Afril  7,  1898. 
JOURN'AL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
315 
Destroying  Woodlice  {Novice). — You  will  find  it  an  excellent  plan  to 
get  some  old  boards,  sprinkle  one  laid  on  the  floor  or  bed  with  a  little 
oatmeal  or  crumbs  of  a  floury  boiled  Potato,  and  another  board  of  the 
same  size  placed  upon  it,  with  a  small  stone  at  one  or  both  ends,  so  as  to 
keep  the  board  sufficiently  far  from  the  lower  one  as  to  admit  the  wood- 
lice.  The  vermin  will  soon  find  out  the  food,  when  it  is  a  matter  only 
of  removing  the  pebbles  and  crushing  the  woodlice  between  the 
boards.  Some  persons  use  the  old  boards  only,  which,  partly  decayed, 
attract  the  woodlice,  and  they  are  swept  into  boiling  water,  or  it  can  be 
poured  on  the  boards.  We  have  seen  thousands  destroyed  in  the  manner 
indicated. 
Echeveria  retusa  (J.  W.  W.). — This  plant  is  very  useful  for  winter 
flowering.  Easily  increased  and  cultivated  it  occupies  a  place  amongst  the 
best  of  market  plants  in  winter.  The  flowers  are  bell-shaped,  much  larger 
than  E.  secunda  ;  orange  red,  very  bright  and  rich  outside,  the  inner  surface 
being  yellow.  They  are  borne  in  a  two-branched  inflorescence  at  the 
extremity  of  the  stem,  the  two  branches  curling  slightly  downwards. 
Plants  in  5-inch  pots  are  most  useful  and  produce  several  flowering 
stems,  the  blooms  lasting  for  a  considerable  time  in  good  condition.  A 
rich  light  loam  and  well  drained  pots  are  needed  to  insure  success,  and 
plants  are  best  prepared  by  growing  them  out  of  doors  during  the 
summer,  lifting  and  potting  them  in  the  autumn,  when  they  can  be 
transferred  to  the  conservatory  or  greenhouse.  The  species  was  found 
by  Mr.  Hartweg  growing  on  rocks  near  Auganguco,  Mexico,  and  was 
first  received  from  him  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  1846. 
Luculia  gratissima  (A.  W.  P.). — The  culture  of  this  fragrant  flowered 
plant  is  very  simple,  but  it  is  averse  to  a  superabundance  of  water  or 
the  least  approach  to  stagnation  at  the  roots  or  in  the  atmosphere. 
Therefore  a  porous  soil  must  be  provided,  composed  of  loam,  peat,  leaf 
soil,  sand,  and  a  few  pieces  of  charcoal,  thoroughly  incorporated  ;  and 
whether  the  plant  be  in]a  pot  or  a  border  the  drainage  must  he  well  attended 
to.  When  growing  freely,  or  about  to  flower,  weak  liquid  manure  may 
be  occasionally  supplied  with  advantage.  Propagation  is  effected  by 
taking  cuttings  of  the  young  firm  wood,  with  a  heel  of  the  old  wood 
attached,  and  inserting  them  in  similar  soil  to  that  already  described, 
employing  rather  more  sand  They  should  be  placed  near  the  sides  of  the 
pots,  the  latter  being  plunged  in  good  bottom  heat  and  covered  with  a 
bell-glass.  When  the  cuttings  are  rooted  shake  them  out  carefully,  and 
pot  them  singly  in  thumb  or  3-inch  pots,  afterwards  increasing  the  root- 
room  as  the  plants  advance  in  growth,  but  being  careful  not  to  overpot 
them.  When  thoroughly  established  they  may  be  grown  in  any  cool  or 
intermediate  house  where  the  temperature  is  not  allowed  to  fall  much 
below  50°  at  night  at  any  period  of  the  year. 
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 
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.  (W.  Taylor), — If  the  seeds  sent  from  India 
resembled  small  dark  Sweet  Peas,  but  much  harder,  the  plant  is 
undoubtedly  an  inferior  form  of  Canna.  It  is  popularly  called  Indian 
Shot,  from  the  purpose  to  which  the  seed  has  been  put  by  natives  of 
India.  {S.  (7.)  — 1,  Cornus  mascula  ;  2,  Asclepias  curassavica  ;  3,  dead. 
{T.  J.  R.). — 1,  Rhododendron  hirsutum  ;  2,  Erica  codonodes  ;  8,  Berberis 
aristata ;  4,  B.  Darwini.  {Amateur). —  1,  Asplenium  bulbiferum  ; 
2,  Adiantum  pedatum  ;  3,  Selaginella  Kraussiana.  {F.  P.).  —  1,  Den- 
drobium  Fortunei  ;  2,  Lycaste  Harrisoni.  (J.  R.). —  I,  Cydonia  (Pyrus) 
japonica  ;  2,  ^  Medicago  lupulina  ;  3,  Sedum  azoideum  variegatum  ; 
4,  Abutilon  vexillarium  ;  5,  specimen  insufficient,  send  when  in  tiower. 
