January  9,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
43 
All  correspondence  should  be  directed  either  to  “  The 
Editor  ”  or  to  “  The  Publisher.”  Letters  addressed  to 
Dr.  Hogg  or  members  of  the  staff  often  remain  unopened 
unavoidably.  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to 
unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense. 
Primulas  ( J .  Laing  %  Sons).  — The  flowers  of  Chinese  Primulas  that 
have  reached  us  are  excellent  in  form,  the  substance  and  colours 
denoting  what  may  be  termed  a  good  strain. 
Forcing  Vines  ( Walter). — We  have  seen  excellent  results  accrue 
from  the  method  you  propose  of  carefully  turning  Vines  out  of  the  pots 
and  planting  them  in  a  narrow  border,  instead  of  forcing  them  in  the 
pots.  The  soil  was  placed  firmly  round  as  if  the  Vine9  were  transferred 
to  larger  pots.  The  Vines  were  good  in  themselves,  and  no  mistake  was 
made  in  their  subsequent  management.  Some  gardeners  plunge  the 
pots  over  the  rims,  notch  the  lower  part  of  the  canes,  and  peg  them  into 
the  border,  thus  obtaining  “two  sets  of  roots.”  You  can  try  either  or 
both  methods  if  you  wish  to  test  their  relative  merits  by  experience. 
Gooseberries  and  Currants  for  Exhibition  (Apollo). — We  do 
not  know  of  aav  “Society”  that  makes  a  speciality  of  these.  As  to 
varieties  of  Gooseberries  perhaps  the  following  digest  from  a  number  of 
shows  may  be  useful  as  a  guide  in  selection  : — Forty-eight  varieties  of 
reds  were  exhibited,  a  variety  named  Bobby  taking  127  prizes  of  various 
degrees,  the  heaviest  berry  weighing  29  dwts.  London  followed  next 
with  eighty-nine  prizes,  Lord  Derby  eighty-eight,  Clayton  seventy-seven, 
Dan’s  Mistake  sixty-nine.  Yellows  :  Leveller  155,  Ringer  102,  Lady 
Houghton  eighty-one,  Mount  Pleasant  sixty-nine.  Fifty-five  varieties 
of  yellow  were  shown.  In  greens  forty-five  varieties  were  shown,  and 
Surprise  scored  105  prizes,  Stockwell  ninety,  Shiner  eighty,  and  British 
Oak  seventy.  In  whites  forty-five  varieties  were  staged,  and  Careless 
scored  eighty-eight,  Transparent  eighty,  Hero  of  the  Nile  seventy-six, 
and  Antagonist  fifty-five.  This,  we  think,  is  a  fair  representation  of 
exhibition  varieties.  We  know  of  no  Black  Currant  that  produces 
larger  individual  berries  than  Baldwin’s.  The  finest  reds  for  exhibition 
are  La  Versailles  and  Cherry.  There  is  very  little  difference  between 
them.  The  white  Grape  (a  selection  from  White  Dutch)  and  Wilmot’s 
Large  White  are  good  for  exhibition. 
Forcing:  Melons  (Abbey). — Melons,  to  ripen  in  May,  ought  now  to 
be  starting,  the  plants  grown  in  ample  beat  and  kept  near  the  glass, 
so  as  to  have  them  sturdy,  not  planting  out  until  they  are  strong, 
say  a  foot  high,  having  them  supported  by  small  sticks  and  the  laterals 
rubbed  off  as  they  show.  Plants  will  do  well  in  boxes  about  18  inches 
square,  and  a  foot  or  15  inches  in  depth,  the  plants  trained  with  a  single 
stem,  rubbing  off  all  laterals  to  the  height  of  the  bottom  wire  of  the 
trellis,  and  then  every  other  lateral  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  line.  The 
laterals  left  will  probably  show  fruit  at  the  second  or  third  joint,  and  if 
the  blossoms  be  duly  impregnated  the  fruits  will  set  and  swell,  ripening 
from  an  early  Jauuary  sowing  in  May.  If  no  fruit  is  shown  on  the  first 
lateral,  stop  at  the  second  joint,  and  plenty  will  appear  on  the  sub- 
laterals,  but  the  crop  will  be  about  three  weeks  later  in  ripening.  You 
will  find  full  instructions  on  culture  in  our  "Work  for  the  Week” 
columns.  After  the  Melons  you  could  put  out  strong  Tomato  plants,  and 
have  a  heavy  crop  of  Tomatoes  in  late  summer  and  autumn.  Some¬ 
thing  of  that  kind  is  necessary  in  these  days  to  make  things  pay,  not 
relying  on  one  crop,  but  on  such  as  can  be  grown  well,  and  which  are  in 
demand.  Early  Melons  alone,  unless  the  crop  is  good  and  the  fruits  fine, 
may  not  be  very  remunerative.  Some  growers  make  later,  because  usually 
better,  crops  pay  very  well,  and  they  involve  less  expenditure  in  fuel. 
Old  Vine  Stem  Diseased  (B.  R.  B  ). — The  Vine  stem  is  infested 
with  the  Vine  root-fungus  (Dematophora  necatrix),  the  rhizomorphs 
permeating  the  living  tissues,  abstracting  their  substance  and  killing 
them.  The  parasite  first  enters  the  fibrous  roots,  kills  them,  and, 
at  their  base,  bores  into  the  large  roots,  spreading  afterwards  in 
their  interior,  and,  ascending,  reaches  the  stem.  This,  in  your  case, 
has  been  chiefly  attacked  on  one  side,  and  on  that  quite  through  to 
within  about  half  an  inch  of  the  cortical  tissues  on  the  other,  so  that  it 
must  ultimately  have  been  entirely  girdled  and  the  Vine  destroyed.  On 
one  of  the  roots  we  also  found  the  somewhat  common  root-fungus  called 
Roesleria  hypogfea,  but  this  is  probably  saprophytic,  or  rather  endo¬ 
phytic,  as  it  certainly  is  found  adjoining  and  destroying  living  tissues. 
