August  3,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Ill 
Pea  Haulm  Infested  with  Insects  ( W.  <?.).— The  insect  is  not  only 
similar  to  the  common  thrips,  but  really  is  one  of  the  family — namely, 
corn  thrips,  modified  through  development  in  Peas,  and  called  Thrips 
cerealium  var.  I'isi.  It  is  yellow  in  colour  in  the  larval  state,  with  a  black 
tip  at  the  tail  ;  the  pup®  is  also  yellow,  but  paler,  and  the  perfect  insect  is 
blackish.  The  pest  is  very  prevalent  this  season,  attacks  commencing  at 
the  points  of  the  haulm,  under  the  folded  cover  of  which  marauders  are 
practically  free  from  anything  intended  for  their  destruction.  This  will 
account  for  the  syringing  of  the  Peas  with  paraffin  and  softsoap  having 
no  effect.  The  smell  of  tobacco,  however,  makes  them  very  uncomfort¬ 
able,  and  is,  after  all,  the  best  remedy,  though  one  of  the  oldest.  N  icotine 
essence,  1  part  in  100  parts  water,  makes  an  end  of  all  that  it  reaches,  as 
also  does  tobacco  juice,  that  of  the  manufacturers  being  diluted  with 
twelve  times  its  bulk  of  water,  syringing  on  in  either  case,  and  repeating 
once  or  twice  at  intervals  of  four  days.  The  insect  is  encouraged  by 
drought,  lack  of  nourishment  or  water  or  both  at  the  roots,  and  a  dry 
condition  of  the  atmosphere.  Watering,  mulching,  and  syringing  tell 
against  the  pests,  and  are  good  for  the  Peas. 
Gooseberries  Affected  with  Mildew  (W.  //.  F.).— Yes,  we  can  recom¬ 
mend  a  treatment  for  Gooseberry  busheu,  the  leavea  of  which  are  affected 
with  grey  mildew  (Microsphcera  grossulari®) — namely,  spray  with  a 
solution  of  potassium  sulphide  (liver  of  sulphur)  at  the  rate  of  one-half 
ounce  to  1  gallon  of  water,  licgin  as  soon  as  the  leaves  commence  unfold¬ 
ing,  and  repeat  the  application  at  intervals  of  fourteen  if  wet,  to  twenty- 
one  in  fair  weather.  The  sulphide,  or  liver  of  sulphur,  dissolves  more 
readily  in  hot  than  in  cold  water,  and  the  solution  is  preferably  applied  at 
130°  to  135°.  Many  ph  nts  will  bear  the  temperature  named  when  the 
growths  are  fully  formed  and  become  somewhat  hardened.  A  dressing 
would  have  a  good  effect  on  Gooseberry  mildew  if  applied  now,  as  it 
would  greatly  hinder  the  production  of  “fruits”  (called  by  botanists 
perithecia),  which  enclose  the  winter  spores.  In  the  autumn,  as  soon  as 
the  leaves  are  all  down,  we  should  give  the  bushes  a  good  dusting  all 
over  with  quicklime  freshly  burned,  and  slaked  to  a  fine  apparently  dry 
powder.  In  addition  to  the  lirr.e  fulling  on  the  ground  we  should  apply 
half  a  pound  of  a  mixture  in  equal  parts  by  measure  of  air-slaked  lime 
and  fresh  soot  to  the  square  yard,  digging  in  without  delay.  The 
burying  of  the  surface  soil  will  do  much  to  prevent  attack  another 
season  by  getting  the  perithecia  well  down.  Your  compliment  is 
reciprocated. 
Mushroom  Bed  Refuse  for  Asparagus  (J.  T.  0.  D.). — The  idea  is  a 
good  one,  the  old  outdoor  Mushroom  beds  being  spread  on  the  ground 
and  then  the  manure  mixed  with  the  2  feet  depth  of  top  soil  by  turning 
as  in  the  case  of  a  manure  heap,  incorporating  the  manure  well  into  the 
soil  from  top  to  bottom.  This  plan  we  have  carried  out,  and  had  excellent 
returns  in  the  second  year  after  planting  stout  one-year  old  plants, 
15  inches  apart  in  rows  18  inchek  asunder,  leaving  out  every  fourth  row 
for  facility  of  cleaning,  manuring,  and  cutting.  The  seeds  were  sown 
2  inches  apart  in  drills  a  foot  asunder,  and  the  seedlings  thinned  to 
<3  inches  distance,  or  as  near  thereto  as  the  best  plants  stood  in  the  row. 
