392 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  2,  1K99. 
,*%  All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should,  until 
further  notice,  be  directed  to“  The  Editor,”  s,  Rose  Hill  Road, 
Wandsworth,  s.w.,  and  NOT  to  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers, 
Fleet  Stroet.  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. 
Apple  Lucombe’s  Seedling  ( R .  A.  C.'). — It  is,  of  course,  impossible  for 
nurserymen  to  includo  every  Apple  in  cultivation,  and  they  therefore 
select  what  experience  teaches  them  are  most  in  demand.  This  variety  is 
thus  described  by  Dr.  Hogg  in  the  “Fruit  Manual”  :  “Fruit  large,  inches 
wide,  and  2f  inches  high,  roundish  and  angular.  Skin  pale  gVrenish 
yellow,  strewed  with  dark  dots  and  imbedded  green  specks  on  the  shaded 
side,  but  bright  red,  which  is  streaked  with  crimson  on  the  side  next  the 
sun.  Eye  small  and  open,  set  in  an  angular  and  plaited  basin.  Stalk 
short  and  thick,  inserted  in  a  rather  deep  cavity.  Flesh  white,  firm, 
juicy,  and  pleasantly  flavoured.  A  culinary  Apple  of  first-rate  quality, 
in  use  from  October  to  February.  The  tree  is  a  strong  and  vigorous 
grower,  attains  a  large  size,  and  is  an  excellent  and  early  bearer.”  The 
variety  was  raised  by  Messrs.  Lucombe,  Pince  &  Co.,  Exeter. 
Mildew  on  Royal  George  Teach  Trees  —  Bisulphide  of  Calcium. — 
( W.  D.). — This  variety?  is  very  liable  to  mildew  when  grown  outdoors, 
especially  in  cold  districts,  though  we  have  known  it  to  be  seriously 
alfected  in  warm  soils  and  in  quite  mild  localities.  Under  glass  in  the 
same  district  the  trees  were  free  from  the  fungoid  pest,  therefore  it  may 
be  concluded  that,  as  a  rule,  this  excellent  Peach  is  too  tender  for  general 
cultivation  outdoors.  Yet  there  are  exceptions,  for  we  have  seen  the 
trees  quite  healthy  in  some  places,  the  soil  being  of  a  rather  strong 
nature,  though  in  another  part  of  the  country  we  found  lloyal  George  so 
prone  to  mildew,  and  this  so  difficult  to  subdue,  that  we  were  obliged  to 
uproot  the  trees  and  plant  other  varieties  in  their  places.  Treatment 
with  bisulphide  of  calcium  has  a  good  result.  It  is  made  by  boiling  1  lb. 
of  flowers  of  sulphur  and  1  lb.  of  quicklime  in  five  pints  of  water  for  ten 
minutes.  It  should  be  constantly  stirred  while  it  is  boiling,  then  allowed 
to  settle,  and  the  clear  liquid  poured  off  for  use.  The  trees  should  be 
syringed  with  a  mixture  of  this  preparation  with  100  times  its  bulk  of 
water.  Sulphide  of  potassium,  1  oz.  to  six  gallons  of  water,  is  also 
effective  against  mildew,  but  when  any  variety  of  Peach  does  not  succeed 
the  better  plan  is  to  uproot  it,  and  plant  others  which  are  free  from  the 
pest  in  favourable  seasons,  or  easily  kept  so  by  early  and  mild  applica¬ 
tions,  such  as  the  time-honoured  dusting  with  flowers  of  sulphur. 
