July  21,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF'  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
57 
Young  Gros  Colman  Vine  Diseased  (  PYfis). — The  Vine  had  many  of 
its  roots  decayed,  and  the  cane,  therefore,  has  made  indifferent  progress. 
When  planted  the  root  system  appears  to  have  been  excellent,  yet  the 
Vine  has  not  thriven,  though  given  every  advantage  as  regards  border 
composition  and  good  management,  there  not  being  anything  wrong  in 
those  respects.  The  intact  Vine,  except  one  leaf  removed  for  microscopic 
examination  by  yourself  in  dread  of  phylloxera,  was  perfectly  clean  above 
ground  ;  but  at  the  collar,  or  just  within  the  part  that  had  been  covered 
with  soil,  was  a  small  swelling,  due  to  root-stem  eelworm  (Tylenchus 
obtusus),  and  this  pest  is  the  cause  of  the  Vines  not  thriving.  The  pests 
have  destroyed  the  roots  to  a  great  extent,  and  no  doubt  were  introduced 
in  the  turf.  The  procedure  you  propose  to  adopt  is  correct,  but  we  should 
give  the  border  a  good  dressing  of  lime — say,  2  lbs.  per  square  yard, 
slaked,  and  allowed  to  cool  before  pointing-in,  and  mixing  with  the  soil  t-' 
the  depth  of  a  foot.  Best  chalk  lime  only  should  be  used,  not  magnesian, 
and  it  would  be  best  air-slaked,  as  you  propose  to  plant  at  once.  As 
there  are  other  Vines  near  by,  it  may  not  be  possible  to  use  scalding 
water,  but  on  that  point  you  must  exercise  judgment.  The  growth  froni 
the  Gros  Maroc  is  magnificent. 
Carnations  and  Myosotis  azorica  diseased  (72.  B.). — The  Carnation 
has  the  spot  disease  fungus  (Septoria  dianthi),  which  not  only  seriously 
disfigures  the  leaves,  but  attacks  the  stem  and  prevents  the  development 
of  the  flowers.  Associated  with  the  parasite  named  is  another  fungus, 
which  kills  the  leaf  sheaths,  ancl  sometimes  the  entire  leaf.  Tim 
Myosotis  azorica  gave  from  the  pith  the  fungus  named  Fusarium 
myosotidis,  and  from  the  external  parts  that  called  Volutella  hyacin- 
thorum.  We  advise  a  dressing  of  quicklime,  best  land  lime,  not 
magnesian,  applying  ^  cwt.  per  rod,  or  about  If  lb.  per  square  yard. 
Place  in  small  heaps,  and  slake  with  the  smallest  amount  of  water 
necessary  to  cause  the  lumps  to  fall  to  a  fine  powder,  and  spread  on  the 
land  while  hot.  Allow  it  to  lie  a  day  or  two,  and  then  point  it  in 
with  a  fork,  taking  small  spits  so  as  to  mix  the  lime  with  the  soil  about 
10  inches  deep.  In  the  autumn  apply  a  dressing  of  kainit,  4  ozs.  per 
square  yard,  and  leave  for  the  rain  to  wash  in.  On  fresh  ground  use  a 
pound  of  quicklime  per  square  yard  some  little  time  in  advance  ov 
planting,  pointing  in,  and  then  follow  with  kainit  2  ozs.  per  square  yard. 
As  a  still  further  safeguard  the  plants  may  be  occasionally  dusted,  but 
very  lightly,  with  anti-blight,  fostite,  or  other  fungicide  in  powder. 
The  manure,  if  any,  should  be  in  a  thoroughly  decomposed  condition. 
