22Q 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
September  7,  1899. 
•were  rejoicing  was  just  coming  in.  “  Here,”  the  experts  said,  “  is  a 
grand  successional  flow — a  doubling  of  the  length  of  the  Lime  honey 
season  — and  if  the  name  of  the  tree  can  be  obtained  it  should  be  made 
widely  known  for  the  benefit  of  apiarians.” 
Flowering  specimens  were  thereupon  sent  to  Keve,  and  identified  by 
the  authorities  there  as  Tilia  petiolaris.  Recognising  the  fact  that 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  grow  a  collection  of  Limes, 
samples  were  also  sent  there  for  comparison,  as  trees  are  rot  obtainable 
at  Kew,  and  their  reply  was  :  *•  We  have  no  doubt  the  Lime  is  Tilia 
petiolaris.” 
It  is  evidently  a  scarce  form,  and  the  price  of  trees  is  comparatively 
high.  This,  however,  is  a  small  matter  to  those  who  wish  to  grow  honey, 
of  which  a  few  trees  will  yield  a  large  amount.  Apart  from  that,  iio 
Lime  is  more  ornamental  than  the  kind  under  notice.  Its  annual 
growths  are  strong  yet  pendulous  :  leaves  large,  dark  green  on  the  upper 
surface,  silvery  below  ;  flowers  larger  and  heavier  than  those  of  ordinary 
Limes,  and,  as  before  said,  later,  this  constituting  the  value  of  the  species 
to  apiarians. 
There  are  many  beautiful  features  in  the  grounds  of  Pierrepont, 
and  excellent  work  to  be  seen  in  the  gardens,  by  Mr.  Turner,  while 
the  great  hall  of  the  mansion,  as  furnished  with  stately  Palms  and 
groups  of  plants,  presented  a  distinguished  and  charming  appearance. 
All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should,  until 
further  notice,  be  directed  to  “  The  Editor,”  3,  Rose  Hill  Road, 
Wandsworth,  S.W.,  and  NOT  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 
he  inserted. 
Scorzonera  Unsatisfactory  (71  W.  B.). — This  vegetable  likes  a  deep 
rich  soil,  not  from  freshly  manuring,  but  well  working  and  applying 
decayed  manure  in  the  previous  autumn,  or  growing  on  land  that  has 
been  heavily  manured  for  a  previous  crop.  There  is  no  need  to  make 
holes  for  it  with  a  crowbar  2  feet  apart  and  fill  them  with  rich  mould 
and  sand,  but  simply  draw  a  drill  about  an  inch  deep  and  place  the 
seeds  in  it  a  couple  of  inches  apart,  covering  with  light  soil.  The 
rows  should  be  18  inches  asunder,  and  the  plants  thintTed  to  9  inches. 
The  seed  ought  not  to  be  sown  before  the  middle  of  April  ;  even  then 
some  of  the  plants  will  run  to  seed.  Sandwich  Island  Mammoth 
Salsafy  produces  straight  clean  roots  tvice  the  size  of  common  Salsafy. 
Eelworms  and  Cucumbers  (G.  R,  T.).- When  Cucumber  houses  become 
infested  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  eradicate  the  pests.  Hence  we  should 
say— 1,  The  probable  cause  of  infection  is  that  of  already  infected 
structures,  then  the  soil  employed  may  contain  the  animals,  and  their 
natural  food  being  cut  off,  they  turn  to  the  Cucumbers  and  other  plants 
for  sustenance.  2,  The  preventive  measures  depend  in  a  great  decree 
upon  the  circumstances,  but  in  addition  to  a  complete  clear  out  of  the 
structures  every  season,  the  whole  should  be  thoroughly  scalded  with 
boiling  water,  so  as  to  reach  all  parts  containing  organic  matter.  Then 
every  particle  of  compost  should  be  heated  to  over  130°  by  dry  heat. 
Add  to  the  soil  2J  per  cent,  of  basic  slag  and  1£  per  cent. ‘kainit, 
some  time  before  use,  and  turn  occasionally.  3,  If,  in  spite  of  ali 
precaution,  the  disease  reappear,  we  know  of  nothing  better  than  the 
judicious  use  of  fertilisers,  and  top-dressing  the  plants  from  time  to  time, 
so  as  to  induce  fresh  roots  and  keep  the  plants  on  their  logs.  Mr. 
