*28 
Dccembei  1,  13?8. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE!  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
below.  You  will  perceive  that  digging  with  the  spade  is  prohibited,  but 
the  surface  may  be  lightly  pointed  over  with  a  fork  when  trimming  up 
the  garden  after  the  leaves  fall,  and  casting  a  little  fresh  soil  over  the 
roots  at  the  same  time — a  practice  that  is  infinitely  better  than  digging 
them  up  with  a  spade. 
Lowering  Alsophila  australis  (S.  G.  J.). — The  best  time  to  cut  off 
the  stem  below  the  mossed  and  well  rooted  part  is  the  autumn,  when 
there  is  the  least  evaporation,  from  the  foliage.  The  roots  already 
formed  will  extend  during  the  winter,  and  the  plant  make  good  growth 
in  the  spring.  We  advise  the  operation  to  be  performed  without  delay,  as 
least  likely  to  cripple  the  present  top.  We  have  operated  in  a  similar  manner 
as  you  propose  during  January  with  perfectly  satisfactory  results.  When 
water  is  required  let  it  be  given  in  a  warm  stale. 
Destroying  Scale  on  Peach  Trees  (E.  G.  C.f — If  the  wood  is  perfectly 
ripe,  and  it  must  be  to  produce  a  splendid  crop  of  good  fruit,  the  trees 
may  bo  sprayed  with  a  solution  of  caustic  soda  (9 i  per  cent.),  and 
commercial  potash  or  pearlash,  1  oz.  of  each  to  a  gallon  of  water, 
applying  at  a  temperature  of  130°.  In  applying,  it  suffices  to  moisten 
all  the  parts  of  the  tree.  As  this  is  somewhat  difficult  to  effect 
with  trellis  trees,  the  solution  may  be  applied  with  a  brush,  but  not 
excessively,  suffice  to  moisten  every  part,  and  draw  the  same  way  as  the 
growth,  so  as  not  to  injure  or  dislocate  the  buds.  The  solution  kills  other 
pests,  such  as  red  spider,  and  their  eggs.  If  the  wood  is  not  ripe  use 
petroleum  emulsion,  diluting  according  to  the  instruction?. 
Chrysanthemums  for  Market  ( A .  D.  7/.). — We  have  been  favoured  by 
three  growers  of  flowers  for  market  with  the  following  lists  of  varieties 
which  they  have  found  the  most  satisfactory  ;  but  prices  have  been  so  low 
this  year  that  it  is  said  little  profit  has  been  obtained  on  the  outlay  for 
materials,  labour,  and  incidental  expenses.  However,  wo  give  the  lists  of 
Nos.  1,  2,  and  3  only.  Late  varieties  are  grown  for  market  by  No.  1,  and 
he  recommends  the  following  : — Stanstead  White,  Niveus,  Mrs.  Jos. 
Thompson,  Madame  Lacroix,  Western  King,  and  Etoile  de  Lyon.  No.  2 
says  six  early  varieties  are  Ambrose  Thomas,  Harvest  Home,  Madame 
Desgrange,  0.  J.  Quintus,  Yellow  Selborne,  and  Lady  Selborne.  Six 
lates  comprise  L.  Canning,  Princess  Victoria,  W.  H.  Lincoln,  Putney 
George,  Mrs.  J.  Thompson,  and  Tuxedo.  No.  3  names  seven  early  — 
Comtesse  Touchier  de  Gariel,  Ryecroft  Glory,  Mrs.  Hawkins,  Mytchett 
White,  Lady  Selborne,  Harvest  Home,  and  O.  J.  Quintus,  Six  late  — 
W.  II.  Lincoln,  Lord  Brooke,  Ethel,  Princess  Victoria,  Niveus,  and  Etoile 
de  Lyon. 
Fruit  Trees  (0.  F.).—  Providing  the  Apple  trees  were  properly  planted 
last  year,  of  which  wo  can  form  no  opinion,  it  would  only  retard  then- 
growth  to  lift  them  and  replant.  If  improperly  set,  of  course,  the  sooner 
any  error  is  rectified  the  better.  Trees  recently  planted  and  not  pruned 
rarely  make  much  growth  the  first  year.  If  the  long  young  branches 
were  left  there  full  length  cut  them  well  back,  removing  two-thirds. 
Allowing  turf  over  the  roots  is  not  good  for  young  fruit  trees.  The  soil 
for  18  inches  round  the  stems  should  bo  kept  free  from  grass,  and 
mulched  with  a  little  short  manure.  This  may  be  done  now  to  enrich 
the  soil  and  induce  a  better  growth  next  season,  and  no  weeds  should 
grow  around  them  in  the  summer.  The  Pear  tree  10  feet  high  against  a 
wall  may  be  moved,  provided  the  roots  are  fibrous  and  near  the  stem  in 
goodly  numbers,  but  if  the  roots  are  few  and  strong  the  probability  is  the 
tree  would  be  so  checked  in  removal  as  to  be  of  very  little  value. 
The  branches  of  fruit  trees  on  walls  should  be  as  near  as  is  practicable 
1  foot  apart,  but  of  course  some  will  bo  nearer  in  certain  parts,  especially 
when  fan-training  is  followed. 
