June  2,  If'QS. 
jOurxal  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
473 
Asters  for  Exhibition  {A.  S.). — Some  of  the  best  Asters  we  have  seen 
were  grown  in  trenches  prepared  as  if  tor  Celery.  The  buds  were  thinned, 
but  not  necessarily  to  one  on  each  plant,  as  a  second  bud  not  infrequently 
produced  a  better  bloom  at  a  given  date.  It  is  most  important  to  keep 
the  plants  free  from  insects  by  occasional  dustings  with  tobacco  powder 
before  the  florets  show  colour.  The  blooms  often  need  protection  from 
hot  sun  and  drenching  rains.  Clear  soot  water  and  manorial  mulchings 
are  good  for  Asters. 
Chrysanthemum  Leaves  Diseased  (J.  S.). — The  leaves  are  diseased  sure 
enough,  but  not  by  the  rust  fungus  (Uredo  chrysanthemi).  Instead  of 
that  they  are  infested  by  eelworm  (Tylenchus  devastatrix),  the  pest  living 
in  the  tissues,  and  causing  them  to  become  brown  or  black  and  clammy  on 
the  upper  surface.  The  animals  usually  attack  the  stem  at  or  about  the 
ground  level,  and  the  plants  so  attacked  usually  go  off  “without  cause” 
when  2  feet  or  more  or  less  in  height,  this  usually  occurring  from  the 
middle  of  May  to  a  similar  time  in  July.  The  pests  are  generally  intro¬ 
duced  in  the  potting  material.  There  is  no  remedy  for  seriously  infested 
plants.  Jf  taken  early  we  have  found  dusting  with  quicklime  slaked  with 
a  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  4  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of  water,  using  suffi¬ 
cient  of  this  and  no  more  to  cause  the  lime  to  fall  into  aft  apparently  dry 
flower.  Dust  this  on  both  sides  of  the  leaves,  not  using  an  excessive 
coating,  but  just  a  thin  film.  It  appears  to  sink  into  the  tissues,  and  have 
a  beneficial  effect  in  arresting  the  progress  of  the  ruinous  invader. 
Peach  Shoots  injured — Carnation  “  Sport  ”( . — We  cannot  find 
anything  in  the  shoots  of  a  foreign  organic  nature,  yet  the  tissues  appear 
injured  by  something,  and  some  of  the  parts  are  dead.  This  may  have 
arisen  partly  from  the  dressing  to  which  you  allude,  but  mainly  from  the 
unripe  condition  of  the  wood.  It  is  very  weak,  long-jointed,  and 
immature,  hence  more  likely  to  be  injured  by  the  substance  applied  by 
means  of  a  sponge,  and  much  stroiijer  than  was  safe  under  the  circum¬ 
stances.  We  can  only  advise  cutting  away  the  injured  parts,  keeping  the 
growths  clean  through  the  summer,  and  in  the  autumn  carefully  lifting 
the  tree  and  relaying  the  roots  in  fresh  compost.  The  border  must  be  in 
a  bad  condition  to  give  such  indifferent  growth.  It  is  not  the  result  of 
too  little,  but  more  likely  of  too  much  moisture,  and  possibly  sour  soil. 
It  is  impossible  to  say  whether  the  name  of  your  Carnation  is  correct  or 
not.  Its  distinctness,  or  otherwise,  can  only  be  determined  by  actual 
comparison  with  others  similar  in  character  at  an  exhibition  of  these 
flowers,  or  in  a  large  collection.  The  flower  has  been  seen  by  three 
experts,  each  of  whom  suggested  a  different  name,  and  none  of  these  the 
one  you  mention.  It  is  not  the  least  uncommon  for  exactly  the  same 
sports  of  different  kinds  of  flowers  to  occur  in  sundry  places  and  during 
the  'iimc  vi-iir. 
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,  riowering  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 K  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.  {K.  D.'). — 1,  Laelia  purpurata  ;  2,  L.  elegans  ; 
3,  Cypripedium  Rothschildianum,  poor  form.  (/.  Z.  C.).  -  1,  Adiantum 
cuneatum  grandiceps  ;  2,  Asplenium  bulbiferum ;  3,  Nephrolepis 
davallioides  ;  4,  Lastrea  filix-mas  ;  5,  Athyrium  filix-foemina  ;  6,  Pteris 
serrulata  cristata.  (J.  (J.  S.).  —  Magnolia  stellata  syn.  Ilalleana. 
(if.  B,  W.b  —  1,  Amelanchier  botryapium  ;  2,  Spiraea  prunifolia  flore- 
pleno  ;  3,  Chieranthus  alpinus  ;  4,  Corydalis  lutea  ;  5,  Lycium  euro- 
paeum  ;  6,  Heuchera  sanguinea.  (W.  C.  *S.).  — 1,  perhaps  Zephyranthes 
rosea,  specimen  crushed  ;  2,  Pyrus  japonica  ;  3,  Saxifraga  trifurcata. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  1st. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
1 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
...  0  0  to  0  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 
Sh'a  wherries  . 
