July  6,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
21 
Leaving  off  Box  of  Lawn  Mower  (Scotland). — The  grass  is  probably 
too  long,  hence  throwing  the  cut  parts  so  thickly  together  as  to  clog  the 
machine.  When  the  grass  is  thin  or  only'  long  ends  here  and  there,  no 
difficulty  is  experienced  ;  but  why  not  set  the  machine  a  little  higher, 
so  as  only  to  remove  the  long  bents  during  dry  weather  ?  By  long  is 
meant  the  irregularities  of  growth  which  appear  between  the  ordinary 
times  of  mowing. 
Scots  Firs  Suddenly  Dying  (N.  B.). — Perhaps  the  trees  are  affected 
by  some  fungus  at  the  roots,  or  suffer  from  some  animal  parasite.  In  the 
absence  of  specimens  or  particulars  we  are  placed  at  a  great  disadvantage. 
The  trees  are  about  the  age  when  they  suffer  from  attack  of  the  fungus 
called  Peridermium  pini ;  it  rarely  attacks  trees  over  twenty  years  old. 
Decide  whether  the  tops  or  the  roots  are  affected,  and  if  specimens  of 
these  are  submitted  to  us  they  will  be  carefully  examined  and  reported  on. 
Climbers  in  Pots  ( Amateur  Reader ). — Various  climbing  plants,  espe¬ 
cially,  perhaps,  the  large-flowered  Clematises,  may  be  well  grown  in 
large  pots  or  tubs,  the  growths  being  trained  to  wire  trellises,  balloon¬ 
shaped  or  oval  in  form,  and  of  any  required  size  ;  or  the  plants  can  be 
secured  to  stakes  inserted  round,  just  inside  the  rims  of  the  receptacles, 
looping  the  tops  of  the  stakes  together  with  wire  to  form  a  rigid  frame¬ 
work.  The  plants  require  careful  attention  to  prevent  a  straggling 
appearance. 
Dividing  Primula  ofcconica  (Somerset). — As  the  plants  will  now  have 
completed  flowering,  or  mainly  so,  tor  the  season,  it  is  a  good  time  to 
divide  them,  putting  the  divisions  carefully  in  small  pots  or  such  size  as 
will  just  hold  the  roots.  Use  a  compost  of  turfy  loam  with  a  third  of 
leaf  mould  and  a  free  admixture  of  sand — a  little  charcoal  is  an 
advantage — and  provide  good  drainage.  Place  in  a  cold  frame  and  keep 
them  shaded  until  re-established.  You  are  no  doubt  aware  that  the  plant 
is  very  irritating  to  some  persons,  causing  blisters  on  the  hands,  hence 
the  precaution  to  use  gloves  in  such  cases  in  handling  the  plants. 
Booting  Sweet  Briar  Cuttings  (Idem). — The  cuttings  of  well  ripened 
wood  should  be  inserted  in  September,  cutting  them  transversely  below  a 
joint,  trimming  off  the  leaves  from  at  least  two  joints,  and  inserting  that 
part  in  the  soil,  preferably  sandy,  making  it  firm  about  them.  If  the 
cuttings  have  one  or  two  joints  with  leaves  above  the  soil  it  suffices.  A 
north  border  is  the  best,  or  an  east  or  west  one  answers,  only  if  bright 
weather  prevail  it  is  advisable  to  shade  from  powerful  sun.  Cuttings 
with  a  heel  may  be  inserted  as  late  as  October,  when,  of  course,  shading 
is  not  needed.  The  Sweet  Briar,  however,  is  usually  raised  from  seeds, 
which  are  sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  or  more  generally  kept  in  the  “  heps  ” 
until  spring.  This  practice  we  have  followed  extensively  for  raising 
plants  for  game  coverts,  woodland  walks,  and  for  hedges.  Some  of  the 
seedlings  appear  the  first  year  ;  these  may  be  carefully  lifted  and  trans¬ 
planted  in  the  autumn,  leaving  the  bed  for  another  season,  as  many 
appear  in  the  second  year.  The  seedlings  are  by  far  the  better  for  vigour 
and  general  purposes. 
