January  20,  1898. 
JOURh^AL  OR  RORTIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
71 
Grafting  Aralias  (^Twenty-jive  Years  Subscriber). — We  have  not  heard 
that  the  elegant  Aralia  Veitchi  is  increased  by  grafting  on  A.  Sieboldi, 
now  called  Fatsia  japonica  ;  but  we  know  that  many  plants  are  established 
by  grafting  on  stocks  of  A,  reticirlata,  raised  from  cuttings  of  ripe,  healthy 
wood,  which  root  freely  in  gentle  heat,  while  those  of  A.  Veitchi  do  not. 
The  stocks  are  established  in  small  pots,  the  stems  cut  down  to  within  an 
inch  or  two  of  the  soil,  and  the  scions  2  or  3  inches  long,  neatly  attached 
by  splice  or  cleft  grafting,  made  secure,  and  air  excluded  by  grafting  wax. 
The  pots  are  plunged  in  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  in  a  close  case  or  under  a 
hand-light,  in  a  temperature  of  70°  to  75°,  and  gentle  bottom  heat  is 
advantageous.  Possibly  the  scions  might  “  take  ”  on  young  stocks  of 
Patsia,  or  on  pieces  of  root  with  fibre  attached,  though  we  have  not  seen 
A.  Veitchi  so  increased  ;  but  we  have  seen  hundreds  of  plants  established 
on  the  narrow-leaved  A.  reticulata.  A.  Schefileri,  a  New  Zealand  species, 
is  also  said  to  be  suitable  for  the  same  purpose. 
Gas  Liquor  (H,  J.  B.j. — This  must  be  used  very  carefully',  and  highly 
diluted  with  water.  For  vegetables  it  may  be  used  at  strengths  corre¬ 
sponding  to  the  vigour  of  the  plants,  about  1  pint  to  a  3-gallon  water- 
potful  of  water  being  quite  strong  enough  when  it  is  used  over  the 
foliage,  and  in  some  cases  it  will  brown  the  plants  at  that  ratio,  not 
only  because  the  foliage  differs  in  hardiness,  but  through  the  variableness 
of  the  strength  of  the  gas  liquor.  For  pouring  between  the  rows  of 
growing  crops  it  need  only  be  diluted  with  six  times  the  quantity  of 
water,  and  is  valuable  for  all  the  Brassica  tribe  and  Peas,  taking  care 
not  to  apply  it  to  their  stems.  For  fruit  trees  it  should  be  diluted  wuth 
ten  times  the  quantity  of  water,  and  be  applied  during  the  swelling  of 
their  crops,  preferably  in  the  first  half  of  their  swelling,,  as  given  late 
it  has  a  tendency  to  induce  late  growths.  It  will  benefit  every  kind  of 
plant  that  needs  support,  only  take  care  to  supply  it  weak,  and  to  pour 
it  clear  of  their  foliage.  It,  however,  requires  to  be  used  with  care,  as 
an  overdose  is  fatal. 
Poinsettias  Losing  their  Leaves  (/.  H.). — The  leaves  always  turn 
yellow  and  drop  off  after  the  plants  have  been  in  beautj'  for  some  time  ; 
but  the  change  and  casting  of  the  foliage  is  accelerated  by  the  checks 
the  plants  have  received  by  sudden  changes  of  temperature  or  extreme 
dryness  of  the  roots  even  if  only  for  a  few  hours.  Continue  watering 
them  regularly  as  long  as  the  bracts  remain  fresh  and  bright,  then 
gradually  withhold  water  until  the  soil  is  quite  dry.  After  a  few 
weeks  of  rest  the  plants  may  be  cut  down,  the  growths  being  made 
into  cuttings  and  inserted  in  sand,  one  joint  below  and  one  eye  just 
above  the  surface.  If  the  pots  are  placed  in  heat  these  cuttings  will 
emit  roots,  and  with  good  culture  form  fine  plants  during  the  season  ; 
cuttings  of  the  young  shoots  (that  are  produced  if  the  plants  are  not 
cut  down)  root  freely  if  inserted  when  3  inches  long  and  placed  in 
brisk  moist  heat  and  shaded  so  as  to  prevent  flagging.  The  old  cut- 
clown  ])ldnts,  when  they  have  made  half  an  inch  of  fresh  growth,  should 
be  shaken  out  of  the  pots  and  be  repotted  in  fresh  soil,  and  if  projcerly 
treated  they  will  produce  large  heads  of  brilliant  bracts  by  next 
Christmas. 
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  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  fruits  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  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  he  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  he  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
(A.  It.). — The  Apple  is  not  the  short-stalked  Hanwell  Souring,  nor  are 
we  quite  sure  what  it  is.  It  possesses  most  of  the  characters  of  Dutch 
Mignonne,  but  in  quality  is  not  equal  to  that  variety  in  its  normal  state. 
(D  E.  H.).  —  \,  Northern  Greening  ,:  2,  a  local  seedling  ;  the  Pear  is 
Brown  Beurr^. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  plants,  not 
varieties  that  have  originated  from  seeds  and  termed  florists’  flow'ers. 
