July  14,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
37 
Seedling  Pelargonium  ( C .  T.). — From  the  small  specimen  with  which 
ou  favoured  us  it  is  difficult  to  form  an  opinion.  We  should  say, 
owever,  that  the  variety  possesses  merits  which  make  it  worthy  of 
retention  for  home  use.  You  may  readily  ascertain  its  commercial  value 
by  submitting  good  examples  to  some  reputable  nurseryman. 
Grapes  Scalded  ( Y.  B.  A.  Z.). — Your  Grapes  represent  excellent 
specimens  of  what  is  known  as  scalding.  It  is  not  an  organic  disease, 
and  not  contagious,  but  the  result  in  most  cases  of  a  too  low  night 
temperature  and  too  late  morning  ventilation.  You  will  find  an  article 
on  the  subject  in  the  present  issue  (page  19),  written  by  a  gardener 
of  great  experience,  who  can  scald  a  house  of  Grapes  when  he  likes 
when  the  nights  are  very  cold  and  the  mornings  very  bright. 
Preserving  French  Beans  (0.  F.). — The  pods  should  be  such  as  are 
usually  gathered  for  use,  quite  tender  and  perfectly  sound,  also  dry,  and 
then  packed  in  the  jars,  whole  as  gathered,  with  the  salt,  not  cut  up,  and 
with  the  seeds  in  them.  The  pods  will  then  come  out  fresh,  and  be  in 
excellent  condition  for  use  in  the  winter,  they  being  soaked  for  a  time  in 
water  to  take  out  some  of  the  salt. 
Tying  Endive  and  Lettuce  ( Idem ). — Perhaps  you  tie  the  plants  up  too 
soon,  or  when  wet,  as  they  “damp  off  or  wither  away.”  We  have  not 
found  any  difficulty  during  many  years'  experience.  The  plants  should  be 
about  three-parts  grown,  or  so  large  as  to  allow  of  the  outer  leaves  being 
brought  together  over  the  heart  or  centre  of  the  plants  and  evenly  all 
round,  so  as  to  meet  above,  and  there  tied  about  two-thirds  up  the  plant 
or  one-third  from  the  top,  not  drawing  too  tightly,  yet  so  as  to  keep  close, 
without  crushing  the  leaves.  If  this  be  done  when  the  plants  are  quite 
dry  in  the  leaves,  they  will  form  blanched  centres  in  about  a  fortnight, 
and  be  very  crisp  and  excellent.  It  tied  too  soon  and  wet  they  decay  as 
you  describe,  also  when  left  too  long  and  too  tightly  tied.  With  a  little 
experience  you  m ill  soon  learn  exactly  how  to  blanch,  and  then  enjoy 
both  Endive  and  Lettuce.  The  former  takes  a  longer  time  than  the  latter, 
as  Endive  is  tied  when  the  weather  is  much  colder,  but  judgment  must  be 
exercised  in  both  cases. 
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.  (A".  W.  G.').—  Genista  hispanica,  Onopordon 
elatum.  ( A .  B .).  —  1,  Epidendrum  vitellinum  ;  2  and  3,  Odontoglossum 
citrosmum.  ( G .  IF.  C.). — Hieracium  villosum  ;  the  Mitraria  is  very 
charming.  (A.  M.  £>.).  —  Through  misdirection  of  the  parcel  your 
specimens  on  delivery  were  dead  ;  please  read  the  instructions  given  at 
the  head  of  this  column,  and  then  send  again.  (C.  T.'). — 1,  Helianthemum 
vars.  ;  2,  Linum  narbonense  ;  3,  Veronica  incana  ;  4,  V.  subsessilis  ; 
5,  Fagus  asplenifolium  ;  6,  probably  Acer  circinatum.  (J.  T.  8). — 
Illicium  floridanum. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  13th. 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
6  0to36  0 
Heliotrope,  doz . 
5  0  to  6  0 
18  0 
36 
0 
Hydrangea,  doz . 
8  0 
10  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz. 
12  0 
18  0 
Calceolaria,  doz . 
6  0 
8 
0 
Lobelia,  doz . 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Coleus,  doz . 
4  0 
6 
0 
3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
9  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
9  0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Erica  various,  doz.  ...  ... 
12  0 
24 
0 
Musk,  doz . 
2  0 
6  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
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 
11  11 
8  0 
12  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5 
0 
Rhodanthe,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Fuchsia  . . 
5  0 
8 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- CUT  FLO WERS.— Orchids  in  variety. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
3  0  to  4  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnehs. ... 
2  0  to  4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
3  0 
Myosotis,  doz.  bnehs. 
1  0 
2  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
"09 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnehs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bnehs.... 
l  0 
1  6 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
4  0 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnehs.  ... 
