November  28,  1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
521 
Cooper’s  Black  and  Gros  Maroc  Grapes  (,7.  B,  B.). — Yes  ; 
your  letter  was  received,  and  the  same  opinions  are  expressed  by  other 
correspondents.  In  view  of  those  expressions  we  requested  a  capable 
representative  to  investigate  the  whole  subject.  He  has  visited  the 
Belfast  show,  as  “  Cooper’s  Black  ”  is  said  to  have  originated  in  Ireland, 
also  the  Edinburgh  show,  where  both  Grapes  are  freely  exhibited,  for 
comparing  them  and  obtaining  information.  We  shall  publish  his 
report,  which  cannot  fail  to  be  highly  interesting,  in  an  early  issue,  and 
we  suspect  it  will  go  far  towards  settling  the  point  in  dispute.  You  are 
on  the  side  of  the  majority. 
Evergrreen  Plowerlngr  and  Berry-bearlngr  Shrubs  (Wmo). — 
Arbutus  Unedo  Croomi,  Aucuba  japonica  limbata,  A.  longifolia,  and 
A.  maculata,  but  to  have  these  produce  berries  it  is  necessary  to  have  the 
male  variety,  A.  japonica  maculata  ;  Berberis  Darwini,  B.  steaophylla, 
Buddlea  globosa,  Cotoneaster  microphylla,  Daphne  Fioniana,  Escallonia 
macrantha,  Garrya  elliptica  ;  Hollies,  both  green-leaved  and  variegated, 
in  great  variety  ;  Ligustrum  sinense  nanum,  Olearia  Haasti,  Khaphio- 
lepis  japonica,  Skimmia  japonica,  Ulex  europaea  flore-pleno,  Veronica 
Traversi,  and  Viburnum  Tinus.  In  suitable  soil  there  are  the  finest 
of  flowering  evergreen  Ehododendrons  in  endless  variety. 
Sowing  Orchid  Seed  (Aoriee)  — Experience  has  shown  that  there 
is  no  method  equal  to  scattering  the  seed  on  the  sphagnum  in  which  a 
plant  is  growing  freely  and  receives  proper  attention  in  watering,  so 
that  the  sphagnum  is  kept  fresh.  No  attempt  must  be  made  to  cover 
the  seed,  and  it  must  not  be  displaced  by  watering.  The  seed  may  be 
sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  or  in  early  spring.  It  ia  delicate  work  raising 
Orchids  from  seed,  then  establishing  the  plants,  and  only  experts  or  very 
careful  cultivators  can  hope  to  succeed.  If  you  succeed  in  raising  plants 
you  must  be  prepared  to  give  them  the  best  attention  for  about  ten  years 
before  they  will  flower.  Some  seedlings  are  fifteen  years  before  flowers 
are  produced,  and  then  the  varieties  may  not  be  superior,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  some  may  prove  of  value. 
Zndlgoferas  (G.  B.'). — Several  species  are  grown, such  as  I.  decora, 
I.  floribunda,  and  I.  incana,  which  are  evergreen  shrubs,  with  pea¬ 
shaped  flowers,  of  a  pink  or  rosy  purple  colour.  They  are  of  free 
growth,  and  require  the  wood  well  ripened  to  ensure  profuse  flowering. 
Prune  in  February  or  March,  when  the  plants  are  beginning  to  grow, 
cutting  them  in  rather  closely,  or  in  case  of  old  plants  spur  the  shoots 
in  to  two  or  three  eyes  of  their  base.  Young  plants  will  need  to  have 
the  shoots  left  longer,  and  if  in  a  cool  airy  part  of  the  house  they 
will  break  naturally  and  strongly.  When  the  young  shoots  are  an  inch 
long  turn  the  plants  out  of  the  pots,  remove  most  of  the  old  soil — all 
that  comes  away  without  destroying  the  roots — put  in  the  same  size 
of  pot  or  a  little  larger,  and  place  in  a  close  pit,  shading  from  bright  sun 
until  the  potting  is  recovered  from,  then  expose  to  light  and  air,  syring¬ 
ing  with  water  morning  and  evening  up  to  flowering  time  to  keep  down 
red  spider.  When  the  roots  are  slightly  matted  around  the  sides  of  the 
pot  shift  into  a  pot  2  to  4  inches  larger  in  diameter,  providing  good 
drainage.  Water  abundantly  when  growing  and  flowering,  afterwards 
expose  fuily  to  light  and  air,  and  in  winter  keep  the  soil  dry,  not,  how¬ 
ever,  so  as  to  cause  the  wood  to  shrivel  or  leaves  to  fall  prematurely. 
