44 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  13,  1899. 
m9m  All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should,  until 
further  notice,  be  directed  to  “  The  Editor,”  3,  Rose  Hill  Road, 
Wandsworth,  S.W.,  and  WOT  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  given 
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. 
Late  Inquiries  — Several  letters  and  specimens  arrive  every  Tuesday 
morning  with  a  request  for  a  reply  in  “your  next  issue.”  This,  however, 
when,  as  is  commonly  the  case,  a  microscopical  examination  is  necessary, 
is  quite  impossible.  Our  correspondents  should  forward  their  questions 
as  early  as  possible,  so  as  to  allow  proper  time  for  thorough  investigation. 
Celery  Leaves  Destroyed  (J.  F.  G.). — The  leaves  have  the  appearance 
of  destruction  by  the  Celery  fly,  Tephritis  onopordinis,  but  the  specimens 
were  in  such  a  dried  condition  as  not  to  admit  of  this  being  determined 
satisfactorily.  Either  that  or  some  substance  applied  to  the  leaves  has 
caused  their  destruction.  The  fly  or  leaf-miner,  however,  is  very 
prevalent  this  season,  and  has  already  rendered  many  plants  quite  as 
bad  as  your  specimen.  The  best  preventive  is  to  sprinkle  the  plants 
occasionally  with  quassia  extract  diluted  according  to  the  instructions, 
and  adding  to  this  one  part  in  100  of  nicotine  essence.  Soluble  petroleum 
diluted  and  sprinkled  over  the  plants  occasionally  during  the  evening 
prevents  the  insects  depositing  eggs  on  or  in  the  leaveq  and  also  kills  the 
maggots  in  the  blisters,  as  it  sinks  through  the  epidermis. 
Ammonia  from  the  Gas  House  (Idem). — If  by  ammonia  you  mean 
gas  liquor  or  ammoniacal  liquor,  it  should  be  used  very  carefully,  never 
stronger  than  one  part  to  five  or  six  parts  water,  and  even  at  this  strength 
not  used  over  the  foliage,  which  in  most  cases  is  seriously  injured  bv  it. 
At  a  strength  of  one  part  to  twelve  parts  water  it  does  not  usually  injure 
smooth  foliage,  but  it  is  best  to  utilise  it  for  the  roots  of  crops  only 
where  it  "has  a  good  effect,  being  an  excellent  but  much  neglected  fertiliser. 
We  should  not  use  it  stronger  for  general  watering  purposes  than  the 
strength  last  named,  and  not  too  often,  as  it  tends  to  promote  over- 
luxuriant  growth.  It  is  always  better  too  weak  than  too  strong.  If  by 
ammonia,  however,  you  mean  sulphate  of  ammonia,  then  do  not  use  more 
than  j  oz.  to  a  gallon  of  water,  better  half  the  quantity  to  begin  with,  and 
increase  the  dose  as  the  plants  become  used  to  it.  For  use  as  a  top¬ 
dressing  £  oz.  per  square  yard  is  sufficient,  though  in  advance  of  cropping 
1  oz.  per  square  yard  may  be  used,  distributing  evenly  and  pointing-in 
lightly.  It  does  not  “  run  ”  away  like  nitrate,  and  is  best  for  loamy  or 
rather  strong  land. 
Muscat  Grapes  Shrivelling  and  Going  Black  (A.  L.  J.). — The  berries 
are  certainly  “ sea' ded,”  and  also  affected  by  the  disease  called  “spot,” 
due  to  the  fungus  named  Glteosporium  lreticolor,  but  in  this  instance  we 
consider  it  a  result  or  accompaniment,  rather  than  a  cause  of  brownness 
or  blackness  in  the  specimen.  It  would  be  well,  however,  to  remove  the 
affected  berries  and  burn  them,  though  we  do  not  perceive  any  trace  of 
the  pycnidia  of  the  parasite,  only  the  mycelial  hyphse  in  the  tissues.  The 
“scalding”  and  “spot”  also  may  be  avoided  by  a  little  ventilation 
constantly,  and  gentle  warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes,  increasing  the 
air  early  in  the  morning,  always  by  or  before  the  sun  acts  powerfully 
upon  the  house,  so  as  to  dissipate  any  condensed  moisture,  and  allow  the 
Grapes  to  heat  and  evaporate  equally  with  the  surrounding  air.  It  is 
also  advisable  to  employ  a  slight  shade  over  the  roof-light9,  such  as  a 
double  thickness  of  herring  nets,  especially  in  structures  with  large  panes 
of  glass  not  efficiently  provided  with  ventilating  openings,  and  particularly 
in  bright  weather  following  a  dull  period.  Air,  however,  with  gentle 
warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes,  is  the  great  desideratum  for  preventing 
accidents  of  the  nature  indicated. 