The  Vine  is  too  far  gone  to  attempt  anything  in  the  way  of  remedial 
measures — indeed,  it  is  hardly  worth  while  attempting  a  cure  after  the 
fungus  enters  the  stem,  but  on  the  roots  it  is  easily  destroyed  by 
judicious  applications  of  cresol  (Jeves’  fluid),  phenol  (soluble  phenyle), 
and  chlorine  (corrosive  sublimate),  but  it  must  be  done  upon  the  first 
appearance  of  the  woolly  mycelium  in  the  soil  or  on  the  roots.  See 
page  605,  December  26th,  1895,  a  reply  to  “  F.  W.”  on  fungus  and 
eel  worms.  Apart  from  what  may  be  applied  to  the  soil,  very  old  Vines 
should  be  encouraged  to  make  all  the  young  wood  possible,  removing 
fxhausted  spurred  rods  to  make  room  for  the  full  expansion  of  the 
]<  aves  of  the  young  canes  under  the  direct  action  of  light. 
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  fruit  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.  (J.  Q.  M.).  —  The  yellow  Apple  is 
Ringer,  and  the  other  the  Red  Winter  Calville.  (E.  S.). — 1,  Mere  de 
Menage,  pale ;  2,  White  Winter  Calville ;  3,  Northern  Greening  ;  4, 
not  recognised  (are  all  the  fruits  swollen  at  the  stalk  ?)  ;  5,  Lemon 
Pippin  ;  6,  Stamford  Pippin.  (J.  T.  F.). — We  are  sorry  to  say  the 
Pears  reached  us  in  such  a  condition  as  to  preclude  naming,  being 
soft  and  rotten,  as  though  they  had  been  frozen.  We  can  only  suggest 
that  possibly  3  is  Easter  Beurrb,  and  5,  Glou  Mor^eau.  (Danes  mil). 
— Very  fine  specimens  of  Dumelow’s  Seedling. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  plants, 
not  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  firm 
boxes.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the  best 
packing,  dry  wool  the  worst.  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. 
(G.  L.  B.). — 1,  Ficus  Parcelli  ;  2,  specimen  totally  insufficent  ;  3, 
Rivina  humilis  ;  4,  a  Plumbago,  possibly  Larpentse ;  5,  Schizostylis 
coccinea.  Through  the  package  being  in  the  post  over  Sunday  all  the 
specimens  were  much  withered.  (T.  T.). — 1,  Dieffenbachia  picta  ;  2, 
Oncidium  curtum.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  are  florists’  flowers,  which  we 
cannot  undertake  to  name.  (W.  II.  F.). — 1,  Phoenix  dactylifera  ; 
2,  Kentia  Belmoreana.  (R.  P.) — 1,  Selaginella  apus  ;  2,  S.  Kraussiana  ; 
3,  Adiantum  pedatum  ;  4,  Polystichum  angulare. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — JANUARY  8th. 
Our  Market  is  very  bare  of  home  produce  now,  and,  except  for  Grapes  and 
Cucumbers,  is  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  foreign  supplies. 
FRUIT. 
fl. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
a. 
'  •  • 
Apples,  per  bushel  ..  .. 
2 
0 
to  3 
6 
Lemons,  case  . 
n 
0tol4 
0 
„  Nova  Scotia,  barrel 
13 
0 
17 
0 
Pears,  Californian,  per  case  13 
0 
14 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
St.  Michael  Pine3,  each  . . 
2 
0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
a 
d. 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0 
10 
to  1 
0 
Mustard  and  Oresa,  punnet 
0 
2 
to  0 
0 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Celery,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1 
0 
J 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
1 
8 
1 
9 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  .. 
1 
b 
(J 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots,  per  lb . . . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach,  bushel  ..  ..  .. 
2 
0 
2 
3 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
2 
6 
0 
0 
Mushrooms ,  punnet  . .  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Tomatoes. per  lb . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
fl. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitas  (golden)  dozen 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Ferns  'small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
to  6 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  . .  . . 
1 
0 
7 
0 
Aspirfctra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Dracsena,  various,  dozen  . . 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracjena  viridis,  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Kuony mus ,  var.,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„  (  specimens  ^  ..  .. 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanums,  per  dozen..  .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns  iu  variety,  dozen  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
0 
to  9 
0 
per  bunch . 
i 
0  to  2 
0 
Primula  (double),  dozen 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
sprays  ••  ••  •• 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  .,  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Chrysanthemum,  doz.  blms. 
1 
0 
4 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
„  doz.  Dunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
3 
0 
4 
0 
dozen..  ..  .. 
1 
8 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Safrano  (French),  per 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
dozen  . 
1 
6 
2 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
9 
0 
„  Pink  (French),  per 
Hyacinth  (Roman)  dozen 
dozen  . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
sprays . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
6 
0 
6 
0 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
S 
0 
5 
6 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  twelve 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms. .  . . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
blooms  . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Violets  Panne  (French), 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
per  bunch  . .  . . 
4 
8 
0 
0 
sprays . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„  Ozar  (French),  per 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bchs. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
bunch  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
s 
4 
0 
„  Victoria  (French), 
Orchids,  various,  dozen 
12  bunches  . . 
1 
9 
2 
6 
blooms  . 
1 
8 
12 
0 
„  English,  12  bunches 
2 
6 
0 
0 
