November  9,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
417 
Comte  de  Lamy,  but  flavour  lost  through  decay  ;  6,  Warwickshire  Pippin, 
The  others  we  do  not  know  ;  they  are  either  local  seedlings  or  inferior 
fruits  of  named  varieties  that  cannot  be  recognised.  Good  typical  fruits 
are  requisite  for  certain  identification,  (J.  C.). — Besspool. 
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  flo  vering 
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  bping  often  difficult  to  separate  them 
when  the  paper  is  damp.  (Z.  G.  A .). — A  form  of  Cattle)  a  Loddigesi  ; 
Begonia  metallica  ;  Chrysanthemum  (Pyrethrum)  uliginosurn.  (G.  M.) 
— 1,  Euonymus  europaeus,  the  Spindle  Tree  ;  2,  Maranta  zebrina  ;  3, 
Aspidistra  lurida  variegata  ;  4,  Diplacus  glutinosus.  ( 0 .  T.). — l.Oncidium 
tigrinum  ;  2,  0.  ampliatum. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— November  8th. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT. 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve 
Cobnut-*  per  100  lb....  .. 
Figs,  green,  per  doz. 
„  French,  per  basket.. 
Grapes,  black  . 
Artichokes,  green,  doz 
Aubergine,  per  doz. 
Beet,  Red,  doz. .. 
Cabbages,  per  tally 
Carrots,  per  doz. 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
Celery,  per  bundle 
Cucumbers,  doz. 
Endive,  doz. 
Herbs,  bunch  ... 
Leeks,  bunch  ... 
a.  d. 
a.  d. 
8.  d 
«i.  C4. 
3  0  to  5  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
L4  0to'20  0 
70  0 
0  0 
Melons  . each 
0  6 
1  6 
1  0 
3  0 
Peaches,  per  doz . 
3  0 
6  0 
1  6 
3  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
6  0 
9  0 
0  6 
3  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
1  0 
6  0 
IOLESALE 
PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8 
d. 
.  d. 
3  0  to  4  0 
Lettuce,  doz.  ...  ...  ... 
1  3  to  2  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
1  3 
1  6 
0  6 
0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  n 
7  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
4  0 
4  6 
2  0 
3  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
0  9 
L  6 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
5  0 
1  0 
1  3 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
2  0 
4  0 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
2  0 
4  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
2  0 
5  f 
0  2 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
t  4 
0  8 
0  0 
Trade  very  quiet. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
p.  d. 
8.  d. 
1  - 
8  d. 
a 
Arums  . 
•  •• 
8  OtolO  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
8  0  tol2  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
,,  lancifolium  album  ... 
3  6 
4  G 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
•  •• 
2  6 
3  6 
,,  ,,  rubrum... 
3  6 
4  6 
Cattleyas,  per  doz.  ... 
... 
10  0 
12  0 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
8  0 
12  0 
Chrysanthemums,  white 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
doz.  blooms 
G  0 
9  0 
bnchs . 
6  0 
8  0 
,,  yellow  doz.  blooms 
5  0 
8  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
„  bunches  var. 
•  •• 
0  6 
1  6 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
6  0 
8  0 
Euoharis,  doz . 
•  •• 
6  0 
8  0 
Odontoglossums  . 
5  0 
7  6 
Gardenias,  doz. 
•  •  • 
4  0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
8  0 
12  0 
Geranium,  scarlet, 
doz. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
bnchs . 
... 
6  0 
12  0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 
12 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
3  6 
6  0 
sprays  . 
•  •• 
18  0 
24  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
5  0 
7  6 
Smilax,  bunch . 
3  G 
5  0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
e.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0to36  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  Oto  18  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
•  •• 
18  0 
36  0 
„  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
.  .  . 
15  0 
20  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  G 
7  6 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz. 
G  0 
12  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
6  <■ 
Crotons,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
G  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
•  •  • 
12  0 
80  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
10  0 
18  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
30  0 
60  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  0 
15  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
18  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
4  0 
18  0 
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,  Balharn,  London,  S.W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Funp. — Secretary,  Mr.  Brian  Wynne, 
8,  Danes  Inn. 
THE  VILLAGE  BOY. 
We  hail  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  the  new  movement  that  has 
resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Agr’cultural  Education  Com¬ 
mittee.  The  first  meeting  has  been  held.  The  members  are  men 
well  versed  in  educational  work,  and  better  still,  they  have  inlimate 
knowledge  of  rural  things.  Some  of  them,  perhaps,  are  a  little  too 
scientific,  but  they  mean  well,  and  they  had  better  be  in  advance  of 
their  day  than  behind  it. 
