June  18,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
5?6 
Thinning-  Seedling  Asparagus  (J.  W.  M.). — The  plants  being 
intended  to  remain  on  ground  where  the  seed  was  sown  they  should 
be  gradually  thinned  without  loss  of  time  to  15  inches  apart  in  the  rows. 
By  the  early  thinning  and  retaining  the  best  plants  you  will  secure  a 
Bturdy  growth,  a  good  root  formation,  and  well  formed  crowns.  If  you 
could  manage  to  give  the  plants  some  liquid  manure  they  would  make  a 
wonderful  growth  even  the  first  year,  but  it  should  not  be  givsn  after  the 
beginning  of  September. 
Cannas  (Pirn  and  /*&).— C-innas  raecsed  admirably  in  a  ftool  groan- 
house,  by  which,  of  course,  you  mean  that  frost  is  excluded  in  the  winter, 
when  the  plants  are  at  rest  and  require  protection.  Daring  the  summer 
and  autumn,  however,  they  bloom  well  and  make  a  fine  display.  Half 
a  dozen  good  varieties  are  the  following  : — Madame  Crozy,  salmon  ; 
Cheshunt  Yellow,  rich  yellow  ;  Trinignon  Charlotte,  crimson  centre, 
edged  with  gold  ;  Presided  Carnot,  rich  red  ;  Duchess  of  York,  yellow, 
crimson  spotted  ;  Duke  of  York,  crimson  base,  golden  edging. 
Decorative  Pelargoniums  (Suburban’). — Most  of  the  sturdy 
floriferous  plants  Bold  in  the  Loudon  flower  market  in  5  inch  pots  were 
raised  from  cuttings  inserted  last  year  at  this  time  or  sooner.  The  reason 
there  are  no  cuttings  on  your  purchased  plants  to  take  is  not  difficult  to 
explain.  The  growers  simply  took  care  of  them  before  sending  the 
plants  to  market,  otherwise  they  might  not  have  a  sufficient  number  of 
equally  good  examples  another  year.  If  you  examine  the  plants  care¬ 
fully  you  will  probably  be  able  to  see  that  two  or  three  cuttings  have 
been  taken  from  the  lower  part  of  the  flowering  stems,  a  few  strong 
growths  usually  pushing  from  there  when  the  plants  are  vigorous,  and 
these  sturdy  flowerless  shoots  make  the  best  cuttings  and  plants. 
Fuchsias  and  Petunias  (M.  E.  H.).  —  Six  of  the  best  double 
varieties  of  Fuchsia*  are  Miss  Lucy  Finnis,  Frau  Emma  Topfer, 
Moleswortb,  Mrs  E.  G.  Hill,  Beauty  of  Exeter,  and  Champion  of  the 
World.  Violet  Queen  and  Fringed  Double  White  are  excellent  varieties 
of  Petunias.  It  is  the  best  plan  with  Petunias  to  obtain  a  packet  of  seed 
from  a  reliable  firm,  when  you  could  obtain  a  better  selection  of  double 
flowers  than  you  could  from  named  varieties.  All  that  Fuchsias  and 
Petunias  require  to  maintain  a  constant  bloom  during  the  summer  is  to 
grow  them  in  a  cool  airy  greenhouse  ;  supply  well  with  water  and  liquid 
manure  as  the  pots  fill  with  roots.  Cut  off  old  blooms.  The  display 
may  be  still  longer  prolonged  by  haviag  later  plants  outdoors  and  in 
frames  to  be  at  their  best  when  the  others  show  signs  of  declining.  Both 
require  a  good  foundation  of  young  growth  to  be  made  before  they  are 
allowed  to  flower. 
Gardenias  after  Flowering  (A  Constant  Reader). — The  plants 
must  not  be  cut.  back,  but  encouraged  to  make  a  free  growth  in  a 
temperature  of  65°  at  night,  or  70°  to  75°  when  mild,  70°  to  75°  by  day 
artificially,  and  80°,  85°  or  90°  from  sun  heat.  They  should  be  properly 
supplied  with  water  at  the  root  and  fed  with  some  nutrient  substance, 
such  as  soot  water,  maintaining  a  moist  atmosphere  by  sprinkling  the 
paths  in  the  morning,  syringing  the  plants  at  closing  time  in  the  after¬ 
noon,  and  in  dry  weather  damping  the  house  well  in  the  evenine.  By 
such  means  you  will  secure  a  sturdy  growth  if  due  care  be  taken  in 
ventilating.  Overwatering  is  bad  for  Gardenias,  making  the  soil  Bidden 
and  sour,  and  when  allowed  to  become  too  dry  the  plants  sometimes 
shed  more  leaves  than  is  good  for  them,  besides  spoiling  their 
appearance.  If  you  cat  back  the  plants  it  is  likely  there  will  be  few  or 
no  flowers  next  year. 