... 
2  0 
5  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
...  1  6 
3  0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
...  0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  J  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 . 
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,  ^  sieve 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
...  1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mu-hrooms,  lb . 
...  0  6 
0  8  1 
Turnips,  bunch . 
... 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
C  0to36  0 
Fuchsia  . 
G  0  to  9  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
3G  0 
Heliotrope,  per  doz. 
6  0 
9  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  G 
Hydrangea,  per  doz. 
8  0 
10  0 
Calceolaria,  per  doz. 
G  0 
9  0 
Lilium  Harris!,  doz. 
12  0 
18  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
80  0 
Lobelia,  per  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
9  0 
18  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Erica  Cavendishi  . 
18  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
„  various,  per  doz.  ... 
12  0 
24  0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
G  0 
18  0 
Musk,  per  doz.  . 
2  0 
6  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
G  0 
9  0 
Ferns,  var.,  d(  z . 
4  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  0 
15  0 
„  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0 
7  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
9  0 
15  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids 
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... 
1  0 
2  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
4  0 
Narciss,  dozen  bunches  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays 
0  6 
0  9 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
Bluebells,  dozen  bunches 
1  0 
2  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  G 
0  9 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bunches 
I  0 
1  6 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  6 
1  6 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
,,  Red,  per  doz . 
1  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
3  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  dozen  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  dozen 
,,  Yellow,  doz  (Perles) 
1  0 
2  0 
bunches . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Safrano(English)doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Iris,  dozen  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Pink,  dozen  . 
3  0 
6  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3  6 
4  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Lilium  longiflorum,l2blms 
3  0 
4  0 
Tulips,  dozen  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
LilyoftheValley,12spra}8 
0  6 
1  0 
,,  Parme  (French), 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunch  . 
2  G 
3  6 
bunches . 
4  0 
8  0 
Wallflowers,  doz.  bnchs.... 
1  0 
3  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bunches 
1  6 
2  G 
THE  VALUE  OF  FARMYARD  MANURE. 
Much  has  been  written  and  said  during  the  last  year  or  two  to 
induce  firmers  to  believe  that  the  muck  which  has  been  looked  upon 
by  so  many  and  for  so  long  as  their  sheet  anchor  of  fertility  is  of 
little  or  no  practical  value ;  nay,  more,  that  in  some  cases  and  under 
some  conditions  it  may  do  absolute  harm.  So  when  we  consider 
the  amount  of  labour  bestowed  upon  the  operations  of  filling,  carting, 
and  s|ir<  ading  manure,  it  seems  to  us  an  absolute  necessity  that  we 
should  carefully  examine  the  evidence  upon  which  it  is  being  con¬ 
demned,  and  not  arrive  at  a  lash  conclusion  on  inconclusive  data. 
At  any  rate,  farmyard  manure  will  continue  to  be  made,  whether  it 
be  valueless  or  not,  and  it  will  have  to  be  made  the  best  of,  such 
as  it  is. 
There  seems  to  be  no  denying  the  fact  that  muck  contains  very 
valuable  constituents,  and  as  regards  the  least  valuable  of  these, 
potash  and  phosphoric  acid,  the  farmer  gets  nearly  their  full  value 
if  he  gets  the  manure  put  quickly  on  to  the  land  without  having 
allowed  the  goodness  to  be  washed  out  by  rain  in  the  yard.  The 
same  rule  applies  to  the  ammonia,  which  is  its  most  valuable  con¬ 
stituent,  but  in  this  case  there  is  a  lurther  and  greater  cause  of  loss, 
and  it  is  this  that  we  propose  to  consider. 
It  will  be  remembered  by  old-time  farmers  that,  thirty  or  forty 
years  ago,  when  artificial  manures  were  much  less  used  than  they 
are  now,  and  on  many  a  farm  not  an  ounce  was  used  at  all,  great 
care  was  taken  of  and  much  labour  spent  upon  the  dungheap. 
During  frosty  weather  in  winter  quantities  of  dung  would  be  carted 
into  hill  in  the  fields  ;  this  would  be  required,  as  a  rule,  for  the 
Turnip  crop  in  June,  but  it  would  not  remain  quiet  and  undisturbed 
until  that  time;  some  time  during  the  spring  it  would  be  all 
thoroughly  turned  over,  every  forkful  would  be  moved.  We  can 
well  remember  asking  the  reason  for  this  turning,  and  being  told 
that  the  muck  was  better  for  it.  No  specific  reason  was  given, 
and  it  was  not  until  long  afterwards  we  found  that  what  we  had 