1  0 
1  3 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
0  6 
1  6 
bnehs . 
0  0 
6  0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
0  6 
1  0 
Iris,  doz.  bnehs . 
4  0 
6  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3  6 
4  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  0 
2  0 
Lilium  longiflorum,12blms 
.3  0 
4  0 
„  Safrano(English)doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
1  6 
2  0 
,,  Pink,  doz . 
1  6 
3  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
,,  Moss,  per  bunch 
0  9 
1  0 
bnehs . 
4  0 
8  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnehs. 
1  6 
2  6 
Sweet  Peas,  doz.  bnehs.  ... 
1  6 
3  0 
Apples,  \  sieve . 
FRUIT, 
s.  d.  s.  d.  | 
0  0  to  0  0  |  Grapes,  lb . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  6  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
... 
0  0 
0  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
... 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines, 
each 
2  6 
5  0 
Gooseberries,  J  sieve 
... 
1  6 
2  0 
Strawberries  . 
... 
1  6 
3  0 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
VEGET 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
ABLES. 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  I  sieve  . 
•  •• 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
... 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnehs.... 
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.  bnehs. 
.  .  . 
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,  J  sieve 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
... 
0  6 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
SPRING  DUCKLING. 
Yes,  very  early  spring  duckling  only  fit  for  the  tables  of  the  rich 
or  great,  quite  beyond  the  means  of  everyday  people  like  ourselves. 
We  wait  for  our  share  of  duck  till  midsummer  comes,  with  new  Peas 
and  Potatoes  of  our  own  growing,  the  most  excellent  accompaniments 
to  our  fragrant  “  roast.”  In  London,  and  for  “  Society  ”  generally, 
there  is  always  a  demand  for  fresh  variety  in  food.  Living  nowadays 
is  very  luxurious — good  for  those  who  can  produce  the  luxuries — and 
the  more  out  of  season  a  thing  may  be  with  some  sections  of  the 
population  the  more  it  becomes  a  necessity.  Our  game  season  begins 
with  August  12th,  and  ends  legitimately  with  February  1st.  At  least 
a  fortnight  must  be  added  to  that  time  to  finish  off  what  game  might 
be  hanging  in  the  larders.  Then  something  seems  to  be  wanted  as  a 
second  savoury  course;  indeed,  it  is  quite  possible  to  tire  of  pheasant 
before  the  appointed  “  close  ”  season.  Partridge  is  never  really  good 
or  an  epicure’s  dish  after  November,  and  the  caterer  for  great  men’s 
banquets  hails  with  pleasure  the  little  duckling  (a  home  product), 
which  is  about  worth  its  weight  in  silver.  We  should  like  to  give  a 
word  of  warning  before  writing  another  line. 
No  process,  no  industry  can  be  learned  from  paper  alone,  and  the 
longer  we  live  the  more  certain  we  are  of  the  great  need  of  apprentice¬ 
ship.  People  nowadays  like  to  learn  by  steam,  or  rather  by  electricity  ; 
they  think  everything  can  be  compressed  into  an  essay  or  lecture. 
They  forget  that  the  information  contained  in  the  essay  or  paper 
represents  the  life  experience  of  the  writer.  Practice  and  theory  must 
go  hand  in  hand,  and  there  are  a  great  many  qualifications  necessary 
in  the  composition  of  a  first-class  workman.  How  often  we  find  father 
succeeded  by  son  for  generations  !  Surely  the  accumulated  experience 
must  be  of  immense  value,  whatever  their  calling  may  be.  Individual 
tastes  and  habits  must  be  consulted,  and  the  man  who  hates  the  quiet 
monotony  of  a  country  life  is  no  more  fitted  for  the  avocations  thereof 
than  is  a  poor  dazed  country  lad  when  tossed  into  the  whirl  of  London 
life. 
To  our  mind  there  is  nothing  so  full  of  unexpected  disappointments 
as  stock  raising.  Yes,  we  mean  this  !  Be  it  the  noble  hunter,  the 
majestic  shire,  the  sleek  shorthorn,  the  woolly  mothers  of  the  flock, 
and  even  to  the  downy  yellow  ducks  and  chickens.  But  again,  these 
losses  and  disappointments  may  be  greatly  minimised  by  watchfulness 
and  care,  and  by  the  constant  guarding  of  all  vulnerable  parts.  “  Be 
always  prepared  for  the  unexpected  ”  is  a  good  motto,  and  be  ever 
looking  for  danger,  even  from  the  most  unlikely  quarters.  So 
many  people  have  thought  they  have  found  an  El  Dorado  in  the 
rearing  of  poultry,  but  we  think  we  do  not  exaggerate  when  we 
suggest  that  to  one  success  there  will  be  at  least  100  failures.  Thus 
