July  13,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
45 
Crapes  Cracking  (  White  Grapes'). —  The  cracking  of  Foster’s  Seedling 
is  probably  due  to  excessive  moisture  and  nutrition  after  the  Grapes  have 
taken  the  last  swelling.  This  variety  is  more  exacting  in  the  requirements 
of  a  well  ventilated  atmosphere  during  the  ripening  and  ripe  stages  than 
Biack  Hamburgh  or  even  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  though  the  latter 
requires  free  ventilation.  The  cracking  at  the  top  of  the  berry  indicates 
the  deposition  of  moisture  there,  which  is  somewhat  difficult  to  rectify, 
even  with  constant  ventilation  and  gentle  warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes. 
This  is  all  we  can  advise,  though  some  mitigation  of  the  cracking  may 
follow  cutting  the  laterals  or  bearing  shoots  about  half  through  a  joint  or 
two  below  the  bunch.  This,  with  comparative  drvness  at  the  roots  and  a 
freely  ventilated  atmosphere,  has  proved  useful.  But  cracking  also  arises 
from  the  house  being  kept  too  dry  or  the  border  not  sufficiently  moist 
during  some  stage  of  the  swelling,  which  causes  the  skin  to  harden,  and 
then  the  berries  split  upon  a  return  of  more  nourishment  and  moisture. 
Extremes  in  either  direction  are  conducive  to  the  evil. 
Are  Sweet  William  and  Snapdragon  Biennials  or  Perennials  ?  (Armagh). 
— Sweet  William  (Dianthus  barbimisl  is  a  hardy  perennial,  and  so  also 
is  Snapdragon  (Antirrhinum  majus),  but  they  have  been  so  improved  by 
selection  and  cross-fertilisation  as  to  be  regarded  as  outside  the  term  of 
perennial  in  schedules,  prizes  being  offered  for  them  separately  in  many 
cases  a9  florists’  flowers,  which  are  grown  as  biennials,  propagated  one  year 
for  flowering  the  next.  That  is  what  the  judges  no  doubt  meant  by  bien¬ 
nials,  restricting  the  term  perennial  to  species  of  the  genera,  not  greatly, 
if  at  all,  differing  from  the  type,  or  not  passing  beyond  a  sub-species,  and 
practically  excluding  varieties.  So  long  as  prizes  are  offered  on  the  terms 
above  specified  so  surely  will  doubts  and  disputes  arise,  and  thus  it  is 
that  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  strongly  recommend  that  in  framing 
classes  for  mixed  collections  of  hardy  garden  flowers  the  simple  words 
“Hardy  Flowers”  should  be  adopted.  It  would  be  worth  vour while 
sending  Is.  6d.  to  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  11 7.  Victoria 
Street,  Westminster,  for  a  copy  of  the  “  Rules  for  Judging,”  and  you  will 
find  pertinent  information  on  pp.  33,  34,  and  35  of  the  manual. 
Insect  on  Coleus  (G.  H.). —  The  insect  on  the  specimen,  which  was 
very  carpfully  packed,  and  arrived  in  excellent  condition  for  examination, 
is  the  “  Kew-  Bug,”  or  Lantana  fly,  Orthezia  insignis,  which  gives  rise  to 
white  mealiness  on  the  affected  parts — the  under  side  of  the  leaves  and 
growing  parts  of  the  shoots — seriously  interfering  with  the  growth, 
causing  it  to  become  stunted  and  distorted.  In  its  young  9tate  the  insect 
closely  resembles  a  mealy  bug,  only  too  well  known  to  gardeners,  and 
not  less  disastrous  in  its  effects.  It  lives  by  sucking  the  juices  of  the 
plant,  and,  as  you  say,  has  its  favourite  “hosts,”  even  in  species  or 
varieties  of  the  same  genus.  The  insect  cares  very  little  for  tobacco 
smoke  in  the  perfect  stage.  Tobacco  water  (juice  diluted  with  about 
twelve  times  the  bulk  of  water)  kills  the  creature  ;  still  better  is  nicotine 
essence,  1  part  in  100  parts  of  rain  water,  while  the  cleanliest  of  all 
applications  is  methylated  spirit,  applied  very  lightly  with  an  atomiser  or 
pneumatic  spray  diffuser.  The  spirit  should  be  diluted  with  about  one- 
half  of  water,  or  it  may  be  applied  with  a  camel’ s-hair  brush.  Vaporisa¬ 
tion  with  nicotine  essence  is,  perhaps,  the  best  remedy  on  a  large  scale, 
repeating  occasionally,  so  as  to  destroy  the  pests  as  they  emerge  from 
the  eggs. 
