April  28,  18D8, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
381 
Propagating  Poinsettias  ((?.  0.  L.). — Tf  ihe  old  stems  are  cut  into 
lengths  of  two  joints,  inserted  in  sandy  soil,  and  placed  in  a  warm 
house,  they  will  soon  commence  growing  and  form  roots.  This  is 
probably  the  easiest  way  of  raising  these  plants.  When  cuttings  of 
young  shoots  are  preferred,  place  the  old  plants  in  heat  and  keep  them 
well  syringed  until  growth  commences.  When  the  shoots  are  3  inches  in 
length  slip  them  off  with  a  sharp  knife  and  insert  them  singly  in  thumb 
pots,  placing  a  little  sand  at  the  base  of  each  cutting.  If  kept  close  and 
shaded  from  the  sun  under  hand-lights  they  will  soon  emit  roots. 
Asphalt  Path  with  Cold  Coal  Tar  (Somerset).— It  is  necessary  to  boil 
the  coal  tar  in  order  to  prevent  its  running  on  to  the  Box  edging,  and 
the  material  with  which  the  tar  has  to  be  mixed  when  boiling  must  be 
perfectly  dry,  otherwise  the  asphalt  will  not  set  hard.  The  use  of  cold  or 
unboiled  gas  tar  is  sometimes  advised  for  forming  garden  paths  in  the 
manner  you  describe,  and  though  it  answers  for  keeping  down  weeds  in 
places  where  there  is  nothing  to  injure  by  the  tar  coming  into  contact, 
ihe  practice  cannot  be  recommended  when  the  edgings  are  Box,  especially 
as  the  paths  will  be  narrow.  The  tar  sinks  into  the  soil,  and  the  tar 
water  proves  injurious  to  vegetation.  The  cost  of  an  iron  copper  is  not 
great,  and  with  it  and  a  few  bricks,  also  the  requisite  fuel,  you  may  easily 
boil  the  tar,  which  we  advise,  as  we  have  found  unboiled  disastrous  to 
“  live  ”  edgings,  and  besides,  paths  made  w  ith  it  turn  soft  in  hot  weather. 
Of  course  it  must  be  used  cold,  or  nearly  so,  on  the  path  or  about  the 
edging. 
Stokesia  cyanea  (IT.  F.  M.). — If  planted  in  light  warm  soil  in  favour¬ 
able  situations  it  will  expand  its  profusion  of  lavender  blue  flowers 
some  2  or  3  inches  across  during  tbe  month  of  October.  When  the 
soil  is  cold  or  stiff'  it  is  best  growm  in  pots  plunged  in  ashes  during  the 
summer,  when  it  may  be  introduced  into  the  cool  greenhouse,  there 
to  expand  its  blossoms.  It  grows  2  feet  high,  and  is  a  first-class 
perennial.  It  is  not  easily  increased  by  division  owing  to  the  tufted 
or  conglomerate  grow'ths  on  the  rootstock.  Bo  closely  are  they  packed  in 
that  they  cannot  be  separated  without  considerable  sacrifice.  It  is, 
however,  readily  increased  by  root  cuttings,  and  as  roots  may  be  had 
in  plenty  there  is  no  reason  why  so  good  a  plant  should  not  be  more 
generally  grown.  7‘his  may  be  accounted  for  in  a  measure  by  its 
lateness  in  flowering,  when  visits  to  nurseries  are  less  frequent 
than  in  the  spring  and  summer  months.  By  lifting  a  plant  and 
selecting  some  of  the  strongest  roots  a  good  stock  may  be  secured. 
Cut  the  roots  into  lengths  2  inches  or  thereabouts,  and  insert  them 
round  the  inside  of  pots  in  sandy  loam,  leaving  the  U  p  just  visilde. 
