August  24,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
179 
Propagating  Myrtles  (  W.  W.  IF.). — Myrtles  are  of  easy  culture  in  a 
compost  of  sandv  loam  and  leaf  soil,  say  three  parts  of  the  first  and  one 
of  the  latter.  They  are  readily  increased  by  cuttings  of  the  current 
year's  growths  after  they  become  firm  or  partially  ripened,  placing  them 
in  pots  in  sandy  soil  in  a  close  frame,  or  covered  with  a  bell-glass, 
shading  from  bright  sun  until  rooted.  The  shoots  of  outdoor  plants  will 
now  be  sufficiently  ripened  for  insertion.  The  cuttings  must  be  wintered 
in  a  house  from  which  frost  is  excluded,  and  in  spring  they  may  be 
placed  singly  in  small  pots,  and  grown  in  a  greenhouse,  standing  the 
plants  outdoors  in  summer. 
Vallota  purpurea  (Idem). — This  useful  and  handsome  bulbous  plant 
may  be  potted  early  in  soring,  say  in  February  ;  but  it  is  not  desirable 
to  give  a  large  shift  or  repot  the  plants  too  frequently.  We  pot  ours 
every  second  6r  third  year,  keeping  them  under  rather  than  over  potted, 
and  they  flower  splendidly  in  late  August,  through  September  into 
October.  They  require  a  light  situation,  so  as  to  secure  a  sturdy, 
thoroughly  solidified  growth,  and  they  will  then  throw  up  two  flower 
scapes  from  the  strongest  bulbs.  A  compost  of  three  parts  fibrous  loam, 
light  rather  than  heavy,  and  one  part  leaf  soil,  with  a  sixth  of  sharp  sand 
is  suitable.  Good  drainage  is  necessary,  as  the  plants  require  abundant 
supplies  of  water  when  making  their  growth,  which  is  in  the  early  part 
of  the  year. 
Young  Larch  Trees  Dying  (/.  S.  B.). — The  characteristics  presented 
by  the  specimens  are  those  of  the  Larch  disease,  as  caused  by  the  fungus 
named  Dasyscypha  (Peziza)  calycina,  syn.  P.  Wilkommi.  It  is  very 
destructive  to  young  Larch  trees,  and  no  wonder,  as  in  many  cases  the 
diseased  trees  are  left  in  a  half  dead  stat«  to  produce  spores,  which  they 
do  plentifully  on  the  stems  near  the  ground  where  favoured  by  long  dead 
grass  or  other  herbage.  We  have  known  three  plantations  of  Larch  lost 
in  succession,  but  the  fourth  succeeded,  simply  by  cutting  the  grass  about 
each  plant  in  the  latter  part  of  summer,  and  thus,  with  the  air  circulating 
around  the  stems  and  through  the  plantation,  what  spores  were  produced 
had  less  chance  to  germinate.  Of  course,  all  diseased  trees  were  removed, 
and  a  close  scrutiny  made  of  the  stems  for  canker  spots,  and  the  affected 
trees  cleared  away  before  the  ascophores  appeared  through  the  dead  bark 
in  the  winter  and  early  spring  months.  This  was  found  the  only  plan 
successful  with  the  disease,  the  air  currents  preventing  the  spread  of  the 
disease  from  affected  to  healthy  trees.  In  another  plantation  known  to 
us  Larches  have  died  out  twice  within  the  last  ten  years  ;  it  has  been 
patched  frequently,  but  the  trees  canker  on  their'  stems,  and  those 
surrounded  by  rough  grass,  have  produced  ascophores,  and  so  the  scourge 
was  aided  in  its  destructive  work.  You  do  not  say  whether  the  ground 
in  your  plantation  has  been  kept  clean  or  not. 
Planting  Gardenias  in  Beds  ( Journeyman ). — Certainly  the  plants  will 
succeed  admirably  in  beds.  A  space  in  the  centre  of  the  house  enclosed 
with  a  single  brick  wall  would  be  the  best  position  for  them.  In  pre¬ 
paring  the  bed  see  that  the  bottom  is  well  drained  with  1  foot  of  rough 
stone  or  brick  rubble.  Cover  this  with  partly  decayed  turves  or  fibrous 
portions  of  peat  to  keep  the  soil  from  washing  into  the  drainage  and 
choking  it.  The  depth  of  prepared  compost  may  be  2  feet  unless  verv 
large  specimens  are  intended,  when  3  feet  will  not  be  too  much.  Equal 
portions  of  fibrous  peat  and  loam,  adding  a  little  thoroughly  decayed 
cow  manure,  also  sand  and  charcoal  to  make  the  compost  porous,  will 
form  a  suitable  rooting  medium.  A  space  2  feet  to  2  feet  6  inches  wide 
would  admit  of  one  row  of  plants,  arranging  them  at  such  distances 
apart  that  sufficient  room  is  allowed  for  extension.  They  can,  however, 
he  kept  within  bounds  by  pruning.  During  the  summer  a  temperature 
between  65°  and  75°  will  suit  them,  with  frequent  syringings  to  keep 
down  insects  and  encourage  growth.  Plenty  of  water  must  be  afforded 
to  the  roots  during  the  period  of  active  growth  and  until  the  flower 
buds  show,  when  less  heat,  moisture,  and  water  at  the  roots  will  be 
required  to  give  the  plants  a  slight  rest  and  enable  the  wood  to  ripen. 