Equal  parts  of  sandy  peat  and  fibrous  loam,  a  little  leaf  soil  or  old  dry 
cowdung  and  silver  sand,  with  a  like  quantity  of  pieces  of  charcoal, 
form  a  suitable  compost.  They  attain  a  height  of  3  to  4  feet,  and  are 
best  trained  as  bushes. 
Magsrots  Infesting  Base  of  Cyclamen  Corm  (7  7). — The 
grabs  are  the  larvae  of  the  grooved  or  black  Vine  weevil  (Otiorhynchus 
sulcatus),  which  feed  on  the  flesh  of  roots  and,  when  these  fail,  the 
stems  of  various  plants  under  ground,  especially  such  as  are  of  a 
tuberous  nature.  The  maggots  are  very  destructive,  and  so  are  the 
weevils,  they  being  very  fond  of  Ferns,  also  of  Vine  and  other  leaves. 
We  do  not  know  of  any  preventive,  as  no  one  can  tell  where  the 
weevils  will  deposit  their  eggs  ;  but  it  is  certain  to  be  in  the  presence 
of  food  for  the  grubs  that  issue  from  them.  Of  course,  killing  the 
weevils  is  a  sure  preventive,  but  the  thing  is  to  know  where  to  find  them 
at  the  right  time,  as  it  is  sheer  nonsense  to  conclude  that  because  they 
are  seen  at  a  certain  place  they  are  sure  to  deposit  their  eggs  there  ; 
indeed,  we  have  known  them  very  busy  in  vineries  and  Peach  houses  and 
ferneries  where  no  Cyclamen  ever  came,  and  found  their  maggots  on  the 
corms  of  these  in  structures  nearly  half  a  mile  away.  The  grubs  are 
also  fond  of  young  Vine  roots,  and  the  adventitions  of  tender  roots  of 
various  trees  and  plants.  We  have  not  found  any  of  the  pests  in  potting 
soil,  but  they  may  possibly  subsist  on  decaying  as  well  as  on  living 
organic  matter.  Of  that,  however,  we  have  no  positive  acquaintance, 
though  we  have  observed  the  habits  of  most  insects,  and  this  in  par¬ 
ticular,  for  fifty  years  ;  yet  that  is  not  nearly  as  remote  as  (*aat  given  to 
the  public  at  the  present  time  as  new.  This  is  new — namely,  no  one 
knew  a  specific  for  them  until  it  was  given  in  the  Journal  of  Horticul¬ 
ture,  and  that  is  corrosive  sublimate— a  terrible  poison,  fatal  to  low 
forms  of  vegetable  and  animal  life  without  damage  to  the  higher  plants, 
but  destructive  to  all  animals,  therefore  extremely  dangerous  to  use. 
Of  this  you  may  use  oz.  (powdered)  to  gallon  of  water,  mixing  and 
letting  stand  overnight  in  a  wooden  vessel  (not  metal),  and  stirring 
occasionally.  Water  the  affected  plants  with  that,  and  if  you  find  any 
damage  accrue  to  the  plants,  or  if  there  be  a  grub  found  alive  a  few 
hours  after  treatment  kindly  send  the  specimen.  The  corrosive  sublimate 
will  not  put  new  roots  on  the  Cyclamen,  nor  make  the  corms  sound 
where  eaten  away.  These  must  be  effected  by  new  growths,  and  the 
things  or  substances  to  use  for  that  object  are  not  poisonous,  but  those 
acting  as  manures,  such  as  the  prescriptions  given  in  this  Journal, 
November  14th  (page  473),  in  reply  to  “E.  Critchley,”  under  the  heading 
“  Grubs  Infesting  Cyclamen.”  We  do  not  recommend  corrosive  sublimate, 
but  give  it  as  a  drastic  remedy. 