American  Blight  on  Apple  Trees  (York). — The  white  woolly  or  cottony 
growth  is  due  to  American  blight,  or  woolly  aphis,  which  is  known 
scientifically  as  Schizoneura  lanigera.  You  do  not  say  whether  the  trees 
are  large  or  small.  If  dwarfs  and  readily  reached  the  simplest  method  is 
to  apply  methylated  spirit,  using  a  clean  half-worn  painter’s  sash  tool, 
just  moistened  with  the  spirit,  reaching  every  part  of  the  tree.  This 
continued  through  the  summer  as  the  white  spots  appear  has  proved 
thoroughly  effectual,  and  is  handy  and  clean  for  an  amateur  to  use.  On 
a  large  scale  we  have  found  ammoniacal  liquor  from  gasworks  diluted 
with  twelve  times  its  bulk  of  rain  or  soft  water  and  applied  forcibly  with 
a  syringe  or  engine,  especially  to  the  stems  so  as  to  drive  the  insects  out, 
very  effective,  but  the  liquor  sometimes  browns  tender  foliage.  It  also 
has  the  advantage  of  acting  as  manure,  and  of  killing  any  of  the  pests 
lurking  on  the  roots  within  the  soil.  For  use  in  winter  gas  liquor,  one 
part  in  five  parts  water,  may  be  applied  with  a  brush  as  soon  as  all  the 
leaves  have  fallen,  and  if  the  roots  are  affected  they  may  be  bared  and 
dressed  similarly  to  the  trunk  and  branches.  This,  however,  is  not  often 
necessary’,  as  the  liquor  from  the  stem  passes  into  the  soil,  acting  as 
manure  and  killing  the  pests. 
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.  (W.  C.  8?  Sons). — Dracunculus  vulgaris,  also 
known  as  Arum  Dracunculus.  (E.  N.  R.  j. — 1,  Campanula  glomerata ; 
~2,  Scabiosa  caucasica ;  3,  Polemonium  Itichardsoni  ;  4,  Dictamnus 
Fraxinella  ;  5,  Asphodelus  ramosus.  (W.  S.). — 1,  Crinum  capense  ; 
2,  Habrothamnus  elegans ;  3,  Alstromeria  aurantiaca  ;  4,  Euonymus 
radicans  variegata.  (P.  S.).  —  1,  a  poor  form  of  Cattleya  Mossiae  ; 
2,  Odontoglossum  citrosmum,  in  excellent  condition.  (Ignoramus). — 
1, -Spiraea  ulmaria  ;  2,  Tradescantia  virginica  ;  3,  Eremurus  himalaicus  ; 
4,  Gladiolus  byzantinus  ;  5,  Lilium  martagon.  (S.  IV.). — Specimen 
retained  from  last  issue,  No.  4,  Strobilanthes  isophyllus. 
COYENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  5th. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT.— Markets  good. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apricots,  per  box  . 
1  0  to  1  6 
Grapes,  black  . 
1  0  to  3  0 
Apples,  Tasmanian,  case 
13  0 
20  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
14  0 
36  0 
Cherries,  4  sieve  . 
6  0 
10  0 
Melons  . 
1  0 
3  0 
,,  cooking,  sieve  of 
Nectarines,  per  doz. 
3  0 
12  0 
24  lbs . 
6  0 
8  0 
Peaches,  per  doz . 
3  0 
15  0 
Currants,  red,  bskt  of  about 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
8  0 
8  lbs . 
2  6 
3  6 
Plums,  per  box . 
1  6 
2  0 
Figs,  green,  per  doz. 
