February  if,  1898. 
JOURAUL  OR  tJOUTTGVLTVRR  AND  COTTAGR  OARDRRIRR. 
159 
American  Productions  (^Amateur). — You  have  omitted  your  name  and 
address.^  If  you  supply  them,  we  will  give  you  what  information  we 
can  ;  It  is  not  a  question  suitable  for  publication. 
(  F.  A.). — The  rootstock  and  stem  have  been 
killed  by  some  caustic  substance,  evidently  potash,  but  there  are  other 
substances  that  give  the  purple  colour.  The  substance,  Avhatever  it  may 
have  been,  has  been  poured  on  the  roots,  the  tissues  being  destroyed  there 
and  for  some  distance  up  the  stem,  while  the  radiating  parts  are  quite 
healthy  and  normal.  There  is  no  disease  from  gall  or  grub  attacks  in  the 
specimen. 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  (IF.  T.'). — To  afford  large  trusses  with  fine 
petals,  young  plants  are  much  the  best.  Sturdy  plants  of  last  year’s 
raising  from  cuttings,  and  now  welt  established  in  4^. or  5-inch  pots,  if 
shifted  as  needed,  kept  steadily  growing,  the  weaker  shoots  remived,  and 
the  strong  retained,  produce  the  best  trusses.  Pinch  the  buds  off  till 
about  six  weeks  before  show  time,  and  then  the  growths  above  them,  and 
with  judicious  feeding  after  this,  large  trusses  and  fine  blooms  should  be 
forthcoming. 
Chemical  Manures  (ff.  U,'), — We  fail  to  jierceive  any  date  of  the 
meeting.  In  our  experience,  and  it  is  not  short,  the  effects  of  artificial 
manures  is  largely  dejiendent  on  the  seasons.  We  have  known  the 
money  exjiended  on  them  in  dozens  of  experiments  wasted,  and  guided 
by  these  particular  experiments  alone,  which  would  not  be  fair,  it  might 
be  advised  that  chemicals  are  of  no  use.  We  do  not  know  of  any 
fund  being  established  for  providing  the  sinews  of  war  in  what  some 
people  regard,  though  perhaps  incorrectly,  as  a  trade  propaganda. 
Applying  Superphosphate  to  Lawns  (F.  L.'). — Now  is  the  time  to  apply 
bone  superphosphate  to  lawns.  It  is  better  to  add  about  a  fifth  part 
of  sulphate  of  ammonia  to  the  superphosjihate,  as  this  quickens  its  action, 
or  if  a  light  soil,  use  nitrate  of  soda  instead  of  the  sulphate  of  ammonia. 
Three  and  a  half  pounds  of  the  mixture  suffice  per  square  rod,  or  if  very 
mossy  and  but  little  grass  double  the  quantity  may  be  used.  It  will 
brown  the  lawn,  at  least  it  will  become  so  from  the  dead  moss,  but  the 
brownness  will  soon  disappear  in  consequence  of  the  grass  growing. 
Potatoes  for  Showing  (A.  C.). — The  best  soil  for  growing  Potatoes  is 
a  rather  light  loam,  well  enriched  in  the  previous  autumn  with  deca3'ed 
stable  or  a  farmyard  manure,  and  the  bind  again  forked  over  during  dry 
weather  in  the  spring,  so  as  to  secure  an  even  blend  of  the  ingredients. 
Top-dress  with  either  soot  (a  peck  per  rod)  or  rape  meal  (7  lbs.  per  rod) 
just  before  setting.  Choose  sets  of  2  ozs.  to  3  ozs.  in  weight,  reduce  the 
eyes  to  one  or  at  most  two,  reserving  the  strongest,  and  set  during  the 
early  part  of  April,  affording  the  plants  ample  room.  Scattering  a  handful 
of  superphosphate  of  lime  over  a  length  of  5  or  6  yards  of  drill  when 
planting  is  good  practice  at  the  setting.  Scab  maj’  be  introduced  on  the 
sets,  and  the  best  disinfectant  is  corrosive  sublimate  (a  strong  poison), 
1  part  in  1000  parts  of  water,  steeping  the  sets  for  an  hour  and  a  half 
before  setting,  and  not  using  them  for  any  other  purpose  but  planting. 
