May  19.  1898. 
435 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Sulphate  of  Ammonia  and  Sulphate  of  iron  as  Manure  for  Plants 
(^Amateur). — If  you  propose  to  use  the  substances  in  mixture  the  pro¬ 
portions  should  hot  be  more  than  ^  oz.  sulphate  of  ammonia  and  |  oz. 
sulphate  of  iron  per  gallon  of  water  for  plants  generally  ;  for  such 
delicately  rooted  plants  as  lihododendrons  use  double  the  quantity  of 
water  to  the  |  oz.  of  mixture.  The  articles  are  useful,  but  only  supply 
nitrogen,  iron,  and  sulphur,  the  two  former  accelerating  growth  and 
deepening  the  colour  of  foliage.  They  must  not  be  used  too  often,  about 
once  a  week  usually  sufficing.  Neither  is  desirable  lor  mixing  with  soil, 
but  some  use  about  a  teaspoonful  to  a  peck,  mixing  well  before  potting. 
The  use  of  the  ingredients  on  the  soil  in  pots  should  not  be  more  in 
mixture  than  a  pinch,  as  of  snuff,  between  the  finger  and  thumb  for  a 
6-inch  pot,  sprinkling  evenly  and  at  once  washing  in. 
Bootless  Hippeastrums  (^Amateur). — The  plants  are  probably  suffering 
from  overwatermg,  which  has  caused  them  to  decay  through  sourness 
of  soil.  The  bulbs  should  be  quite  dry  in  winter,  and  kept  so  till  growth 
starts,  then  plunged  and  syringed,  watering  carefully  till  leaves  show.  If 
in  bottom  heat  all  the  better.  As  the  plants  are  only  pushing  fiower 
buds  now  it  is  questionable  if  they  can  be  made  into  healthy  plants,  but 
we  should  try  the  effect  of  bottom  heat  if  any  be  at  command,  keeping  the 
soil  only  moderately  moist.  Perhaps,  however,  they  have  the  roots 
destroyed  by  mites  or  other  pests,  many  bulbs  having  the  life  taken  out 
of  them  by  the  insidious  foes  living  between  the  outer  scales  and  at  the 
base,  whence  should  spring  the  roots,  but  cannot  through  the  nuclei 
haring  been  destroyed.  In  that  case  nothing  will  be  of  any  use  until  the 
pests  are  destroyed.  Where  they  exist  the  simplest  is  to  subject  them  to 
water  at  a  temperature  of  130°  to  135°  for  about  five  minutes,  and  after¬ 
wards  repot,  giving  bottom  heat,  sprinkling  occasionally,  but  affording 
little  water  at  the  roots  until  these  have  well  hold  of  the  soil.  A  bottom 
heat  of  80°  to  85°  usually  causes  free  rooting,  and  helps  the  plants 
forward  famously. 
Paris  Green  (if.  O.). — This  compound,  though  poisonous  and  requiring 
great  care  in  using,  is  nevertheless  one  of  the  finest  remedies  known  for 
destroying  the  small  but  destructive  larvae  of  the  winter  codlin,  lackey, 
magpie,  and  umber  moths,  which  annually  work  havoc  with  the  young 
foliage,  the  flowers,  and  often  the  fruit  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums. 
During  the  blossoming  period  it  is  unsafe  to  apply  Paris  green  on  account 
of  the  bees  which,  visiting  the  flowers,  perform  substantial  service  in 
aiding  fertilisation.  When,  however,  the  flowers  have  decayed,  and 
attacks  of  the  larv%  are  imminent,  spraying  once  a  fortnight  for  some 
weeks  with  Paris  green  will  prove  a  most  effectual  remedy.  To  apply 
it  so  that  it  acts  destructively  to  caterpillars  or  other  pests  it  must  be 
distributed  in  a  fine  mist-like  spray,  both  on  the  under  and  upper 
surfaces  of  the  leaves  where  it  is  deposited  as  a  thin  film  or  sediment. 
Through  this  the  young  caterpillars  have  to  pierce  to  find  tne  juicy  food 
they  seek,  but  in  doing  so  they  imbibe  the  poison  which  quickly  kills 
them.  The  proportions  of  Paris  green  and  water  are  1  oz.  to  20  gallons 
of  water.  This  is  safe  for  tender  foliage.  Paris  green  is  obtainable 
both  as  powder  and  paste  ;  the  latter  is  the  safer  and  better  because  it  is 
more  easily  mixed  with  water.  The  b.st  instruments  for  delivering  the 
mixtures  are  either  a  knapsack  pump,  or  some  other  spray  distributor. 
