June  li,  1898. 
Journal  of  Horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution  ( Subscriber ). — 
We  hope  you  are  a  subscriber  to  the  charity  as  well  as  to  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture.  The  report,  of  which  you  send  a  cutting  from  another 
gardening  paper,  was  no  doubt  taken  from  oar  columns.  It  was  not  a 
verbatim  report,  and  it  would  be  something  akin  to  a  miracle  if  two 
reporters  in  giving  a  free  rendering  used  exactly  the  same  wordi.  We 
do  not  suppose  the  proprietor  of  the  paper  was  aware  of  the  source  of 
what  was  furnished  to  his  editor. 
Plant  for  Keeping  a  Cemented  Pond  Free  from  Green 
(Somerset). — We  regret  to  say  that  we  do  not  know  a  plant  which  will 
keep  the  water  free  from  the  very  troublesome  green  Conferva,  for 
unfortunately  all  the  fungi  parasitic  on  Algas  are  Bymbiosisic,  and  live 
together  in  perfect  harmony,  if  not  to  mutual  advantage,  as  in  the  lichens. 
We  have  not  found  anything  of  any  use  hut  waterfowl,  such  as  ducks, 
as  no  chemical  substances,  except  sulphates  of  iron  and  lime,  can  be 
added  to  .the  pond  without  impairing  its  value  for  watering  purposes, 
and  in  some  cases  this  addition  may  not  be  suitable  for  some  plants. 
About  1  lb.  sulphate  of  iron  to  500  gallons  of  water  is  a  suitable  quantity, 
and  a  similar  quantity  of  sulphate  of  lime.  But  ducks  or  irequent 
cleaning  are  the  more  safe. 
Grapes  Diseased  (A.  McC .). — The  berries  are  spotted  almost  all 
over  by  minute  brown  specks,  which  appear  very  similar  to  anthracnose 
(Spaceloma  ampeliDum),  but  the  small  round  spots  are  very  little 
depressed  in  the  centre,  and  have  not  a  raised  dark  border.  Probably, 
therefore,  the  specks  are  due  to  the  haustoria  (sucker)  of  the  mildew 
present  on  the  surface,  the  threads  (mycelium)  to  which  they  belonged 
having  been  destroyed  by  the  fumes  of  the  sulphur  or  its  direct  appli¬ 
cation.  The  fungus  (Uncinula  ampelopsidis)  is  in  the  conidial  condition, 
when  it  is  known  as  powdery  mildew  (O'idium  Tuckeri),  which  may 
assume  two  forms  —  one  with  somewhat  short,  roundish  oval  spores 
(conidia),  this  being  O.  Tuckeri,  and  other  much  longer  oval,  yet  round- 
ended,  conidia,  and  not  barrel-shaped,  as  in  O.  balsami.  This  is  the 
form  in  your  case,  and  the  more  malignant  of  the  two,  it  frequently 
resisting  dustings  of  flowers  of  sulphur  successfully,  but  never  escaping 
destruction  by  its  fumes.  To  successfully  combat  this  parasite  we  have 
found  dusting  with  the  powder  fungicides,  containing  10  per  cent,  of 
sulphate  of  copper,  most  effective.  Indeed,  we  know  a  case  where 
sulphur  failed  to  do  more  than  check  the  mildew,  but  the  use  of  the 
powder  containing  sulphate  of  copper  effected  a  complete  clearance,  and 
the  Grapes  proved  thoroughly  satisfactory.  The  fungicide  was  applied 
with  a  bellow  apparatus,  and  the  finest  possible  dusting  given  all  over 
the  Vines,  including  the  bunches.  We  fear,  however,  that  the  Grapes 
in  your  case  will  be  rusted,  yet  even  these  are  better  than  not  any.  If 
the  fungus  develops  further  we  should  be  pleased  to  receive  specimen, 
for  anthracnose  is  not  by  any  means  new  to  this  country,  but  it  does  not 
develop  to  anything  like  the  same  extent  as  in  the  United  States. 
Karnes  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. 
(Inquirer).  —  1,  Tiarella  cordifolia  (Foam  Flower)  ;  2,  Amelanchier 
botryapium  (The  Snowy  Mespilus). 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  10th. 
Outdoor  Strawberries  now  mriving  in  better  condition  and  supply  owing  to  tbe 
late  rain.  House  fruit  unaltered.  Trade  steady. 
FRUIT. 
1. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  ..  .. 
2 
0 
to  4 
6 
Lemons,  case  . 
n 
11  to  14 
0 
„  Tasmanians,  per 
Peaches . 
6 
0 
15 
0 
case . 
10 
0 
12 
0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  . . 
2 
0 
8 
0 
Grapes,  per  ib . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Strawberries,  per  lb. 
0 
6 
2 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
2 
0 
to  3 
6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  tr 
e 
0 
.Beans,  per  lb . 
0 
9 
1 
2 
Onions,  bushel . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Oarrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Celery,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunohe* 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  . .  . . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Scorzonera,  bundle  . .  . . 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . .  . . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
8pinach.  pad  . 
0 
0 
4 
6 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Lettuce,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Mushrooms,  per  lb,  ..  .. 
0 
6 
0 
8 
Turnips,  bunch  ..  .  .. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
a. 
Arbor  Vitse  (various!  doz. 
e 
U  to  36 
0 
Hydrangea,  various,  doz.  .. 
