  apply  4  cwt.  of 
kainit  per  acre,  as  a  safeguard  against  grubs,  and  to  insure  a  supply  of 
potash.  In  the  spring  the  ground  should  be  made  as  firm  as  possible 
during  dry  weather,  or  when  it  is  in  good  working  order,  either  by 
treading  or  rolling,  but  treading  is  the  best.  With  this  you  will  get  a 
sturdy  growth  from  the  start,  providing  you  keep  the  plants  free  from 
the  ravages  of  slugs  and  other  predatory  pests,  which  is  usually  eflEected 
either  by  dressing  the  ground  with  soot  at  the  time  of  sowing  or  when 
the  seedlings  are  appearing,  using  about  a  peck  per  rod,  or  40  bushels 
per  acre.  With  this  treatment  and  due  attention  to  thinning  and 
keeping  clean,  you  ought  to  have  a  good  crop  of  Onions  ;  at  least,  we 
had,  and  made  £75  per  acre  of  them,  but  that  was  some  years  ago. 
ITames  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 
senders  of  fruit  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  riptening ,  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be 
named  in  a  hard  green  state.  {P.). — A  fine  specimen  of  Golden 
Winter  Fearmain.  {Romford).— Vica.x  of  Winkfield.  (IF.  S.).— 
1,  Wadhurst  Pippin  ;  2,  Baumann’s  Reinette  ;  3,  Beauty  of  Hants  ; 
4,  Evargil ;  5,  Hollandbury  ;  6,  Ribston  Pippin.  (72.  IF.).— Small’s 
Admirable.  (IF  G.). — 2,  New  Hawthornden  ;  4,  Dumelow’s  Seedling  ; 
10,  Round  Winter  Nonesuch  ;  11,  Blenheim  Pippin ;  12,  Minchull  Crab. 
Hames  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 
s’nould  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  naper  is  damp. 
{D.  IF). — 3,  Episcia  fulgida  ;  4,  Polypodium  aureum,  infested  with 
scale  ;  Sedum  azoideum  variegatum  ;  1  and  specimen  in  envelope  totally 
insufficient.  {R.  P.). — As  we  have  repeatedly  stated,  we  do  not  under¬ 
take  to  name  Chrysanthemums,  which  come  under  the  category  of 
florists’  flowers. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Messrs.  Hogg  &  Robertson,  Dublin. — Forest  and  Fruit  Trees,  dye. 
Mr.  W.  Sydenham.  Tamworth. —  Violas. 
W.  K.  Woodcock,  Leicester. — Chrysanthemum  List. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — November  6th. 
FRUIT. 
Market  very  dull,  with  heavy  supplies. 
1. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
d 
S. 
d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  . . 
1 
3 
to  3 
0 
Filberts,  per  100  lbs.  . . 
•  • 
35 
0  to 
0 
0 
„  Nova  Scotia, 
per 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
1 
6 
barrel..  .. 
13 
0 
17 
0 
Lemons,  case  ..  .. 
35 
0 
45 
0 
„  Tasmanian, 
per 
Peaches,  per  dozen  ., 
• 
1 
0 
10 
0 
case  ••  •• 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  per  half  sieve 
•  • 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oob3,per  100  lbs. 
• 
35 
0 
37 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
•  • 
2 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
a. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
S- 
d. 
Beans,  per  bushe  .. 
« • 
1 
0 
to  2 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  to 
0 
0 
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  . . 
« • 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Parsnips,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Oelery,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Potatoes,  per  cwt. 
•  • 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  . . 
•  • 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Seakaie,  per  basket  . . 
•  • 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . .  . . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ,, 
•  « 
1 
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 
6 
Lettuce,  dozen  . .  . . 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Tomatoes. per  lb, 
»  • 
0 
3 
(i 
5 
Mushrooms,  punnet  .. 
« • 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Turnips,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRIOES.— OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety . 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
f. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
C  to 
4 
0 
per  bunch . 
1 
0  to 
2 
0 
Orchids,  various,  dozen 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
blooms  . 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Asparagus  Pern,  per  bunch 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ,,  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Primula(double),  doz.  spy  s. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen  .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Chrysanthemum,  dozen 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
blooms. . 
1 
0 
4 
0 
,,  Tellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  doz.  Dunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Bucharis,  dozen . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  , . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  various,  doz.  bunches 
6 
0 
12 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  . .  . . 
6 
4 
0 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium  lancifolium,  twelve 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms. .  . . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
blooms . 
1 
6 
o 
6 
Violets  Parme  (French), 
„  longiflorum, 12  blooms 
4 
0 
6 
0 
per  bunch  . . 
3 
6 
4 
6 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
sprays . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
bunch  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bohs. 
4 
U 
6 
0 
„  Victoria  (French), 
12  bunches  . . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (golden)  dozen 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Ferns  in  variety,  dozen  .. 
4 
0  to  18 
0 
Asnidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ferns  per  hundred 
4 
u 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Ficus  eiastioa,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
a 
0 
10 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  ..  .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Dracffina  viridis,  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euony mus,  var.,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
„  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
0 
93 
0 
