JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
March  6,  1896. 
219 
Quantity  of  Superphosphate  and  muriate  of  Potash  for 
Standard  and  Bush  Apple  Trees  ( Highgate ). — You  do  not  state  the 
size  of  the  trees,  hut  that  does  not  matter,  as  you  may  use  a  mixture  of 
three  parts  superphosphate  and  one  part  muriate  of  potash  at  the  rate 
of  3  or  4  ozs.  per  square  yard  from  the  stems  of  the  trees  outwards  to 
1  foot  beyond  the  spread  of  the  branches.  Trees  vary  considerably  in 
Bize,  even  those  of  the  same  age,  and  that  must  be  taken  into  considera¬ 
tion.  You  may  add  half  a  part  sulphate  of  magnesia  to  the  mixture  with 
advantage. 
Protecting  Delphinium  formosum  (Inquirer). — This  hardy 
perennial  does  not  require  any  protection,  but  during  severe  weather 
following  a  mild  period  it  may  be  desirable  to  afford  a  covering  of 
light  dry  material  temporarily,  so  as  to  protect  the  tender  growths  from 
frost  at  night  and  sun  in  the  morning,  which  is  often  as  disastrous  as 
the  frost ;  otherwise  sheltered  plants  are  often  the  tenderest  and  better 
without  anything,  but  a  mulch  of  some  kind  during  the  winter,  some 
using  ashes  as  a  safeguard  against  slugs,  and  others  a  covering  over  the 
crowns  of  leaf  mould  or  short  partially  decayed  manure. 
Size  of  Tennis  lawn  (Idem). — There  is  no  orthodox  size  for  a 
lawn  tennis  ground,  but  it  should  not  be  leas  than  twice  the  length  of 
the  width  of  the  net,  which  is  usually  36  feet  or  42  feet  wide,  and  it  is 
better  to  have  too  much  rather  than  too  little  room  ;  hence  30  yards  and 
18  or  20  yards  wide  is  preferable  to  a  lawn  only  just  large  enough  ; 
looking  much  better  and  being  pleasanter  for  all  concerned.  A  full-sized 
tennis  “court”  is  78  feet  long  and  36  feet  wide. 
Tames’  Intermediate  Carrot  Rotting  (E.  T.  27.). — The  most 
likely  cause  is  the  damp,  they  not  keeping  well  when  Btored  in  a  place 
where  they  cannot  get  air,  especially  when  the  surroundings  are  moist. 
When  one  starts  rotting  the  others  soon  follow,  the  decay  being 
accelerated  by  various  ferments,  due  to  bacteria  and  fungi,  and  the 
whole  soon  become  a  decayed  mass.  Had  you  put  them  away  quite 
clean  and  dry,  also  in  clean  and  dry  sand,  they  would  probably  have 
kept  much  better.  Frequently  they  are  damaged  in  lifting,  and  decay 
is  the  consequence.  Beetroot,  as  a  rule,  keeps  much  better  than 
Carrots  and  to  a  much  later  period,  a  little  damp  not  doing  any  harm, 
but  is  needful  to  keep  the  roots  plump. 
Sowing  Portulaca  Seeds  (E.  B.). — Being  half-hardy  annuals,  the 
seeds  should  be  sown  in  pans  or  boxes  from  the  middle  of  March  to  the 
beginning  of  April,  preferably  the  latter  time,  using  a  compost  of  two 
parts  loam,  one  part  leaf  mould,  and  half  a  part  coarse  sand,  placing  in 
a  frame  with  a  gentle  heat,  keeping  close  until  up,  then  admit  air 
moderately,  and  grow  on  near  the  glass.  When  large  enough  to  handle, 
they  may  be  pricked  an  inch  or  two  apart  in  boxes,  or  preferably  placed 
in  two  or  three  in  small  pots,  shading  from  bright  sun  until  established, 
and  growing  on  in  the  frame  until  bedding  out  time — the  end  of  May  or 
beginning  of  June — when,  being  well  hardened,  they  may  be  planted 
out  where  they  are  to  flower,  which  should  be  a  sunny  situation. 
