March  24,  1898* 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
271 
*  Dendrohinm  nohile  (  W.  J.  P.). — The  varieties  of  Dendrobiura  nobile 
sent  are  very  fine.  No.  1  conies  very  near  to  the  variety  nobilius,  and 
we  would  like  to  see  it  another  season.  No.  2  is  D.  n.  albiflorum,  the 
purplish  tips  being  not  unlike  those  of  the  sub-variety  llajah.  They 
both  much  above  the  average.  All  the  flowers  sent  indicate  cultural 
merits,  for  they  are  clear  in  colouration  and  of  good  substance. 
Lilium  speciosum  rubrum  (^Amateur'). — You  are  right  in  supposing  this 
to  be  synonymous  with  L.  lancifolium  rubrum.  In  the  majority  of 
instances  you  will  find  a  G  or  7-inch  pot  will  do  for  a  strong  bulb  of  this 
Lilium.  Drain  the  pot  well,  and  on  that  place  some  rough  peat  and 
loam,  filling  the  pot  about  half  full.  On  this  set  the  bulbs,  and  just  cover 
all  except  the  point,  and  then  set  the  pots  on  the  floor  under  your  stage, 
and  give  little  water  until  the  stems  begin  to  move  ;  then  bring  them  into 
the  light,  and  earth  up  as  the  stem  grows.  After  the  end  of  May  a 
sheltered  place  out  of  doors  will  suit  them  as  well  as  the  greenhouse  or 
cold  pit.  When  growing  freely  they  require  plenty  of  water. 
Carnation  Cuttings  (Z).  S.  E.). — The  best  'cuttings  of  Perpetual 
flowering  Carnations  are  those  3  or  4  inches  long,  detached  with  a  heel, 
cut  tranversely  or  pared  smooth,  the  lower  pair  of  leaves  being  removed 
The  compost  should  consist  of  turfy  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  sand  in  equal 
parts  (mixed),  and  just  moist,  not  wet.  Insert  each  cutting  in  a  thumb 
pot,  using  a  little  sand  ;  press  firmly,  and  plunge  the  pots  two-thirds  their 
depth  in  cocoa-fibre  refuse  in  a  frame  kept  close,  and  with  a  bottom  heat 
of  about  65°  to  70°.  In  four  days  if  bright,  or  a  week  if  dull,  the  cuttings 
may  be  watered,  giving  enough  to  moisten  the  whole  of  the  soil,  leaving 
the  lights  off  until  the  tops  of  the  cuttings  become  quite  dry,  then  replace. 
Continue  this  precedure  until  the  cuttings  are  rooted,  then  gradually 
inure  them  to  the  air  of  the  house,  harden  and  shift  into  larger  pots. 
Spotted  Tomato  Leaves  {Wakofa). — The  four  leaves  are  not  infested 
by  any  cryptogamous  parasite  or  animal  micro-organisms,  but  quite 
normal,  the  spots  being  due  to  defective  chlorophyll  development,  this 
probably  arising  from  the  cause  you  name — that  is,  comparative  soil 
exhaustion  through  the  plants  being  rather  root-bound.  The  high  tem¬ 
perature  would  have  a  tendency  in  the  direction  referred  to  and  not  do 
any  harm,  provided  the  ventilation  corresponds  to  the  heat  and  allows 
evaporation  of  moisture  to  proceed  from  the  leaves.  This  hardening 
process  renders  the  plants  more  disease-resistant,  and  has  a  deterrent 
effect  on  certain  fungi,  especially  the  most  hurtful,  such  as  the  Dotato 
disease  fungus,  Phytophthora  infestans,  and  also  on  “  black  stripe  ” 
parasite,  whilst  promoting  an  early  floriferous  habit  as  the  result  of  the 
higher  elaboration  and  concentration  of  the  juices. 
Growing  Buckwheat  as  Food  for  Poultry  (W.  Z7.).— Buckwheat 
(Polygonum  Fagopyrum)  was  first  brought  to  Europe  from  Asia  by 
the  Crusaders,  hence  it  is  often  called  Saracen  corn.  The  plant  will  not 
endure  our  spring  frosts  nor  those  of  early  autumn,  hence  the  seeds  must 
not  be  sown  till  warm  weather  sets  in  during  May.  The  flowers  appear 
about  July,  and  are  excellent  for  bee  flowers.  The  seeds  ripen  in  late 
September  or  October,  but  so  tender  are  the  plants  that  a  single  night’s 
frost  will  destroy  a  whole  crop.  It  is  best  sown  in  drills  similar  to 
Beans,  the  plant  growing  about  30  inches  high,  and  producing  small 
triangular  grains  of  a  brownish  black  without  and  white  within,  in  great 
profusion,  much  relished  by  partridges,  pheasants  and  poultry,  hence 
buckwheat  is  commonly  grown  near  preserves  for  winged  game  to  feed  on 
to  their  heart’s  content.  English  grown  seed  is  best,  and  two  bushels  will 
sow  a  statute  acre.  Gamekeepers  get  the  land  into  good  tilth  by  the 
middle  of  May,  then  either  drill  the  seed  or  sow  broadcast  and  lightly  harrow 
in,  and  keep  the  ground  clear  of  weeds.  Light  sandy  soil  just  suits  Buck¬ 
wheat,  as  it  likes  warmth,  and  seeds  all  the  better  in  poor  rather  than 
rich  land.  The  seeds  are  excellent  food  for  poultry,  as  also  are  Sun¬ 
flower  seeds  ;  we  have  grown  both  largely  for  fowls  and  game. 
