216 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  15,  1KV*8 
an  empty  skep,  so  as  to  make  them  homeless.  The  driven  bees  will 
then  unite  readily  with  them,  and  “  Grateful  ”  will  be  the  possessor 
of  two  strong  colonies,  each  headed  by  a  young  fertile  queen. 
— English  Bee-keeper. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden. — Bulbs. 
R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech,  Cambs. — Bulbs,  Carnations,  Roses,  and  Lilies. 
Collins  Bros,  &  Gabriel,  Waterloo  Road. — Bulbs. 
A.  Cross  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Hope  Street,  Glasgow. — Bulbs. 
Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay. — Bulbs  and  Plants. 
Fotheringham  &  King,  Dumfries. — Dutch  Bulbs  and  Flower  Roots. 
W.  Fromow  &  Son,  Chiswick. — Bulbs. 
Hogg  &  Robertson,  Mary  St ,  Dublin.— Irish  Groion  Daffodils  and  Tulips. 
Kent  &  Brydon,  Darlington. — Flowering  Bulbs. 
W.  E.  Martin,  Market  Flace,  Hull.—  Bulbs. 
W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross. — Roses. 
Ant.  Roozen  &  Son,  Overveen,  Haarlem. — Dutch  and  Cape  Bulbs. 
Toogood  &  Sons,  Southampton.  —  Bulbs. 
C.  Turner,  Slough. — Bulbous  Roots. 
R.  Yeitch  &  Son,  Exeter. — Bulbs,  Roses,  and  Trees. 
Webb  &  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge. — Bulbs. 
^"'^All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should,  until 
further  notice,  be  directed  to  “  The  Editor,”  s.  Rose  Hill  Road, 
Wandsworth,  s.w.,  and  not  to  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers, 
Fleet  Street.  It  is  requested  that  no  one  will  write  privately  to 
any  of  our  correspondents,  seeking  information  on  matters 
discussed  in  this  Journal,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to 
unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense,  and  departmental  writers 
are  not  expected  to  answer  any  letters  they  may  receive  on 
Gardening  and  Bee  subjects  through  the  post.  If  information 
be  desired  on  any  particular  subject  from  any  particular 
authority  who  may  be  named,  endeavour  will  be  made  to  obtain 
it  by  the  Editor.  Letters  of  inquiry  must  be  accompanied  by 
the  names  and  addresses  of  the  writers,  but  these  will  neither  be 
published  nor  disclosed  when  initials  or  nom  de  plumes  are  givea 
for  the  purpose  of  replies. 
■Correspondents  should  not  mix  up  on  the  same  sheet  questions  relating 
to  Gardening  and  those  on  Bee  subjects,  and  it  is  convenient  when 
each  question  is  written  on  a  separate  sheet.  All  articles  intended 
for  insertion  should  be  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only;  and 
the  name  and  address  of  each  writer  must  be  known  by  the 
Editor,  though  not  necessarily  for  insertion.  We  cannot,  as  a 
rule,  reply  to  questions  through  the  post,  and  we  do  not  under¬ 
take  to  return  communications  which,  for  any  reason,  cannot 
be  inserted. 
Conglomerate  Pear  (G.  A.  T.).  —  The  Jargonelle  Pear  is  a  grea^ 
curiosity,  and  consists  of  three  fruits  superimposed,  but  with  only  one  set 
of  floral  organs,  and  these  doing  duty  in  fertilisation  for  the  three 
different,  yet  connected,  sets  of  ovaries  and  ovules.  Usually  only  those 
nearest  the  eye  are  fertilised.  Each  fruit  has  its  separate  calyx  bracts, 
which  adhere  to  the  pericarp  or  develop  into  points.  The  fruit  next  the 
stalk  has  been  infested  by  the  very  minute  Hawthorn  fruit  or  “haw” 
moth,  Carpocapsa  minuta,  the  caterpillar  of  which  does  not  exceed  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  in  length.  This  creature,  dull  yellow  with  a  black 
head,  had  only  just  emerged  from  the  fruit,  and  was  extremely  lively. 
Such  fruits  possibly  represent  reversion  to  original  types,  both  Crab  and 
wild  Pears  having  the  calyces  sometimes  disposed  over  the  surface  of 
the  fruit. 