Scots  Fir  Unhealthy  (0.  F.). — The  twigs  are  not  affected  by  any 
parasite.  One  piece  is  quite  dead  and  the  needles  browned  ;  the  other 
portion  is  green,  but  sapless  ;  most  of  the  needles  are  browned  at  the 
tips,  and  some  a  considerable  distance  down.  No  growth  appears  to  have 
been  made  this  season,  hence  we  conclude  that  something  must  be  wrong 
at  the  roots.  Could  you  not  have  a  careful  examination  of  the  trees  by 
some  experienced  woodman  or  gardener? 
Wintering  Cauliflowers  without  Protection  (F.  M.  I).). — It  is  very 
unusual  for  Cauliflower  plants  from  seed  sown  early  in  August,  planting 
them  out  in  permanent  quarters,  as  is  done  with  early'  Cabbage,  and 
getting  a  crop  of  heads  6  inches  across  by  the  middle  of  June  in  York¬ 
shire.  This  was  probably  feasible  through  the  mildness  of  the  winter  of 
1S98  and  1899,  as  we  have  often  tried  the  experiment  with  the  same 
variety.  Early  London,  and  not  found  the  plants  survive  an  ordinary 
North  Riding  winter  under  the  protection  of  a  wall  with  a  south  aspect. 
We  are,  however,  obliged  by  the  record  of  your  experience,  and  shall  be 
pleased  to  have  it  confirmed,  as  Cauliflowers  in  June  without  any  protec¬ 
tion  for  the  plants  in  winter  is  a  point  well  worth  striving  for. 
Young  Vines  with  Leaves  Curled  at  the  Edges  (Idem). — Probably 
the  Vines  are  affected  with  some  pest  at  the  roots,  wireworm  being  often 
present  in  poor,  brown  turfy  loam,  and  readily  takes  to  Vine  roots.  We 
have  also  known  them  to  suffer  from  the  larvae  of  the  black  Vine  weevil 
or  allied  species,  and  even  from  eelworm.  A  dressing  of  lime  in  such 
cases  does  good,  both  as  regards  food  for  the  Vines  and  acting  deterrently 
to  the  pests.  Why  not  mulch  the  border  with  sweetened  horse  droppings, 
and  thus  encourage  more  growth  ?  Could  you  not  examine  the  roots,  and 
if  anything  unusual  is  found  there  forward  specimens  ?  In  the  absence 
of  these  we  are  unable  to  assign  any  definite  cause  for  the  state  of  the 
Vines. 
