February  24,  1898. 
JOVnnAL  OP  ITOnTtGUlA'URE  APD  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
181 
American  Productions  and  "Water  Lilies  (^Amateur). — We  did  not 
misunderstand  your  letter,  though  the  one  you  send  now  is  not  quite  the 
same.  Some  of  the  newer  Water  Lilies  are  of  necessity  high  m  price 
because  they  are  scarce,  and  they  cannot  be  sold  at  what  you  regard  as 
a  “  cheap  rate  ”  till  they  are  much  more  plentiful.  Some  of  them  are  not 
obtainable  anywhere  at  anything  like  the  prices  you  mention. 
Plower  Beds  (/.  ,S.).— You  seem  to  desire  “all  the  principal  carpet 
bed  and  flower  bed  designs”  in  two  books,  which  will  also  teach  you 
“  how  to  draw  the  design.”  You  will  find  many  and  varied  flower  and 
carpet  bed  designs  in  the  “  Parks  and  Gardens  of  London,”  published  at 
12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet  Street,  London,  E.C.  You  can  obtain 
it  for  2s.  6d.  by  ordering  through  a  bookseller,  or  for  2s.  ltd.  by  post  from 
the  publisher.  Drawing  can  only  he  learned  by  careful  and  continuous 
practice,  the  same  as  the  art  of  writing  is  acquired.  There  must  be 
evening  drawing  classes  in  the  city  near  which  you  reside,  and  in  no 
other  way  could  you  learn  the  art  so  well  as  by  attending  them.  Both 
geometrical  drawing  and  freehand  sketching  are  valuable  acquisitions,  and 
may  be  of  great  service  to  a  gardener.  When  you  can  draw  well  all  the 
designs  in  the  book  mentioned,  you  will  be  able  to  copy  any  others,  and 
originate  some  of  your  own. 
Bust  on  Clerodendron  fallax  Leaf  ^Inquirer). — Yes,  we  “  see  ”  the 
Bordeaux  mixture  has  not  affected  the  “  fungus,”  because  it  could  not  be 
discovered  by  the  highest  power  of  the  microscope  at  our  command, 
which  is  sufficient  to  show  everything  there  is  to  be  seen  in  the  shape  of 
an  organism.  There  certainly  were  plenty  of  “rust  spots,”  and  these 
greatly  disfiguring  the  leaf ;  but  they  are  caused  by  a  member  of  (he 
animal  kingdom,  a  small  mite  with  a  venomous  bite,  which  sort  of  half 
burrows  in  the  leaf  when  hatched  from  the  egg,  of  which  you  may  see 
some  with  an  ordinary  double  pocket  magnifier,  and  abundant  numbers 
with  a  microscope  of  about  50-diameter  magnifying  power.  The  eggs  are 
globular,  shining  white  or  silvery,  and  from  these  the  mites  emerge  in 
the  course  of  a  few  da)’s,  and  at  once  pass  their  beaks  or  jaws  into  the 
tissues,  giving  rise  to  little  pustules  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaf  and 
to  brown  spots  on  the  upper  surface — the  well-known  “rust”  of 
Gesneras,  Gloxinias  and  Begonias.  It  is  a  species  of  Tarsonymus,  nearly 
related,  if  not  identical,  with  the  Pelargonium  leaf  rust  insect  (T.  pelar- 
goni).  Tobacco  juice  at  a  safe  strength  has  been  found  useful  against  the 
minute  invaders.  Frequent  fumigation  or  vapourisation  deters  the  pests  ; 
but  the  direct  application  of  the  nicotine  to  the  leaves  is  the  better 
preventive  and  remedy,  taking  care  not  to  use  it  so  strong  as  to  injure  the 
plants. 
Growing  Violets  for  Profit  (W.  S.). — We  have  grown  Violets  in 
both  the  modes  you  mention  by  the  thousand,  and  prefer  the  frames. 
Y^ou  must  remember  that  in  an  unheated  house  the  pots  must  be  pro¬ 
tected  from  frost  in  severe  weather.  The  plants  need  not  be  very  large 
for  culture  in  pots.  They  are  grown  from  suckers  or  offsets  every 
year  in  an  open  position,  having  the  soil  well  enriched  and  firm  to  secure 
a  sturdy  habit  and  bold  crowns,  runners  being  kept  down.  Such  plants, 
if  kept  clean,  can  be  lifted  in  the  autumn,  potted  as  you  propose,  but 
getting  as  many  crowns  as  possible  into  a  pot,  without  overcrowding,  or 
well  clear  of  each  other,  and  removing  the  old  outside  leaves,  as  they 
have  then  done  their  summer’s  work,  in  storing  matter  for  the  develop¬ 
ment  of  flower  buds.  The  best  varieties  we  have  grown  in  pots  were 
Princess  of  Prussia,  a  single  large-flowered  purple,  similar  to  Wellsiana  ; 
Marie  Louise,  mauve  lavender  blue  with  reddish  purple  shades  of  colour  ; 
Do  Parme,  pale  lavender  purple  ;  Count  Brazza’s  White,  the  three  last 
being  double  Neapolitans.  For  flowering  in  frames,  the  plants  must  be 
well  grown  outdoors,  lifted  carefully,  and  placed  in  the  frames  in 
September,  using  good  rich  soil,  and  raised  so  that  the  plants  are  well  up 
to  the  glass.  They  cannot  have  too  much  air,  only  using  the  lights  to 
throw  off  heavy  rains,  then  tilting  them  at  the  back.  In  frosty 
weather  protection  over  the  glass  will  be  necessary,  not  allowing  the  sun 
to  fall  on  the  plants  whilst  frozen,  nor  to  act  on  the  frames  when  thawed 
without  ventilation.  The  varieties  named  are  excellent  for  frames.  Get 
them  true,  and  do  not  bother  about  others.  The  plants  will  give  you 
flowers  from  September  to  April  inclusive  in  all  but  severe  frosty  weather. 
