January  1(S, 1896. 
JOURNAL  OP  EORTiCUtTUkE  and  cottage  gardener, 
65 
distinctly  enlarged  form  of  the  perithecium  of  E.  Linki.  Unfortunately 
we  failed  to  find  sporidia  on  the  asci,  the  specimen  not  being  sufficient  y 
developed,  and  we  also  failed  to  find  another  for  keeping  on  the  shoot  in 
water  till  mature.  If  you  have  still  the  plant  and  find  any  mildew  on 
it  with  little  blackish  specks  appearing  on  it,  will  you  kindly  send  us  a 
small  piece  ?  This  is  a  question  of  great  importance  to  Turnip  growers, 
for  if  E.  Linki  be  the  resting  condition  of  0.  balsami,  then  cultivators 
will  know  what  to  do — that  is,  destroy  every  Mugwort  (Artemisia 
vulgaris)  plant,  and  if  it  pass  over  the  winter  in  the  conidial  stage  on 
Chrysanthemum  plants,  then  every  grower  must  be  made  keep  his  plants 
clean,  for  Turnips  are  of  even  more  consequence  to  mankind  than 
Chrysanthemums. 
Xilllums  for  Exhibition  (4.  T. ). — The  most  useful  for  your 
purpose  would  be  the  varieties  of  Liliurn  speciosum  (lancifolium),  of 
which  several  distinct  forms  are  now  included  in  nurserymen’s  collec¬ 
tions.  The  varieties  album,  rubrum,  and  punctatum  are  well  marked. 
L.  auratum  could  be  grown  for  the  same  purpose,  the  varieties  virginale, 
platyphyllum,  and  rubro-vittatum  being  very  handsome  both  as  regards 
size  and  form  of  the  flowers. 
Gesnera  cinnabarlna  {D.  A.  F.  F.'). — This  is  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  beautiful  of  stove  plants  for  flowering  in  the  winter. 
Those  which  you  have  seen  and  admired  were  probably  started  about 
midsummer.  We  have  potted  tubers  at  that  time,  and  started  them  in 
a  frame,  and  have  grown  the  plants  in  it  till  September,  or  as  long  as 
the  weather  was  warm  enough,  then  placed  them  on  a  shelf  in  the  stove. 
They  usually  commenced  flowering  in  January,  or  when  the  PoinBettias 
were  nearly  over,  producing  an  effect  not  surpassed  by  those  plants 
during  a  period  of  two  months.  Fine  plants  may  be  grown  in  6-inch 
pots,  forming  dense  pyramids  of  orange-scarlet  flowers  and  handsome 
velvety  leaves,  which  contribute  materially  to  the  beauty  of  the  plants. 
Stakes  for  Trees  {Nemo). — The  best  we  have  used  are  of  Larch, 
the  young  trees  or  the  taps  off  them  thinned  from  crowded  plantations 
and  divested  of  their  side  growths.  We  have  found  these  to  last  longer 
than  Oak,  or  any  other  wood,  probably  because  of  the  turpentine  in  the 
Larch.  Creosote  is  a  good  preserver  .of  wood.  It  can  be  had  from 
chemists,  and  should  be  used  hot,  the  ends  of  the  stakes  being  placed  in 
an  iron  vessel  containing  it  over  a  fire  and  boiled.  Some  persons  dip 
stakes  in  molten  pitch,  and  others  char  them  by  inserting  their  ends  in 
a  fire  for  a  time,  then  withdrawing  them  and  slaking  with  water.  This 
is  a  simple  and  good  plan  when  well  carried  out  ;  but  whatever  method 
may-be  adopted  of  preserving  the  wood,  it  must  be  applied  not  to  the 
points  of  the  stakes  alone,  but  3  inches  above  the  part  inserted  in  the 
ground.  Stakes  decay  more  rapidly  quite  close  to  the  surface  of  the 
ground  than  several  inches  below.  We  have  been  told  that  stakes 
Boaked  in  petroleum  are  rendered  additionally  durable,  but  we  have  not 
tried  it. 
Fowl  Manure  ( Novice ). — Fowl  manure  being  very  powerful  should 
not  be  applied  too  liberally,  about  6  tons  per  acre  being  a  sufficiently 
heavy  dressing  for  ground  to  be  cropped  with  vegetables,  and  is  best 
applied  shortly  before  the  crops  are  sown  or  planted.  For  garden 
crops  we  use  it  at  the  rate  named — viz  ,  2J  to  3  lbs.  per  square  yard 
with  very  satisfactory  results.  It  is  applied  to  the  surface  evenly 
and  pointed  in  with  a  fork  lightly.  For  flowers  it  is  not  advisable  to 
give  so  heavy  a  dressing,  as  it  sometimes  proves  too  powerful  for  the 
delicate  and  moderate  growing  kinds,  promoting  luxuriance  of  growth 
not  favourable  to  the  production  of  flowers  ;  therefore  we  think  it  best 
to  give  a  light  dressing  about  February,  and  again  in  June  to  plants 
that  have  been  planted  in  autumn  or  are  permanent,  in  each  case  point¬ 
ing  it  in  lightly.  For  ground  intended  to  be  planted  with  flowers  it  may 
be  applied  just  before  planting,  pointing  it  in  with  a  fork,  following 
with  a  light  sprinkling  between  the  plants  a  little  before  they  come  into 
flower,  or  when  they  are  showing  the  flower  buds,  giving  at  the  same 
time  a  good  watering  if  the  weather  be  dry.  It  is  assumed  the  manure 
is  dry  and  mixed  with  sand  or  road  grit  If  the  manure  is  unmixed 
it  must  be  UBed  in  lessened  proportion.  Being  rich  in  ammonia  it 
Bhould  not  be  left  on  the  surface  of  the  soil,  as  the  ammonia  will  be 
rapidly  evolved  and  pass  away.  It  should  be  kept  dry,  and  not  placed 
thickly  so  as  to  heat  before  it  is  used. 