Asparagus  culture  is  treated  of  in  most  books  on  gardening,  and  the 
marketing  aspect  of  the  question  has  been  frequently  referred  to  in  our 
columns.  We  feel  sure  of  your  success  in  the  2  feet  of  top  soil.  The 
under  layer  of  clinch  and  gravel  should  ho  left  severely  alone,  and  the 
manure  mixed  with  the  soil,  not  buried  at  the  bottom  as  is  commonly 
done  in  trenching.  We  also  planted  in  rows  a  yard  apart  and  18  inches 
asunder  in  them,  hut  though  we  got  large  heads  and  a  higher  price  per 
hundred,  the  produce  did  not  realise  the  same  good  returns  as  from  the 
closer  planting  before  named.  Though  we  grew  every  new  sort  the 
Giant  was  far  away  the  most  remunerative  ;  that  known  as  Market 
Favourite  proving  the  best,  though  Early  Giant  Purple  Argenteuil,  I, ate 
Giant  Purple  Argenteuil,  and  Connover’s  Colossal  gave  excellent  results. 
See  Mr.  L'dale’s  remarks  on  the  importance  of  selecting  plants,  and 
generally,  on  page  529,  J  une  20tb. 
Tomatoes  Diseased  (Tomato  Grower).— The  plant  is  affected  with 
“  sleepy  disease  fungus,  Fusarium  solani  var.  lycopiersici,  which  you  may 
readily  see  by  cutting  a  similarly  affected  plant  through  just  above  the 
soil,  and  observing  the  brown  colour  of  the  woody  tissues.  The  soil  is  of 
a  very  fibrous  dark  brown  or  black  colour,  and  contains  very  little  gritty 
matter,  arid  practically  no  lime.  We  should  mix  with  it  2$  per  cent,  by 
weight  <  weighing  10)  lbs.,  stones,  or  cwts.  of  loam,  and  add  lbs.,  stones, 
or  cwts.)  of  basic  slag  phosphate,  and  1  per  cent,  of  kainit,  leaving  in  the 
stack  about  three  months,  then  chopping  straight  down  and  mixing  evenly. 
That  will  he  likely  to  have  a  good  effect  on  the  plants.  The  leaves 
are  affected  by  the  spot  fungus,  Cladosporium  fulvum  (lyeopersici),  and 
this  also  affects  the  fruit,  giving  ri-e  to  the  well-known  “scald,”  which  is 
quite  distinct  from  “scald”  and  “black  stripe.”  There  is  no  better  pre¬ 
ventive  of  this  fungus  than  free  ventilation,  with  gentle  warmth  in  the 
hot-water  pipes,  and  such  supplies  of  mineral  food  in  available  form  as 
will  aid  the  plants  against  their  parasitic  foes.  It  is  sometimes  advisable 
to  use  fungicides  in  powder,  such  ns  antiblight,  before  the  fruits  approach 
ripening  ;  if  used  afterwards,  they  must  ho  cleansed.  It  is,  however,  of 
the  first  importance  to  remember  that  fungicides  are  preventive  by  active 
measures  in  advance  of  attack.  If  you  treat  the  soil  as  before  advised, 
and  in  addition  apply  artificial  manures,  such  as  a  mixture  of  five  parts 
fishmeal,  three  parts  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia,  three  parts 
mineral  superphosphate  (high  grade),  one  part  sulphate  of  soda,  and  half 
part  sulnhate  of  iron,  all  crushed  fine,  mixed,  using  4  ozs.  per  square 
yard,  blending  well  with  a  foot  in  depth  of  soil  before  potting  or 
planting,  firm  growth  will  be  incited  under  proper  ventilation  if  the 
soil  is  firm,  and  the  plants  will  be  in  the  best  of  condition  to  resist 
fungoid  attacks. 
Spring  and  Winter  Onions  ( Epsom  Exhibitor). — You  do  not  say  whether 
the  Onions  were  raised  under  glass  and  transplanted,  or  the  plants 
grown  from  seed  sown  in  the  open  ground  and  thinned  in  the  bed  for  the 
purpose  of  development.  Wo  strongly  suspect  the  former  was  the  case, 
or  they  would  not  have  been  mistaken,  if  they  were  mistaken,  for  winter 
Onions.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  Judges  regarded  them  as  having  been 
raised  under  glass  in  January  or  February,  and  therefore  differed 
materially  from  others  in  competition  with  them,  as  outdoor  spring- 
sown  and  not  transplanted.  It  cannot  be  said  there  is  equality  of 
opportunity  under  such  circumstances  ;  nor  can  it  be  said  that  Onions 
raised  in  heat  during  the  early  months  of  the  year  are  “autumn  sown. 
In  such  cases  where  Judges  find  no  explicit  directions  in  schedules  they 
exercise  their  discretion,  and  as  the  rules  of  the  show  in  question  state 
that  “Judges’  decision  shall  be  final,”  you  can  claim  no  compensation 
for  the  loss  of  the  prize.  Yours  i3  by  no  means  the  first  instance  of 
disappointment  of  its  kind  nor  will  it  be  the  last.  To  put  all  exhibitors 
of  Onions  on  an  equality  three  classes  are  required  : — 1,  Autumn  sown 
or  winter  Onions.  2,  Under-glass  raised  and  transplanted  Onions. 