Pruning  Drawn  and  “Leggy”  Rhododendrons  (A.  ^rowd).  — The 
shrubs  will  now  (after  two  years  growth  from  transplanting)  have  become 
well  established  in  the  fresh  material,  and  hence  likely  to  push  freely  and 
sturdily  after  being  pruned.  This  is  best  done  during  moist  and  mild 
weather  in  April,  in  such  manner  as  to  leave  little  beyond  bare  stumps, 
in  order  to  turce  the  dormant  buds  into  activity  at  ihe  beginning  of 
summer,  and  thus  secure  a  good  growth  with  a  prospect  of  its  ripening 
W'ell.  The  cutting  down  will  do  away  with  all  prospect  of  flowers  for  the 
current  J'car,  and  probably  the  following  season.  It  appears,  however, 
that  you  wish  to  have  flowers,  as  you  refer  to  “cutting  down  after 
flowering.”  This  we  have  frequently  done,  with  the  result  of  securing  a 
feeble  growuh  the  first  season  and  no  flowers  the  following  year.  We 
have  also  cut  dowm  a  portion  of  the  shrubs  one  seas  .n  in  April,  others 
the  next,  and  so  on,  until  the  beds  were  gone  through  and  the  shrubs 
brought  into  shape,  while  there  have  always  been  some  flowers.  Take 
the  course  most  likely  to  be  in  accord  with  the  views  and  requirements  of 
the  proprietor. 
Diseased  Carnations  (  A.  A.). — The  plants  are  infested  with  the  “fairy¬ 
ring  s"'ots  ”  of  the  Carnation  fungus  (Ileterosporium  ecbinulatum),  first 
desciubed  in  lingland  twenty-eight  years  ago  by  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley, 
and  was  introduced  from  the  continent  of  Europe,  thence,  in  recent  years, 
into  North  America.  The  spores  are  brown  in  colour,  and  prickly,  as 
the  specific  name  implies,  and  when  produced  in  great  abundance,  as  in  ^  our 
case,  darken  the  spot  upon  the  leaf,  due  to  the  threads  and  the  spores. 
The  growdh  of  the  fungus  from  the  centre  of  the  spot  is  centrifugal,  and 
the  dark  colour  generally  arranged  in  concentric  lines  or  rings,  fancifully 
representing  a  miniature  fairy  ring.  The  damp  of  the  frame  has  probably 
given  the  fungus  a  great  advantage.  The  essential  conditions  of  growing 
healthy  Carnations  are — foliage  free  from  heavy  moisture,  and  free 
circulation  of  air  about  Ihe  plants  on  all  sides.  Burn  all  the 
plants  which  are  in  the  condition  of  those  sent  to  us,  as  they  cannot 
possibly  be  cured.  Cut  off  the  worst  -affected  parts  of  the  remainder 
and  burn  them.  Dust  the  plants  with  the  advertised  fungicides  containing 
sulphate  of  copper,  or  spray  with  Bordeaux  mixture,  so  frequently  quoted 
in  our  columns.  Above  all  give  more  air;  the  plants  cannot  have  too 
much  of  this,  guarding  against  sharp  currents,  nor  of  light. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  onl}'  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  siiores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  in  securely 
tied  firm  boxes.  Thin  paper  bo.xes  arrive  in  a  flattened  state.  Slightly 
damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the  best  packing,  dry  wool  or 
paper  the  worst.  Those  arrive  in  the  best  condition  that  are  so  closely  or 
firmly  packed  in  soft  green  fresh  grass,  as  to  remain  unmoved  by  shaking. 
No  specimens  should  be  sent  to  rest  in  the  post  office  over  Sunday,  on 
which  day  there  is  no  delivery  of  postal  matter  in  London.  Specimens  in 
partially  filled  boxes  are  invariably  injured  or  spoiled  by  being  dashed  to 
and  fro  in  transit.  Not  more  than  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once, 
and  the  numbers  should  be  visible  wuthout  untying  the  ligatures,  it  being 
often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp.  (W.  W) — 1, 
Begonia  hydrocotylifolia ;  2,  Fuchsia  fulgens  ;  3,  Pteris  cristata  albo- 
lineata  ;  4,  P.  serrulata  ;  5,  Adiantum  formosum  ;  6,  A.  scutum.  (J.  G.). 