Leaves  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  vines  ((?.  (7.). — The  leaves  are 
suffering  from  what  is  known  as  browning  or“brunure.”  We  failed 
to  find  anything  of  an  organic  nature,  certainly  not  any  fungus,  and  the 
slight  stain  in  the  cells  hardly  betrays  the  presence  of  Flasmodiophora 
vitis.  Therefore  we  should  attribute  the  effect  to  the  constitutional 
defects  of  the  Vine,  the  variety  not  being  so  strong  as  many  others,  and 
has  been  prejudicially  affected  by  the  roots  having  to  collect  nutrition 
from  an  outside  border.  We  have  noticed  it  before  under  similar  circum¬ 
stances,  and  in  this  variety  more  than  other  Sweetwater  Grapes.  It 
also  arises  from  the  house  being  kept  rather  close  and  moist  for 
several  days,  and  then  on  a  return  of  bright  weather  the  admission  of 
air,  no  matter  now  carefully,  causes  a  relatively  excessive  evaporation, 
what  is  generally  termed  a  chill.  Keally,  however,  the  roots  do  not 
supply  the  requisite  amount  of  water,  and  the  tender  growths  suffer  in 
consequence.  The  only  really  effective  preventive  in  respect  of  this 
variety  in  an  outside  border  is  to  have  it  on  the  Black  Hamburgh,  on 
which  we  find  it  to  succeed  better  than  on  its  own  roots,  and  even  inside 
the  Vines  suffer  more  from  “  brunure  ”  than  other  varieties  except 
Muscat  of  Alexandria. 
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  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 
aad  fro  in  transit.  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.  (7?.  C.  N,). — 
Leucathoea  Catesboei.  {F.  G.). — Oncidium  luridum.  (^Young  Gardener).— 
1,  Ilex  aquifolium  ;  2,  I.  a.  ferox  argentea  ;  3,  I.  a.  crispa  ;  4,  I.  aqui- 
folium,  variety  unknown  ;  5,  1.  a.  nigrescens  ;  6,  Cupressus  sempervirens. 
(C.  (?.). — 1,  Kerria  japonica  fl-pl.  ;  2,  Aucul)a  japonica  (male  form)  ; 
3,  Cedrus  atlanlica  glauca  ;  4  and  5,  slightly  differing  forms  of  Abies 
sachalinensis ;  6,  Berberis  Darwini.  (E.  77^.).— Staphylea  colchica,  a  hardy 
deciduous  shrub  extensively  employed  for  forcing. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Mar  cii  23rd. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
...  1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb....  ...  ...  ... 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
...  21  0 
22  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Fijberts,  100  lbs. 
...  0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
VEGET 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
...  0  0  to  0  0 
ABLES. 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
8.  d.  s.  d. 
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 
Celery,  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 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
...  0  3 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
...  0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  1  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
...  1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
MuslLTcoms  1  -  ... 
...  0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
Arbor  Vitaj,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0to36  0 
Aspidistra,  doz .  18  0  36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ...  5  0  10  6 
Azalea,  per  doz .  24  0  36  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz .  6  0  9  0 
Cyclamen,  per  doz, .  9  0  18  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz .  12  0  30  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ...  9  0  18  0 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz,...  9  0  15  0 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz.  ...  6  0  9  0 
,,  various,  per  doz.  ...  8  0  12  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0  18  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ...  4  0  18  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz .  4  0  18  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  .  4  0  to  8  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each .  10  7  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each  10  5  0 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots  ...  8  0  12  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 12  0  18  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz .  4  0  6  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ...  6  0  9  0 
Mignonette,  doz .  6  0  12  0 
Myrtles,  doz .  6  0  9  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each .  10  15  0 
,,  specimens  .  21  0  63  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz.  4  0  6  0 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs  0  9  16 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.-Orchids 
in  variety. 
S.  (1. 
fl.  d. 
s.  d. 
s. 
d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2  0  to  4  0 
Mimosa  or  Acacia,  bunch 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
(French)  . 
0  9 
to  1 
0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
1  6 
4  0 
Narciss,  white  (French) 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0  4 
0  8 
dozen  btuiches  . 
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 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
9 
0 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
3  0 
8  0 
Primroses,  doz.  bunches... 
0  9 
1 
0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
5  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  6 
1 
0 
Euphorbia  jacquiniceflora. 
,,  Red,  per  doz . 
3  0 
5 
0 
per  bunch  . 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
1  0 
2 
0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  6 
4 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
,,  Safrano(Engli8h;doz. 
1  0 
2 
0 
bunches  . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
4  0 
8 
0 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
Smilax,  bunch . 
1  6 
2  0 
bunches .  . 
4  0 
6  0 
Snowdrops,  12  bunches  ... 
0  9 
1 
6 
Lilac  (Frenoti),  bunch  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
0  9 
1 
6 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
4  0 
6  0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
0  6 
1 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128pray8 
0  6 
1  3 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunches . 
4  0 
8  0 
•••  •••  •••  ••• 
3  0 
4 
0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
3  0 
5 
0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
2  0 
4  0 
OUR  HORNED  STOCK. 
In  the  summer  season  the  whole  country  is  alive  with  agricultural 
shows,  big  and  little,  from  the  exhibition  of  the  Royal  Society  of 
England  to  the  small  village  foal  show.  These  are  all  of  great 
educational  value,  provided  they  are  used  in  a  proper  spirit.  Only 
the  choicest  and  best  of  everything  is  seen,  and  the  competition  is 
at  times  so  severe  that  only  la  creme  de  la  creme  finds  place  or 
position.  So  far  so  good,  but  does  the  object  of  the  show  end  when 