Greenhouse  in  Suburban  London  ( Amateur ). — Many  find  much  pleasure 
in  a  greenhouse  in  the  dust  and  smoke  of  London,  it  being  anything 
but  a  “white  elephant.”  At  this  time  of  year  the  ventilators  may 
remain  open  a  little  at  night,  and  they  should  be  opened  to  their  fullest 
extent  early  in  the  morning,  not  reducing  the  ventilation  until  the  sun 
has  left  the  house,  or  about  6  P.M.  You  will  have  a  temperature  of  60° 
at  night,  or  more  in  warm  weather,  and  over  50°  in  dull  and  cold,  so 
that  no  artificial  heat  is  necessary  now,  nor  will  be  until  the  occurrence 
of  frost  at  the  end  of  September  or  beginning  of  October,  if  then.  From 
that  time  during  winter  maintain  a  day  temperature  of  45°  to  50°,  and 
night  of  40°  to  45°.  At  this  time  of  year  the  house  should  be  sprinkled  in 
the  morning,  well  damping  the  path  and  floor,  repeating  in  the  afternoon 
about  five  or  six  o’clock,  then  syringing  any  p  ants  not  in  flower.  As  you 
have  Vines  no  great  success  can  be  expected  with  flowering  plants, 
especially  if  the  former  cause  considerable  shade.  The  seeds  may  require 
bottom  heat  to  insure  quick  germination,  but  they  usually  come  well  by 
covering  the  pots  or  pans  with  panes  of  glass  and  keeping  evenly  moist, 
but  not  too  wet.  The  Liliums  would  certainly  be  better  outdoors  now, 
similar  remarks  applying  to  tbe  “  Geraniums,”  as  both  require  more 
light  than  a  vinery  affords,  though  the  latter  do  fairly  well.  The  fibre 
you  name  has  been  found  useful,  but  there  is  nothing  like  a  substantial 
soil  for  nlant3  to  grow  in,  duly  enriching  it  with  other  material. 
Pest  on  Asparagus  (J.  E.  E.  £.).— The  beetles  were  quite  lively  when 
received.  It  is  the  twelve-spotted  Asparagus  beetle  (Crioceris  asparagi 
var.  twelve-spotted),  which  you  accurately  describe  : — “  Small  beetle, 
reddish  body,  on  the  back  six  spots,  and  three  spots  yellow  in  colour  on 
dark  brown  ground  on  each  side  of  the  back.”  The  Asparagus  is  no 
doubt  seriously  injured  by  the  beetles  in  the  early  part  of  summer  feeding 
upon  the  juicy  parts  of  the  heads  as  they  form  underground,  thus  the 
beds  give  a  poor  supply.  The  larvae  are  hatched  from  the  “innumerable 
small  black  eggs”  in  about  ten  days  after  deposition,  and  the  grub  state 
lasts  for  about  fourteen  days,  when  the  larvae  pass  into  the  soil  and  undergo 
transformation  into  pupae  in  a  slight  cocoon  just  beneath  the  surface, 
emerging  as  beetles  in  the  course  of  fourteen  to  twenty-one  days.  There 
are  several  broods  in  a  season — the  first  about  the  middle  of  June,  next 
about  a  month  later,  and  so  on  till  the  end  of  September  or  beginning  of 
October.  Some  of  the  late  summer  beetles  hibernate,  while  the  latest  larvae 
pass  the  winter  as  pupae  in  the  earth,  and  emerge  early  in  spring,  to  feed  on 
the  heads  of  Asparagus  before  they  appear  above  ground.  In  this  stage 
the  beetles  are  somewhat  difficult  to  deal  with,  but  a  dressing  of  kainit, 
4  ozs.  per  square  yard,  has  a  good  effect  upon  them,  and  also  benefits  the 
“  grass.”  It  acts  better  than  salt,  though  we  have  found  this  excellent. 
The  remedy  you  propose — namely,  Jeyes’  fluid — makes  quick  work  of  the 
beetles,  and  also  promotes  the  growth  of  the  Asparagus  afterwards.  It 
must  not  be  used  too  strong,  about  a  wineglassful  to  3  gallons  of  soft 
water,  applying  by  means  of  a  rose  watering  can,  at  the  rate  of  about  half 
a  gallon  of  the  solution  per  square  yard.  We  use  hot  water,  the  grass 
enduring  it  at  from  115°  to  130°,  according  to  its  age,  and  at  the  first  it 
kills  the  larvse  and  addles  the  eggs.  It  has  also  the  advantage  of  killing 
any  beetles  reached  by  it  in  the  ground,  and  does  no  harm  to  the  grass. 