The  temperature  should,  however,  never  fall  below  55°  in  the  winter. 
When  a  certain  amount  of  rest  has  been  secured  the  plants  will  respond 
quickly  to  a  little  extra  heat  and  moisture  to  enable  the  flower  buds  to 
expand. 
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  dav  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.  (F.  V.  W.). — 1,  Staphylea  pinnata  ;  2,  Illinium 
floridanum  ;  3,  Lonicera  aureo-reticulata ;  4,  Escallonia  macrantha. 
iW.  W.  B.).—  1,  Rhus  cotinus  ;  2,  Kerria  japonica  ;  3,  Spiraea  callosa; 
4,  Veronica  spicata ;  5,  Hydrangea  Thomas  Hogg  ;  6,  H.  paniculata. 
( T.  M.  Z.). — 1,  Verbascum  Blattaria  ;  2,  Tropaeolum  speciosum  ;  3, 
Hypericum  ovaliformis.  (C.  G.  M.). — 1,  Daphne  laureola  ;  2,  Spiraea 
btimalda  ;  3,  Erica  codonodes  ;  4,  Begonia  Evansiana  ;  5.  Monarda 
didyma  ;  0.  Harpalium  rigidum  Miss  Mellish.  ( Fern  Lover).  —  1, 
Gleichenia  dichotoma ;  2,  Doodia  aspera  ;  3,  Doryopteris  palmata  ;  4, 
Platyloma  rotundifolia  ;  5,  Nothochlasna  Echloniana ;  6,  Polypodium 
aureum.  (J.  C.). — Trachelium  coeruleum. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Dicksons  &  Co.,  1,  Waterloo  Place,  Edinburgh. —  Flower  Boots. 
E.  P.  Dixon  &  Sons,  Hull. — Bulbs. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— August  23rd. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  FRICES.— FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples,  English,  per 
sieve 
2  0  to  3 
0 
Nectarines,  per  doz. 
3  0  to  9 
0 
Currants,  black,  per 
sieve 
6  0 
7 
0 
Peaches,  per  doz . 
3  0 
9 
0 
Figs,  green,  per  doz. 
•  •  • 
1  0 
3 
0 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
3  0 
6 
0 
Grapes,  black  . 
■  ••• 
0  6 
3 
0 
,,  French  Williams’, 
Greengages,  box  of  40  to  48 
1  3 
2 
3 
36  to  56  in  a  case 
4  0 
5 
0 
,,  French, 
sieve 
5  0 
8 
0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
6 
0 
Lemons,  case  . 
•  ••• 
14  0 
20 
0 
Plums,  English,  per  sieve 
6  0 
i 
0 
Melons  . 
.each 
0  6 
1 
6 
,,  Californian,  case... 
4  0 
8 
0 
,,  Rock  ...  . 
•  j’ 
1  3 
1 
9 
Trade  very  quiet. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
1  0  to  2  0 
Aubergine,  per  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
Beans,  b  sieve . 
2  6 
3  6 
,,  Scarlet,  sieve 
2  6 
3  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
7  0 
0  0 
Carrots,  per  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Celery,  new,  per  bundle  ... 
1  9 
0  0 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arums  . 
3  0  to  4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  6 
2  6 
Eucharis,  doz . 
4  0 
G  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
1  6 
2  6 
bnchs . 
4  0 
6  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
3  0 
4  0 
,,  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  0 
15  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs . 
4  0 
6  0 
s. 
.  d 
l. 
s. 
d. 
Lettuce,  doz . 
I 
3  1 
to  2 
0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
4 
0 
4 
6 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
9 
0 
4 
0 
Peas,  per  bushel  . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2 
0 
5 
0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
0 
0 
4 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
2 
0 
4 
6 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
s.  d. 
3  0 
s.  d. 
to  4  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Montbretia,  per  bunch  ... 
1  0 
1  6 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
16  0 
4  0 
6  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
1  6 
2  6 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
„  Safrano,  doz.  ., 
2  0 
2  6 
Smilax,  bunch . 
3  0 
4  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
6  0to36  0 
•  •• 
18  0 
36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
15  0 
20  0 
Boronias  . 
•  •  • 
12  0 
18  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
30  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
80  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 ... 
•  •• 
1  6 
7  6 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1 
01 
to  5 
0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Heliotropes,  doz . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Hydrangeas  . 
6 
0 
10 
0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz. 
12 
0 
18 
0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1 
0 
15 
0 
„  specimens  . 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Stocks...  ...  ...  ...  ... 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
THE  POULTRY  SAVANTS  AT  READING. 
If  ever  there  was  a  subject  that  needed  the  full  light  of  day  it 
is  the  poultry  question.  Do  not,  dear  reader,  mistake  our  meaning. 
It  is  impossible  to  take  up  any  paper  or  magazine  appertaining  to 
rural  matters  without  coming  across  article  after  article  bearing  on 
this  subject.  Everybody  thinks  he  knows  something  about  fowls, 
that  his  knowledge  is  unique;  and  the  most  unpractical  people  have 
the  most  to  say. 
Poultry  farming  has  been  thought  by  the  many  to  be  a  sure  and! 
