March  31,  1893, 
JOUR^UL  OF  llORTtCULTtJRF  AN'D  COTTAGE  GARDE  E'ER,  293 
Tomatoes  on  Ashes  (*7.  /.)  — Yonr  plan  will  do  very  well,  or  the  ashes 
might  extend  beyond  the  boxes.  Liquid  manure  would  be  wasted  on  them 
now.  Plant  nutriment  will  be  washed  into  them  from  the  boxes  by  the 
time  the  roots  protrude.  There  are  two  kinds  of  superphosphate— bone 
and  mineral,  the  former  containing  a  little  nitrogen,  and  that  is  why  it 
was  recommended.  When  the  "boxes  are  filled  with  roots  you  should 
add  periodical  top-dressings  of  rough  rich  turfy  loam,  which  will  become- 
interlaced  with  roots  for  imbibing  liquid  nutriment.  When  the  plants  are 
bearing,  much  water  will  be  needed. 
Palms  Raised  Out  of  the  Pots  by  Roots  (G*.  -S'.). — You  may  cut  off 
the  lower  part  of  the  roots  with  a  sharp  knife,  thus  making  the  roots  fit 
the  pots  and  allow  for  a  little  fresh  soil.  Such  practice,  however,  checks 
the  growth.  A  wire  edging  placed  around  the  rim  of  the  pot  to  the  height 
well  above  the  roots  ot  the  plants,  and  this  receptacle  filled  with  fibry 
soil,  using  moss  outside,  answers  for  a  time.  We  have  had  plants  very 
useful  in  that  way  by  having  Selaginella  denticulata  growing  on  the 
basket-like  girdle.  The  plants  ought  to  be  given  larger  sized  pots,  for 
to  starve  Palms,  is  to  ruin  them.  Why  not  exchange  them  for  smaller  ? 
Artificial  Manure  for  Nut  Trees  {F.  M.  M.). — The  best  we  have  seen 
used  was  equal  parts  of  soot  and  air-slaked  chalk  lime  by  measure,  half  a 
pound  of  the  mixture  being  applied  per  square  yard  and  pointed  in  lightly. 
The  following  also  answers  well.  Bone  superphosphate,  dry  and  crumbly, 
six  parts  ;  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia,  three  parts  ;  and 
sulphate  of  lime,  one  part,  mixed,  using  4  ozs.  per  square  yard.  This 
should  be  pointed  in  lightly,  the  dressing  extending  fn^rn  the  stems  to  the 
outside  of  the  spread  of  the  heads.  For  Hollies  and  Conifers — rape  meal, 
five  parts  ;  steamed  bone  meal,  three  parts  ;  sulphate  of  potash,  two 
parts  ;  and  air-slaked  chalk  lime,  two  parts,  mixed.  Of  this  use  4  ozs. 
per  square  yard,  and  point  in,  or,  if  there  are  roots  near  surface,  cover 
with  a  little  soil. 
Propagating  Tuberous  Begonias  {W.  C.  <S.). — The  dry  tubers  ought  to 
be  started  in  boxes  of  leaf  soil  rather  than  in  pots  in  gentle  heat  and  a 
moist  atmosphere.  When  both  top  and  root  growth  have  commenced  cut 
up  the  tubers  into  as  many  pieces  as  can  be  had  each  with  a  shoot 
attached,  and  place  them  3  inches  apart  in  equal  portions  of  fine  loam, 
leaf  soil,  and  sand.  Keep  these  divisions  steadily  growing  as  before,  and 
when  the  tops  nearly  touch  each  other  move  the  plants  singly  into  5-inch 
pots,  or  larger  sizes  if  strongly  rooted.  Tuberous  Begonias  never  start 
so  healthily  in  small  pots  as  they  do  in  boxes,  and  the  latter  are  to  be 
preferred  for  dry  tubers,  whether  they  are  to  be  split  up  or  not.  One 
good  shoot  will  usually  develop  into  a  strong  plant,  and  if  more  form  on 
the  divisions  remove  them  when  3  to  4  inches  long,  and  insert  singly  in 
small  pots  of  sandy  soil.  In  a  close  frame  and  moist  heat  these  soft 
cuttings  are  liable  to  damp,  and  they  ought  to  be  placed  in  a  dry  heat  of 
65°  to  70°,  with  a  bottom  heat  of  75°,  shaded  from  sun  and  carefully 
watered  till  rooted.  More  cuttings  ma}’  be  put  in  as  fast  as  they  can  be 
taken  without  spoiling  the  plants.  In  August  cuttings  will  root  if  inserted 
in  sandy  soil  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall.  Late  rooted  plants  will  form 
a  small  tuber,  from  which  a  strong  growth  may  be  had  the  following 
season. 