Fig  Tree  Unfruitful  (//omo).— The  tree  that  has  not  produced  fruit 
during  the  last  fifty  years  may  be  of  a  variety  that  does  not  bear  freely 
the  first  and  only  crop  generally  borne  outdoors  in  this  country.  As  the 
tree,  however,  produces  fruit  in  an  incipient  state  we  advise  that  a  trial 
be  made  of  the  following  practice  : — Remove  all  the  suckers  that  the 
tree  throws  up  in  large  number,  baring  the  roots  carefully  so  as 
to  detach  (he  suckers  by  the  sockets  close  to  the  rootstock  or  roots 
whence  they  spring,  not  leaving  any  buds.  Thus  the  tree  will  be 
confined  to  one  stem,  anti  the  branches  should  he  disposed  evenly 
and  sufficiently  far  apart  to  admit  light  and  air  passing  freely 
between  them.  Thin,  therefore,  where  too  crowded,  yet  so  as  to  leave 
a  successional  growth  to  occupy  any  vacant  space  and  continue  the 
bearing  parts.  The  stem  may  be  of  any  height  from  l  foot  to  6  feet,  all 
that  is  important  is  to  confine  the  tree  to  one  stem  and  not  permit  any 
suckering.  The  tree  being  freed  from  suckers  take  out  a  trench  at  a 
distance  from  the  stem  one-third  the  spread  of  the  branches,  and  as  deeply 
as  the  roots,  cutting  off  all  roots  in  the  trench,  and  from  this  working 
under  at  about  18  inches  from  the  surface  towards  the  centre,  so  as  to 
detach  any  roots  striking  downwards  ;  the  trench  may  then  be  filled  in, 
carefully  removing  all  cut-off  roots  and  adding  about  a  sixth  of  old 
mortar  rubbish  to  the  soil,  making  all  quite  firm.  On  the  space 
undisturbed  beyond  removing  the  suckers  supply  half  a  pound  of  best 
chalk  lime  air-slaked  and  soot  in  equal  parts  by  measure,  which  point  in 
lightly,  and  over  this  spread  about  an  inch  thickness  of  half-decayed 
stable  manure,  extending  outwards  from  the  stem  to  extent  of  the 
undisturbed  root  radius  or  a  little  beyond.  It  is  advisable  to  defer 
pruning  the  head,  if  necessary,  until  April,  just  before  the  tree  commences 
growth,  though  pruning  generally,  in  other  cases,  is  best  done  early  in 
autumn  or  as  soon  as  the  fruit  has  been  gathered.  The  incipient  Figs 
now  larger  than  a  Pea  or  from  that  size  to  a  Hazel  Nut  should  be 
removed,  but  this  is  best  done  in  September,  then  the  tree  will  concentrate 
its  forces  on  the  other  buds  near  the  points  of  the  growths,  and  also 
at  the  sides  where  the  second  crop  Figs  or  the  incipient  ones  have  been 
removed.  The  procedure  foreshown  we  have  found  satisfactory  in  bringing 
barren  Fig  trees  into  a  fruitful  state,  both  standards  in  the  open  but 
sheltered  situation  and  against  walls,  as  well  as  under  glass,  a  top¬ 
dressing  being  given  of  bone  superphosphate  three  parts  and  double 
sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia  two  pans  miked,  using  4  ozs.  of  the 
mixture  per  square  yard  from  the  stem  outwards  to  a  little  beyond  the 
spread  of  the  branches.  It  may  be  applied  in  autumn  or  in  early  spring 
as  soon  as  winter  frost  has  left  the  ground. 
Soil  of  Vine  Border  ( R .  R.'). — The  soil,  botn  samples,  is  of  a  very 
close  and  rather  heavy  nature,  practically  devoid  of  lime  except  that  of 
bon.  s,  which  seem  to  have  been  employed  in  the  crushed  state.  There 
does  not  appear  any  grit  or  even  old  mortar  rubbish,  so  that  the  roots  die 
through  lack  of  air  or  a  sweet  oxidised  condition  of  the  soil,  this  being 
more  or  less  sodden  and  sour.  We  advise  a  dressing  in  the  autumn  of 
best  chalk  lime,  air-slaked,  placing  on  the  border  about  half  an  inch  thick, 
and  after  laying  thereon  a  month  or  six  weeks  pointing  it  in  as  deeply 
as  the  roots  admit.  Some  of  the  lime  will  be  dissolved  constantly  and 
pass  downwards  with  the  water,  correcting  the  organic  acids  and 
supplying  lime  for  the  use  of  nitrifying  micro-organisms  and  for  the 
Vines.  Shortly  after  the  lime  has  been  applied  top-dress  with  the 
mixture  advised  to  “  H.  S.”  in  this  page.  It  is  very  important  in  such 
cases  not  to  overwater,  the  soil  now  being  in  a  wet  and  even  approaching 
sodden  condition,  hence  the  loss  of  roots. 