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 
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. 
(F.  F.). — 1,  Selaginella  Kraussiana  variegata  ;  2,  Adiantnm  pubescens  ; 
3,  Maxillaria  nigrescens  ;  4,  Selaginella  Mar  tensi.  (E.  M.  E.). —  1,  Odonto- 
glossum  Cervantes!  decorum  ;  2,  a  good  form  of  Sophronitis  grandiflora  ; 
3,  Masdevallia  polysticha  ;  4,  Lselia  anceps,  poor  variety  ;  5,  Selaginella 
cgesia  ;  6,  S.  involvens.  (I.  F.  E.).  —  1,  Asplenium  cicutarium  ; 
2,  Lomaria  discolor  ;  3,  Cypripedium  venustum.  (C.  0.  P.).  — 1,  Cypri- 
pedium  insigne  Maulei  ;  2,  Lselia  anceps.  (P.  J.  R.),  —  1,  Adiantum 
gracillimum  ;  2,  Nephrolepis  exaltata  ;  3,  Asplenium  bulbiferum  ;  4,  Pteris 
serrulata  ;  5,  P.  cretica  ;  6,  P.  serrulata  cristata. 
CO  VENT  OAEDEN  MARKET.— Jan.  19th. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  \  sieve ... 
Cobs  . 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
Asparagus,  per  100 
Beans,  ^  sieve  ... 
Beet,  Red,  doz.... 
Carrots,  bunch  ... 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
Celery,  bundle  ... 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnch 
Cucumbers . 
Endive,  doz. 
Herbs,  bunch  ... 
Leeks,  bunch  ... 
Lettuce,  doz. 
Mushrooms,  lb.... 
Arbor  Vitaj,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
Chrysanthemums,  doz. 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
Cyclamen,  per  doz  ... 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz. 
,,  various,  per  doz. 
Euonymu8,.var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  , 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Chrysanthemums,  12bnchs. 
,,  ,,  12  blooms 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Eucharis,  doz . .  ... 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
bunches . 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
bunches . 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
Lily  of  theValley,  12sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches . 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
0  8  to  2'  0 
22  6 
24  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
a.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs . 
2  0 
3  0 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
2  0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle . 
1  6 
0  0 
0  4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  4 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  \  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  0 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
6  0to86  0 
Fej-ns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0tol8  0 
18  0 
36  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8  0 
5  0 
10  6 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0 
7  0 
30  0 
42  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
4  0 
9  0 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots 
8  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
12  0 
18  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
9  0 
15  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
1  0 
16  0 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
8  0 
12  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
6  0 
18  0 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
0  9 
1  6 
4  0 
18  0 
PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids 
in  variety. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
2  0  to  4  0 
3  0 
5  0 
Mimosa  or  Acacia,  bunch 
1  0 
2  6 
(French)  . 
0  9 
1  0 
0  6 
0  9 
Narciss,  white  (French) 
0  6 
0  9 
dozen  bunches  . 
2  6 
4  0 
1  0 
3  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
12  0 
4  0 
1  0 
12  0 
4  0 
3  0 
15  0 
4  0 
18  0 
6  0 
6  0 
GO  9  0 
0  9 
3  0 
1  0 
4  0 
6  0 
2  0 
8  0 
3  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs.  6  0  9  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz .  0  6  10 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ...  1  0  2  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles)  16  4  0 
,,  SafranofEnghshJdoz.  10  2  0 
,,  ,,  (French)  per  doz.  0  9  16 
,,  ,,  ,,  per  100...  6  0  7  0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  .  10  2  0 
Smilax,  bunch .  16  2  6 
Snowdrops,  12  bunches  ...  1  0  2  0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms  ...  0  6  0  9 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms  ...  0  6  16 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ...  1  6  2  0 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  .  3  0  4  0 
HOW  THE  MONEY  HOES. 
Having  now  got  fairly  into  the  swing  of  the  work  it  would  he 
well  to  inquire  how  the  money  allowed  hy  Government  fo  forward 
technical  education  in  this  country  is  being  spent. 
We  have  lately  read  of  much  good  work  being  done  on  the 
Continent,  particularly  in  the  countries  of  Denmark,  Norway  and 
Sweden,  and  the  question  suggesting  itself  is  this  :  Is  Government 
doing  as  much  for  us  in  the  way  of  education  (technical)  as  these 
countries  are  doing  for  their  people  ?  We  may  take  that  question  in 
two  ways.  First,  Having  now  waked  up  to  the  fact  of  our  great 
deficiencies,  as  compared  to  the  rest  of  the  continental  countries,  we 
are  trying  hy  great  efforts  to  retrieve  our  past — i.e.,  that  is  by  pro¬ 
viding  teachers  and  appliances.  Secondly,  we  are  rather  defeating  our 
own  ends  by  our  costly  methods,  and  we  do  not  attract  the  right  sort 
of  people  for  the  training.  We  are  helping  to  educate  many  who 
are  in  a  position  to  educate  themselves,  and  we  only  touch  as  it  were 
the  edge  of  the  masses.  As  far  as  we  can  learn  by  reading,  Sweden 