Hitherto  we  have  been  too  anxious  to  educate  somehow,  that  we 
have  lost  sight  of  the  real  end  of  education — i.e.,  armour  to  equ;p  one 
for  life’s  struggle.  We  suddenly  awoke  to  the  fact  that  we,  taking 
the  lower  and  middle  class,  were  an  uneducated  people,  we  fell  to 
work  with  more  zeal  than  discretion,  and  now  there  is  much  to  be 
unlearned.  The  money  spent  has  gained  us  experience  if  nothing  else, 
but  we  must  admit  we  have  paid  dearly  for  our  lesson. 
The  country  squire  does  not  need  the  training  suitable  for  the 
college  don,  or  the  lawver  that  of  the  land  agent,  yet  we  in  our 
wisdom  as  school  managers  provide  one  course  of  study,  and  one 
only,  and  each  boy,  whatever  his  bent,  has  to  go  through  the  same 
routine. 
Are  we  altogether  to  blame  ?  No,  we  are  not.  Our  hands  are  tied 
fast,  and  at  present  we  see  little  chance  of  them  being  loosened.  Take 
an  ordinary  country  parish — the  school  is  voluntary  or  possibly  “free” 
that  is,  undenominational  (very  few  boards  in  the  country).  The 
managers  will  be  the  squire,  parson,  three  or  four  of  the  largest  farmers, 
and  some  of  the  small  ratepayers,  whose  children  give  them  a  vital 
interest  in  the  schools.  In  nine  cas°s  out  of  ten  the  school  premises 
have  been  materially  enlarge i  of  late  years,  and  \et  every  time  the 
inspector  comes  he  points  out  deficiencies  and  lack  of  space.  He  knows 
it  L  no  use  to  urge  great  alterations  ;  they  cannot  be  compassed.  The 
school  rate  is  voluntary,  and  paid  with  a  fair  amount  of  cheerfulness* 
Neither  parson,  squire  nor  tenant  can  absolutely  afford  another  penny, 
and  there  are  no  wealthy  commercial  |  eople  to  draw  on. 
The  teaching  staff  has  perforce  to  bo  kept  scanty  ;  but,  indeed, 
were  endless  money  forthcoming,  the  teachers  are  bad  to  find  ; 
see  the  columns  of  any  daily  leading  paper,  read  the  scholastic 
journals,  and  the  same  is  apparent. 
The  life  of  the  school  depends  so  much  on  the  grant,  that  only 
paying  subjects  can  be  taken.  Her  Majesty’s  inspectors  require  so 
much,  and  are  continually  adding  to  the  burden,  forgetful  of  the  fact 
that  the  ground  is  barren  and  the  labourers  few. 
There  is  one  point  that  these  gentlemen  have  not  touched  upon, 
and  to  us  it  appears  the  crux  of  the  whole  nutter.  There  has  been  a 
feeling  abroad  for  some  time  that  anybody  is  fit  to  work  the  land  and 
carry  on  the  agriculture  of  the  country,  but  that  only  the  best  and 
brightest  are  needed  in  the  towns.  There  is  a  distinct  feeling  of 
inferiority,  a  feeling  which  belittles  rural  work,  and  that  unduly 
magnifies  that  of  the  town.  Again  and  again  have  we  heard  it  said 
by  schoolmaster  and  parent,  “Oh!  that  boy  is  too  good  to  be  a 
labourer;  make  him  a  clerk  or  shopman,  anything  rather  than  the 
land.”  The  boy  hears  this,  and  gets  exalted  notions  of  himself,  drifts 
into  the  town,  either  sinks  or  swims,  or  returns  home  a  broken  worn- 
out  man. 
The  first  step  to  take  is  to  teach  the  dignity  of  labour.  We  none 
of  us  cm  go  back  farther  in  our  ancestry  than  to  the  grand  old 
gardener,  and  yet  forsooth,  now  we  think  spade  labour,  or  any 
acquaintance  with  Mother  Earth,  derogatory  to  our  dignity  !  But  of 
the  earth  we  came,  and  to  that  earth  we  return. 
It  is  the  m-'st  mistabn  notion  in  the  world  to  suppose  that 
skilled  labour  on  the  land  finds  no  market.  There  are  places  open 