Boronia  megastigma  (  W.  T.  W.). — If  you  have  not  had  experience  in 
growing  Heaths,  say  such  aa  Erica  hyemalis,  from  year  to  year,  and 
raising  plants  from  cuttings,  you  will  not  be  very  likely  to  succeed  with 
his -fragrant  Boronia.  They  require  substantially  the  same  treatment  in 
f'ot  being  cut  back  below  healthy  leaves,  starting  fresh  growth  in  a  light 
varm  greenhouse,  with  the  pots  on  a  close,  not  open  latticework,  stage, 
/ringing  on  clear  days,  never  letting  the  soil  get  once  too  dry  or  too 
vet,  but  keeping  the  roots  active  in  firm  sandy  peat  soil.  They  are  best 
in  frames  during  the  summer.  Cuttings  are  rooted  in  firm,  very  sandy 
peat,  surfaced  with  pure  sand,  watered,  the  cuttings,  2  inches  long,  of 
rather  firm  tops,  half  divestedjof  leaves,  then  inserted,  sprinkled  lightly  to 
close  the  sand  round  them,  covered  with  a  hell-glass,  and  the  pots  plunged 
in  a  moderately  warm  pit  or  frame,  shaded  as  needed  for  a  time,  the  glass 
wiped  dry  daily,  and  water  given  with  consummate  judgment.  Many 
persons  have  not  exactly  the  right  conveniences  for  propagating  and 
growing  the  plants  in  question,  and  some  have  failed.  If  you  suc¬ 
ceed  it  will  be  a  feather  in  your  cap.  We  see  no  reason  why  you  should 
not  succeed  with  the  Cannas.  These  plants  and  othc  s  you  name  are  ton 
times  easier  to  manage  than  Heaths,  and  the  Heath-like  Boronia  and 
Leschenaultias.  * 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only'  undertake  to  name  species  of  cultivated 
plants,  not  wild  flowers,  or  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 
si  V  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.  {M.  L.  0.). — 1,  Iris  chinensis  (fimbriata) 
i^CapeT). — A  good  form  of  Camellia  japonica.  (A.  A.  T.). — 'Though  we 
do  not  undertake  to  name  wild  flowers,  we  give  the  names  of  those  you 
have  sent.  1,  Lamiura  purpureum  (Purple-flowered  Dead  Nettle)  ; 
2,  Mercurialis  perennis  (Perennial  Dog  Mercury)  male  plant  ;  3, 
Capsella  bursa-pastoris  (Shepherd’s  purse).  (^E.  H.'). — 1,  2,  and  3  are  all 
forms  of  Dendrobium  nobile  ;  4,  a  variety  of  Dendrobium  Leechianum. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Barr  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden. — ITardy  Perennials  and 
Alpines. 
.1.  Green,  Dereham. — Annual  Guide, 
Harrison  &  Sons,  Leicester. — Farm  Seeds. 
J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill. —  Olivias. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— March  30th. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.d. 
8.  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. 
8.  d. 
s,  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  4  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 
C  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 . 
0  3 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
•  •• 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  i  sieve 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mvsl.rcoms  1  -  ... 
•  •  • 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitas,  var.,  doz. 
... 
6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  ... 
4  0  to  8  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
18  0 
36  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each... 
... 
1  0 
7  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
5  0 
10  6 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
24  0 
36  0 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots 
... 
8  0 
12  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
•  *  . 
6  0 
9  0 
Lilium  Harris!,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
18  0 
Cyclamen,  per  doz  ... 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz,  ... 
•  .  . 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Mignonette,  doz. 
... 
6  0 
12  0 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz 
... 
9  0 
15  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
9  0 
Palms,  in  van,  each... 
... 
1  0 
16  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,  van,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
0  9 
1  6 
Ferns,  var.,doz .  4  0  18  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS.-Orchids  in  variety. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Daffodils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Euphorbia  jacquinueflora, 
per  buncti  . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
bunches . 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
bunches . 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128pravs 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
8. d.  s.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
2  0  3  0 
16  4  0 
0  4  0  8 
0  6  0  9 
10  3  0 
3  0  8  0 
3  0  5  0 
10  2  0 
2  0  4  0 
4  0  6  0 
4  0  GO 
3  0  4  0 
4  0  6  0 
0  6  13 
2  0  3  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  d-'zen 
bunches . 
Mignonette,  doz.  hnchs. ... 
Naiciss,  white  (French) 
dozen  bunches  . 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  per  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  Safrano(English,doz. 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  ..."  . 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
4  0  to  8  0 
2  0  4  0 
2  6  6  0 
16  12  0 
6  0  9  0 
3  0  5  0 
3  0  5  0 
10  2  0 
16  '4  0 
10  2  0 
4  0  8  0 
16  2  0 
0  6  10 
0  6  10 
3  0  4  0 
3  0  5  0 
POTATO  EXPERIMENTS. 
The  results  of  two  sets  of  experiments  in  the  growing  of  Potatoes 
have  been  recently  published,  and  they  are  interesting  as  showing 
how  much  may  or  may  not  be  learnt  from  them  according  as  the 
conditions  are  favourable  or  otherwise. 
It  is  too  often  the  case  that  experiments  are  conducted  in  a  way 
and  under  circumstances  that  are  very  far  removed  from  those 
ordinarily  met  with  on  a  farm  ;  and  for  the  average  farmer,  unless  he 
can  make  allowances,  knows  his  lesson  beforehand,  and  therefoic  is 
able  to  read  between  the  lines  of  the  report,  they  are  of  little 
educational  benefit. 