Iggulden  found  a  weak  solution  of  soluble  phenyle  useful,  supplemented 
by  waterings  with  nitrate  of  soda,  and  he,  perhaps,  will  favour  with 
further  experience,  as  may  others  having  knowledge  of  the  pests.  “ 
Cooper’s  Black  Grape  ( H .  S.'). — This  is  a  very  fine  looking  Grapp,  and 
when  well  grown  the  berries  are  larger  than  those  of  the  Black  Hamburgh, 
while  the  bunches  are  large  enough  for  any  purpose.  It  more  closely 
resembles  Gros  Miroc  than  the  Black  Hamburgh,  and  not  a  few  Vines 
that  are  grown  as  Cooper’s  Black  are  Gvos  Maroc.  We  have  more  than 
once  seen  Cooper’s  Black  win  the  first  prize  in  keen  competitions  for  the 
best  coloured  and  finished  black  Grape.  The  Vine  is  a  good  grower 
under  the  same  conditions  as  the  Black  Hamburgh,  but  requires  rather 
more  room  for  development.  The  fruit  is  refreshing,  but  does  not  possess 
the  Black  Hamburgh  flavour. 
Coe’s  Golden  Drop  Plums  Rusted  (/.  /.)  — The  microscope  did  not 
bring  into  view  any  organism,  but  simply  the  rusted  skin,  which  is 
probably  due  to  excess  o  iron  in  the  soil.  We  had  similar  results  under 
glass  through  syringing  witn  irony  water,  and  on  land  conta'ning  much 
iron  the  Plums  were  much  rusted,  especially  in  dry  seasons.  A  good 
dressing  of  lime,  1  cwt.  per  rod,  gave  good  results,  indeed  the  Plums 
ceased  to  rust.  This,  however,  was  on  land  practically  devoid  of  lime  in 
the  upper  layers  and  surface  soil.  On  limestone  soils  rusting  may  be 
lessened  by  top-dressing  or  mulching  with  short  manure.  Rusted  fruits 
very  often  crack,  especially  in  moist  weather  following  a  dry  period, 
through  the  flesh  increasing  and  the  skin  being  rendered  non-elastic  by 
the  infection. 
Sulphate  of  Potash  (Hern).  —  High  quality  sulphate  of  po‘ash  consists 
of  93  per  cent,  of  sulphate  of  potash  the  water  in  combination 
making  up  the  article — that  is,  it  contains  no  appreciable  foreign  elements, 
the  total  01  potash  (KaO)  being  51*30  per  cent.  Low  quality  sulphate 
of  potash,  according  to  Macadam,  contains: — Moisture,  8’16  ;  sulphate 
of  potash,  64*34  ;  chloride  of  soda,  18*43  ;  insoluble  matter,  1*21  ;  and 
chloride  of  magnesium,  7*86  per  cent ;  the  total  potash  (Iv20)  being 
34-76  per  cent  ;  the  best  quality  sulphate  of  potash,  therefore,  is  the 
article  you  require.  Possibly  the  chlorine  of  the  kainit  may  have  pro¬ 
duced  chloride  of  lime,  and  with  this  substance  in  the  soil  injured  the 
roots  of  the  Strawberries. 
Utilising  Quince  Plants  (T.  C.  MX — The  Quince  treis  purchased  at 
a  sale  last  autumn  are  probably  of  the  kind  used  as  stocks  for  Pears,  or 
they  may  be  of  a  variety  grown  for  its  fruit.  In  the  latter  case  the  trees, 
now  planted  for  shelter  only,  should  be  left  alone,  and  they  will  grow  into 
a  spreading  hedge-like  belt,  and  serve  the  purpose  of  shelter  in  a  warm 
locality,  which,  with  an  open  sunny  situation,  is  necessary  for  fruit  pro¬ 
duction  even  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  country,  the  trees  seldom 
perfecting  their  fruit  in  northern  districts.  The  fruit  is  used  for  making 
a  kind  of  marmalade  and  other  preserves,  and  for  adding,  in  small  quan¬ 
tities,  to  Apples  when  cooking  to  give  briskness  and  increased  flavour. 