By  placing  them  at  once  in  brisk  heat  good  plants  may  be  secured 
by  the  ensuing  autumn.  In  two  or  three  weeks  or  less  time,  according 
to  the  heat  they  have  been  subjected  to,  they  will  commence  to  break 
freely  from  the  apex  of  the  root  cutting,  and  when  of  sufficient  size 
they  should  be  moved  to  a  cooler  place,  subsequently  potted  and 
hardened. 
Cucumbers  Gumming  (//.).  —  This  serious  disease  generally  arises 
from  an  excess  of  nitrogenous  matter,  in  conjunction  wdth  considerable 
moisture  at  the  roots,  and  in  an  atmosphere  unfavourable  to  evaporation 
from  the  parts  above  ground,  hence  very  common  in  manure-heated  pits 
and  frames  late  in  i  he  summer,  and  at  other  times  when  the  temperature  rules 
relatively  low.  T  he  application  of  linings  in  such  cases  usually  affords 
prompt  relief,  especially  if  accompanied  with  a  little  air.  This  malady 
also  appears  in  bouses  under  similar  circumstances,  the  bed  or  border 
compost  being  too  rich  in  nitrogenous  matter,  in  proportion  to  the  avail¬ 
able  phosphoric  and  potassic  elements,  hence  a  top-dressing  of  these  acts 
beneficially,  especially  with  a  somewhat  higher,  and  in  consequence 
relatively  drier  atmosphere.  Under  the  circumstances  you  describe  we 
have  found  a  light  top-dressing  of  dissolved  bones,  dry  and  crumbling, 
three  parts,  sulphate  of  potasb  one  part,  and  sulphate  of  iron  and 
magnesia  in  equal  proportions,  a  quarter  jiart,  mixed,  using  2  oz  .  of  the 
mixture  per  square  yard,  and  preferably  with  a  little'  soil,  especially 
if  the  roots  are  on  the  surface.  This  will  wash-in,  and  may  be  repeated 
every  fortnight  or  three  weeks.  But  the  main  point  is  to  maintain  a 
brisk  temperature,  say  70°  to  75°  at  night,  and  in  the  daytime  a  rise  to 
90°,  95°,  or  100°  wiih  sun.  The  moisture  need  not  be  reduced,  and 
certainly  not  increased,  but  still  maintain  genial  atmospheric  conditions 
to  insure  the  proper  development  of  the  fruit  and  keep  the  foliage  in 
health.  In  the  matter  of  root  moisture  supply  water  moderately,  and 
only  when  required  to  maintain  the  foliage  fresh  and  promote  a  steady 
progressive  growth.  Rely  most  on  the  high  temperature,  and  the  plants 
will  grow  out  of  the  disease  unless  otherwise  affected. 
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  I^ondon.  Specimens  in  partially  filled  boxes  are  invariably 
injured  or  spoiled  by  being  dashed  to  and  fro  in  transit.  Not  more  than 
s'lK  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.  (A.  T.  P.). —  1,  Cydonia  Maulei  ;  2,  Frunus 
Pissardi  ;  3,  Kerria  japonica  flore-pleno  ;  4,  Cerasus  (Prunus)  Padus. 
QB.  H.). —  1,  Omphalodcs  verna  ;  2,  Primula  japonica  ;  3,  P.  farinosa  ; 
4,  Uoronicum  plantagineum.  (H.  G.  A.). —  1,  Odontoglossum  excellens  ; 
2,  Cypripedium  villosum.  (Z.  0.  N.).  —  1,  Uoronicum  caucasicum  ; 
2,  Triteleia  uniflora.  (Jf.  E.).  —  1,  Ansellia  africana  ;  2,  Adiantura 
pedatum  ;  3,  Woodwardia  angustifolia.  (F.  V.  F.). — 1,  Begonia  ascoti- 
ensis  ;  2,  B.  metallica  ;  3,  Doronicum  plantagineum  excelsum  ;  4,  Lycium 
europeum.  (W.  Z.).  —  1,  Phlox  setacea  ;  2,  Spiraea  hypericifolia  ; 
3,  Holboellia  latifolia.  (Z,  II.),  —  1,  Pteris  umbrosa  ;  2,  Cystopteris 
fragilis  ;  3,  Pteris  tremula  ;  4,  Davallia  canariensis  ;  5,  Adiantum 
tenerum  ;  6,  Cibotium  Scheidei.  {J.  T.  D.). — 1,  Euonymus  latifolius 
variegatus  ;  2,  Lonicera  tatarica  albiflora  ;  3,  Amelanchier  botryapium. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— April  27th. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
Cobs  . 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
Asparagus,  per  100 
Beans,  ^  sieve  ... 