— 1,  Garrya  elliptica ;  2,  Ceanothus  rigidus  ;  3,  Berberis  Darwini. 
(W.  Z.).  —  1,  Adiantum  Collisi  ;  2,  A.  rubellum  ;  3,  A.  setulosum  ;  4, 
Scolopendrium  vulgare  cristatum  ;  5,  Cyrlomlum  falcatum.  (Z.  S.'). — 
1,  Spiraea  palmata ;  2,  Cypripedium  Spicerianum  ;  3,  a  variety  of 
Dendrobium  Wardianum  ;  4,  Cyprifiedium  insigne.  (Z.  B.  D. —  1, 
Adiantum  Pacotti ;  2,  Cypripedium  villosum  ;  3,  Ficus  repens ;  4,  Prunns 
sinensis  flore-pleno  ;  5,  Euphorbia  splendens  ;  6,  specimen  insufficient, 
send  when  in  flower. 
CO  VENT  OAEDEN  MAEKET.— Feb.  16tii. 
fruit. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
a.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
•  •• 
1 
6  to4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
2  0  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
... 
21 
0 
i2  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
•  •• 
0 
0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d- 
8.  d. 
3,  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
•  •• 
0 
0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  ^  sieve . 
..a 
0 
0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs . 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1 
0 
0  0 
2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz.  ... 
2 
0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
2  0 
4  0 
r elery,  bundle . 
1 
0 
0  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchs. 
2 
0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle . 
1  6 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
0 
4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
;  6 
1  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1 
3 
1  G 
Shallo’s.  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  1  sieve  . 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
1  G 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1 
3 
0  0 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
•  •• 
0 
6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz. 
... 
6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
4  0tol8  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
... 
18  0 
36  0 
4  0 
8  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
6 
0 
10  G 
1  0 
7  0 
Azalea,  per  doz . 
•  a. 
30  0 
42  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
... 
8  0 
12  0 
Hyacintiis,  doz.  pots 
8  0 
12  0 
Cyclamen,  per  doz  ... 
... 
9 
0 
18  0 
Lilium  Harrisi.  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
Dracajna,  var  ,  doz.  ... 
... 
12 
0 
30  0 
L\ C  'podiums,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  hyem-alis,  per  doz 
... 
9 
0 
18  0 
.Marguerite  Daisj',  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
... 
9 
0 
15  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz. 
... 
G  0 
9  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
1  0 
15  0 
,,  various,  per  doz. 
... 
8 
0 
12  0  i 
,,  ppecimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Euonvmus,  var.,  doz. 
6 
0 
18  0 
Pelargotiiums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
... 
4 
0 
18  0  1 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
0  9 
1  G 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  I LOWERS.-Orebids  in  variety. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
1 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
2  0 
to  4  0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
2  0 
3 
0 
'  Mimosa  or  Acacia,  bunch 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
1 
0 
2 
G 
(French)  . 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Naiciss,  white  (French) 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
0 
9 
dozen  bunches  . 
2 
6 
5 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1 
G 
12 
0 
Ctirysantberaums,  12  bnchs. 
8 
0 
15 
0 
Pelargonium-,  doz  bnchs. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Eucliaris,  doz . 
3 
0 
5 
0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Euphorbia  jacquiniteflora, 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1 
6 
4  0 
per  bunch  . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
,,  Safrano (English  doz. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
5 
0 
8 
0 
,,  ,,  (French)  per  doz. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
,,  „  „  per  109... 
5 
0 
7 
0 
bunches  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
Sniilax,  bunch . 
1 
6 
2 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Snowdrops,  12  bunches  ... 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
0 
6 
0  9 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
4 
0 
6  0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Lily  of  theValley,  12sprays 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
0  9 
2 
0 
Alaidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunches . 
4  0 
8 
0 ! 
bunch  . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Marguerites,  dpz.  bunches 
2 
0 
3  0  ; 
AN  AMEIMCAN  I'EST. 
We  are  all  so  apt  to  consider  that  our  own  afflictions  and 
troubles  are  really  the  vvorst  in  the  world.  Other  folk  may  be 
similarly  afflicted,  but  in  their  case  we  lind  mitigating'  c  ri  u  nslances 
— in  ourselves  never.  If  disaster  comes  it  is  gigantic — if  a  blow 
falls,  it  is  on  a  raw  place. 
