May  6,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
399 
Dusty  Miller  (/.  J.). — We  do  not  know  whether  the  small  flower  you 
send  is  the  veritable  “  Dusty  Miller  ”  or  not,  but  we  know  that  it  very 
closely  resembles  Primula  Auricula,  and  also  know  that  the  yellow  form 
accompanying  it  is  of  thrice  the  size,  and  of  infinitely  greater  decorative 
value.  We  will  see  if  a  comparison  can  be  made  with  varieties  of  a 
similar  character. 
The  Golden  Club  (^rmprover). — The  botanical  name  of  this  plant, 
which  is  a  handsome  tnough  scarce  aquatic,  is  Orontium  aquaticum. 
It  is  well  suited  for  shallow  water,  but  may  be  fully  immersed  when 
severe  frost  is  expected.  The  fact  of  the  plant  being  so  rarely  met 
with  may  be  accounted  for  in  a  measure  by  its  somewhat  slow  growth, 
and  it  is  by  no  means  one  of  the  easiest  to  increase  by  division  ;  at  least, 
such  is  oitr  experience  of  it.  It  was  introduced  into  this  country  a 
century'  ago  from  North  America,  and  as  it  is  still  only  occasionally  seen 
it  is  quite  possible  that  it  has  never  reached  our  shores  in  quantity,  or 
that  the  majority  of  the  earlier  importations  were  lost.  It  docs  not 
produce  seeds  nearly  so  freely  as  many  other  members  of  Aroideas,  to 
which  it  belongs,  and  this  also  may  contribute  to  its  scarceness. 
Smilax  (Myrsiphyllum  asparagoides )  (Amateur). — Perhaps  the  freest 
growing  and  best  plants  are  those  raised  from  seed,  which  should  be 
sown  as  soon  as  ripe.  It  is  also  increased  from  cuttings  of  the  young 
side  shoots  with  a  heel  or  young  shoots  when  about  half  ripe,  or  getting 
rather  firm  at  the  base.  Insert  in  sandy  soil  surfaced  with  sand, 
and  place  in  gentle  heat,  covering  with  a  bell-glass,  and  keeping 
rather  close  and  moist  until  rooted,  then  harden  and  place  in  pots. 
When  the  plants  are  large  the  roots  or  crowns  may  be  divided  into  as 
many  parts  or  growths  as  can  be  detached  with  a  portion  of  root  to 
each,  operating  early  in  the  spring.  A  compost  of  good  loam  two  parts 
and  one  part  leaf,  with  half  a  part  of  sand,  suits  it.  It  succeeds 
admirably  in  a  warm  conservatory,  and  planted  out  where  the  growths 
can  be  trained  up  a  pillar  or  rafter. 
Chrysanthemum  Leaves  Diseased  ( W.  T.). — The  leaves,  so  far  as  we 
can  discover,  are  not  infested  by  rust  fungus  (Uredo  chrysanthemi),  but 
by  the  yellow  leaf-spot  fungus  (Ovularia  chrysanthemi),  an  undescribed 
species  nearly  related  to  0.  epilobi,  which  causes  the  leaves  to  become 
yellow-spotted,  afterwaids  brown  and  dead.  It  may  be  arrested  by 
spraying  with  potassium  sulphide,  ^  oz.  to  a  gallon  of  water,  or  even 
with  sulphuret  ot  lime,  but  this  article  varies  so  much  as  to  be  less 
reliable  than  the  liver  of  sulphur.  The  fungus  is  the  chief  cause  of  the 
leaves  dying  from  below  upwards  as  produced  on  the  stem,  and  is  wholly 
endophytic  in  mode  of  life,  but  produces  the  “  fruits  ”  or  conidia  externally, 
and  by  these  the  parasite  spreads  from  leaf  to  leaf,  not  internally  by 
mycelia  in  the  plant.  Give  the  plants  more  air  and  less  stimulating  food, 
using  phosphates  in  preference  to  nitrogenous  substances. 
Gymnogramma  chrysophylla  (^Fem  Lover).  —  This  charming  and 
deservedly  popular  Fern  requires  a  night  temperature  of  not  less  than 
55°  in  the  winter  and  a  moist  atmosphere  without  the  foliage  being 
wetted.  If  your  plant  requires  repotting  use  a  compost  of  sweet  leaf 
mould  one-half,  turfy  yellow  loam  one-half,  and  fibrous  brown  peat  one- 
fourth,  adding  one-sixth  of  silver  sand,  the  whole  well  mixed  and  broken 
with  a  spade,  but  not  sifted.  Pot  rather  deeply,  but  not  so  much  as  to 
cover  the  crown.  The  plant  should  be  set  in  the  lightest  part  of  the 
house,  have  room  on  all  sides,  and  be  not  more  than  18  inches  from  the 
glass.  The  soil  should  be  kept  moist,  but  not  wet,  until  the  roots  are 
working  freely,  and  the  temperature  may  range  from  60°  to  65°  by  night. 
By  day  it  may  be  70°  without  sun,  and  from  80°  to  85°  with  it,  shade 
being  afforded  from  9  A.M.  to  4  P.M.,  when  the  sky  is  clear,  but  when 
cloudy  do  not  shade  at  all.  No  shade  will  be  needed  from  September  to 
April.  The  plant  must  always  have  the  soil  moist,  but  no  water  should 
be  given  until  it  is  really  needed,  then  afford  a  supply  sufficient  to  show 
itself  through  the  bottom  of  the  pot.  If  your  plant  grow  as  well  as  we 
expect,  it  will  need  a  shift  by  the  end  of  July,  or  at  latest  by  the  third 
week  in  August,  so  that  the  pot  may  be  filled  with  roots  before  winter, 
as  it  will  be  in  six  weeks  after  potting  if  a  lO-inch  pot  be  given. 
