December  28,  1 899. 
f>7 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Arum  Blooms  Deformed  ( Calla ). — The  blooms,  or  rather  spathes, 
appear  to  be  affected  by  damp,  moisture  being  deposited  on  them  at  night 
or  during  foggy  weather,  causing  the  destruction  of  the  tissues  and  con¬ 
sequent  deformation  and  discolouration.  We  have  also  known  it  to  arise 
from  a  sudden  depression  of  temperature,  the  house  having  for  some  time 
been  kept  rather  close  and  warm,  and  then  on  an  outburst  of  sun,  air  being 
admitted  too  freely,  resulting  in  excessive  evaporation  and  a  chill.  It  re¬ 
quires  great  care  at  this  season  to  keep  the  flowers  from  being  discoloured 
by  damp.  We  have  found  it  necessary  to  admit  a  little  air  constantly  at 
the  top  of  the  house,  and  maintain  a  gentle  warmth  in  the  hot  water  pipes 
over  that  needed  to  secure  the  required  temperature  for  the  growth  of  the 
plants.  In  the  temperature  you  name,  55°  to  60°,  the  spathes  ought  to 
develop  properly  ;  the  only  danger  is  damping,  and  this  is  difficult  to 
avoid  during  cold  foggy  weather,  such  as  has  prevailed  for  some  time 
recently,  and  especially  near  large  towns  where  sulphurous  vapours  often 
do  irreparable  mischief.  We  do  not  see  that  there  is  anything  amiss  with 
the  treatment. 
Analysis  of  Soil  (Idem). — Any  analytical  chemist  would  analyse  soil, 
and  there  are,  no  doubt,  several  in  the  large  towns  near  your  place.  The 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  undertakes  analyses  of  soils  for  Fellows  at 
a  reduced  rate  ;  a  full  analysis  in  most  cases  costing  about  -63  3s.  Is 
there  not  a  County  Council  analyst  in  your  county  to  whom  you  could 
refer  for  terms  ? 
Silico-fluoride  of  Ammonium  and  Phenyle  for  Eeelworms  in  Toma¬ 
toes  (./.  H.  H. ). — Mr.  W.  Mills,  who  was  the  first  to  suggest  the  use  of 
this  preparation  in  horticulture,  stated  about  two  years  ago  that  it  was 
not  in  commerce.  His  description  for  making  it  is  shortly'  this  : — 
“Obtain  1  lb.  of  the  strongest  hydro-fluosilicic  acid,  and  dissolve  in  a 
quart  of  rain  water.  Then  dissolve  J  lb.  of  the  strongest  ammonia 
(liquor  ammonite  fortiss  :  880  trade  name)  in  another  quart  of  rain 
water.  Mix  the  two  fluids,  and  allow  the  excess  of  silica  (which  is  always 
present  in  the  acid)  to  settle  down,  and  the  clear  liquid  will  be  a  tolerably 
strong  solution  of  the  silico-fluoride,  which  must  be  greatly  diluted  with 
rain  water  before  applying  to  plants.  Cost  of  the  ingredients  about  Is.  6d. 
Though  an  agricultural  chemist  has  stated  (page  392,  J.  H,  October  21st, 
1897)  that  “  hydrofluoric  acid  is  frightful  stuff  to  deal  with,”  Mr.  Mills 
avers  that  the  ingredients  he  advises  are  “perfectly  harmless.” — (J.  Bmi 
page  521,  vol.  36,  June  23rd,  1898).  Mr.  Abbey’s  exhaustive  article  on 
the  subject  follows  on  the  same  page.  He  found  that  1  oz.  of  silico- 
fluoride  of  ammonium  to  1  gallon  of  water  killed  eelwormsin  the  soil,  an! 