3,  Outdoor  sown  and  grown  spring  Onions.  You  had  better  send  a  copy 
of  this  Journal  to  the  Secretary  and  Committee,  and  suggest  that  they 
should  be  the  pioneers  in  a  change,  which  numbers  of  judges  and  ex¬ 
hibitors  consider  to  he  highly  desirable. 
Names  of  Plants  (/.  //.).—!,  Ileuchera  sanguinea ;  2,  Ilarpalium 
rigidum  ;  3,  Leycesteria  formosa  ;  I,  Scabiosa  caucasica.  ( T .  E.  Z.). — 
1,  Ai-rides  erassifoliurn  ;  2,  Asplenium  viviparum  ;  3,  Gymnograrnma 
chrysophylla.  ( T.  C.  P.). — 1,  Eryngium  amethystinum  ;  2,  Mclilotis 
officinalis  ;  3,  Lysimacbia  vulgaris. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— August  2nd. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT. 
Apples,  Tasmanian,  case 
,,  English,  per  sieve 
Cherries,  J  sieve  . 
„  cooking,  sieve  of  24  lbs. 
Currants,  red,  per  sieve  ... 
„  black,  per  sieve 
Figs,  green,  per  doz. 
Gooseberries,  £  sieve 
Greengages,  box  of  40  to  48 
Grapes,  black  . 
Lemons,  case  . 
Trade  quiet. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
Aubergine,  per  dez . 
Beans,  i,  sieve . 
,,  Longpods,  |  bushel 
,,  Scarlet,  |  sieve  ... 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
Carrots,  per  doz . 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
Celery,  new,  per  bundle ... 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
Endive,  doz . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
Tomato  trade  firmer ; 
B.  d. 
b.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
13  0to20  0 
Melons  . each 
1  0  to  3  0 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Rock  .  „ 
2  0 
4  0 
5  0 
8  0 
Nectarines,  per  doz. 
3  0 
9  0 
4  0 
5  0 
Peaches,  per  doz . 
3  0 
12  0 
5  0 
6  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
3  0 
6  0 
5  0 
6  0 
,,  French  Williams’, 
3  0 
6  0 
36  to  56  in  a  case 
3  0 
4  0 
2  9 
0  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
6  0 
1  3 
2  3 
Plums,  English,  per  sieve 
5  0 
6  0 
1  0 
3  0 
,,  Californian,  case... 
Raspberries,  doz.  punnets 
4  0 
8  0 
14  0 
0  0 
3  0 
6  0 
IOLESALE 
PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
b.  d. 
s.  d. 
B, 
.  d. 
r.  d. 
1  0  to  2  0 
Lc  ttuce,  doz . 
1  3  to  2  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
1  0 
2  6 
3  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
4  0 
4  6 
2  6 
3  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Peas,  per  bushel  . 
3  0 
6  0 
7  0 
0  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
6  0 
3  0 
4  0 
„  new  . 
Shallots,  lb . 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
5  0 
10  0 
2  0 
4  0 
0  3 
0  0 
1  9 
0  0 
0  0 
4  0 
2  0 
4  0 
2  0 
4  G 
1  6 
2  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
0  3 
o  o 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz. 
1  6 
2  0 
0  2 
0  0  1 
arrivals  still  heavy. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
Arums  . 
A«paragus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
,,  longifloruro,  12  blooms 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs*  ...  ...  ...  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
3  0  to  4  0 
2  0  2  6 
1  0 
4  0 
1  6 
4  0 
3  0 
2  0 
6  0 
2  6 
6  0 
4  0 
6 
15 
4  0  6  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
Montbretia,  per  bunch  ... 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  doz . 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  Safrano,  doz . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
3  0  to  4  0 
4  0  6  0 
1  0 
1  6 
4  0 
2  0 
1  0 
1  6 
2  0 
2  0 
3  0 
1  0 
9  0 
6  0 
3  0 
2  0 
2  6 
3  0 
2  6 
4  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS, 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
6  0  to  36  0 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz .  18  0  36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ...  15  0  20  0 
Boronia3  ...  . . 12  0  18  0 
Crotons,  doz . 18  0  £0  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz .  12  0  30  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ...  9  0  18  0 
Erica  various,  doz .  30  0  60  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0  18  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ...  4  0  18  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz .  4  0  18  0 
„  small,  100  4  0  8  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each .  16  7  6 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
Heliotropes,  doz . 
Hydrangeas  . 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz. 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
„  specimens  . 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
Stocks . 
1 
4  0 
4  0 
6  0 
12  0 
3  0 
6  0 
6  0 
1  0 
21  0 
4  0 
4  0 
0  to  5  0 
6  0 
6  0 
10  0 
J8  0 
4 
8 
9 
16  0 
63  0 
6 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
