October  13,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
293 
Iron  and  Wire  Espalier  for  Apple  Trees  (W.  G.). — The  height  we 
most  approve  for  Apple  trees  is  6  feet,  and  the  wires  1  foot  apart  for 
horizontal  training  but  6  inches  for  fan  training,  the  first  wire  in  either 
case  being  1  foot  trom  the  ground.  You  will  require  two  straining  posts, 
one  at  each  end  of  the  line,  commonly  called  “pillar  and  stay,”  which  are 
made  in  strength  suited  to  the  height  of  the  espalier,  and  have  a  self- fi  sing 
base.  Upright  or  intermediate  standards,  each  inch  wide  by  ^-inch 
thick,  will  also  be  required,  9  feet  apart,  and  No.  13  L.W.G.  wire.  Th' 
whole  should  be  galvanised.  We  cannot  recommend  dealers,  but  any  of 
those  advertising  in  our  columns  will  be  pleased  to  supply  estimates  on 
your  giving  particulars. 
Cannas  ( Scotch  Fir). — The  method  you  propose,  of  sowing  now  and 
keeping  the  plants  growing  throughout  the  winter,  for  eventually  planting 
them  out  next  summer,  would  not  be  likely  to  answer.  Except  under 
specially  favourable  conditions  of  light  and  warmth,  the  seedlings  would 
either  be  drawn  or  get  root-bound  by  or  before  next  June,  and  the  result 
of  either  state  would  be  partial  or  entire  failure.  For  planting  out 
Cannas  must  be  dwarf,  sturdy  and  thrifty,  with  thick  healthy  leaves  and 
active  roots.  Plants  are  raised  by  sowing  seeds  (which  have  been  soaked 
in  warm  water  for  several  hours)  in  heat  in  the  spring,  then  growing 
the  plants  on  a  shelf  close  to  the  glass  of  a  structure  having  a  night 
temperature  of  about  55°,  with  the  usual  rise  in  the  day.  They  must 
be  transferred  from  small  pots  to  larger  as  growth  progresses,  using 
good  loamy  soil.  If  they  get  too  much  root-bound  before  shifting  or 
planting,  no  after  treatment  can  make  them  flourish.  Fine  named 
varieties,  with  brilliant  Gladiolus-like  flowers,  are  increased  by  division 
of  the  crowns  in  the  spring,  keeping  them  in  a  resting  state  by  com¬ 
parative  dryness  through  the  winter.  A  good  number  of  showy  varieties 
may  be  obtained  from  seeds  obtained  from  a  firs'-class  collection,  but 
they  cannot  be  expected  to  equal  the  best  named  flowers,  which  you 
may  have  seen  at  exhibitions.  It  is  a  too  common  mistake  both  to  start 
the  crowns  too  soon  and  force  on  the  seedlings  in  too  much  heat  for 
three  or  four  months  before  they  can  be  planted  in  flower  beds.  That 
method  of  procedure  spells  failure.  No  doubt  detailed  cultural  notes 
will  appear  in  time  to  he  serviceable. 
Names  of  Fruits.  —  Notice.  —  We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
Tegular  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.  Tn  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and  Pears 
sent  to  this  office  to  be  named ,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only  specimens  and 
varieties  of  approved  merit ,  and  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  oi 
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  fo> 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  o' 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
'{E.  S.  R.). — As  you  have  sent  leaves  and  stated  the  character  of  the 
flowers  we  are  able  to  name  the  Peaches.  1,  Noblesse;  2,  Belle  Banco, 
a  late  fo*m  of  Gros  Mignonne.  The  Pear  is  Williams’  Bon  Chretien. 
<fG.  IF.). — As  we  have  stated  on  several  occasions  specimens  of  the  young 
wood  ought  to  be  sent  with  Plums  for  naming.  Tn  the  absence  of  this  we 
are  not  certain  the  names  are  correct,  but  possibly— 1,  Pond’s  Seedling  : 
2,  White  Magnum  Bonum  ;  3,  Coe’s  Golden  Drop  ;  4,  Jefferson  ;  no 
stalk.  The  plent  is  Leycesteria  formosa.  (Somerset). — Well  grown 
examples  of  the  Crittenden  or  Farleioh  Damson.  ( W.  R.  R.). —  1, 
'Cambusnethan  Pippin,  a  favourite  in  Scotland,  and  there  called  Cam’nethan 
Pippin,  from  an  ancient  monastery  in  Stirlingshire,  where  it  is  supposed  to 
have  originated.  It  is  not  in  the  R.H.S.  list  of  dessert  Apples  for  exhibi¬ 
tion,  but  eligible.  2,  Flower  of  Kent  (H.  D.\  1,  Ilollandbury  ;  2,  a 
smooth  Ribston  Pippin  ;  3,  Court  of  Wick  :  4,  Herefordshire  Pearmain  ; 
5,  Bedfordshire  Foundling  ;  6,  Norfolk  Benrcr.  We  are  glad  to  hear  of 
your  success  in  renovation.  ( E .  B.~).—  1,  Stamford  Pippin  ;  2,  Alfriston  ; 
3,  Lord  Derby;  4,  London  Pippin.  (F.  Q.). — 1,  Manks  Codlin  ;  2. 
