February  6,1896. 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
131 
Low-Growing-  Evergreens  for  Peat  Beds  ( J .  A.). —  There 
are  few  evergreen  hardy  Azaleas,  A.  amcena  being  the  most  grown,  and 
does  well  in  smoky  districts.  The  following  succeed  in  peaty  soil  : — 
Rhododendron  hirsutum,  Andromeda  floribunda,  Daphne  cneoram  major, 
Erica  cinerea  vars.  alba,  coccinea,  and  rosea,  E.  herbacea  carnea, 
E.  tetralix  pallida.  E.  vagans,  E.  vulgaris  argentea,  E.  v.  dumosa  aurea 
and  variegata ;  Kalmias  angustifolia,  glauca,  myrtifolia  and  nana, 
K.  latifolia  attains  considerable  proportions  ;  Ledum  latifolium,  L.  buxi- 
folium,  L.  thymifolium  ;  Menziesia  polifolia,  and  var.  alba,  globosa,  and 
atro-purpurea  ;  Pernettya  mucronata,  vars.  angustifolia  and  speciosa ; 
and  Skimmia  japonica.  By  confiniDg  yourself  to  evergreens  you  exclude 
some  of  the  handsomest  of  flowering  shrubs,  but  we  suppose  you  have 
special  reason  for  so  acting. 
Basic  Slag  Phosphate  for  Vines  (A  Constant  Reader'). — This 
is  an  excellent  dressing  for  Vine  borders  generally  that  are  rich  in 
organic  matter,  as  the  free  lime  of  the  basic  slag  acts  beneficially 
upon  it,  while  supplying  phosphate — i.e.,  phosphoric  acid.  It  should  be 
applied  in  the  autumn  or  early  winter,  using  about  4  ozs.  per  square 
yard  if  only  moderately  full  of  humus,  or  half  a  pound  per  square  yard 
if  very  rich  in  organic  matter,  pointing  in  as  deeply  as  may  be  without 
injuring  the  roots.  This  should  be  supplemented  in  the  spring  or  when 
the  Vines  commence  growing,  with  a  top-dressing  of  bone  superphos¬ 
phate  three  parts,  muriate  of  potash  two  parts,  sulphate  of  lime  one 
part,  sulphate  of  magnesia  half  a  part,  mixed,  using  4  ozs.  per  square 
yard.  As  it  is  now  too  late  to  employ  the  basic  slag  with  advantage,  you 
may  supply  a  dressing  of  two  parts  air-slaked  lime  (freshly  burned 
chalk  become  floury),  and  one  part  soot,  mixed,  half  a  pound  per  square 
yard,  using  at  once  and  pointing  in.  This  will  give  you  plenty  of 
chlorophyll  in  the  leaves  and  berries,  and  in  the  Grapes  colour,  as 
you  will  have  ammoniated  iron,  and  from  that  comes  colour  and  quality 
in  fruit,  other  conditions  being  favourable. 
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.  OS'.). — The  Pear  is  Bellissime  d’Hiver. 
(S.  Q.). — 1.  Curl  Tail  ;  2,  Golden  Winter  Pearmain  ;  3,  Flanders  Pippin. 
(W.  F.  G.). — 1,  Winter  Colman  ;  2,  probably  local;  3,  Winter 
Hawthornden.  (C.  D.). — 1,  Golden  Russet;  2,  Flower  of  Kent; 
3,  D’Arcy  Spice  ;  4,  Alfriston  ;  5,  Worcester  Pomeroy  ;  6,  Cox’s  Orange 
Pippin.  (B.  M.  TV.). — Four  specimens  were  very  poor,  and  besides  the 
numbers  had  become  detached  from  the  fruits.  Send  fresh  ones  of 
better  quality  and  securely  labelled,  and  we  shall  be  glad  to  assist  you; 
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. 
(2?.  A.).  —  1,  Phormium  tenax  variegata  ;  2,  Cocculus  laureola  ; 
3,  Acacia  cultriformis.  (Suff oilier). — 1,  Sparmannia  africana  ;  2,  Myrsi- 
phyllum  asparagoides  ;  3,  Dendrobium  nobile,  fine  form  ;  4,  a  poor 
variety  of  Dendrobium  speciosum.  (G.  22.  T.). — 1,  Impatien9  Hawkeri  ; 
2,  Jasminum  Sambac  flore-pleno  ;  3,  Freesia  refracta  alba  ;  4,  Adiantum 
amabile  ;  5,  Davallia  canariensis  ;  6,  Asplenium  biforme.  ( Professional ). 
— The  Primulas  sent  are  varieties  of  P.  sinensis,  that  have  originated 
from  seeds,  and  come  under  the  designation  of  florists’  flowers,  which 
we  do  not  undertake  to  name.  (22.  M.).  —  Bambusa  Fortunei. 
(J.  Thomas). — 1,  a  good  and  distinct,  though  somewhat  pale  form  of 
Dendrobium  Phalmnopsis  Schroederianum  ;  2,  so  far  as  we  know,  the 
seedling  Gypripedium  between  bellatulum  and  venustum  has  no  classified 
name.  It  has  been  before  the  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  but  was  not  considered  of  sufficient  merit  for  an  award. 
(Anxious). — 1,  Asparagus  tenuifolius  ;  2,  Begonia  metallica  ;  3,  this  is 
a  “  variety  ”  (not  a  species)  which  we  do  not  undertake  to  name  (see 
conditions)  ;  4,  an  Aloe,  species  undeterminable  without  flowers ;  5, 
Hedychium,  probably  Gardnerianum  ;  6,  Bend  when  in  flower  and  we 
will  endeavour  to  oblige  you . 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— February  5th. 