The  chief  use  of  the  Quince  tree  in  this  country  is  that  of  providing 
stocks  whereon  to  graft  Pears,  being  naturally  inclined  to  root  near  the 
surface,  also  fibry,  and  tending  to  dwarf  the  growth  of  Pear  trees  and 
cause  them  to  become  earlier  and  more  productive  than  on  the  Pear 
stock.  All  varieties  of  Pears,  however,  do  not  succeed  on  Quince  stocks, 
hence  double  grafting  is  had  recourse  to  in  their  case.  This  consists  in 
working  a  vigorous  variety  of  Pear  on  the  stock  and  such  as  succeeds  on 
it,  ssy  Beurrd  d’Amanlis,  and  on  this  graft  any  desired  sort.  Thus  you 
may  utilise  the  Quinces  for  growing  Pears,  cutting  the  trees  down  to 
about  6  inches  from  the  ground  very  early  in  the  year  or  before  February, 
and  graft  them  close  to  the  ground  in  March  or  April,  the  scions  being 
retarded  by  cutting  before  the  buds  start,  and  placing  in  light  soil  or 
sand  on  the  north  s  de  of  a  wall  or  fence. 
Seedling  Apple  Trees  {Hem). — The  year-old  seedling  Apple  trees  may¬ 
be  grafted  in  the  spring  about  6  inches  from  the  ground,  or  such  of  them 
as  are  as  stout  or  stouter  than  the  scions.  Any  or  all  varieties  of  Arples 
will  succeed  on  such  stocks.  A  few  good  ones  are,  for  cooking.  White 
Transparent,  Pott’s  Seedling.  Seaton  House.  Small’s  Admirable,  Golden 
Spire,  and  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  all  compact  growers,  with  Bramley’s 
Seedling  and  Newton  Wonder,  both  free  growers.  Eating  Apples  : 
Devonshire  Quarrenden,  Lady  Sudelcy,  Worcester  Pearmain,  King  of  the 
Pippins,  Cox’s  Orange,  Scarlet  Nonpareil,  Braddick’s  Nonpareil,  and 
Court  Pendu  Plat,  all  compact  or  medium  growers,  with  Blenheim 
Orange  and  Gascoigne’s  Scarlet,  both  strong  growers.  Any  of  the 
seedling  Apples  not  strong  enough  for  grafting  in  March  or  April  may  be 
budded  in  Jnly. 
Caterpillar  in  Plums  ( C .  C.  E.).— The  insect  that  deposited  the  eggs 
giving  rise  to  the  caterpillars  found  in  the  Victoria  Plums  is  the  Plum 
Tortrix,  T.  nigricana,  or  Carpocapsa  funebrana.  The  moth  is  very 
seldom  seen,  being  very  small.  The  spread  of  wings  is  rather  over  half 
an  inch,  forewings  grey  clouded  with  darker  shades,  and  at  the  hinder 
angle  of  each  is  a  spot  of  ash  grey,  with  a  faint  metallic  lustre,  surrounded 
by  an  indistinct  border,  in  which  lies  a  row  of  black  dots.  The  larvae  or 
caterpillars  are  reddish  above,  paler  below,  with  the  head  brown  black, 
and  there  are  a  few  soft  hairs  on  the  body-.  The  caterpillars  feed  on  the 
Plums  during  late  summer  and  early  autumn,  usually  one  in  each  fruit, 
and  next  to  the  pit  or  stone.  They  remain  in  the  fruit  even  after  it  has 
fallen,  subsequently  spinning  a  slight  cocoon  in  which  the  caterpillar 
hybernates  in  a  pupal  state.  The  moth  appears  at  the  end  of  May  or 
beginning  of  June,  and  soon  afterwards  begins  to  deposit  eggs  upon  the 
fruit.  Spraying  with  Paris  green  at  the  time  just  mentioned  and  searching 
for  the  cocoons  in  the  crevices  of  the  bark  are  the  best  preventives,  for 
there  are  no  remedies  but  destroying  affected  fruit.  Victoria  Plums  are 
very  subject  to  attack,  several  in  a  pound  often  being  affected,  and  these 
having  quite  a  normal  appearance  are  eaten  or  made  into  jam  along  with 
the  caterpillars.  That  is  one  way  of  ending  them,  but  it  is  better  to 
prevent  them.  If  affected  fruits  are  severed  and  examined  the  caterpillar 
formerly  called  4i  the  red  grub  of  the  Plum  ”  may  be  found,  or  numerous 
pellets  if  the  creature  has  departed. 