Club-root  in  Tomatoss  (Anxious). — The  club-root  is  presumably 
caused  by  eelworm,  not  slime-fungus.  The  proportions  given  by  Mr.  W. 
Dyke  of  basic  slag  2  lbs.,  and  kainit  12  ozs.,  were  for  early  winter  applica¬ 
tion,  and  then  (say  now)  mixing-  with  the  soil,  and  leaving  until  planting-cut 
in  the  spring.  This  ho  found  a  thorough  disinfectant  of  the  soil  from 
eelworm,  as  stated  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  and  it  would,  no  doubt, 
answer  in  other  cases.  We  have  found  1  lb.  of  quicklime  and  j  lb.  of  kainit 
per  square  yard  sufficient  to  clear  infested  borders  from  the  pest,  applying 
in  the  winter  time,  and  forking  in  after  it  has  lain  a  day  or  two  on  the 
surface.  The  soil  should  be  left  at  least  six  weeks  before  placing  plants 
in  it.  Sulphate  of  iron  at  the  rate  of  15  to  20  lbs.,  after  the  double  amount 
of  lime,  per  perch,  not  having  proved  effectual,  there  would  be  no  harm  in 
usin"  the  remedy  propounded  by  Mr.  W.  Dyke  of  basic  slag  and  kainit, 
but  it  must  be  applied  in  advance  of  planting  the  Tomatoes.  Our  opinion 
of  seaweed  ashes  for  Tomato  borders  is  that  the  material  is  excellent,  from 
containing  potash  and  soda  salts,  but  tho  ra'e  you  have  used  it  per  perch 
(30J  square  yards)  is,  we  consider,  excessive.  Wo  have  not  used  more 
than  a  peck  at  one  time,  whereas  you  apply  a  bushel.  A  peck  at  planting 
out  time  or  just  before,  and  another  whon'the  first  trusses  of  fruit  are  se”, 
answers  well.  As  regards  Tomato  root  disease  and  its  cure,  Mr.  Abbey, 
experimentalist  and  investigator,  holds  strongly  the  opinion  that  there  is 
no  pest  but  what  may  be  overcome  by  man.  Boiling  water  he  describes 
as  the  simplest  and  most  effective  of  all  disinfectants  of  eelworm-infested 
soil,  and  where  it  fails  it  is  because  the  pests  have  not  been  reached  by  it. 
He  also  says  it  is  the  same  with  other  preventives  or  disinfectants— they  are 
not  thorough  in  application  ;  and  is  further  convinced  that  soluble  phenyle, 
Jeyes  fluid,  lysol,  izal,  and  other  preparations  derived  from  coal  tar,  are 
efficacious  against  eelworm  or  club-root  caused  by  it,  in  the  proportions 
of  !  in  160,  or  1  fluid  ounce  ts  a  gallon  of  soft  water  as  a  disinfectant 
before  planting,  and  1  in  950,  or  1  fluid  ounce  to  6  gallons  of  rain  water 
during  growth  tor  checking  the  pest  and  supporting  the  plants.  We  have 
not  had  occasion  to  try  these  preparations,  but  have  many  times  proved 
the  value  of  hot  water  to  plant  enemies  within  the  soil  and  above  it. 
Forcing  Figs  (B.  W.  ff.).-Wc  do  not  know  of  anything  of  the  kind 
yon  mention.  Seasonable  information  is  given  every  few  weeks  in  cur 
“  Work  for  the  Week  ”  columns,  and  a  more  comprehensive  article  will 
appear  in  due  course.  If  you  require  specific  information  on  any  parti¬ 
cular  point  we  shall  bo  glad  to  supply  it.  The  subject  is  treated  in  the 
“Fruit-Growers’  Guide”  (Virtue  &  Co.,  Ltd.),  but  the  work  is  too  costly 
for  most  people  to  purchase  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information  on 
one  kind  of  fruit  only. 
The  Heaviest  Bunch  of  Grapes  (Anxious). —  The  heaviest  bunch  of 
Grapes  on  record  weighed  25  lbs.  4  pz and  was  exhibited  some  years 
ago  at  Elinburgh  by  Mr.  Curror  of  Eskbank  ;  variety  Trebbiono. 
The  late  Mr.  Dickson  of  Arkleton  exhibited  at  the  same  time  a  bunch 
of  either  the  White  Nice  or  Syrian  weighing  25  lb3.  15  ozs.  Mr.  Roberts 
of  Charleville,  Ireland,  exhibited  Gros  Guillaume  weighing  23  lb*.  5  ozJ., 
and  Mr.  Hunter,  Lambton  Court,  has  the  honour  of  growing  the  heaviest 
bunch  of  Black  Hambnrgh  known — 21  lbs.  12  ozs. 
