January  27,  1898. 
JOtrUKAL  OF  HORTlGULTmE  AMD  COTTAGE  GARDEKEB, 
93 
Certificated  Radishes  (S'.,  Northampton). — The  two  Radishes  to  which 
you  refer  are  “Deep  Scarlet  Olive-shaped  Extra  Early”  and  “White 
Olive-shaped  Extra  Early.”  We  take  the  names  from  the  “Journal  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,”  vol.  xxi.,  part  1,  August,  1897,  where 
it  is  stated  they  were  certificated  unanimously  at  a  meeting  held  on 
April  21st  of  the  same  year.  It  is  also  stated  in  the  report  that  “these 
two  Radishes  were  proved  to  be  the  earliest  of  all,  and  were  ready  for  use 
in  five  weeks  from  the  date  of  sowing,”  They  were  grown  at  Chiswick 
from  seeds  supplied  by  Messrs.  Vilmorin  &  Co.,  Quai  de  la  Mdgisserie, 
Paris. 
Peach  Buds  Falling  ( W.  <?.). — ^Your  statement  that  “the  trees  were 
very  dry  at  the  end  of  autumn  ”  is  quite  sufficient  to  account  for  the  buds 
falling  now.  We  have  frequently  used  the  same  insecticide  that  you 
have,  and  never  with  any  such  untoward  results,  and  we  can  only  conceive 
it  proving  injurious  when  applied  at  an  excessive  strength  or  in  a  rough 
manner.  Possibly,  if  you  dig  down  deeply  enough,  you  might  find  dry  soil 
now  ;  but  be  that  as  it  may,  dryness  at  the  roots  in  the  autumn  is  a  fertile 
cause  of  Peach  buds  falling  at  this  period  of  the  year.  We  hope  they 
are  only  falling  to  a  limited  extent,  or  equal  to  a  thinning,  and  that  suffi¬ 
cient  will  be  retained  for  insuring  a  crop  of  fruit. 
Violets  in  Lancashire  {Aigburth). — Your  mention  ofWidnes  reminds 
of  sulphurous  fumes,  and  where  these  prevail  Violets  cannot  possibly  be 
grown  so  well  as  where  the  atmosphere  is  pure.  They  rank  amongst  the 
worst  of  all  “  town  garden  ”  plants,  because  so  susceptible  to  injury  by 
atmospheric  impurities.  Moreover,  soils  exert  a  great  influence.  We 
know  of  a  district  in  Sussex,  in  view  of  the  English  Channel,  and  the  air 
pure,  where  Primroses  luxuriate  ;  but  not  a  Sweet  Violet  can  be  found  in 
the  banks  for  miles,  and  only  here  and  there,  at  wide  intervals,  is  the  scent¬ 
less  “  Dog  Violet  ”  seen.  It  is  practically  impossible  to  grow  Sweet  Violets 
in  gardens  in  that  district  ;  and  if  they  are  not  found  wild  in  banks  in 
any  locality,  while  they  flourish  naturally  in  another,  we  should  say  it  is 
impossible  to  make  them  succeed  equally  in  gardens  and  frames  in  both 
districts.  Violets  sometimes,  or  often,  fail  in  frames  through  not  having 
been  removed  to  them  from  the  open  ground  soon  enough.  Given  healthy 
plants  prepared  in  gardens,  it  makes  all  the  difference  in  results  by  those 
plants  being  planted  in  frames  during  the  first  week  in  September  and 
the  last  week  in  October.  We  should  not  expect  Violets  to  thrive 
within  the  smoke  radius  of  Widnes  half  so  well  as  in  certain  districts  of 
“  Essex  and  Kent,” 
Books  for  E.H.S.  Examinations  (P.  B.). — If  you  write  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Royal  Horticulturaf  Society,  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  on 
the  subject,  he  will  send  you  a  list  of  books  recommended  ;  but  we  have 
to  say  that  large  and  expensive  books  have  not  been  found  the  best  by 
candidates  who  have  told  us  that  they  deeply  regretted  they  had  expended 
hardly  earned  money  on  them.  One  of  these  candidates,  who  headed  the 
list  a  few  years  ago,  told  us  that  he  had  thrown  £3  away  on  “  big  books,” 
and  he  found  the  compressed  information  in  the  cheaper  primers  and 
manuals  of  far  greater  use  to  him  than  the  large  volumes  through  which 
he  had  to  “  wade’’  for  hours  and  sift  the  chaff  from  the  grain  as  he  went 
along.  As  to  the  “  subjects  dealt  Avith,”  no  one  knows  what  they  will  be 
until  the  envelope  containing  them  is  opened  in  the  examination  room. 
