May  Si,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
481 
cell  or  chamber  ia  the  centre  of  the  gall.  The  larvae  are  produced  from 
egga  deposited  by  the  common  Root-gall  fly  (Biorhiza  aptera),  which 
forms  galls  on  the  young  roots  of  Oak  trees.  The  root  galls  vary  much 
in  size,  and  are  often  crowded  into  a  mass  and  fused  together.  Being  in 
the  ground  they  are  seldom  noticed,  but  when  sought  for  in  autumn 
they  are  found  to  be  red,  and  rather  fleshy  ;  if  dried  they  become  dark 
brown  and  hard.  The  larvae  in  the  root-galls  become  adults  in  due 
course,  and  are  dimorphic — -a  unisexual  brood  of  wingless  ant-like  flies 
and  all  females,  which  deposit  eggs  in  the  buds  of  the  Oak  in  the  spring, 
and  the  hatching  of  the  eggs  or  emergence  of  the  grubs  causes  the  growth 
of  cellular  tissue,  in  which  they  become  embedded  or  surrounded,  and 
this  stimulus  is  such  as  to  result  in  the  Oak  apple.  If  you  cut  through 
one  of  the  “apples,”  yon  will  see  the  cells  in  which  the  larvae  are 
ensconsed,  there  being  several  grubs  or  maggots  in  each  “apple.” 
After  a  time  the  maggots  become  full  fed,  the  “apple”  dries  up,  for 
the  larvae  turn  into  pupae  and  need  no  food.  From  the  pupae  the 
mature  insects  emerge  during  the  summer,  and  this  brood  possesses  both 
males  and  females,  they  being  winged.  These  pair,  and  the  females 
produce  galls  on  the  young  roots  of  the  Oak,  thus  completing  the  cycle. 
Thus  the  insect  lives  on  the  roots  of  the  Oak  in  autumn  and  winter,  and 
on  the  part  above  ground — the  buds  converted  into  Oak  apples — in  the 
summer.  The  Oak  apple  is  the  gall  of  the  insect  named  Dryoteras 
terminalis,  the  maggots  of  which  become  flies  in  a  month  or  two,  and 
these  give  rise  to  the  galls  on  the  roots,  which  being  concealed  are 
seldom  noticed.  The  Currant  galls  resemble  translucent  Currants, 
pale,  with  purple  or  red  mottlings,  and  very  juicy,  are  sometimes  very 
common  in  May  and  June  on  the  lower  surfaces  of  Oak  leaves,  also  on 
catkins,  where  they  look  like  bunches  of  Currants.  If  one  of  the 
“  currants  ”  or  a  gall  is  cut  through  there  will  be  found  a  larval 
chamber  in  the  centre,  which  is  tenanted  by  a  curious  maggot  This  is 
easily  reared  up  to  the  insect  (Spathegaster  bascarum)  if  the  gall  is 
collected  when  fully  mature  and  prevented  from  becoming  either  too 
dry  or  mouldy.  This  is  the  first  annual  brood,  for  like  the  preceding 
(Oak  apple)  there  are  two,  and  the  second  is  that  of  the  Oak  spangle 
gall  insect  (Neuroterus  lenticularis).  The  galls  of  this  species  are  the 
most  curious  of  Oak  galls.  They  occar  on  the  under  surface  of  leaves, 
are  circular,  flat,  and  thin,  though  bearing  a  slight  prominence  in  the 
middle,  and  from  the  surface  spring  hairs  in  tufts,  very  pretty.  The 
larva  resides  in  the  centre  and  in  the  gall  during  the  winter,  the  insect 
emerging  in  the  spring  and  depositing  eggs  on  the  young  leaves  and 
catkins  give  rise  to  the  maggots  causing,  by  the  stimulus,  the  Currant 
galls.  Such  is  a  brief  outline  of  the  life  history  of  the  gall  makers  of 
your  specimen.  The  only  means  of  modifying  the  infection  is  to  collect 
and  burn  the  “apples”  and  “currants.”  This  will  not  injure  the 
trees  in  the  least  as  regards  the  Apple  gall,  and  every  gall  now  removed 
and  burnt  means  scores  of  would-be  root-gall  makers  prevented.  The 
Currant  galls  may  also  be  removed,  this  not  materially  injuring  the 
tree,  as  the  attack  is  usually  confined  to  a  portion  of  the  leafage  only, 
and  this  being  more  or  less  injured  by  the  galls  would  not  interfere 
with  the  growth,  while  there  would  not  be  any  spangle  galls.  Thus 
two  evils  would  be  more  or  less  obviated.  The  galls  are  not  considered 
to  do  much  harm,  but  that  is  not  consistent  with  facts,  the  affected 
trees  being  more  or  less  stunted  in  growth,  paler  in  foliage,  and  making 
less  progress. 
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  member  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 .  L.  A.). — Your  Apple  does  not 
exactly  agree  with  the  characteristics  of  any  variety  known  to  us.  We 
suspect  it  is  a  local  seedling,  of  which  there  are  many  in  your  district 
The  reason  of  the  tree  only  bearing  biennially  is  the  exhaustive  nature 
of  the  crops,  and  a  year  is  necessary  for  recuperation  and  the  formation 
and  development  of  blossom  buds.  If  the  crop  could  be  thinned  and  the 
soil  enriched  the  tree  would  bear  every  year,  weather  permitting. 
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  frond* 
should  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  in  firm 
boxes.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the  besi 
packing,  dry  wool  the  worst.  Not  more  than  six  specimens  can  be  name 
at  once,  and  the  numbers  should  be  visible  without  untying  the  ligature*, 
it  beine  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  naper  is  damp. 