Heading  Down  Apple  Trees  for  Regraftlng  (A.  J.). — It  is 
generally  desirable  to  head  old  Apple  trees  while  the  sap  is  quite 
dormant,  so  as  to  facilitate  the  work  of  grafting  at  the  proper  time. 
When  the  heading  down  is  done  at  the  time  named  the  ascending  sap 
cannot  rise  into  the  limbs,  but  in  consequence  of  their  removal  the  sap 
is  concentrated  in  the  stump,  and  when  this  is  well  up  grafting  is  easily 
effected.  Of  course  it  is  necessary  to  cut  the  limbs  afresh,  but  that  is 
much  sooner  done  than  cutting  off  a  limb  or  limbs,  while  there  is  a 
certainty  that  the  sap  will  flow  freely,  and  a  junction  be  speedily  effected. 
As  you  have  been  thoroughly  successful  there  is  no  need  to  change,  and 
we  simply  give  what  we  find  the  most  expeditious  practice,  which  has  not 
been  adopted  without  careful  consideration  and  trial  of  both  methods. 
Spraying  Apple  Trees  for  Apple  Scab  (A.  IF.). — The  Canadians 
are  cuter  even  than  their  neighbours,  but  neither  growers  in  the 
Dominion  of  Canada  nor  in  the  United  States  tells  us  that  Bordeaux 
mixture  at  the  strength  they  have  previously  recommended  is  not  only 
a  cure  for  Apple  scab,  but  a  certain  means  of  destroying  the  foliage  and 
crop  in  England.  The  Apple  foliage  is  very  easily  injured  and  the 
fruit  “pitted”  by  Bordeaux  mixture.  A  1  per  cent.  Bordeaux  mixture 
is  quite  as  strong  as  safe  to  use  on  Apple  trees  after  the  foliage  is  fairly 
developed,  and  in  the  early  stages  it  is  safer  to  use  a  half  per  cent, 
solution,  which,  if  evenly  distributed  (that  is  half  the  battle),  is  as  good 
as  a  stronger  mixture  for  preventing  the  disease.  It  is  always  wise  to 
ascertain  the  safe  strength  at  which  to  apply  the  mixture  by  experi¬ 
ment  on  a  few  growths  before  using  it  on  a  large  scale.  As  regards  the 
Potato  disease,  experience  shows  that  there  is  little  immunity  where  a 
1£  per  cent.  Bordeaux  mixture  is  used,  at  least,  in  this  country.  In 
what  way  spraying  with  caustic  soda  and  potash  is  more  troublesome 
than  other  methods,  and  how  it  is  expensive  in  proportion  to  the 
cleanliness  effected,  we  are  unable  to  comprehend.  It  has  long  been 
proved  profitable  where  benefit  through  immunity  from  insects  and 
overgrowth  of  lichen  and  mess  is  taken  into  consideration. 
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.  (Fruitman).  —  1,  Hanwell  Souring  ; 
2,  Waltham  Abbey  Seedling.  (G.  N.). — The  Pears  were  too  much 
decayed  for  naming ;  the  Apples  were — 1,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin ; 
2,  Blenheim  Orange  ;  3,  not  known,  probably  local;  4,  Winter  Russet. 
(J.  C.). — 1,  Dumelow’s  Seedling  ;  2,  Tower  of  Glamis  ;  3,  Yorkshire 
Greening.  (G.  F.). — Golden  Pippin. 
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. 
(IF.).  —  Veltheimia  viridifolia.  (L.  S.). —  1,  Dendrobium  nobile  ; 
2,  D.  luteolum  ;  3,  Cymbidium  eburneum.  (C.  W.). — The  scraps  sent 
render  identification  impossible  ;  send  fresh  ones  well  packed,  and  we 
will  assist  you.  (Inquirer). — Bignonia  triphylla. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
II.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley. — Floral  Guide. 
Cooper,  Taber,  &  Co.,  Ltd,,  Southwark  Street,  S.E. — Agricultural 
Seeds. 
Dobie  &  Mason,  22,  Oak  Street,  Manchester. — “  Reliable  ”  Farm 
Seeds . 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  King’s  Road,  Chelsea. — Agricultural  Seeds. 
Robert  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter. — Agricultural  Seeds. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Maech  4th. 
Market  very  quiet. 