Several  of  the  questions  may  bo  of  a  strictly  scientific  nature,  some  of 
them  mere  puzzles,  othi  rs  practical  and  useful  ;  but  each  candidate  can 
select  the  number  that  must  be  answered  from  the  list.  On  these  ho 
must  concentrate  attention  and  do  the  best  he  can  with  them  Avithin  the 
time  allowed,  ignoring  the  others.  Y''ou  must  understand  it  is  not  those 
Avho  possess  the  most  really  useful  practical  horticultural  knowledge  Avho 
AA’in  the  most  marks  in  these  examinations  in  “  horticulture,”  but  rather 
those  who  have  a  smattering  of  knowledge  on  many  things,  and  who  are 
apt  in  making  the  most  of  what  little  they  have  in  the  time  at  disposal  by 
expertness  in  the  use  of  the  pen.  Y'^ou  have  heard  of  the  “  pen  being 
mightier  than  the  SAVord.”  It  is  more  powerful  than  the  spade  in  these 
“exams,”  and  the  most  effective  and  profitable  workers  may  find  them¬ 
selves  far  behind,  in  the  number  of  marks,  those  who  if  placed  in  a  garden 
for  producing  supplies  of  the  best  fruit,  flowers,  and  vegetables  at  the 
times  required  would  utterly  fail.  The  questions  asked  are  as  much,  if 
not  more,  botanical  and  scientific  as  practically  horticultural.  Some  we 
have  seen  were  not  in  our  opinion  Avorth  the  paper  they  were  printed  on, 
so  far  as  they  had  bearing  on  the  occupation  of  useful  gardening ;  and 
we  are  as  certain  as  we  can  be  of  anything  that  neither  of  the  examiners 
who  propounded  the  questions  could,  if  confined  separately  in  a  room, 
answer  the  whole  of  them — practical  and  scientific — in  a  manner  to 
entitle  them  to  a  place  in  the  second-class  list.  Each-  could  ansAver  his 
OAvn,  of  course.  The  point  is  that  each  candidate  should  not  only  do  all 
he  can  to  become  well  grounded  in  the  scienti'-'c  principles  and  practical 
routine  of  gardening,  but  must  also  cultivate  the  art  of  free  and  correct 
expression — -a  matter  of  considerable  importance  in  the  equipment  of  a 
gardener  who  expects  to  occupy  and  fill  creditably  a  prominent  position, 
such,  for  instance,  as  Mr.  David  Thomson  occupied  for  nearly  thirty 
years  at  Drumlanrig,  and  Mr.  Owen  Thomas  fills  so  well  in  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Windsor.  They  might  be  able  to  grow  the  best  of  Cabbages 
and  other  things,  but  this  would  not  suffice  by  a  very  long  way,  apart 
from  other  accomplishments  that  go  to  make  a  really  high-class  gardener. 
You  may  well  remember  that  these  exams,  are  not  in  the  ordinary  sense 
of  the  term  competitive.  Every  candidate  is  accorded  the  marks  to  Avhich 
he  is  entitled,  and  if  he  does  not  win  so  many  as  he  hopes  at  the  first 
attempt,  he  should  try  again.  We  see  no  reason  why  you  should  not  put 
your  abilities  to  the  test,  as  you  have  nothing  to  lose  and  much  to  gain. 
Mark  the  questions,  when  you  see  them,  that  you  feel  you  can  best 
answer  ;  apportion  time  to  each  of  them,  as  if  you  ansAver,  say,  seven 
splendidly  and  forget  the  eighth,  you  may  lose  the  medal,  as  happened 
not  so  very  long  ago. 