Violet  Leaves  Spotted  (  W.  IE). — The  leaves  are  affected  by  the  Violet 
disease  fungus,  Peronospora  Yiolae,  a  near  relation  to  the  Lettuce  leaf 
mould.  The  fungus  or  disease  appears  in  the  form  of  small  rounded 
brown  spots  on  tho  leaves,  and  these  spread  from  the  centre,  causing  tho 
leaves  to  shrivel.  The  nttack  is  said  to  arise  from  neglect  or  improper 
handling,  but  we  have  found  it  more  pronounced  in  some  seasons  and 
weather  influences  than  others  when  there  has  been  no  cultural  neglect. 
Keeping  the  plants  too  close  under  glass  favours  the  parasite,  as  also 
does  the  crowding  of  the  plants  and  failing  to  remove  bad  leaves  promptly. 
The  remedies  and  preventives  prescribed  are  to  burn  all  badly  infested 
plants,  and  not  to  use  the  same  soil  again  for  Violets.  We  find  growing 
the  plants  thinly  in  firm  soil,  giving  plenty  of  air,  removing  affected 
leaves,  and  dusting  occasionally  with  quicklime  (air-slaked  for  preference) 
answer  well,  especially  when  the  lime  is  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity 
of  dust  charcoal. 
Brassicas  Diseased  (/?.,  Surrey). — The  plants  are  affected  by  a  dry 
gangrene  caused  by  a  parasitic  micro-organism,  which  causes  browning 
or  “  brunure  ”  in  Vino  shoots,  Tomato  leaves,  and  also  those  of  Potatoes 
and  other  plants.  It  also  affects  Potato  tubers,  causing  a  dry  gangrene 
often  mistaken  for  scab.  The  case  differs  from  club  root  or  finger  and 
toe,  otherwise  the  appearance  at  the  top  of  the  affected  plants  is  very 
similar.  The  oarasite  has  been  named  by  botanists  Pseudocommis  vitis, 
and  is  often  followed  by  slime  fungus,  Plasmodiophora  Brassica?,  which 
causes  the  roots  to  become  congealed  into  a  swollen  putrid  mass.  “  Ragged 
Jacks,”  and  other  smooth,  soft-leaved  kinds,  are  the  most  liable  to  succumb 
to  the  dry  gangrene,  while  the  harder  leaves,  such  as  of  Curled  Kale3,  may- 
escape.  A  good  preventive  is  best  chalk  lime,  freshly  burned,  placed  in 
small  heaps  on  the  ground,  covered  with  a  little  soil,  and  when  fallen, 
spread  evenly,  and  shortly  afterwards  well  mixed  through  the  soil  by 
careful  digging.  Ten  tons  per  acre  aro  used  in  fields.  In  gardens, 
14  cwt.  per  rod  is  a  proper  dressing,  using  during  a  dry  time  in  the 
autumn  or  early  spring,  always  some  little  time  in  advance  of  cropping. 
Where  freshly  made  gas  lime  can  be  had,  3  to  5  tons  per  acre,  3  to 
5  stones  per  rod,  may  be  applied,  spreading  evenly,  and  leaving  on  the 
surface  about  a  month,  then  turning  under — 'n  fields  with  the  plough,  in 
gardens  with  forks  This  also  is  best  applied  in  a  dry  time  during  the 
autumn  or  early  winter,  so  that  its  poisonoui  properties  may  be  modified 
before  croppng  time  in  the  spring.  If  not  used  until  the  latter  period 
only  half  the  amounts  quoted  may  be  applied,  aud  must  lie  on  the  surface 
a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  before  being  turned  under,  cropping  not  taking 
place  for  a  similar  time  afterwards. 
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,  an  l  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sending  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 . 
(II.  S.). — Yorkshire  Greening.  ( Cedo  Nulli). —  1.  rotten,  perhaps  Gansel  ^ 
Bergamot ;  2.,  malformed  by  fungus,  possibly  Nouvell.e  Fulvie  ;  •>, 
Blenheim  Fippin  ;  4.  Van  Mons  Leon  Leclerc  :  5,  Vorkshire  Greening; 
6.  rotten,  resembles  Doyenne  du  Cornice  in  shape  and  colour.  (/.  S.\ 
Wo  regret  your  specimens  cannot  bo  named  with  certainty,  and  they 
appear  to  be  the  produce  of  exhausted  trees  that  have. all  been  gathered 
too  early  ;  A.  Spencer’s  Favourite  ;  e,  resembles  miniature  Mere  de 
Menage  ;  h,  Hambledon  Deux  Ans  ;  i,  Pitraaston  Pineapple  ;  k.  Golden 
Spire;  q,  Bergamotte  Thonin.  (J.  W.). — 1,  Minchull  Crab;  2,  Hormead 
Pearmain  ;  3,  Court  of  Wick  ;  4.  Beauty  of  Kent.  ( Egham ). — A  splendid 
specimen  of  Hoary  Morning.  (  IE.  Thomson ). — l-ruits  which  arrive  within 
a  day  or  two  of  our  going  to  press  can  seldom  be  examined,  and  the  names 
(if  determined)  published  in  the  current  issue.  The  No.  1  red  Apple  no 
one  can  name  ;  it'is  probably  a  local  seedling,  and  inferior.  _  The  other  is 
possibly  Golden  Winter  Pearmai",  faulty  in  shape,  and  partially  decayed. 