Gascoyne's  Scarlet ;  3,  Beauty  of  Kent  ;  4,  Golden  Knob  ;  5,  not 
recognised.  (F.J.  L.). — 1  Blenheim  Pippin,  very  fine  ;  2,  CoCs  Pomona  ; 
3,  New  Ilawthornden,  very  fine  ;  4,  not  certain,  resembles  Twenty  Ounce  ; 
5,  Court  Pendu  Plat ;  6.  Mere  de  Manage. 
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  w  hich  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  dump.  ( IT.). — Mirabilis  jalapa.  Marvel  of  Peru. 
f  W.  G.) — 1,  Aster  cricoides  ;  2,  A.  amellus  bessarabicus  ;  3,  A.  acris  ; 
4,  A.  longifolius  ;  5,  A.  elegans. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Oct.  12. 
FRUIT. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d; 
s.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve  . 
1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
31  OtoGO  0 
Cobs  . 45  0 
50  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
0  10 
1  6 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  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.  1  sieve  . 
0  o 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Part-ley,  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 
Lcttnce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mu  hrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
p.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0to36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0  to  5  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
36  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  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 . 
9  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.,  d^z . 
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.— Orchid- 
in  variety. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
o  3  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Bouvardias,  bunch . 
0  6 
0  9 
bnchs . 
4  0  to  8  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
1  6 
3  0 
Chrvsantbemums,  per  doz. 
1  0 
4  0 
Myosotis,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  0 
2  0 
Eueharis,  doz. 
Gardenias,  doz. 
Geranium,  scarlet, 
bnchs . 
Gladioli,  per  bunch 
Lapageria  (white)  ... 
„  (red) 
Lilium  longiflorum, 
blooms . 
Lily  oftheValley,12spra\  s 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
doz. 
12 
2  0 
1  0 
4  0 
1  0 
1  6 
1  0 
4  0 
1  0 
1  6 
8  0 
2  0 
6  0 
1  G 
2  0 
1  3 
5  0 
2  0 
2  6 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs.  3  0 
Polyanthus,  doz.  bnchs. ...  1  0 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnchs.  ...  1  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz....  ...  0  6 
,,  Red,  doz .  0  3 
,,  Tea.  white,  doz.  ...  1  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles)  1  C 
,.  Safrano(English)doz.  1  0 
,,  Pink,  doz .  1  6 
Smilax,  bunch . .'  ...  1  6 
FEMALE  WORKERS. 
Agriculturally  considered,  of  course,  is  there  an  opening  for 
them  ?  What  can  they  do  ?  and  how  best  prepare  themselves  for 
their  work  ?  To  outsiders,  the  idea  of  a  woman  farmer  may  appear 
prei>osterous.  We  do  not  care  about  the  “idea.”  The  fact  is  not 
preposterous. 
It  has  been  our  lot  to  meet  many  able  women,  who  proved  they 
were  as  equal  to  managing  a  farm  as  the  best  of  men.  Indeed,  given 
a  woman  bred  and  born  in  the  country,  with  a  thorough  love  of 
country  ways  and  habits,  what  a  pleasant  outlet  for  her  energies 
farming  is.  There  are  women  who  want  a  little  more  breadth  of 
mind — i.e.,  they  are  rather  adverse  to  outlay  where  they  see  no 
immediate  profit ;  but  we  will  back  any  woman  (agriculturally)  in 
the  kingdom  against  any  man,  be  he  whom  he  may,  for  strict  careful¬ 
ness  and  watchfulness  ever  small  matters.  Farm  life  is  all  detail,  and 
it  is  certain  that  many  of  these  details  escape  the  close  attention 
they  should  have  when  the  farmer  is  of  the  male  gender. 
Those  women  best  fitted  for  the  work  are  the  intelligent  daughters 
of  a  practical  hard-headed  man — a  man  who  is  not  above  the  discussion 
of  ways  and  means  in  the  family  circle.  We  like  as  raw  material 
those  girls  best  who  have  no  brother.  Their  father,  if  wise,  can 