(«/.  C.  W.). — Fraxinus  Ornus,  the  Flowering  Ash.  ((?':  S.). — 1,  Ribes 
speciosa  ;  2,  Sedum  pallidum  ;  3,  Sedum  azoideum  variegatum. 
( W„  Reading ). — Prunus  padus  (Bird  Cherry)  (/.  L.,  Rothesay). — 
1,  Aerides  Fieldingi ;  2,  Adiantum  pubescens  ;  3,  A.  amabile. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Dimmann  &  Co.,  Naples. — Bulbs  and  Orchids. 
F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans. —  Orchids  and  New  Plants. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. —  May  20TH. 
Trade  fallen  oU,  with  heavy  supplies,  especially  Strawberries. 
FRUIT. 
i. 
..  2 
Apples,  per  bushel  .. 
„  Tasmanians,  per 
case  . 10 
Grapes,  per  lb . 1 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  . 
Beaus,  per  lb . 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
Carrots,  bunch . 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  . 
Celery,  bundle  . .  . .  . 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunche* 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  . 
Bndive,  dozen  . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
Lettuoe,  dozen . 
Mushrooms,  per  lb.  ..  . 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
Arum  Lilies,  per  dozen  . . 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
Cineraria,  dozen  pots 
Dielytra,  per  dozen . .  , . 
Dracmna,  various,  dozen  .. 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  . . 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
Euony mus ,  var.,  dozen  . . 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
Ferns  iu  variety,  dozen  .. 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
Ficus  elastica ,  each  . .  . . 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
Anemone  (French),  doz  n 
bunches . 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays  . .  . . 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
Gardenias,  dozen 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . 
Iris  (Eng.ish)  doz.  bunches 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
„  (E.  glish)  doz.  bchs. 
Liliura  longiflorum,  twelve 
blooms  . 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern.  doz.  bchs. 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . 
Mignonetie,  per  dozen 
bunches . 
Myosotis  or  Forget-me-not, 
dozen  bunches . 
Narcissi,  var..  doz.  bunches 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
blooms  . 
6 
18 
5 
6 
9 
12 
9 
9 
6 
6 
4 
4 
1 
1 
d 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d 
•i. 
d. 
0 
to  4 
6 
Lemons,  case  . 
li 
0  to  14 
0 
Peaches . 
6 
0 
15 
0 
0 
12 
0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  .. 
2 
O 
K 
0 
6 
3 
0 
Strawberries,  per  lb. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8.  d 
0 
to  3 
6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  t> 
■  0 
0 
9 
1 
2 
Onions,  bushel- . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches  .. 
2 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
3 
0 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  .. 
1 
6 
0 
0 
i 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
i 
0 
0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0 
0 
4 
6 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .  per  lb . 
0 
6 
1 
3 
6 
0 
8 
Turnips,  bunch  ..  .  .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
0  to  36 
0 
Genista,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
6 
Oto  10 
0 
0 
9 
0 
Hydrangea,  various,  doz. .. 
9 
0 
24 
0 
0 
36 
0 
Ivy  Geranium,  per  dozen  . 
5 
0 
8 
0 
0 
10 
6 
Lilium  Harrissi,  per  dozen 
15 
0 
24 
0 
0 
9 
0 
Lobelia,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
0 
12 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  .. 
3 
0 
A 
0 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy. dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  pots  .. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
8 
(» 
9 
0 
0 
18 
0 
Nasturtium  per  dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
0 
24 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  .. 
1 
0 
It 
0 
0 
18 
0 
,,  (specimens'  .. 
91 
0 
09 
0 
0 
6 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
15 
0 
0 
7 
0 
,  scarlets,  per  dozen 
3 
0 
9 
0 
0 
6 
0 
Spirse  is,  doz.. .  .,  ..  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
PRICES.— OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety. 
Paeonies,  various,  per  dozen 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
blooms  . 
0 
6 
to  1 
6 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
6 
(1 
» 
O 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Poppies,  various,  per  dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
blooms  . 
0 
2 
0 
6 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Primula  (double),  cozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
sprays  ..  ..  •• 
0 
6 
1 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
.,  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
6 
2 
6 
4 
O 
6 
0 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
2 
1) 
4 
0 
4 
0 
6 
0 
,,  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
3 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
5 
0 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Spinea,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0 
5 
0 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
3 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms.. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Tulips,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Violets,  Victoria  (French), 
12  bunches 
1 
0 
l 
6 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  English,  12  bunches 
0 
9 
1 
0 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Wallflowers,  per  dozen 
bunches . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
1 
6 
12 
0 
WHAT  PAYS? 
“  In  all  labour  there  is  profit,”  said  Solomon ;  if  he  were 
writing  now  would  he  not  rather  change  the  order  of  the 
sentence  and  put  it  thus,  “  In  all  labour  is  there  profit  ?  ”  Do  as 
we  may  it  is  only  a  singularly  fortunate,  or  rather,  shall  we  say, 
audacious  man  who  is  able  to  keep  his  head  above  water 
nowadays 
Fashion  changes  rapidly,  both  as  regards  food  and  clothing, 
and  it  is  only  by  being  ready  for  these  changes  that  we  can  also 
be  ready  with  our  marketable  goods.  A  tremendous  blow  was 
dealt  at  one  of  our  chief  English  products  when  a  fashion  for 
soft  clinging  garments  superseded  the  bright,  stiff  shiny  goods 
of  the  early  Victorian  era  Our  wool  markets  were  paralysed, 
our  growers  at  their  wit’s  end,  our  manufacturers  first  indig¬ 
nant,  then  despondent,  and  Bradford  and  Bradford  operatives 