For  the  grubs  we  have  used  quicklime  very  successfully,  operating  in 
the  morning,  when  the  grass  is  damp  with  dew.  We  have  also  used  soot 
early  in  the  morning  advantageously,  this  greatly  benefiting  the  Asparagus. 
Tops  of  Young  Cucumber  Plants  Decaying  (7yro). — The  usual  cause  is 
condensation  of  moisture  ou  the  tender  parts  during  the  night,  and  the 
evaporation  of  this  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  which  results  in  scald, 
then  decay  sets  in.  The  plants  usually  grow  out  of  it  as  you  accurately 
Jescribe.  The  only  preventive  is  less  moisture,  but  that  would  perhaps 
prejudice  the  older  plants  in  the  house,  and  on  that  point  you  must 
exercise  judgment,  so  as  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  case.  In  the 
southern  parts  of  the  kingdom  Tomato  houses  usually  run  north  and 
south  with  good  results,  but  those  running  east  and  west  are  regarded  by 
many  as  more  desirable  for  early  work.  This  accords  with  our  experience 
between  the  Tees  and  the  Thames,  but  the  best  Tomatoes  we  have  seen 
had  the  benefit  of  a  house  with  one  side  facing  south  east  and  the  other 
north-west. 
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,  eoft  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.  ( P .  C.  H.). —  1,  Melilotus  albus  ;  2,  Dictamnus 
Fraxinella  alba  ;  3,  Acer  negundo  variegata  ;  4,  Lychnis  chalcedonica. 
(G.  A.  (?.). —  1,  Veronica  spicata  ;  2,  Dianthus  atro-rubens  ;  3,  Cistus 
ladaniferus  ;  4,  Geranium  maculatum  ;  6,  Tradescantia  virginica.  (Fair- 
view). — Lychnis  dioica  fl.  p).  ( W .  P.). — 1,  Pittosporum  undulatum  ; 
2,  Rhus  cotinus  ;  3,  Dictamnus  Fraxinella.  (Briza  Maxima). — Hordeum 
jubatum,  or  Squirrel-tail  Grass  ;  another  name  is  Maned  Barley. 
(  W.  A.  F.). — Crataegus  tanacetifolia. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  20ih. 
Trade  very  quiet  generally. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
•  •• 
0  0  to  0  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
1  6  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
•  •• 
0  0 
0  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Filbeits,  100  lbs. 
•  •  • 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Gooseberries,  £  sieve 
... 
1  6 
2  0 
Strawberries  . 
1  6 
3  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  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,  £  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,  J  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
... 
0  6 
K 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0to36  0 
Heliotrope,  doz . 
4  0  to  6  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
•  •  • 
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.  ... 
•  •• 
4  0 
6  0 
Lobelia,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Coleus,  doz . 
•  •• 
3  0 
4  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
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. 
•  •• 
6  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
IS  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 
8  0 
10  0 
Foliage  plants,  var., 
each 
1  0 
5  0 
Rhodanthe,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Fuchsia  .  5  0  8  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS— Orchids  in  variety. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
,,  12  bnchs. 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Iris  ,doz.  bnchs . 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
Liliumlongiflorum,12blni8 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12sprays 
Maidenhair  F  era,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
3  0  to  4  0 
2  0  3  0 
0  6  0  9 
10  3  0 
4  0  8  0 
3  0  4  0 
10  4  0 
0  0  6  0 
4  0  6  0 
3  6  4  0 
3  0  4  0 
10  2  0 
4  0  8  0 
16  2  6 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
Myosotis,  doz.  bnchs. 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniumspdoz.  bnchs. 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bnchs.... 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
,,  Yellow,  doz,  (Perles) 
,,  Safrano(English)doz. 
,,  Pink,  doz . 
,,  Moss,  per  bunch 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Sweet  Peas,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
s. 
d. 
s.  d. 
1 
6  to  3  0 
1 
0 
2  0 
1 
6 
9  0 
3 
0 
6  0 
1 
0 
1  6 
1 
0 
1  3 
0  6 
1  6 
0 
3 
0  6 
1 
0 
2  0- 
1 
0 
2  0 
1 
0 
2  0 
1 
6 
3  0 
0 
9 
1  0 
1 
6 
2  0 
1 
6 
3  ft 