did  not  injure  the  roots  of  Tomatoes,  but  was  too  strong  for  Cucumbers, 
though  1  oz  to  1^  gallon  did  not  injure  their  roots.  Mr.  Poyser,  of 
Cheshunt,  has  recorded  (J.  H ,  January  12th,  1899,  vol.  38)  that  he  dis¬ 
solve  d  2  lbs.  of  the  preparation  in  32  gallons  of  water,  and  applied  the 
solution  to  a  border  104  yards  by  13  feet  that  had  been  prepared  for 
and  subsequently  planted  with  Tomatoes,  160  plants  ;  he  found  the  crop 
a  great  improvement  on  the  preceding  one,  though  on  pulling  up  the 
plants  after  bearing  the  eelworms  had  not  all  gone.  Mr.  Poyser  thought 
it  would  be  better  to  have  the  solution  of  half  the  strength,  and  apply  in 
two  waterings,  turning  over  the  soil  between  the  operations.  The 
quantity  given  could  not  sink  into  the  soil  very  far.  It  would  be  a  mere 
surface  sprinkling  ;  it  is  noteworthy,  however,  that  a  plant  in  a  pot  was 
killed  by  the  1  oz.  to  a  gallon  strength  of  the  solution,  but  this  plant 
probably  received  at  least  twice  the  quantity  per  area  of  soil  surface 
that  was  given  to  the  border,  and  every  root  in  the  pot  would  be 
reached.  It  will  be  perceived  that  whatever  the  efficacy  of  the  prepara¬ 
tion  in  question  thoughtful  care  is  requisite  in  its  use.  If  you  can¬ 
not  procure  the  silico-fluoride  of  potassium,  you  may  note  the  method  of 
clearing  out  eelworms  by  a  correspondent  on  page  565.  He  used  phenyle 
and  Veltha,  but  he  does  not  say  at  what  strength.  Mr.  Abbey  has  found 
1  fluid  oz.  of  soluble  phenyle  to  1  gallon  of  water  safe  for  Tomatoes  ;  1  oz. 
tojl*  gallon  safe  for  Cucumbers.  Instructions  for  using  Veltha  are 
supplied  by  the  vendors.  Mr.  Iggulden  has  found  the  use  of  1  gallon 
of  phenyle  to  2000  gallons  of  water  profitable,  but  he  appears  to  use 
a  good  deal  more  water  than  do  many  cultivators. 
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  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  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them 
whoD  the  paper  is  damp.  (J.  F.  S.). — Cymbidium  giganteum.  (0.  G). 
— 1,  Lycium  europaeum,  the  Tea  Tree  ;  2,  Raphiolepis  integerrima. 
(Devon). — 1,  Polypodium  aureum  ;  2,  Polystichum  angulare  ;  3,  Wood- 
wardia  radicans ;  4,  Cyrtomium  falcatum  ;  5,  Nephrolepis  davallioides 
furcans  ;  6,  Pteris  umbrosa. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Dickson,  Brown,  &  Tait,  43,  Corporation  Street,  Manchester. — Seeds. 
Dickson  &  Robinson,  Old  Mill  Gate,  Manchester. — Seeds. 
J.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood. — Begonias  and  Chrysanthemums. 
E.  Webb  &  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge. — Seeds. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — December  27th. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT. 
Trade  very  quiet. 
Apples,  English,  per  sieve 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
3  0  to  7  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
4  0tol5  0 
„  Canadian,  barrel  ... 
10  0 
15  0 
Melons  . each 
0  6 
1  6 
„  Nova  Scotian,  barrel 
10  0 
17  0 
Oranges,  per  case  . 
5  0 
015 
Cobnuts  per  100  lb . 
60  0 
70  0 
,,  Tangierine,  box... 
0  6 
1  9 
Grapes,  black  . 
0  6 
3  0 
Pears,  Californian,  case... 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
6  0 
9  0 
„  Muscat . 
1  0 
5  0 
1  0 
6  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
s.  d.  s.d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ...  3  0  to  4  0 
PRICES.— VEGETABLES. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  3  to  0  0 
Asparagus,  green,  bundle 
5  0 
6  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
„  giant,  bundle 
15  0 
20  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
1  3 
1  6 
Beans,  Jersey,  per  lb . 
1  0 
1  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
,,  French  Kidney,  lb. 