Large  “Geranium”  Leaf  (A  D.  S.).— We  are  pleased  if  we  can 
reduce  harmony  out  of  “conflict”  in  any  “department.”  and  it  may  be 
particularly  desirable  to  be  on  good  terras  with  yours,  which  is  so 
important.  The  Zonal  Pelargonium  leaf  received  is  above  the  average 
size,  but  we  have  seen  many  larger,  especially  of  the  “  giant  ”  varieties, 
such  as  Smith  s  Scarlet,  which  used  to  quickly  cover  the  walls  and  pillars 
of  conservatories  12  to  15  feet  high,  but  are  not  common  nowadays.  The 
leaf  is  6j  inches  in  diameter,  and  if  the  plant  which  produced  it,  and  also 
a  “  splendid  crop  of  bloom,”  were  grown  in  a  pot,  it  has  been  well  cultivated. 
It  resembles,  however,  that  of  a  plant  growing  in  rich  soil  in  a  garden,  and 
somewhat  shaded  by  other  leaves,  or  something  else,  and  as  if  it  had  been 
stretching  itself  out  to  receive  all  the  light  that  it  could  reach,  as  leaves 
will  do,  for  there  is  a  good  deal  of  intelligence  in  plants,  and  they  ought 
To  be  well  trained  in  that  respect  in  your  interesting  “department.” 
Melon  Roots  ( Parvo ). — Owing  to  misdirection  your  specimens  reached 
us  too  late  for  examination  and  report  in  this  issue.  Attention  will  be 
given  to  them  next  week.  Kindly  read  rules  to  correspondents  at  the 
head  of  this  page. 
Chrysanthemum  Leaves  Diseased  (Jn.ruws). — The  leaves  are  badly 
infested  with  the  leaf  rust  fungus,  Uredo  chrysantbemi,  and  the  two  you 
have  sent  as  having  been  treated  with  the  solution  of  the  subs' ance  you 
received  for  sulphide  of  potassium  has  not  had  any  effect  on  the  innumer¬ 
able  spores.  The  article  is  sulphate  of  potassium — a  very  pure  sample, 
the  crystals  being  unusually  clear.  It  has  no  value  as  a  fungicide,  but  is 
useful  as  a  manure.  Sulphide  of  potassium,  or  liver  of  sulphur,  is  a  reddish 
substance,  altogether  different  from  the  article  you  sent  ;  it  also  has  an 
offensive  smell,  not  unlike  that  of  bad  eggs,  and  it  turns  or  forms  with 
water  a  milk-like  solution.  Procure  this  article  (Harris’s  is,  perhaps,  best), 
and  use  according  to  the  instructions  frequently  given  in  our  columns. 
Failing  the  liver  of  sulphur,  use  sulphuret  of  lime,  or  even  Condy’s  fluid. 
Do  something  effectively  without  delay. 
Onions  Decaying  (A  T.). — The  Onion  mildew  (Peronospora  Schleiden- 
iana)  is  the  cause  of  the  evil.  The  fungus  first  seizes  the  tops  of  the  plants 
and  descends  to  the  bulbs,  which  decay  from  the  neck  downwards.  This 
may  have  been  accelerated  by  overfeeding  with  liquid  manure,  rendering 
the  top  succulent  and  the  centre  of  the  bulb  relatively  open.  We  cannot 
advise  anything  to  arrest  the  disease,  as  it  has  possession  of  the  “  heart” 
of  the  bulbs.  We  have  found  dressings  of  freshly  burned  wood  ashes 
useful  as  a  preventive  measure,  and  we  should  further  supply  a  dressing 
of  kainit  to  the  ground  shortly  in  advance  of  sowing,  broadcasting  at  the 
rate  of  3.J  lbs.  per  rod,  leaving  the  rains  to  wash  it  in,  or  not  working  in 
more  than  by  raking.  When  the  Onions  are  well  up  dress  with  soot 
1  peck  per  rod,  with  a  prospect  of  moist  weather,  and  when  the  plants 
are  of  thinning  size  spray  them  with  soluble  petroleum,  one  part  in 
seventy  parts  water,  when  likely  to  be  fine  weather.  This  we  have 
found  useful  against  both  fungoid  and  insect  pests.  Of  course  all  tops 
and  diseased  bulbs  should  be  destroyed  by  fire,  never  turning  the 
diseased  tops  underground  nor  throwing  rotten  Onions  on  the  rubbish 
heap,  and  always  paying  strict  regard  to  the  proper  rotation  of  the 
crops  as  the  most  successful  general  preventive.  Celery  is  a  good 
preparatory  crop  for  Onions. 