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.  (L.  J.  P.). — Bigarreau  Napoleon.  (Devon). — 
Guigne  Annonay.  (K.  W.  G.). — A  form  of  Lilium  Martagon  ;  specimen 
withered,  possibly  Statice  latifolia.  (R.  L.). — Probably  a  variety  of 
Hemerocallis  fulva,  but  we  did  not  succeed  in  getting  a  flower  perfectly 
expanded.  (8.  H,). — 1,  fluctuations  in  the  temperature  which  should  be 
kept  steady  ;  2,  a  Maranta,  species  undeterminable,  the  variegation  is 
natural ;  3,  Nepeta  Glechoma  variegata  ;  4,  a  Phyllocactus,  of  which  the 
name  could  only  be  obtained  by  comparing  flowers  in  a  large  collection, 
such  as  that  of  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons  ;  5,  no  specimen  ;  6,  Rheedia 
glaucescens.  (J.  T.  FT.).— Possibly  the  common  Maple  (Acer  campestre), 
tout  it  is  impossible  to  say  definitely  from  such  a  specimen. 
GARDENERS’  CHARITABLE  AND  PROVIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS 
The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution. — Secretary , 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  175,  Victoria  Street,  S.W. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society.— 
Secretary ,  Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balham,  London,  S.W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund.— Secretary,  Mr.  Brian  Wynne, 
8,  Danes  Inn, 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  12th. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT.— Trade  fair. 
8. 
d. 
8.  ( 
a.  | 
s. 
d. 
8.  C 
1. 
Apricots,  per  box  . 
1 
Oto  1 
6  ! 
Lemons, 
CBE6  •••  ••• 
14 
Oto  36 
0 
Apples,  Tasmanian,  case 
13 
0 
20 
0  I 
Melons 
•••  •••  •••  ••• 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Cherries.  4  sieve  . 
5 
0 
8 
0 
Nectarines,  per  doz. 
3 
0 
12 
0 
„  cooking,  Bieve  of  24  lbs. 
5 
0 
6 
6 
Peaches, 
per  doz . 
o 
0 
0 
15 
ft 
Currants,  red,  per  sieve  ... 
,,  black,  per  sieve 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3 
0 
6 
0 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Plums,  per  box . 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Figs,  green,  per  doz. 
3 
ft 
6 
0 
Raspberi 
-ies,  doz.  punnets 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Gooseberries,  h  sieve 
Greengages,  box  of  40  to  48 
2 
9 
0 
0 
Strawberries,  outdoor,  bskt 
0 
6 
0  1 
10 
1 
6 
2 
0 
3  > 
1 
peck  . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Grapes,  black  . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— VEGETABLES.— Trade  dullish. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
1  0  to  2  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3  to  0  0 
Aubergine,  per  dez . 
1  6 
2  0 
Mu-hrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
0  0 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0  3 
0  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
„  Longpods,  J  bushel 
1  6 
0  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
5  6 
0  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
7  0 
ft  0 
Peas,  per  bushel  . 
2  0 
4  0 
Carrots,  per  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Potatoes,  cwt. . 
2  0 
6  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
.,  new  . 
9  0 
11  0 
Celery,  n“\v,  per  bundle  ... 
1  9 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  0 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
0  0 
4  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
2  0 
4  6 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz. 
3  0 
4  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  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 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  6 
3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow, 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
bchi  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 
Pceonies,  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. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
6  Oto 36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
1  0  to  5  0 
18  0 
36  0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Heliotropes,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Boromas  ...  ...  ...  ... 
12  0 
18  0 
Hydrangeas  . 
6  0 
10  ft 
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  o 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0 
7  0 
Stocks . 
4  0 
6  0 
Bedding 
out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
CAN  WE  BEAT  THE  FRENCH? 
Upon  what  field,  or  in  what  manner?  It  has  been  an  English 
custom,  the  growth  of  many  centuries,  to  look  upon  a  Frenchman 
as  though  he  were  not  flesh  and  blood  like  ourselves;  but  of  quite 
an  inferior  type  ;  and  we  have  underrated  him  most  unduly.  This 
has  been  the  outcome  of  those  many  wars  between  ourselves  and  our 
Gallic  neighbours — wars  in  which,  as  a  rule,  they  had  the  worst  of  it, 
and  the  culminating  point  was  the  field  of  Waterloo.  The  manners 
and  customs  of  the  French  do  not  fall  in  with  our  preconceived  notions 
of  what  is  suitable  or  desirable  in  a  great  nation,  and  we  let  our 
prejudice  blind  onr  eyes. 