[M.  J.  8.). — 1,  A  good  form  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  ;  2,  Vanda  suavis  ; 
3,  Odontoglossum  triumphans.  {E.  (?.).— Bifrenaria  (L3’caste) 
Harrisonias,  an  exceptionally  good  form.  {B.  B.). — Iris  japonica, 
synonyms  1.  fimbriata  and  I.  chinensis. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— April  6th. 
VEGETABLES. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
s.d.  s.d. 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  4  sieve . 
•  •• 
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 . 
... 
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  G 
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  G 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  4 
0  9 
Mwilirroras,  1 . 
... 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
... 
0  3 
0  4 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
1  6  to  4  0 
Cobs  . 
21  0 
22  6 
Filberts,  100  lbs . 
0  0 
0  0 
PLANTS 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitrn,  var.,  doz. 
6  0to36  0 
Aspidistra,  doz.  ...  ... 
18  0 
3G  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Azalea,  per  doz . 
24  0 
36  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz . 
Cyclamen,  per  doz. . 
6  0 
9  0 
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. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
G  0 
18  0 
4  0 
18  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- 
s.  d. 
R.  d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2  0  to  4  0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
5  0 
6  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
4  0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0  6 
1  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
0  9 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Daflfbdils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Euphorbia  jacquiniaeflora. 
4  0 
6  0 
per  bunch  . 
1  0 
2  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
2  0 
4  0 
bunches . 
G  0 
8  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
Lemons,  case  . 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Hyacinths,  doz.  pots 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
,,  specimens  . 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
s.d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
11  0  14  0 
2  6  5  0 
s.  d. 
4  0 
1  0 
1  0 
8  0 
12  0 
4  0 
6 
6 
6 
1 
21 
4 
0 
s.  d. 
to  8  0 
7  0 
5  0 
12  0 
18  0 
6  0 
9  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
63  0 
6  0 
1  G 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
bunches .  4  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ...  3  6 
Liliumlongiflorum,12blms  4  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128pravs  0  9 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches  3  0 
■CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids  in  variety. 
s.d.  s.d. 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches .  G  0  to  8  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ...  2  0  4  0 
Narciss,  white  (French) 
dozen  bunches  .  2  6  6  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms  1  G  12  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs.  6  0  9 
Roses  (indoor),  doz .  3  0 
,,  Red,  per  doz .  3  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ...  1  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles)  1  6 
,,  Safrano{English;doz.  1  0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  .  4  0  8  0 
Smilax,  bunch .  2  0  3  0 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms  ...  0  6  10 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ...  0  6  10 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  .  3  0  4  0 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs....  5  0  GO 
THE  FARMER  AS  A  CITIZEN. 
This  is  not  going  to  be  an  agricultural  paper,  so  we  warn  those 
readers  who  only  care  for  agriculture  pure  and  simple  of  what  this 
week  they  may  expect.  Our  farmers  form  a  considerable  class,  and 
in  the  rural  districts  find  that  if  they  would  do  their  duty  to  their 
neighbours  they  must  take  upon  themselves  many  offices  outside 
their  own  work.  “  Outside  ”  is  perhaps  a  wrong  word  to  use  here, 
for  nothing  can  be  outside  their  own  work  that  bears  on  rural 
economics.  We  know  there  are  men  who  shirk  their  responsibilities, 
and  men  who  do  that  on  the  plea  of  urgent  home  work  are  usually 
those  who  are  slack  even  in  that  work. 
The  busiest  man  is  the  man  of  the  most  leisure,  and  is  the  man 
who  is  always  ready  to  help  lame  dogs  over  stiles,  while  he  manages 
to  get  his  own  work  done  w^ell  and  in  good  time. 
Take  an  ordinary  English  village  in  a  Wheat-growing  disirict; 
the  farms  vary  from  200  to  6C0  acres,  and  are  held  by  an  aged 
farmer  a  little  out  of  date;  his  son,  is  far  readier  to  find  fault 
than  to  help  in  any  scheme  of  amendment ;  a  man  who  ought  to  take 
a  lead  in  the  parish,  but  is  of  an  indolent  turn,  and  owing  to  family 
difficulties  has  placed  himself  rather  out  of  things;  another  risen  from 
the  ranks,  but  born  before  education,  even  in  its  rudimentary  branches, 
was  considered  a  necessity ;  another  holding  with  his  farm  a  licensed 
house;  a  young  man  of  ]  romise  who  is  at  present  troubled  with 
natural  shyness ;  and  another  who  practically  does  all  the  work  of  the 
parish  at  home  and  abroad. 
The  duties  of  this  man  would  be  much  lighter  if  he  could  persuade 
some  of  his  neighbours  to  take  office  with  him,  but  by  common  consent 
they  look  to  him  to  see  them  through  all  difficulties. 