Celery  Diseased  (Idem). — The  Celery  is  affected  by  “  soft  rot,”  which 
seldom  attacks  the  stalks  until  earthed.  Plants  that  have  been  heavily 
supplied  with  liquid  manure  during  growth  are  usually  the  most  liable  to 
contract  the  disease  when  earthed  up,  especially  on  heavy  or  moisture¬ 
holding  soils.  Sometimes  the  decay  is  confined  to  the  core,  but  the  leaves 
and  stalks  are  also  affected  by  this  malady,  which  spreads  from  above 
downwards,  and  large  crops  are  often  ruined  by  it.  The  stalks  are 
blackened  and  rotten,  and  swarm  with  “bacteria”  in  the  wet  gangrene. 
Whether  the  bacteria  is  cause  or  consequence  of  the  decay,  the  result 
is  very  disastrous,  and  against  it  we  have  not  found  anything  better  than 
dressing  the  land  with  salt,  7  lbs  per  rod,  or  kainit,  3£  lbs.  per  rod,  after¬ 
wards  using  light  dressings  of  soot  occasionally  up  to  the  first  earthing 
up.  We  have  also  used  light  dressings  of  quicklime  over  the  plants, 
alternating  with  those  of  soot,  and  in  that  way  avoided  the  malady,  using 
“  collars  ”  in  earthing  in  the  case  of  wet,  and  not  earthing  too  soon  or  too 
high  at  once. 
Slugworm  in  Pears  (  W.  W.). — The  leaves  are  attacked  by  the  larvae, 
called  slugworms,  of  the  Pear  sawfly  (Selandria  atra  of  Stephens  and 
Westwood),  (Tenthrodo  cerasi  of  Linnaeus  and  Curtis),  and  devour  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves,  consuming  the  soft  parts,  leaving  only  the 
lower  skin  of  the  leaf,  veins,  and  midribs,  the  whole  leaf  turning  brown 
or  black,  and  ultimately  falling.  The  larvae  usually  commence  their 
attacks  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  prey  upon  the  foliage  until 
October,  when  they  descend  to  and  enter  the  ground,  where  they  spin  an 
oval  cocoon,  coated  with  earth,  and  from  that  the  sawfly  emerges  in  the 
following  July.  Dusting  the  leaves  on  the  upper  side  with  newly  slaked 
quicklime,  repeated  once  or  twice  at  intervals  of  about  half  an  hour,  com¬ 
pletely  kills  the  slugworms.  Another  effectual  remedy  is  to  slake  a 
quarter  peck  of  quicklime  in  a  tub,  add  6  gallons  of  water,  stir  well,  and 
allow  it  to  stand  twenty-four  hours,  then  pour  off  the  clear  water. 
Dissolve  8  ozs.  of  softsoap  in  a  gallon  of  boiling  water,  also  steep  2  ozs. 
of  the  strongest  tobacco  in  half  a  gallon  of  boiling  water,  cover,  let  stand 
until  cool,  then  strain,  and  add  the  softsoap  solution  and  the  tobacco 
water  to  the  lime  water,  mix  all  together,  and  apply  with  a  syringe  to 
every  part  of  the  trees,  especially  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaves.  Slug- 
worm  infestations  are  generally  local,  and  recur  year  after  year.  As  it  is 
getting  late,  and  some  of  the  pests  may  have  entered  the  soil  from  the 
fallen  leaves  and  passed  into  the  pupae  state,  we  advise  the  removal  of 
the  soil  in  winter  a  few  weeks  after  the  leaves  are  all  down,  taking 
it  off  3  or  4  inches  deep  beneath  the  trees  that  have  been  infested,  and 
burning  it.  Supply  fresh  soil  in  the  place  of  that  removed. 
Diseased  Celery  (E.  //.).— The  Celery  stalks  are  eaten  considerably  in 
places  by  slugs,  also  affected  by  a  sort  of  red  rust  or  canker,  which 
destroys  the  tissues,  completely  spoiling  the  Celery  for  use.  Against  the 
slugs  we  should  use  soot  occasionally,  as  it  will  not  only  deter  them,  but 
act  beneficially  on  the  Celery,  and  perhaps  strengthen  it  against  the  rust, 
which  is  caused  by  a  fungus  closely  allied  to  the  Parsnip  mildew, 
Peronospora  nivea.  Its  mycelium  lives  inside  the  tissues  of  the  Celery 
stalks,  at  first  causing  the  part  affected  to  assume  a  yellowish  colour, 
which  soon  passes  into  brown,  the  irregular  spots  or  streaks  running  up 
or  down  similar  to  the  “  tracks”  of  the  Potato  fungus  in  an  affected  tuber. 
The  rust  sooner  or  later  causes  the  adjoining  tissues  to  decay,  and  the 
Celery  becomes  putrid  in  a  way  similar  with  Potatoes.  In  dry  weather. 