Muscat  Flavour  in  Grapes  (IT.  S.). — We  consider  Canon  Hall  retains 
the  Muscat  flavour  longer  than  Muscat  of  Alexandria  ;  but  for  strong 
Muscat  flavour  Chasselas  Musqud  carries  the  palm.  Canon  Hall  is 
rather  difficult  to  manage,  but  Mr.  P.  Kay  of  Finchley  has  great  success 
with  it  j  also  Mr.  J.  Rochford  of  Turnford,  who  is  supplanting  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  with  it  in  one  large  house.  Chasselas  Musque  has  a  thin 
skin,  and  is  very  liable  to  crack  just  as  the  berries  approach  maturity. 
Black  Frontignan  also  has  a  strong  Muscat  flavour,  likewise  Grizzly 
Frontignan,  which  retains  the  musky  flavour  even  when  shrivelled.  It 
is  very  liable  to  shanking.  Muscat  Hamburgh  has  a  tender  flesh  and 
a  fine  Muscat  flavour,  but  not  as  pronounced  as  in  Muscat  of  Alexandria. 
White  Frontignan  has  a  rather  firm  flesh,  yet  juicy,  very  sweet,  rich,  and 
with  a  strong  Muscat  flavour.  We  consider  it  the  most  serviceable  of 
the  Frontignans.  If  you  give  the  Vines  now  a  top-dressing  of  dissolved 
bones,  dry  and  crumbling,  three  parts,  and  double  sulphate  of  potash 
and  magnesia  two  parts,  mixed,  using  a  quarter  of  a  pound  per  square 
yard,  and  pointing  in  lightly,  you  may  find  the  colour  and  the  quality 
much  improved  another  year. 
Produce  for  Market  ( P .  V.). — We  are  in  general  accord  with  your 
views  in  increasing  the  supply  of  what  you  find  profitable.  The  point 
to  aim  at  is  always  to  have  what  is  wanted  at  the  time  it  is  required.  If 
once  a  customer  goes  elsewhere  it  is  by  no  means  certain  he  will  come 
back  again,  Purchasers,  as  a  body,  go  where  they  feel  sure  they  can 
obtain  at  once  what  they  need,  and  if  they  have  many  letters  of  “  regret 
I  cannot  supply,”  will,  and  must,  go  elsewhere,  or  they  would  lose  their 
opportunities.  You  will  be  able  to  gauge  future  requirements  by  the 
tone  of  present  demands.  A  grower  of  what  you  are  producing,  but  with 
much  less  than  your  experience,  when  he  started  a  dozen  years  ago, 
with  very  small  capital,  has  now  a  large  and  lucrative  business.  We  also 
know  of  two  amateurs,  who  were  engaged  in  office  work,  and  retained  it 
for  two  or  three  years,  who  started  in  a  small  way  in  growing  produce 
for  sale,  and  by  sound  judgment  and  good  business  methods  had  eventu¬ 
ally  to  relinquish  their  original  calling,  and  are  now  in  a  prosperous 
state.  One  of  these  gained  his  knowledge  on  gardening  by  attending 
lectures  five  years  ago.  He  followed  almost  the  exact  course  that  you 
propose.  As  soon  as  he  raised  money  enough  he  erected  a  plain,  cheap, 
yet  useful  span-roofed  house,  and  now  has  five  structures,  each  100  feet 
in  length,  on  land  leased  lor  twenty-one  years.  The  other,  who  started 
ten  years  sooner,  has  a  freehold  of  his  own,  and  ten  times  more  glass  than 
just  indicated.  Both  of  them  continued  e-irning^wages  till  their  growing 
trade  compelled  the  resignation  of  their  positions,  the  one  as  a  clerk,  the 
other  a  commercial  traveller.  We  think  you  have  as  good  a  chance  as 
they  had,  provided  your  business  capacity  is  equftl  to  your  cultural 
ability. 
Names  of  Fruits.  —  Notice.  —  We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and  Pears 
sent  to  this  office  to  be  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only  specimens  and 
varieties  of  approved  merit ,  and  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  or 
flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed  with  the  specimens, 
whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or  not.  The 
names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials  sufficing  for 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
The  practice  of  pinning  numbers  to  the  eyes  of  the  Iruits  tends  to  destroy  one 