The  supply  of  Grapes  is  now  beginning  to  fall  off,  and  prices  are  improvirg 
English  goods  coming  very  light. 
FRUIT. 
i.  d.  s.  d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  . .  . .  2  0  to  4  6 
„  Nova  Scotia,  barrel  13  0  17  0 
drapes,  per  lb . .13  2  3 
s.  d  s.  d. 
Lemons,  case  . It  0tol4  0 
Pears,  Californian,  per  case  13  0  14  0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  ..SO  6  0 
VEGETABLES. 
0. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Beans,  per  lb . 0  10 
to  1 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
a 
to  0 
0 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel  .. 
3 
4 
o 
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 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  ..  4 
0 
10 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  . .  . . 
1 
6 
1 
9 
Endive,  dozen  . 1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  .. 
1 
« 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
o 
Leeks,  bunch  . 0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach,  bushel . 
9 
0 
2 
3 
Lettuce,  dozen . 1 
3 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
2 
6 
0 
o 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 0 
6 
0 
8 
Tomatoes .  per  lb.  . . 
0 
6 
0 
9 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
0. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
e. 
d. 
S. 
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 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Cineraria,  dozen  pots  . .  9 
0 
12 
0 
Hyacinths,  dozen  pots 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Cyclamen,  dozen  pots  ..  8 
0 
15 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Dracasna,  various,  dozen  ..  12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy, dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena  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 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  ..  6 
0 
18 
0 
„  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
n 
S3 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen  6 
0 
24 
0 
Solanums,  per  dozen..  .. 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Ferns  iu  variety,  dozen  ..  4 
0 
18 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots  „.  .. 
6 
0 
8 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— 
OUT  FLOWERS. — Orchid  Blooms 
in  variety 
B. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
i. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Orchids, various,  doz.  blms. 
1 
6  to  12 
0 
per  bunch . 0 
9 
10  1 
6 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Anemone  (French),  dozen 
Primula  (double),  oozen 
bunches . 2 
0 
4 
0 
sprays  . 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  bloom3  ..  2 
0 
4 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch  2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays  . .  ..  0 
6 
1 
0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
n 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  ..  0 
6 
1 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  . .  1 
0 
3 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Daffodils,  single,  doz.  blms.  1 
6 
2 
6 
dozen . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
„  double,  doz.  blms.  0 
6 
1 
0 
„  Safrano  (French),  per 
Eucharis,  dozen  ..  ..  ..  3 
0 
4 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  ..  6 
0 
12 
0 
„  Pink  (French),  per 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
dozen  . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
bunches . 4 
0 
9 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
5 
0 
6 
0 
Hyacinth  (Roman)  dozen 
Snowdrops,  dozen  bunches 
1 
0 
1 
6 
sprays . 0 
4 
0 
9 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Hyacinths,  dozen  spikes  . .  2 
0 
4 
0 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms.. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch  3 
0 
5 
6 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Lilium  longiflorum,  twelve 
Violets  Parme  (French), 
blooms  . 4 
0 
6 
0 
per  bunch  . .  . . 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
sprays . 0 
6 
1 
0 
bunch  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bchs.  4 
0 
8 
0 
„  Victoria  (French), 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . .  2 
6 
4 
0 
12  bunches 
1 
9 
2 
6 
Narcissi,  var..  doz.  bunches  1 
6 
3 
0 
„  English,  12  bunches 
1 
0 
2 
0 
THE  BREEDING  EWES. 
In  stock  breeding  the  farmer  runs  many  risks,  and  often 
suffers  much  loss.  Some  of  the  loss  arises,  of  course,  from 
causes  far  beyond  his  control,  others,  again  are  mainly  in  his 
own  hands,  and  these  he  might  class  among  the  “  preventives.” 
To  draw  attention  to  these  losses,  and  to  point  out  means  by 
which  they  may  be  mitigated  (if  not  averted)  is  the  object  of 
this  paper. 
To  produce  healthy  young  stock  care  must  be  taken  to  breed 
from  healthy,  well  managed  parents ;  “like  breeds  like,”  and  a 
sickly,  debilitated  constitution  is  passed  on  from  mother  to 
offspring ;  that  is,  provided  they  survive  the  difficulties  of 
parturition.  With  regard  to  a  flock  of  breeding  ewes,  during 
all  the  season  of  pregnancy  they  should  be  the  objects  of  care 
and  attention,  but  more  especially  during  the  last  two  months. 
As  the  time  of  lambing  draws  near,  say  during  the  last  five 
weeks,  the  shepherd  may,  to  his  great  chagrin,  find  not  one,  nor 
even  two  or  thi-ee  of  his  best  ewes  in  premature  labour,  resulting 
in  very  tangible  loss.  This  is  not  natural,  and  could  possibly 
have  been  prevented  ;  therefore  it  is  well  to  consider  what 
causes  may  have  been  at  work  to  bring  about  so  lamentable  a 
state  of  affairs. 
An  evil  known  is  often  half  remedied.  Improper  food  supply 
is  the  most  fruitful  cause  of  abortion,  and  no  man  has  any 
business  to  take  in  hand  sheep  breeding  unless  he  is  prepared  to 
see  that  the  flock  are  suitably  and  sufficiently  fed.  At  least,  if 
he  make  a  deplorable  failure  he  has  only  himself  to  blame. 
