September  29,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
257 
Anomalies  in  Judging  ( Well  Wisher). — If  a  schedule  stipulates  for 
two  Cucumbers,  six  Apples,  and  six  Hoses  in  different  classes,  and  an 
exhibitor  includes  three,  seven,  and  eight  specimens,  respectively,  he  does 
not  show  in  accordance  with  the  schedule,  and  the  judge  was  right  in 
disqualifying;  but  if,  aa  you  say,  that  in  a  class  for  six  kinds  of 
vegetables  the  first  prize  was  given  to  a  collection  containing  eleven 
kinds,  the  award  was  obviously  wrong.  The  judge  being,  as  you  describe, 
a  “most  fair  man,’’  lie  presumably  overlooked  the  conditions;  and  the 
exhibitor  made  a  mistake  too  if  he  did  not  enter  a  courteous  protest,  in 
writing,  to  the  secretary. 
Pruning  Magnolia  Tree  (N.  S.). — The  best  time  to  prune  the  tree,  if 
an  evergreen  and  against  a  wall,  is  at  the  end  of  March  or  beginning  of 
April,  close  to  a  bud  or  joint,  then  there  is  a  chance  of  the  shortened 
branch  pushing  growth  quickly  and  ripening  it  before  winter.  With  this 
precaution  the  tree  may  be  cut  back  to  any  extent,  but  it  is  always 
desirable  to  retain  some  young  wood,  or  short  stubby  growths,  as  near 
the  base  of  the  branches  as  practicable.  Tf  a  deciduous  species,  prune  the 
tree  in  early  spring — the  sooner  after  severe  frosts  break  up  the  better — 
observing  the  same  conditions  as  for  the  evergreen.  It  is  not 
advisable  to  cut  very  hard  back,  leaving  nothing  but  a  few  bare  stumps, 
as  the  sappy  growths  issuing  are  not  likely  to  become  well  ripened,  hence 
liable  to  suffpr  from  severe  frosts 
Making  a  Vine  Border  (K.  0.  L.). — The  border  must  have  a  drain 
with  proper  fall  and  outlet  to  carry  off  superfluous  water,  unless  the 
ground  is  naturally  well  drained.  The  bottom  of  the  border  should 
incline  from  all  points  to  the  drain  or  drains.  Then  place  in  a  foot 
depth  of  rubble  or  brickbats,  roughest  at  bottom  and  finest  (about  the 
size  of  road  metal)  on  the  top.  Either  cover  that  with  a  thin  layer  of 
sods,  or  preferably  with  a  couple  of  inches  thickness  of  old  mortar 
rubbish  freed  from  pieces  of  wood.  The  compost  may  consist  of  good 
turfy  loam,  the  top  2  inches  of  an  old  pasture  ;  of  that  ten  cartloads, 
two  cartloads  of  old  mortar  rubbish,  one  of  wood  ashes,  and  another  of 
fresh  horse  droppings,  2  cwt.  of  horn  and  hoof  shavings,  and  4  cwt.  of 
crushed  half-inch  bones.  Incorporate  all  thoroughly,  the  turf  being 
chopped  moderately  small,  and  place  in  2  feet  deep  rather  firmly,  but 
not  treading,  only  beating  with  a  fork.  We  should  not  make  the  border 
the  full  width  at  once,  but  in  sections. 
Names  of  Fruits.  —  Notice. — We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and  Pears 
sent  to  this  office  to  he  named ,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only  specimens  and 
varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sendiny  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  or 
flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed  with  the  specimens, 
whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or  not.  The 
names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials  sufficing  for 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  he  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  he  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
(C.N.). — 1,  Potts’ Seedling  :  2,  deformed  Golden  Noble  ;  3,  Peasgood’s 
Nonesuch.  ( Fructus ). — 1,  Dumelow’s  Seedling  ;  2,  Betty  Geeson  ;  3, 
New  ITawthornden  ;  4,  Winter  Hawthornden  ;  5,  Potts’  Seedling  ; 
fi,  Peasgood’s  Nonesuoh.  ( T.  Bennett).  —  It  is  a  pity  you  did  not 
address  the  box  properly.  See  instructions  at  the  head  of  the  “corre¬ 
spondents’  ”  column,  as  all  the  fruits  were  either  rotten  or  so  discoloured 
by  the  delay  which  occurred  as  to  render  identification  practically 
impossible.  If  the  tree  has  a  tendency  to  produce  blossoms  in  summer 
the  variety  may  be  the  Windsor  Pear,  which  has  been  grown  in  this 
country  for  more  than  300  years.  The  shrub,  though  arriving  quite 
withered,  is  one  of  the  Bladder  Sennas,  probably  Colutea  arborescens. 