3  <i 
6  0 
Raspberries,  doz.  punnets  12  0 
18  0 
Gooseberries,  h  sieve 
2  9 
0  0 
Strawberries,  outdoor,  bskt 
0  6 
010 
Greengages,  box  of  40  to  48 
1  0 
2  6 
,,  peck  . 
3  0 
6  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— VEGETABLES.— Markets  fair. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.'  ... 
1  0  to  2  0 
Lettuce,  doz.  ...  ...  ... 
1  3  to  0  0 
Asparagus,  per  100 . 
1  0 
3  6 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
1  0 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0  3 
0  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
,,  Lougpods,  J  bushel 
1  6 
2  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
5  6 
0  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
6  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
7  0 
(J  0 
Peas,  per  bushel  . 
2  0 
4  0 
Carrots,  bunch . . . 
0  6 
0  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
6  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
„  new  . 
9  0 
11  0 
Celery’,  new,  per  bundle  ... 
1  9 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
2  0 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
2  6 
4  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  6 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
n  4 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz. 
5  0 
6  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
1  6  to  2  0 
Lilyofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  4 
to  1  0 
Arums  . 
3  0 
4  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Azalea,  white,  doz. bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
bnchs . 
4  0 
6  0 
C  irnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  6 
3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow, 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
bch.  12  blooms  . 
0  6 
0  8 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
0  4 
0  6 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Pasonies,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
8  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
3  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
bnchs . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  4 
0  6 
„  Safrano,  doz . 
2  0 
2  6 
Iris,  per  doz.  bunches 
6  0 
12  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
3  0 
4  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
3  0 
4  0 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
0  6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
b.  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 
Fuchsias,  doz .  4  0 
6  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
5  0 
10  6 
Heliotropes,  doz .  4  0 
6  0 
Boronias  . 
•  •  • 
12  0 
18  0 
Hydrangeas  .  6  0 
10  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
24  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz.  ...  12  0 
18  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
•  •  • 
12  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz .  3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •  • 
9  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ...  6  0 
8  0 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
9  0 
24  0 
Myrtles,  doz .  6  0 
9  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ...  1  0 
15  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  . 21  0 
63  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
•  •  • 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz.  4  0 
6  0 
„  small,  100  ... 
•  •• 
4  0 
8  0 
Solanums,  doz .  6  0 
12  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each ... 
•  •• 
1  0 
7  0 
Stocks .  4  0 
6  0 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
Kent,  the  garden  of  England ;  the  land  of  nightingale,  Cherry,  and 
Hop ;  the  land  rendered  classical  by  the  great  Julius  Caesar,  by  the  pens 
of  Chaucer,  Dickens,  Austin,  and  “  D.,  Deal  ” ;  the  home  of  early 
Christianity ;  the  seat  of  the  chief  of  our  Lord  Archbishops  ;  the 
shrine  of  the  great  A’Beckett,  celebrated  in  jingling  rhyme  by  the 
witty  Barham  of  Ingoldsby  fame  !  What  countless  memories  the  name 
suggests  ! 
Readers  of  the  Journal  will  possibly  think  we  mean  to  dwell  on 
and  describe  some  of  the  great  men  of  to-day,  the  giants  of  the  garden¬ 
ing  world  who  have  pitched  their  tents  in  Kent  and  give  to  civilisation 
their  fruit  trees  by  the  million.  It  is  not  of  them  we  speak,  that 
theme  must  be  left  to  an  abler  pen.  We  can  only  touch  on  the 
subject  we  are  acquainted  with,  and  we  only  want  to  make  a  few 
remarks  on  the  Royal  Show  of  1899.  A  postponed  show  it  is.  That 
dreaded  scourge  of  mankind,  typhoid,  caused  such  ravages  in  Maidstone 
in  1897-8,  that  it  was  considered  advisable  to  give  the  authorities  a 
year  in  which  to  prepare  a  clean  hill  of  health  before  calling  together 
the  throng  of  people  who  go  to  making  a  show  a  success.  Birmingham 