Prom  that  time  no  more  water  sliould  be  given  than  is  sufficient  tn 
])revent  the  soil  becoming  dry,  and  if  a  sufficiently  moist  atmosphere 
be  maintained  it  will  winter  safely  in  a  temperature  of  60°  at  night,  and 
occasionally  as  low  as  55°  or  even  50°,  but  this  degree  must  be  seldom 
reached. 
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.  (  F.  A). —  1,  Saxifraga  pectinata  ;  2,  Tiarella 
cordifolia  ;  3,  Ledum  latifolium  ;  4,  Kerria  japonica  flore-pleno  ;  5,  Gale- 
opsis  dubia.  (P.  B.). — 1,  Doronicum  excelsum  ;  2,  Pyrus  malus  flori- 
bundus ;  3,  Spiraea  prunifolia  ;  4,  Trillium  grandiflorum  ;  5,  Spiraea 
bullata  ;  6,  Aubrietia  deltoidea.  (IF.  W.  /.).— 1,  Lonicera  tatarica  ; 
2,  Doronicum  caucasicum.  (0.  R.).  -1,  Primula  verticillata  ;  2,  Sangui- 
naria  canadensis  ;  3,  Scilla  nutans  ;  4,  Omphalodes  verna.  (F.  P.).— 
1,  Oncidium  Marshalliauum  :  2,  Lfelia  purpurata  :  3,  Cymbidium  Parlshi. 
(^omersef. )  —  Sedum  Rhodiola. 
COVBNT  GARDEN  MARKET.— May  4th. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apple?,  J  sieve . 
...  1 
6  to4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
•  •  • 
2  0  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
...  21 
0 
t2  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
•  •  • 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
...  0 
0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
B. 
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,  4  sieve . 
...  0 
0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
t  •  • 
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 
(1  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
...  2 
0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
I’elery,  but  die . 
...  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 . 
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 
Musl.Tonis  1 
...  0 
6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
... 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d- 
Arbor  Vitte,  var.,  doz. 
...  6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  ... 
•  •• 
4  0  to  8  (> 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
...  1« 
0 
36  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each... 
•  •  • 
1  0 
7  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
...  5 
0 
10  6 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  a 
Azalea,  per  doz. 
...  24  0 
36  0 
Genista,  per  doz. 
..  • 
6  0 
9  0 
Calceolaria,  per  doz. 
...  8 
0 
12  0 
Liliiim  Harrisi,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
18  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
...  6 
0 
9  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 
8  0 
Erica  Cavendishi 
...  18  0 
30  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
•  *  • 
6  0 
9  0 
,,  various,  per  doz. 
...  12 
0 
24  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each... 
•  •• 
1  0 
15  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
...  6 
0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  ... 
«  .  • 
21  0 
63  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
...  4 
0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet. 
doz. 
4  0 
6  0. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
...  4 
0 
18  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS.-Oichids  in  variety.. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2  0  to  4  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
2  0  to  4  0- 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Myosotis,  dozen  bunches... 
2  0 
4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
4 
0 
Naiciss,  dozen  bunches  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0  6 
0 
9 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  f> 
12  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
0 
9 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
3 
0 
Polyanthus,  doz.  buncties 
1  0 
1  6 
Daflbdils,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
6 
0 
Primroses,  dozen  bunches 
0  9 
1  a 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  6 
1  & 
Euphorbia  jacquiniaeflora. 
,,  Red,  per  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
per  bunch  . 
1  0 
2 
0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
3 
0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  0 
2  a 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
,,  Safrano(English,doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
bunches . 
4  0 
6 
0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
3  0 
5  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3  6 
4 
0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Liliumlongiflorum,  12  blms 
2  0 
3  0 
Tulips,  dozen  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128prays 
0  6 
1 
0 
Violets,  dozen  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunches . . 
4  0 
8 
0 
bunch  . 
2  6 
3  6 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
3  0 
4  0 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
1  0 
3  0 
OUR  WONDERFUL  WINTER. 
It  is  a  very  easy  thing  to  be'  too  premature  in  one’s  remarks. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  shouting  before  the  edge  of  the  wood  is  reached, 
and  we  have  kept  clear  of  this  subject  till  we  felt  sure  that  hoary 
King  Winter  had  been  succeeded  by  the  Spring  Queen.  ^ 
The  calendar  lines  for  to-day  are  very  apt,  but  of  course  Tennyson 
was  a  close  observer  of  Nature. 
The  damp  hill  slopes  were  quickened  into  green. 
And  the  live  green  had  kindled  into  flowers, 
For  it  was  past  the  time  of  Easter  Day'. 
We  say  advisedly  “  the  wonderful  winter,”  for  in  all  our  memory 
we  cannot  recollect  one  less  shrewd  and  rough.  We  looked  for  a  change 
of  weather  at  the  autumn  equinox,  but  lo  !  the  change  was  for  the 
better,  not  for  the  worse.  A  lovely  Michaelmas,  a  perfect  October,  to  alj 
intents  and  purposes  frostless  and  dry.  The  outdoor  Chrysanthemums 
flowered  themselves  to  death.  November’s  days  were  by  no  means 
what  they  generally  are — dark  they  must  be,  as  there  is  no  power  to 
detain  the  sun  ;  but  drear  they  were  not.  VVe  kept  thinking  St.  ^lartin 