Growing  Raspberries  for  Market  (G.  P.).— 1,  Heavy  loamy  soil  about 
a  good  spade  deep  on  brick  earth  subsoil,  another  spade  deep,  then  clay, 
answers  well,  in  our  experience,  for  Raspberries,  as  they  like  a  cool  but 
not  wet  bottom,  though  there  is  no  fear  of  this  on  land  freely  drained 
with  pipes  in  proper  working  order.  The  land  would  also  grow  Goose¬ 
berries  and  Black  Currants,  and  these  pay  very  well  if  miteless.  The 
Black  Naples  withstands  the  pest  better  than  Baldwin,  the  mite,  man-like, 
giving  preference  to  the  “  fatted  calf.”  The  danger  with  Gooseberries  is 
from  spring  frosts,  especially  in  low-lying  localities.  2,  All  points  con¬ 
sidered,  Norwich  Wonder  and  Fastolf  are.  perhaps,  among  the  best  Rasp¬ 
berries  for  growing  on  a  large  scale.  Superlative  gives  a  much  heavier 
crop,  but  the  plants  are  hardly,  as  yet,  procurable  in  such  quantity  and  at 
a  price  admissible  for  planting  on  an  extensive  scale,  though  many  buy 
them.  The  plants,  17,424  per  acre,  in  rows  4  feet  apart,  and  the  canes 
(two  in  a  hole)  15  inches  asunder,  are  a  serious  consideration  in  respect  of 
relatively  new  varieties.  3,  If  planted  in  early  autumn,  and  the  canes 
headed  to  1  foot  in  height,  very  little  fruit  can  be  expected  the  first  season, 
the  chief  essential  being  to  secure  strong  canes  for  bearing  in  the  second 
season,  still  4  cwt.  per  acre  has  been  realised  the  first  year.  In  the  second 
j  ear,  2  tons  may  be  regarded  as  a  full  crop  per  acre,  and  in  the  third 
season  the  plantation  would  be  at  its  best,  producing  3  to  4  tons  per  acre. 
4,  £24  per  ton  is  a  fair  price  to  arrange  beforehand,  but  the  figures  have 
ranged  higher  in  recent  years,  £27  being  the  average  for  tub  fruit  ;  but 
it  is  always  well  to  take  possible  low  market  prices  into  consideration  as 
they  occur  during  some  seasons.  Raspberries,  however,  are  not  likely  to 
permanently  fall  in  price,  as  they  are  among  the  most  uncertain  of  all 
fruits  through  speedily  spoiling  in  wet  periods.  5,  The  number  of  pickers 
would  depend  upon  the  crop  as  well  as  the  area,  but  for  2  or  3  acres  about 
twenty-four  pickers  would  be  required.  The  picking  is  usually  done  by 
the  piece,  at  the  rate  of  Jd,  per  lb.,  fid.  per  peck  of  12  lbs.,  4s.  to  5s.  per 
cwt.,  £4  to  £5  per  ton,  the  number  of  gatherings  being  five  or  six.  Labour 
varies  so  much  indifferent  localities,  that  no  correct  estimate  can  be  given. 
The  picking  is  a  serious  matter,  in  some  localities  materially  limiting 
culture,  labour  being  practically  driven  into  towns,  and  largely  through 
the  suppression  of  the  once  numerous  small  holdings.  6,  The  cost  wouli 
run  something  like  £40  per  acre  until  the  first  crop  was  obtained.  Mr. 
Cecil  Hooper  estimates  it  a9  follows  : 
Cost  per  Acre  of  Planting  and  First  Season’s  Cultivation. 
October. — Manuring  with  30  tons  . 
Ploughing . 
February. — 17,424  young  Raspberry  plants  at£l  per 
1000  . 
Heading  of  the  canes  1  foot  high  . 
Digging  8712  holes,  rows  in  each  fifth  furrow 
(4  feet)  18  inches  apart,  plants  carried  by 
women,  two  planted  in  each  hole . 
March  to  July. — Horse  hoeing,  four  or  five  times, 
at  3s.  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ... 
Hand-hoeing,  four  to  five  times,  at  5s.  to  6s.  ... 
Picking  Raspberries,  4  cwt.  at  4s. 
Packing,  carriage,  and  sale  charges  . 
Rent,  rates,  taxes . 
£12 
7 
0 
1 
0 
0 
—  £13  7  O 
17 
8 
6 
0 
6 
0 
2 
0 
0 
19 
14 
6 
0 
15 
0 
1 
10 
0 
2 
5 
0 
0 
16 
0 
0 
14 
0 
1 
10 
0 
i  •  • 
... 
2 
0 
0 
£38  16  6 
In  the  second  year  the  cost  of  production  is  given  at  £25  Is.,  the  crop 
2  tons,  at  £23  per  ton  =  £46,  thus  leaving  £20  19s.  as  balance  for 
unforeseen  expenses,  superintendence,  interest  on  capita),  and  propor¬ 
tionate  cost  of  planting. 