0  2 
0  3 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
4  0 
4  6 
„  Maderia,  basket  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
0  6 
0  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
5  0 
7  0 
0  0 
„  Teneriffe,  cwt.... 
18  0 
28  0 
Carrots,  per  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Seakale,  doz.  baskets 
18  0 
21  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Celery,  per  bundle . 
1  0 
1  3 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
5  0 
7  0 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Tomatoes,  per  doz.  lbs.  ... 
2  0 
5  0 
Endive,  doz . 
0  9 
1  3 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Herbs,  bunch  .  0  2  0  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches...  2  6  to  5  0 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
s.  d.  s.  d, 
Maidenhair  Fern, doz. bnch  6  0  to  8  O' 
Arums  . 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cattlefyas,  per  doz . 
Christmas  Roses,  doz.  ... 
Chrysanthemums,  white 
doz.  blooms 
„  yellow  doz.  blooms 
„  bunches  var. 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Lilac,  white,  bundle 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
„  lancifolium  album  ... 
,,  ,,  rubrum... 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Arums,  per  doz . 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz. 
Crotons,  doz . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  various,  doz . 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
2  0 
2  6 
12  0 
1  6 
6  0 
5  0 
0  6 
6  0 
6  0 
9  0 
6  0 
12  0 
3  6 
3  6 
8  0 
18  0 
18  0 
2  6 
3  6 
24  0 
2  6 
9  0 
8  0 
1  6 
8  0 
8  0 
12  0 
8  0 
18  0 
4  6 
4  6 
12  0 
24  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
Mimosa,  per  bunch . 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
Narcissus,  white,  doz.  bun. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bunches 
„  double,  doz.  bunches 
Odontoglossums  . 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
Poinsettias,  doz . 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
„  Safrano,  packet 
,,  Tea,  whire,  doz. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Violets,  Parma,  bunch  ... 
„  dark,  French,  doz. 
„  „  English,  doz. 
3 
6 
2 
6 
2 
3 
2 
5 
8  0 
15  0 
6 
6 
2 
3 
5 
5 
8  0 
6  0 
8  0 
4  0 
3  6 
5 
4 
7 
12 
24  0 
8  0 
8  0 
3  0 
6 
7 
7 
10  0 
5  0 
4  6 
0 
6 
6 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
6  Oto  36  0 
18 
0 
24 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
15 
0 
20 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
18 
0 
30 
0 
12 
0 
30 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
30 
0 
60 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
4 
0 
18 
0 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Lily  of  Valley,  per  pot  ... 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  per  pot 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
„  specimens  . 
Poinsettias,  per  doz. 
Solanums,  per  doz . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
4  0  to  8  0 
1  6 
1  0 
1  6 
1  6 
3  0 
10  0 
6  0 
1  0 
21  0 
15  0 
9  0 
7 
5 
2 
3 
6 
18  0 
9  0 
15  0 
63  0 
36  0 
18  0 
FINIS. 
It  can  hardly  he  twelve  months  ago  since  we  bade  our  readers 
consider  the  days  that  were  past,  to  gather  lessons  from  their  failures, 
and  to  gain  strength  from  the  thought  of  their  successes.  It  is 
always  of  value,  this  time  to  pause  ;  we  hurry  too  much ;  reflection 
is  quite  a  thing  of  the  past,  obsolete  and  old  fashioned.  We  know  so 
much  more  than  our  fathers  that  we  do  not  care  to  ask  for  their 
advice,  the  concentrated  wisdom  of  a  lifetime.  Would  that  we  made 
as  few  mistakes  as  they.  Would  we  had  such  a  good  balance  at  our 
bankers. 
This  has  teen  a  strange  year  ;  very  fateful  to  us  as  a  nation.  We 
are  passing  through  such  experience  as  few  of  us  can  remember — days 
that  remind  us  ot  the  fearful  struggle  in  1853-54  with  the  Great 
White  Bear  of  the  North.  The  snows  then  were  stained  with  the 
blood  of  our  noblest  and  bravest ;  now  it  is  the  hot  desert  and  burning 