(A.  F.  D.). — You  appear  to  have  chosen  the  worst  specimens  you  could 
find.  1,  5,  and  6  it  is  impossible  to  name  ;  2,  Bound  Winter  Nonesuch  ; 
3,  American  Mother  ;  4,  corrugated  King  of  the  Pippins.  ( R .  M.  DA. — 
1,  Keklinvillo  Seedling  ;  2,  Tower  of  Glamis  ;  3.  Golden  Spire  ;  4,  possibly 
a  malformed  Blenheim  Pippin  ;  5,  small  Lord  Grosvenor. 
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.  ( 0 .  F.  J.). — Hibiscus  syriacus  ;  it  grows 
and  flowers  freely  in  the  form  of  large  bushes  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
London.  (Nick\ — 1,  Lastrea  dilatata  :  2,  Pteris  longifolia  ;  3,  Asplenium 
laxum  pumilum  ;  4,  fertile  fronds  of  a  Lomaria.  probably  L.  spicant, 
cannot  be  certain  in  absence  of  barren  fronds  ;  5.  Aspidium  lepidocaulon  ; 
6,  Pellaea  retundifolia.  (W.  H.  W.). — 1,  probably  a  Tussilago,  but  flowers 
are  necessary  of  flowering  plants  ;  2,  Abies  canadensis  ;  3,  Taxodicm 
distichum  ;  4,  Flatanus  orientalis  ;  5,  Ailanthus  glandulosa  ;  6,  a  variety 
of  Quercus  Ilex.  (Twenty-five  Years  Subscriber), —  In  consequence  of  the 
delay  resulting  from  your  not  addressing  the  parcel  as  advised  at  the 
head  of  this  column  the  specimens  arrived  in  bad  condition.  The  border 
flower  is  probably  Anchusa  italica,  and  the  greenhouse  plant  Chloro- 
phytum  orchidastrum.  (Inquirer). — 1  and  3,  incomplete  fronds  ; 
2,  Adiantum  formosum  ;  4,  A.  gracillimum  ;  5,  Begonia  weltonensis.  The 
Orchid  is  Epidendrum  nocturnum.  As  we  have  before  stated,  cotton  wool 
is  the  worst  material  you  can  use  for  packing ;  read  the  rules  and 
suggestions  above. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Sept.  28tii. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
...  1  3  to  3  6 
Grapes,  lb . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  6  to  3  0 
Cobs  . 
...  55  0 
0  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
.  St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
30  0 
60  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
...  50  0 
0  0 
2  6 
5  0 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
VEGET 
8.  d.  s.d. 
...  0  0  to  0  0 
ABLES. 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
s.d.  s.d. 
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 . 
Parsnips,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
...  0  3 
0  4 
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  G 
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  G 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
...  1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
...  0  6 
8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
PLANTS 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
...  6  0to36  0 
IN  POTS. 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  0  to  5  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
...  18  0 
36  0 
Lilium  Ilarrisi,  doz. 
12  0 
18  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
...  5  0 
10  6 
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 
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 
8  0 
10  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.- 
•CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids 
in  variety. 
b.  d.  8.  d. 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch...  2  0  to  3  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch .  0  6  0  9 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
4  0  to  8  O' 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
...  1  0 
3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
1  6 
3  0 
Chrysanthemums,  per 
doz.  1  0 
4  0 
MyosotiB,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  0 
2  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
....  2  G 
3  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  6 
9  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
...  1  0 
2  0 
3  0 
6  0 
Geranium,  scarlet, 
doz. 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
1  0 
1  6 
bnchs . 
...  4  0 
6  0 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
1  0 
1  3 
Gladioli,  per  bunch 
...  1  0 
1  6 
0  6 
1  6 
Lapageria  (white)  ... 
...  1  6 
2  0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
0  3 
0  6 
„  (red) 
...  1  0 
1  3 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Lilium  longiflorum, 
12 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (PerleB) 
1  0 
2  0 
blooms . 
...  4  0 
5  0 
,,  Safrano(English)doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  spray  s  1  0 
2  0 
,,  Pink,  doz . 
1  6 
3  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs.  1  6 
2  6 
Smilax,  bunch . 
1  6 
2  0 
FROM  SEPTEMBER,  1897,  TO  AUGUST,  1898. 
This  is  the  farmer’s  year,  and  if  by  the  end  of  August  in  any 
given  year  he  does  not  know  how  he  stands  financially,  he  never  will. 
It  is  in  this  month  he  reckons  up  his  gains  and  losses,  values  his 
assets,  and  writes  “Finis”  at  the  bottom  of  his  books,  and  turns  over 
a  fresh  page  for  a  new  start. 
This  year,  at  any  rate,  he  begins  with  a  well  filled  stack  yard  and 
good,  if  not  excellent  fodder,  and  in  plenty  too.  However  corn  varies 
in  price  Clover  and  hay  do  not  materially  change.  They  are  crops 
too  bulky  to  import  in  any  great  quantities,  and  when  good  are  always 
in  demand.  Just  one  word  before  we  pass  on  to  other  matters.  How 
about  insurance  ?  Everything  is  very  dry  (despite  the  falling  rain), 
water  scarce  (except  where  rivers  run  bandy),  stack  yards  very  full ^ 