Beet,  Red,  doz.... 
Carrots,  bunch  ... 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
Celery,  bundle  ... 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnch 
Cucumbers . 
Endive,  doz. 
Herbs,  bunch  ... 
Leeks,  bunch  ... 
Lettuce,  doz. 
Musk-coms,  1 
Arbor  Vitaj,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
Calceolaria,  per  doz. 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Dracmna  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  Cavendishi 
,,  various,  jrer  doz. 
F.uonyinus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
•  •• 
1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
•  •• 
2  0  to  3  0 
... 
21  0 
22  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
•  •• 
11  0 
14  0 
•  •• 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
•  •• 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
•  •  • 
3  6 
4  0 
... 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.... 
,  ,, 
2  0 
3  0 
... 
0  8 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
... 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
1  0 
C  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
2  0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ... 
1  6 
0  0 
... 
0  4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
1  6 
1  0 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  1  sieve 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
... 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
... 
6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  ... 
•  •• 
4  0  to  8  0 
18  0 
3G  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each... 
.  •  • 
1  0 
7  0 
... 
5  0 
10  6 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
24  0 
36  0 
Genista,  per  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
9  0 
8  0 
12  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
18  0 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
... 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz 
6  0 
9  0 
9  0 
18  0 
Mignonette,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
8  0 
18  0 
30  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
12  0 
24  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each... 
•  •• 
1  0 
15  0 
G  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  ... 
... 
21  0 
63  0 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet. 
doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
... 
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  jacquiniaeflora, 
per  buDcfi  . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
bunches . 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
Liliumlongiflorum,12blms 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches . 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
s.  d. 
p.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
3  0 
4  0 
2  0 
4  0 
0  G 
0  9 
0  6 
0  9 
1  0 
3  0 
2  0 
G  0 
3  0 
4  0 
1  0 
2  0 
1  0 
3  0 
4  0 
6  0 
3  6 
4  0 
2  0 
3  0 
0  6 
1  0 
4  0 
8  0 
3  0 
4  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
Myosotis,  dozen  bunches... 
Naiciss,  dozen  bunches  ... 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bunches 
Primroses,  dozen  bunches 
Ro.-es  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  per  doz.  ...  ... 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
,,  Yellow',  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  Safrano(English,doz. 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tulips,  dozen  bunches  ... 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  . 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
s. 
d. 
S.  < 
d. 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
1 
6 
12 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
0 
9 
1 
0 
0 
6 
1 
6 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
5 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
2 
6 
3 
6 
1 
0 
3 
0 
A  SATISFIED  GRUNT. 
A  GOOD  grumble  is  the  farmer’s  privilege,  and  we  dcubt  not  that 
the  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  which  is  his  most  distinguishing  trait  has^ 
had  much  to  do  in  alienating  the  sympathy  of  other  classes  when  the 
farmer  has  had  real  woes  and  good  cause  lor  grumbling. 
Of  course,  the  favours  of  fortune  are  not  always  evenly  distributed, 
and  a  season  that  may  be  the  reverse  of  favourable  in  some  districts 
may  be  far  above  the  average  in  others.  The  agricultural  year  just 
closed  may  not  have  been  the  best  from  the  graziers  point  of  view, 
but  we  fancy  that  the  occupiers  of  mixed  farms  will,  as  a  body, 
acknowledge  that,  fur  them  at  least,  things  have  taken  a  turn  for  the 