Zmpatlens  Hawkerl  (^Novice), — Keep  your  plants  in  2  or  3-inch 
pots  close  to  the  glass  in  a  temperature  of  When  ready  the  points 
may  be  removed  to  induce  them  to  branch.  Under  this  treatment  they 
will  grow  strongly  and  make  grand  plants  for  early  spring  flowering  if 
placed  when  ready  into  5  and  6-inch  pots.  Use  for  a  compost  loam, 
one-seventh  of  manure,  and  a  little  sand.  Press  the  soil  firmly  into  the 
pots. 
Names  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  ia 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  numier  of  worthless  Agipl^^ 
Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  he  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only 
specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior, 
lohich  are  not  worth  sending  or  groioing.  The  names  and  addresses  of 
senders  of  fruit  or  flowers  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  n?.med  at  once,  and  any 
beyond  that  number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the 
first  indication  of  change  toioards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be 
named  in  a  hard  green  state.  (IF.  7  B.  R.'). — Both  the  fruits  are 
specimens  of  Beurr^  Diel.  (7  H.,  Berks').— Tfio.  Pear  is  Josephine  de 
Malines,  and  the  Apple  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch.  (A.  P.). — Peasgood’s 
Nonesuch.  (^G.  JI). — 1,  Nonesuch  ;  2,  Cat’s  Head  ;  3,  Winter  Greening. 
(7  N.). — The  Apples  are  not  numbered.  The  one  with  the  knobbed 
stalk  is  Lemon  Pippin,  the  other  Winter  Greening.  (IF.  H.  B.). — If 
the  fruits  are  not  small  specimens  of  Golden  Noble,  which  we  scarcely 
think  they  are,  the  variety  is  probably  local  and  of  no  material  value. 
(7  S.  B.). — 1,  Not  known  2,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin  ;  3,  Lane’s  Prince 
Albert  ;  4,  White  Transparent ;  the  Pear  is  White  Doyennd.  (^F.  C), — 1, 
Mardchal  de  Cour  ;  2,  Marie  Louise  ;  3,  Autumn  Bergamot ;  5,  Marie 
Louise  d’Uccle ;  6,  The  Goff.  (TF.N,). — 1,  Golden  Knob ;  2,  Bishop’s  Thumb. 
COVBNT  GARDEN  MARKET. — November  27th. 
FRUIT. 
Trade  keeps  quiet ;  supplies  lighter. 
a.  d.  s.  d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  ..  ..  2  0  to  3  6 
„  Nova  Scotia,  per 
barrel . 13  0  17  0 
Cobs,  per  100  lbs .  30  0  35  0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 0  6  16 
s.  d  a.  d. 
Lemons,  case  . 11  0tol4  0 
Pears,  Oalifornian,  per  case  13  0  14  0 
Plums,  per  haii  sieve  ,.  0  0  0  0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  ,,  2  0  6  0 
VEGETABLES, 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
6. 
d. 
S 
d. 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0 
4 
io  0 
6 
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  ,,  ,. 
<) 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Coleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
2 
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 
6 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
2 
6 
0 
0 
Mushrooms,  punnet  ..  .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Tomatoes. per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety. 
8. 
d. 
9. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Orchids,  various,  dozen 
per  bunch . 
1 
0  to  2 
0 
blooms  . 
1 
6  to  12 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Primula(double),  doz.  spys. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Chrysanthemum,  doz.  blms. 
1 
0 
4 
0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
U 
6 
0 
„  doz.  Dunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
8 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
Smilax,  per  bunch  . .  . , 
2 
0 
3 
6 
bunches . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms. .  . . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Lilium  lancifolium,  twelve 
Violets  Parme  (French), 
blooms . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
per  bunch  . .  . . 
3 
6 
4 
6 
„  longiflorum.  12  blooms 
4 
u 
6 
0 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
bunch  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
sprays . 
1 
0 
2 
6 
„  Victoria  (French), 
Maidenhair  Fern.  doz.  behs. 
4 
u 
6 
0 
12  bunches  .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bimches  . . 
2 
6 
4 
0 
„  English,  12  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (golden)  dozen 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
to  6 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  . ,  . . 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Drac®na,  various,  dozen  .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  , 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Euonvmus ,  var.,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
0 
53 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanum.s,  per  dozen,.  .. 
6 
0 
12  0 
Ferns  iu  variety,  dozen  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