Young  Cucumbers  Turning  Yellow  and  Decaying  (G.  B). — The 
young  Cucumbers  are  attacked  by  a  spot  fungus  (Colletotrichum 
lagenarium,  syn.  Glaeosporium  Lindemuthianum),  which  occurs  in  several 
Continental  countries  and  over  a  large  portion  of  the  United  States.  It 
has  also  been  found  in  this  country  during  recent  years,  both  outdoors  on 
Scarlet  Runners,  Ridge  Cucumbers,  Gourds,  and  Vegetable  Marrows, 
and  indoors  on  French  Beans,  Cucumbers,  and  Melons.  It  seldom  does 
any  great  mischief,  except  during  rainy  or  a  long  spell  of  warm,  moist 
weather,  and  in  structures  kept  too  close  and  moist.  The  only  preventive 
we  have  found  has  been  the  use  of  a  little  sulphur  on  the  hot-water  pipes, 
and  maintaining  a  temperature  of  65°  to  70°  at  night,  70°  to  75°  by  day 
up  to  85°,  90°,  or  100°  from  sun  heat,  not  giving  more  moisture  than  is 
absolutely  necessary  for  the  health  of  the  foliage.  Spraying  with  quarter 
strength  Bordeaux  mixture  has  been  advised,  but  unless  begun  early,  say 
when  the  plants  are  about  three  weeks  old,  it  has  little  effect.  Cut  away 
all  the  affected  fruits  and  hum  them.  The  fungus  goes  over  partly  on 
diseased  seeds,  and  then  appears  in  the  young  plants,  commonly  killing 
them,  and  the  spores  thus  produced  attack  large  plants,  producing 
“  spot  ”  or  canker  on  the  pods  of  Beans  or  fruits  of  Cucumbers  or  Melons. 
Affected  seeds  are  easily  recognised  by  their  dark  shrunken  spots.  We 
have  tried  pickling  the  seed  similar  to  Wheat  with  sulphate  of  copper, 
but  find  the  .Tensen  process  of  steeping  in  water  at  135°  for  about  five 
minutes  before  sowing  the  safer  practice. 
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  he  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.  {H.  S.'). — 1  and  2,  forms  of  Cattleya  Mendeli ; 
3  and  4,  poor  varieties  of  C.  Mossiae ;  5,  Bifrenaria  Harrisonae. 
(A  W,  B.'). — 1,  Pyrus  spectabilis  ;  2,  Lonicera  tartarica  ;  3,  Prunus 
(Cerasus)  padus.  (W.  G.'). — 1,  Fuchsia  procumbens  ;  2,  Anihericum 
variegatum  ;  3,  Sparmannia  africana  ;  4,  Hibiscus  sinensis.  {T.  B.). — 
1 ,  a  good  dark  variety  of  Ltelia  purpurata  ;  2,  L.  elegans.  (S,). — A  form 
of  Odontoglossum  Andersonianum. 
CO  VENT  GAEDEN  MARKET.— May  18th. 
FRUIT. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apple?,  J  sieve . 
•  •  • 
1  6  to  4  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0tol4  0 
Cobs  . 
•  •  • 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
... 
0  0 
0  0 
Strawberries  . 
2  0 
5  0 
Grapes,  ib . 
... 
1  1) 
3  G 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  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 . 
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 . 
I  G 
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 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vita;,  var.,  doz. 
... 
G  0to36  0 
Fuchsia  . 
G  0  to  9  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
... 
1«  0 
36  0 
Heliotrope,  per  doz . 
G  0 
9  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
... 
5  0 
10  G 
Hydrangea,  per  doz. 
t;  0 
9  0 
Calceolaria,  per  doz. 
... 
G  0 
9  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
Cineraria,  per  doz.  ... 
G  0 
9  0 
Lobelia,  per  doz . 
4  0 
G  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
... 
12  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
... 
9  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
G  0 
9  0 
Erica  Cavendishi 
... 
18  0 
30  0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
4  0 
G  0 
,,  various,  per  doz. 
•  •  . 
12  0 
24  0 
Musk,  per  doz . 
2  0 
G  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
... 
G  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
G  0 
9  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
1  0 
15  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
,,  small,  100  ... 
4  ,0 
8  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each... 
... 
1  0 
7  0 
5) 
9  0 
15  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Anemone,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0 
G 
0 
9 
Bluebells,  dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Carnations.  12  blooms  ... 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
G 
0 
Iris,  dozen  bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Liliumlongiflorum,12  blms 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  128pravs 
0 
G 
1 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
CUT  ELOWERS.-Orchids  in  variety. 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
Myosotis,  dozen  bunches... 
1  0 
2  0 
Narciss,  dozen  bunches  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  G 
9  0 
4  0 
6  0 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bundles 
Rooes  (indoor),  doz . 
1  0 
1  6 
0  G 
1  6 
,,  Red,  per  doz . 
1  0 
3  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  0 
2  0 
,  f  Safrano(Englishjdoz. 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
3  0 
5  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tulips,  dozen  bunches  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
2  0 
4  0 
„  Parme  (French), 
bunch  . 
2  G 
3  G 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
1  0 
3  0 
THE  OLD  STORY. 
We  live  in  an  age  of  science,  we  are  full  of  excellent  modern 
inventions,  improvements  greet  us  on  every  side,  and  yet  how  help¬ 
less  we  are  in  many  ways  and  many  things.  It  is  perhaps  just  as 
well  that  it  is  so.  If  everything  came  easily  to  our  hand,  where 
would  be  our  energy  and  industry  ?  Sometimes,  however,  we  feel 
leady  to  sit  down  and  give  up.  We  have-  exercised  our  greatest  skill, 
we  have  spared  neither  pains  nor  expense,  and  then,  possibly  when 
we  hoped  to  see  our  labours  rewarded  by  a  grand  crop,  the  seasons 
have  proved  disastrous,  and  our  bright  prospects  have  been  dispersed 
like  dew  before  the  rising  sun. 
In  visitations  of  this  nature  \Ye  trace  the  hffiid  of  Providence,  and 