By  all  means  sell  near  home  if  you  can,  otherwise  bunch  and  send  to 
market,  making  due  arrangements  beforehand.  They  only  pay  under  the 
best  of  management.  Given  this  also  to  what  you  may  grow  in  the 
house  or  frames  in  the  summer,  the  combination  ought  to  leave  a  fair 
margin  of  profit.  Some  persons  succeed,  others  fail. 
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  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  in  securely 
tied  firm  boxes.  Thin  paper  boxes  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  8i<  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.  (<S,)  — The 
flower  sent  is  a  small  form  of  the  Spring  Snowflake,  Leucoium  vernum, 
(F.  8.  F. ).— 1,  Begonia  metallica  ;  2,  Phormium  tenax  variogata  ;  3. 
Acacia  cultriformis  ;  4,  Hedychium  Gardnerianum.  (P.  H.). —  1,  Asparagus 
tenuifolius  ;  2,  Myrsiphyllum  asparagoides  ;  3,  Jasminum  Sambac  fl.-pl, ; 
4,  Bambusa  Fortunei  ;  5,  Freesia  refracta  alba  ;  6,  Davallia  canariensis. 
((?.  M.). — 1,  Dendrobium  Phalsenopsis  Schroderianum  ;  2,  Sparmannia 
africana  ;  3,  Dendrobium  nobile.  (/^norawiMs).— Asparagus  deflexus. 
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  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
(  W.  J.\ — If  both  the  fruits  came  from  the  same  tree,  they  well  exemplify 
the  difficulty  of  naming.  One  is  conical  and  ribbed,  with  a  short  thick 
stalk  set  in  a  shallow  cavity  ;  the  other  is  inclined  to  he  oblate,  not 
ribbed,  with  a  distinctly  slender  stalk  set  in  a  deep  cavity.  Both  cannot 
possibly  be  typical,  but  a  fruit  between  the  two  would  resemble  Calville 
Rouge  d’Hiver.  (S'.  O.j. — 1,  Striped  Beefing  ;  2,  Alfriston  ;  3,  Sturmer 
Pippin.  (S.,  Herts'). —  1,  Nec  Plus  Meuris  ;  2,  .losephine  de  Malines. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
J.  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn. — Farm  Seeds. 
Dicksons,  Chester. — Farm  Seeds. 
P.  Henderson  &  Co.,  New  York. — Seeds. 
Little  &  Ballantyne,  Carlisle. — Farm  Seeds. 
A.  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill. — Pock  Plants,  Carnations. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Feb.  23rd. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
•  •• 
1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
2  0  to  3  0 
Cobs  ...  ...  ...  ... 
... 
21  0 
22  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
... 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
•  •• 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  ^  sieve . 
0  0 
0  0 
’  Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs . 
2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
«  .  • 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
Pelery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle . 
1  6 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
1  6 
1  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
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  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
... 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vita3,  var.,  doz. 
... 
6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0tol8  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
... 
IH  0 
36  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0 
7  0 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
•  •• 
30  0 
42  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
8  0 
12  0 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots 
8  0 
12  0 
Cyclamen,  per  doz  ... 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Liliura  Harrisi,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
Dracaena,  var  ,  doz.  ... 
... 
12  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
... 
9  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz 
... 
9  0 
15  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  gracili.-,  per  doz. 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
1  0 
15  0 
,,  various,  per  doz. 
... 
8  0 
12  0 
,,  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
... 
6  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
0  9 
1  6 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.-Orchids 
in  variety. 
s.  d. 
p.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches  2  0  to  4  0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ...  2  0  3  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch...  1  0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays  ...  0  6 
Bouvardias,  bunch .  0  6 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ...  10 
2  6 
0  9 
0  9 
3  0 
15  0 
9  0 
5  0 
2  0 
8  0 
Chrysanthemums,  12bnchs.  8  0 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ...  6  0 
Eucharis,  doz .  3  0 
Euphorbia  jacquiniaeflora, 
per  bunch  .  1  0 
Gardenias,  doz .  5  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
bunches .  6  0  9  0 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  d'  zon 
bunches .  4  0  8  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ...  3  0  4  0 
Liliumlongiflorum,12blm8  4  0  6  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128prav8  0  9  1  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches .  4  0  8  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches  2  0  3  0 
Mimosa  or  Acacia,  bunch 
(French)  . 
Naiciss,  white  (French) 
dozen  bunches  . 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargonium-,  doz.  bnchs. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  SafranojEnglish  doz. 
,,  „  (French)  per  doz. 
,,  „  „  per  100... 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Snowdrops,  12  bunches  ... 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  . 
2  0  to  4  0 
0  9  10 
1  0 
6  0 
12  0 
9  0 
1  0 
2  0 
3  0 
2  0 
0  9 
0  6 
0  6 
0  9 
3  0  4  0 