Mildew  on  Grapes  (W.  R.  IT). — The  csuse  of  mildew  on  Grapes 
is  the  spores  of  Erisyphe  communis,  which  are  liberated  from  the  ascus 
of  a  perithecium  in  the  spring,  and,  alighting  on  a  Vine  or  other  plant 
affording  the  essential  food,  germinates  in  favouring  conditions  of 
moisture.  Three  things  are  necessary  : — 1,  The  spores  of  the  fungus  ; 
2,  a  suitable  soil  or  host  plant ;  and  3,  favouring  conditions  of  growth. 
The  surface  mildews  of  the  white  type  are  always  most  abundant  in  dry 
seasons  or  during  damp  or  dewy  weather  follow!  ig  a  period  (or  conse¬ 
quently)  of  drought,  and  this  characteristic  is  borne  out  both  outdoors 
and  under  glass  by  events.  There  is  no  reason  to  assume  that  there  is 
anything  wrong  with  the  management,  for  mildews  are  not  the  same 
everywhere,  some  localities,  and  especially  those  near  rivers,  being  more 
favonrable  to  them,  particularly  in  a  dry  season.  Dusting  with  flowers 
of  sulphur  arrests  its  growth  in  the  mildew  stage,  but  the  better  plan  is 
to  dust,  by  means  of  a  bellows  apparatus,  with  a  fungicide  in  powder, 
such- as  Anti-blight,  Anti-mildew,  and  Fostite.  The  fumes  of  sulphur 
also  destroy  the  parasite.  By  one  or  other  of  those  means  you  must 
destroy  the  mildew.  A  grower  of  Vines  much  troubled  with  it  for 
years  at  length  overcame  the  pest  by  the  use  of  Ant  -blight  in  solution, 
and  dressing  the  Vines  with  a  10  per  cent,  solution  of  copperas  during 
the  resting  season. 
Vines  and  Peach  Trees  Unsatisfactory  (A.  B) — The  soil  is 
semi- vegetable  in  nature  and  deficient  of  grit  of  any  k  nd  ;  as  for  lime, 
there  is  no  trace.  In  order  to  improve  it  you  may  use  the  following 
ingredients  to  ten  cartloads  of  the  loam  as  it  is,  but  of  course  it  would 
need  removing  from  the  border,  so  as  to  secure  proper  proportions.  For 
the  Vines  :  Loam,  ten  cartloads  ;  old  mortar  or  lime  rubbish,  two  cart¬ 
loads  ;  fresh  horse  droppings,  onecartload  ;  charcoal  nuts,x>ne  cartload  ; 
bones,  crushed  1  inch  down  to  half  an  inch,  5  cwt.  If  y  >u  can  command 
wood  ashes,  add  a  cartload  to  the  above,  or,  failing  them,  1  cwt.  of 
basic  slag  phosphate  and  ^  cwt.  kainit.  It  would  be  the  better  plan 
to  lift  the  Vine  bodily,  forming  the  border  entirely  afresh  ;  and  if  this 
be  done  carefully  and  in  good  time  (as  soon  as  the  foliage  begins  to 
mature)  the  crop  will  not  be  prejudiced.  For  the  Peach  trees  :  Old 
soil,  ten  parts  ;  old  mortar  rubbish,  two  parts  ;  clay,  dried  and  pounded 
so  a3  to  incorporate  readily,  two  parts  ;  well-rotted  manure,  one  part ; 
basic  slag  phosphate,  1  cwt.  ;  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnrsii, 
^  cwt.  Mix  all  together,  and  form  in  the  border  firmly,  afterwards 
treating  as  suggested  for  the  Vines.  The  work  should  be  done  expe¬ 
ditiously,  so  as  to  interfere  as  little  with  the  trees’  growth  as  can  be 
helped.  As  there  are  few  or  no  roots  in  the  outside  border,  there  is 
little  need,  if  any,  to  interfere  with  them.  As  for  the  fertilisers  you 
name  they  would  be  best  used  as  top-dressings,  even  this  year,  as  they 
cannot  possibly  injure  the  trees  unless  employed  extravagantly  ;  but 
may  do  good  by  enriching  the  soil  aud  encouraging  root  and  top  growth 
iu  the  Vines  and  Peach  trees. 
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  Bhould  be  visible  without  untying  the  ligatures, 
it  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp. 