Cranberry  Culture  (IF.  IF). — This  agreeable  fruit  grows 
naturally  in  low  boggy  places,  or  on  wet  moors  amongst  the  bog  moss. 
This  moss,  rising  gradually  up  above  the  level  of  the  water,  forms,  as  the 
lower  parts  decay,  a  bed  in  which  the  Cranberry  flourishes  and  bears 
fruit  abundantly.  To  cultivate  it  near  home  we  must  imitate  the 
situation  in  which  it  grows  wild.  To  accomplish  this  fix  upon  a  situation 
near  to  a  supply  of  water,  then  dig  out  the  common  soil  4  inches,  and 
fill  up  the  place  with  bog  earth  ;  raise  up  this  peat  6  inches  above  the 
level ;  then  form  a  trench  round  the  bed  a  foot  or  16  inches  wide, 
puddliDg  it  at  the  side  next  the  common  soil  and  at  the  bottom  with 
clay.  Keep  this  trench  full  of  water.  Plant  the  Cranberry  plants  in 
the  raised  bed  a  foot  apart  every  way  ;  they  will  soon  run  over  the  whole 
surface  and  bear  plenty  of  fruit.  The  water  should  be  frequently 
changed  or  it  will  become  foul.  Should  there  be  a  small  lake,  or  even  a 
large  one,  near  at  band,  an  excellent  Cranberry  bed  might  be  made  near 
to  the  side.  All  that  would  be  required  would  be  to  form  a  low  flat 
island  with  a  peat  earth  surface,  the  Cranberry  plants  put  in  it  at  the 
proper  distances  and  kept  clear  from  weeds.  A  small  extent  would 
produce  a  large  supply  ol  fruit.  If  the  island  were  8  yards  long  and 
4  wide  it  would  be  quite  large  enough  to  supply  a  moderate  family. 
Lastly,  this  fruit  may  be  grown  in  a  bed  of  peat  1  foot  deep,  sunk  an 
inch  or  two  below  the  general  surface,  and  during  dry  weather  be 
flooded  with  water  occasionally.  In  this  bed  they  will  fruit  fairly  well. 
This  last  method  is,  however,  not  nearly  so  good  as  either  of  the  former  ; 
it  should  only  be  adopted  where  the  situation  will  not  admit  of  either  of 
the  others  being  practised.  The  American  Cranberry,  on  account  of  its 
size,  is  the  best  to  be  cultivated. 
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  ofchartge  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be 
named  in  a  hard  green  state.  ( D .  C.). — The  Apple  is  probably  a 
local  variety  ;  it  resembles  Bavelston  Pippin,  but  tuis  variety  ripens 
much  earlier  in  the  season.  (J.  IF.  J.). — Bess  Pool. 
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. 
{Heaton). — Acacia  longifolia.  {W.  H.). — Possibly  Eucomis  pallidiflora, 
but  we  should  have  liked  to  have  seen  the  foliage,  in  order  to  ascertain 
correctly.  (IF.  C.). — 1,  Quite  shrivelled,  possibly  Abutilon  vexillarium  ; 
2.  A.  Boule  d’Or ;  3,  Euonymus  latifolius  variegatus ;  4,  Panax 
Victorias  ;  5,  Cyperus  natalensiB  ;  6,  Selaginella  Cassia.  {L.  B.). — The 
Camellia  is  a  florists’  variety  of  C.  japonica;  Platyclinis  (Dendrochilum) 
glumacea. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — January  15th. 
Our  Market  is  very  bare  of  home  produce  now,  and,  except  for  Grapes  and 
Cucumbers,  is  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  foreign  supplies. 
FRUIT. 
1. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8,  d 
8. 
d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  ..  .. 
2 
0 
to  3 
6 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  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  Pines,  eaoh  .. 
2  0 
to 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
e. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8 
d. 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0  10 
to  1 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  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 
h 
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 
1 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  . .  . . 
1  6 
1 
9 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  .. 
1  6 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  ..  ..  . . 
0 
8 
0 
0 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0  3 
0 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
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. 
0. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
8.  d. 
1. 
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 
Aspidistra,  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 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozeu  .. 
6  0 
9 
0 
Dracasna  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 
16 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
„  (specimens'  ..  .. 
21  n 
83 
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  valiety. 
0. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
0.  d. 
0. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6  0  to 
9 
0 
per  bunch . 
1 
0  to  2 
0 
Primula  (double),  dozen 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
sprays  . 
0  6 
1 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1  0 
2 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  .. 
0 
0 
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.  ounchea 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
3 
o 
4 
0 
dozen . 
1  6 
S 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Safrano  (French),  per 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
dozen  . 
1  6 
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 
6 
0 
5 
c 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
6  0 
9 
0 
Lilium  lougiflorum,  twelve 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms. . 
U  4 
0 
6 
blooms  . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Violets  Parrne  (French), 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
per  bunch  . . 
4  6 
0 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bchs. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
bunch  . .  . . 
2  0 
6 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
c 
4 
0 
„  Victoria  (French), 
r"  S- 
Orchids,  various,  dozen 
12  bunches 
1  9 
2 
6 
blooms  . . 
1 
e- 
12 
0 
~r  „  English,  12  bunches 
2  6 
0 
0 