9 
Oto 
24 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  per  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ivy  Geranium,  per  dozen  . 
3 
0 
7 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Lilium  Harrissi,  per  dozen 
12 
0 
0 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Lobelia,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Calceolarias,  per  dozen 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  .. 
3 
0 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen  . 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy. dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Dracaena  viridis.  dozen 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  pots  .. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen  . 
f) 
II 
9 
n 
Euonymus.yar.,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Nasturtium  per  dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Ferns  iu  variety,  dozeu  .. 
4 
0 
18 
0 
„  (specimens'  ..  .. 
21 
0 
S3 
0 
Fern?  (small)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  . . 
8 
0 
12 
0 
FicuS  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
7 
0 
scarlets,  per  dozen 
3 
0 
9 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1 
0 
6 
0 
Spine  as,  doz . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
56 1 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
OUT  FLOWERS. — Orchid  Blooms  in  vaiietv. 
S. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
3. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
2 
0  to 
4 
0 
Narcissi,  var..  doz.  bunches 
0 
9  to  2 
V 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunoh 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Paeonies,  various,  per  dozen 
Azalea,  dozen  sprays  . . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
blooms  . 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Polyanthus,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
• 
Cornflower,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
8 
Q 
Poppies,  various,  per  dozen 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
bunches  . 
0 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Primula  (double),  cozen 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
sprays 
0 
6 
1 
0 
bunches . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Iris  (English)  doz.  bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
0 
6 
1 
6 
Lilac  (French)  per  buncli 
3 
0 
4 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilium  iongiflorum,  twelve 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
2 
0 
4 
0 
blooms  . 
3 
0 
5 
0 
,,  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bchs. 
4 
0 
8 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . 
2 
c 
3 
0 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
5 
0 
bunches . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Smilax,  per  bunch  ..  .. 
3 
0 
5 
0 
Myosotis  or  Forget-me-not, 
Spiraea,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0 
5 
0 
dozen  bunches . 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms..  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
blooms  . 
1 
6 
12 
0 
HOW  TO  FARM  WELL. 
This  is  what  we  all  want  to  do  and  all  should  strive  to  do, 
each  in  his  several  ways.  Possibly  we  do  not  care  much  to  be 
lectured,  thinking,  and  often  truly,  that  the  lecturer  knows  less 
of  the  subject  matter  than  ourselves  Men  born  and  bred  on  the 
soil  are  very  hard  of  belief  that  others  wh  se  knowledge  has 
come  later  in  life,  possibly  derived  much  from  books,  can  know 
as  much  as  they.  Of  course  they  will  allow  that  book  know¬ 
ledge  must  be  and  is  useful,  especially  that  book  knowledge  that 
has  chemistry  as  its  bas  s,  but  there  is  no  knowledge  that  can 
compete  with  the  actual  daily  experience  of  a  farmer. 
No  hard  and  fast  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  any  particular 
branch.  Seasons  vary — not  only  seasons,  but  the  variations  are 
daily  and  often  most  unexpected.  Work  planned  carefully  is 
upset  in  a  hour,  and  all  energies  have  to  be  turned  at  a  moment's 
notice  into  another  and  quite  different  channel.  On  few  farms 
are  the  fields  of  equal  value  from  a  cultural  point  of  view; 
indeed,  we  may  go  further  and  say  few  fields  themselves  are 
equal  all  over.  Every  year  comes  a  different  crop,  every 
year  according  to  season  and  market  must  the  crop  bi  adapted 
or  adjusted  to  the  requirements  of  the  soi1  and  the  market,  and 
no  novice  or  simple  book  lea  ner  can  do  this. 
Then  al-o  it  require!  the  experience  of  a  lifet  me  to  be  a  fair 
judge  of  stock,  and  stock  is  rea  ly  the  maiustay  of  agriculture. 
This  is  work  that  cannot  be  left  to  workmen  however  w  lling  ; 
indeed,  there  are  not  many  farmers  themselves  who  are  here 
equal  all  round. 
With  som9  it  is  as  horse  judges  they  excel,  and  therefore  they 
wi  ely  make  this  the  leading  feature  in  their  farm  management. 
People  will  be  inclined  to  fancy  this  a  pleasant  and  profitab'e 
phase  of  business.  Take  the  risks  of  breeding,  the  difficulty 
first  of  obtaining  a  foal  at  all,  the  difficulty  of  getting  both  mare 
and  foal  over  the  dangers  of  a  critical  time,  the  thousand  and  one 
accidents  to  which  the  foal  and  mother  are  alike  subject. 
We  have  had  ample  evidence  of  these  difficu't  e*  close  at  hand 
this  year.  A  strong  foal  le?t  for  an  h  ur  or  two  w  thout  its 
mother  manages,  really  through  its  own  exuberant  strength,  to 
fatally  rupture  its  bowels.  The  mother  is  required  to-day  to 
bring  up  another  foal  whose  own  dam  has  broken  her  neck. 
These  are  by  no  means  isolated  cases,  and  he  is  a  fortunate  man 
who  after  careful  reckoning  finds  he  rears  one  foal  out  of  three. 
Commercial  men  wrould  not  like  to  take  risks  of  this  sort. 
Where  sheep  are  the  chief  object  of  culture  the  care  and 
attention  are  endless,  and  great  difficulty  arises  here  often  from 
two  opposite  causes — plethora  of  food  and  scarcity,  btrange  to 