(Pen  and  Ink). — 1,  Euphorbia  lathyris  (Caper  Spurge);  2,  Sambucus 
aurea  variegata  ;  3,  Salvia  argentea  (Silvery  Clary).  (P.  D.). — 
1,  Adiantum  capillus-Veneris  ;  2,  Asplenium  viviparum  ;  3.  Pteris 
serrulata.  (Amateur). — 1,  Cypripedium  Lawrenceanum  ;  2,  Cattleya 
Mendeli,  good  form.  (JV.  P.). — All  the  specimens  were  dead.  Send 
fresh  ones  properly  packed. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
G.  B unyard  &  Co.  Maidstone. — Strawberries  and  Other  Fruits. 
M.  Rains  &  Co.,  34,  Mansell  Street,  EC. —  Wholesale  Dutch  Bulbs 
Catalogue. 
Ant.  Roozan  &  Son,  Overveen,  near  Haarlem. — Dutch  and  Cagw 
Bulbs. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  17th 
Hsavy  supplies  of  Strawberries  now  arriving  from  the  home  counties,  considerably 
lowering  values  of  Grapes.  Prices  lower  a  1  round. 
FRUIT. 
■.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  <''« 
- 
d. 
Apples,  Tasmanians,  per 
Peaches . 
4  0  to  12 
0 
case . 
10  0  to  12  0 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each 
2  o 
H 
0 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
0  9 
2  0 
Strawberries,  per  lb. 
0  3 
0 
9 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  U 
14  0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
s  d. 
S 
d 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
2  0 
to  3  6 
Mustard  and  Oress,  punnet 
0  2 
t..  0 
0 
tieans,  per  lb . 
0  9 
1  2 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4 
0 
Beet,  Red,  dozen . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  dozen  bunohes  . . 
2  0 
l 
0 
Oarrots,  bunoh . 
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 
Balsafy,  bundle . . 
1  0 
1 
6 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2  0 
4  0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
0  0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
1  6 
3  0 
Soorzonera,  bundle  ..  .. 
1  6 
0 
0 
Bndive,  dozen  . 
1  3 
1  « 
Shallots,  per  lb . 
0  3 
0 
Q 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
4 
6 
Leeks,  bunoh  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
0  0 
0 
0 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1  t 
0  0 
Tomatoee,  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. 
s.  d. 
3. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
6  0  to  36  0 
Ivy  Geranium,  per  dozen  . 
2  0 
to  7 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen 
18  0 
36  0 
Lilium  Harrissi,  per  dozen 
12  0 
18 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5  0 
10  6 
„  lancifolium,  doz. 
12  0 
15 
0 
Calceolarias,  per  dozen  . 
6  0 
9  0 
Lobelia,  per  dozen  ..  .. 
4  0 
6 
0 
Orassula,  dozen . 
9  0 
15  0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  ..  .. 
3  U 
« 
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,  dozeD  . 
8  o 
9 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  .. 
8  0 
18  0 
Nasturtium  per  dozen 
3  0 
6 
0 
Evergreens.  in  var.,  dozen 
6  0 
24  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  .. 
1  u 
1  0 
0 
Perns  iu  variety .  dozen  .. 
4  0 
18  o 
,,  (specimens'  .. 
0 
Fern?  (small)  per  hundred 
4  0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  .. 
8  0 
12 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
!  0 
7  0 
,  scarlets,  per  dozen 
8  0 
9 
0 
Foliage  plante,  var.  each 
1  ' 
5  0 
Spiraeas,  doz . 
6  0 
9 
0 
Hydrangea,  various,  doz.  .. 
9  0 
24  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
FRIGES. — OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Bloom*  In  vailetv 
8.  d. 
s.  d 
8.  d. 
s 
d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
2  0  to  4  0 
P .conies,  various,  per  dozen 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
2  0 
4  0 
blooms  . 
0  6 
to  1 
6 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0  8 
1  0 
Pelargoniums.  12  bunches 
4  ' 
8 
U 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1  0 
3  0 
Polyanthus,  dozen  ouuchf  s 
1  6 
2 
(j 
Cornflower,  dozen  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
Poppies,  various,  per  dozen 
Eucharis, dozen . 
2  0 
4  0 
bunches  . 
0  6 
2 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  .. 
2  0 
3  0 
Primula  (double),  ■  ozen 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
sprays 
0  6 
1 
0 
bunches  . 
4  ' 
6  o 
Py  rethrum,  dozen  bunchts 
1  6 
3 
0 
Iris  (English)  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Roses  (indoory,  dozen 
0  6 
1 
6 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
4  6 
6  0 
„  Tea,  white,  do/.en 
1  u 
2 
U 
Lilium  longiflorum,  twelve 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
2  0 
4 
0 
blooms  . 
3  0 
5  0 
,,  Red,  dozen  blooms  .. 
1  0 
3 
0 
vtaidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bohs. 
4  u 
8  0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2  C 
3  0 
doeeu . 
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 
8  0 
5 
0 
dozen  bunches . 
1  6 
2  6 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
1  6 
2 
0 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
Tuberoses.  12  blooms..  .. 
4  0 
6 
0 
blooms  . 
1  6 
12  0 