Seedling  Cypripedium  ((?.  5.). — Your  seedling  is  identical  with 
C.  Lathamianuro,  first  raised  by  Mr.  Latham,  Curator  of  the  Birmingham 
Botanic,  and  flowered  by  him  in  1888.  Similar  results  have  been  obtained 
by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  from  the  same  cross- — namely,  C.  Spicerianum 
and  C.  villosum.  Plants  are  now  producing  flowers  in  the  Chelsea  Nurseries 
of  the  firm  just  named  exactly  like  the  one  you  have  sent,  while  others 
from  the  same  cross  show  slight  varietal  differences.  C.  Lathamianum 
appears  to  grow  and  flower  freely.  The  nearly  white  dorsal  sepal,  from 
Spicerianum,  contrasts  effectively  with  the  other  parts  of  the  floAvers, 
which  are  of  a  massive  villosum-like  character.  The  variety  is  worthy  of 
extended  cultivation. 
Narcissus  Tazetta  Snowflake  (P.  A.). — The  snow-white  flowers, 
twelve  on  a  scape,  are  charming  in  appearance,  and  both  the  hulbs  and 
the  treatment  they  have  received  must  have  been  of  the  best.  We 
perceive  nothing  unusual  in  the  perfume  for  the  variety.  It  differs 
from  that  of  the  Paper  White  in  being  heavier  and,  to  our  sense,  less 
pleasant.  We  know  of  persons  who  cannot  endure  flowers  of  the  last 
named  in  rooms,  while  others  enjoy  them.  The  perfume  of  the  yellow 
cupped  forms  is  totally  different,  some  being  distinctly  sweet,  and  by 
many  persons  enjoyed,  but  not  all.  We  do  not  think  the  odour  of  the 
flowers  is  materially  affected  by  forcing ;  and,  generally  speaking,  such 
as  those  you  have  sent  could  only  be  sparingly  used  in  rooms. 
Names  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,  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. 
(P.  Taylor). — 1,  Adiantum  macrophyllum ;  2,  Davallia  Tyermani  ; 
3,  Cyrtomium  falcatum ;  4,  Adiantum  cardiochltena ;  .5,  Davallia 
canariensis  ;  6,  Adiantum  formosum.  {Grass). — Eragrostis  elegans. 
COYENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Jan.  26th. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
Cobs  . 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
Asparagus,  per  ICO 
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.... 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
•  •• 
1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
1  6  to  2  0 
t  •  • 
21  0 
t2  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
•  •• 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
9.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  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,  CAvt . 
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,  1  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  0 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  hunch . 
0  3 
0  0 
Arbor  Vitrn,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
Chrysanthemums,  doz. 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
Cyclamen,  per  doz.  ... 
Dracmna,  var.,  doz. ... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
6  0to36  0 
18  0 
5  0 
30  0 
4  0 
9  0 
12  0 
12  0 
9  0 
9  0 
36  0 
10  6 
42  0 
9  0 
15  0 
18  0 
30  0 
18  0 
15  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
Ferns,  small,  100  . . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
4  0tol8  0 
12  0 
4  0 
6  0 
6  0 
1  0 
8  0 
7  0 
5  0 
12  0 
18  0 
6  0 
9  0 
9  0 
15  0 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
„  various,  per  doz.  ... 
8  0 
12  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
6  0 
18  0 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  hulbs 
0  9 
1  6 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids  in  variety. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s*  d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2  0  to  4  0 
Mimosa  or  Acacia,  bunch 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
2  6 
4  0 
(French)  . 
0  9  to  1  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
1  0 
2  6 
Narciss,  white  (French) 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0  6 
0  9 
dozen  buoches  . 
2  6 
6  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
0  9 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
12  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Pelargonium.',  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
9  0 
Chrysanthemums,  12  bnchs. 
4  0 
15  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  6 
1  0 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
6  0 
12  0 
,,  Tea,  Avhite,  dozen  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  6 
4  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
3  0 
6  0 
,,  Safrano(English,doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
,,  ,,  (French)  per  doz. 
0  9 
1  G 
bunches  . 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  „  ,,  per  100... 
6  0 
7  0 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
1  0 
2  6 
bunches . 
6  0 
9  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
1  6 
2  G 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Snowdrops,  12  bunches  ... 
0  9 
1  6 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
4  0 
6  0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
0  6 
0  9 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  Wsprays 
1  0 
2  0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
0  6 
1  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
1  6 
2  0 
bunches . 
4  0 
8  0 
„  Parme  (French), 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
bunch  . 
3  0 
4  0 