FRUIT. 
l.  d.  b.  d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  ..  ..  2  0  to  4  6 
„  Nova  Scotia,  barrel  13  0  20  0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 13  3  0 
Lemons,  oase  . 11  0  14  0 
VEGETABLES 
Peachos,  Oape,  per  case 
Pears  „  ,. 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
8.  d  s.  o. 
8  OtolO  0 
8  0  10  0 
2  0  6  0 
Asparagus,  per  100  . .  . 
Beans,  per  lb . 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
Oarrots,  bunch . 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  . .  . 
Oelery,  bundle 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  . 
Endive,  dozen  . . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . . 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
Mushrooms,  per  lb.  ..  . 
Arbor  Vitse  (golden)  dozen 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
Azalea,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
Cineraria,  dozen  pots  . . 
Cyclamen,  dozen  pots 
Daffodils,  dozen  pots..  .. 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  .. 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  .. 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
per  bunch . 
Anemone  (French),  dozen 
bunches . 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays  . .  . . 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
Camellias,  dozen  blooms  . . 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
Cyclamen,  dozen  blooms  .. 
Daffodils,  single,  doz.  blms. 
„  double,  doz.  blms. 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 
Hyacinth  (Roman)  dozen 
sprays . 
Hyacinths,  dozen  spikes  . . 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
Lilium  longiflorum,  twelve 
blooms  . 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bchs. 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  .. 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
6  0  to  6  6 
6 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
3 
2 
3 
0 
1 
0 
2 
1 
2 
4 
1 
0 
0 
1 
0  6 
8  0 
1  6 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  8 
PLANTS 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet  0 
Onions,  bushel .  3 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches  ..  2 
Parsnips,  dozen  ..  ,.  ..  1 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 2 
Salsafy,  bundle .  1 
Seakale,  per  basket  . .  . .  1 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  ..  1 
Shallots,  per  lb . 0 
Spinach,  pad  .  0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 1 
Tomatoes ,  per  lb . 0 
Turnips,  bunch . 0 
IN  POTS. 
d.  a  d 
2  to  0  0 
0  0 
4  0 
1  6 
1  6 
0  0 
0 
4  6 
0  0 
0  9 
0  0 
fl. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Ferns  in  variety,  dozen  .. 
4 
0  to  18 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1 
0 
6 
0 
6 
0 
12 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
8 
0 
15 
0 
Hyacinths,  dozen  pots 
6 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy, dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
16 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens'  ..  .. 
21 
n 
S3 
0 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  pots  . .  . . 
6 
0 
8 
0 
PRICES.- 
OUT  FLOWERS.— Orohid  Blooms  in  variety 
f. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
f. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Narcissi,  var..  doz.  bunches 
0 
9  to 
2 
0 
0  9  to  1  6 
2  0 
2  0 
2  0 
0  6 
0  6 
0  9 
1  0 
0  3 
1  6 
4  0 
0  4 
2  0 
3  0 
2  6 
0  6 
4  0 
2  6 
4  0 
4  0 
4  0 
0  9 
1  0 
1  6 
3  0 
0  6 
2  6 
0  9 
4  0 
9  0 
6  0 
0  9 
4  0 
6  6 
4  0 
1  0 
8  0 
4  0 
Orchids,  various,  doz.  blms. 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
Primula  (double),  dozen 
sprays  . 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
„  Safrano  (English), 
dozen . 
„  Safrano  (French),  per 
dozen  . 
„  Pink  (French),  per  doz. 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
Saowdrops,  dozen  bunches 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms. .  . . 
Tulips,  dozen  blooms 
Violets  Parme  (French), 
per  bunch  . . 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
bunch  . .  . . 
„  Victoria  (French), 
12  bunches 
„  English,  12  bunches 
0  6 
1  0 
2  0 
3  0 
3  0 
12  0 
9  0 
1  0 
2  0 
4  0 
6  n 
8  0 
16  8  0 
1  6 
3  0 
6  0 
0  6 
6  0 
0  6 
0  6 
2  0 
4  0 
9  0 
0  9 
9  0 
1  0 
1  6 
4  0  5  0 
2  0  3  0 
1  0 
1  0 
2  0 
2  0 
