■ 
Attgilst  6, 189i 
.tOTinS^At  .  OP  'tiORTtCULTiiRE  ANP  dOTPAGP  QAkDENPii, 
m 
Mealy  Bug-  on  Vines  (^.  D.  M.'), — Ag  the  Grapes  are  cat  you  will 
be  able  to  keep  the  insects  in  check  by  violent  syringing*  or  an  occa¬ 
sional  washing  with  a  garden  engine.  Merely  wetting  the  foliage  is  of 
no  use,  as  the  meal  of  the  insect  is  impervious  to  water  thus  applied  ; 
but  forcible  and  continuous  syringings  are  useful.  If  immediately  after 
a  washing  of  this  kind  you  syringe  the  Vines  with  a  solution  of  paraffin 
and  Boftsoap  at  the  rate  of  half  a  wineglassful  of  the  former  to  3  ozs.  of 
the  latter  to  each  gallon  of  water,  applying  at  a  temperature  of  120°,  you 
will  not  ini'are  the  Vines,  while  it  will  destroy  many  insects  if  the  work 
is  well  done. 
Tbrlps  on  Azaleas  (C.  II.  D.'). — Your  plants  are  infested  with 
thrips.  These  insects  have  a  great  partiality  for  Azaleas,  and  seriously 
injure  the  plants.  Dissolve  2  ozs.  of  softsoap  in  a  gallon  of  water,  and 
pour  half  a  gallon  of  boiling  water  on  an  ounce  of  strong  tobacco.  Mix 
the  two  solutions  thoroughly,  and  then  syringe  the  plants  heavily.  The 
best  mode  of  doing  this  is  to  lay  the  plants  on  their  sides  on  a  mat  or 
other  clean  surface,  and  by  turning  them  round  the  insecticide  can  be 
directed  to  the  under  sides  of  every  leaf,  while  at  the  same  time  the  soil 
is  not  saturated.  This  should  be  repeated  at  intervals  of  ten  days 
throughout  this  and  the  ensuing  month,  and  the  plants  will  be  cleansed. 
Dipping  small  plants  is  even  more  effectual  than  syringing.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  place  Azaleas  in  the  open  air,  provided  they  are  properly 
attended  to  in  a  suitable  house.  It  is,  however,  better  to  place  them 
outside  for  a  few  weeks  than  to  keep  them  heavily  shaded  under  Vines. 
When  placed  in  the  open  air  it  is  important  to  shade  the  pots  from  the 
sun,  as  the  roots  will  be  injured,  and  means  must  be  adopted  to  prevent 
worm*  entering  the  pots. 
Backing  Orapea  (^Young  Oardener). — We  know  of  no  simpler  nor 
better  way  of  packing  Grapes  for  transit  by  rail  than  arranging  the 
bunches  in  baskets  with  sloping  sides.  Some  persons  use  small  baskets 
similar  to  ladies’  work-baskets,  and  pack  a  number  of  these  in  boxes  or 
crates.  Others  use  stout  baskets  with  a  handle  across — what,  in  fact, 
are  known  as  butter  baskets.  These  answer  admirably,  and  the  handles 
prevent  anything  being  placed  on  them,  and  the  baskets  cannot  well  be 
placed  in  a  railway  van  in  any  other  than  their  proper  position — a  matter 
of  so  small  importance.  In  packing  the  baskets  are  placed  in  a  slanting 
position  by  the  operator  pressing  down  one  end  and  raising  the  opposite  ; 
each  bunch  is  then  placed  in  position,  the  fruit  just  touching  the  bottom 
of  the  basket,  the  shoulders  being  level  with  tne  top.  The  baskets  are 
by  some  packers,  bat  not  all,  padded  with  soft  paper  shavings,  or  dry 
clean  moss  covered  with  tissue  paper.  Nothing  is  placed  between  the 
bunches  in  packing,  but  as  soon  as  a  basket  is  hlled  it  is  stood  level,  and 
if  it  be  filled  properly  the  natural  wedging  of  the  shoulders  readers  the 
Grapes  practically  immovable— at  least  all  that  is  needed  to  make  them 
firm  may  be  a  soft  pad  of  tissue  paper  here  and  there.  More  depends  on 
the  care  and  apticude  of  the  packer  than  of  the  means  be  employs  for 
sending  Grapes  by  rail  so  as  to  arrive  at  their  destination  in  good 
condition.  We  have  seen  Grapes  sent  from  the  same  house  in  the  same 
baskets  a  distance  of  500  miles,  and  those  packed  by  one  person  travelled 
without  any  appreciable  injury,  while  those  packed  by  another  person 
were  much  damaged  in  transit.  Judgment  must  be  exercised  in 
selecting  the  bunches  to  occupy  the  space,  so  that  a  second  movement  is 
not  necessary.  Shifting  bunches  about  to  “  make  them  fit,”  first  trying 
one,  then  another,  and  turning  them  about,  first  placing  this  side  upwards, 
then  the  other,  are  errors  to  be  avoided.  Grapes  cannot  be  tampered  with 
in  that  way  without  being  practically  spoiled,  A-person  can  scarcely  be 
expected  to  pack  Grapes  well  on  the  first  trial.  It  is  an  art  that  can  only 
be  attained  by  experience,  but  some  persons,  as  in  other  work,  are  quicker 
learners  than  others,  and  soon  become  experts  in  the  work.  It  is  most 
important  that  those  whoh<ive  Grapes  for  disposal  shoald  learn  to  pack 
them  well.  The  finest  of  Grapes  are  spoiled  by  bad  packing,  and  naay 
growers  who  send  Grapes  to  market,  and  are  disappointed  by  the  com¬ 
paratively  small  amounts  they  realise,  would  not  be  so  surprised  if  they 
couli  see  how  different  the  Grapes  were  when  unpacked  from  their 
condition  when  cut  from  the  Vines. 
KTames  of  Blauts. —  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  shoald  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. 
(6*.  C). — Hibiscus  syriacus.  (/?.,  Syffolk). — Unfortunately  through  a 
delay  somewhere  your  specimens  were  dead  ;  send  fresh  ones,  and  we 
will  do  our  best  to  assist  you.  (F.  P.  P.). — 1,  Lytbrum  salicAria  ; 
2,  Eryngium  amethystinum  ;  3,  Leycesteria  formosa ;  4,  Lysimach’a 
vulgaris.  (^Cockney)  — 1,  Meliioti*  officinalis  ;  2,  Uarpalium  rigidum  ; 
3,  Scabiosa  caucasica.  (^Orchidist). — 1,  Aerides  crassifolium ;  2,  Den- 
drobium  secundum. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
F.  G.  Bonnett,  Heathfield,  Sussex. — Bulboug  Bootg. 
Dickson  &  Bobinson,  Manchester. — Bulbs  and  Roses. 
Little  &  Ballantyne,  Carlisle. — Bulb  Catalogue. 
T.  Methven  &  Sons,  16,  Prince’s  Street,  Edinburgh. — Bulbous  Plants. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading. — Illustrated  Bulb  Catalogue. 
J,  Tboolen,  Houtvaart,  Haarlem.—PwfuA  Bulbs. 
OOVENT  GARDEN  MaRKBT.— AuatrST  6th. 
Bc'SIkess  crippled  owing  to  the  holiday. 
PRtJIT. 
f.  d. 
0.  d. 
s.  d. 
3. 
d. 
Currants,  Black,  per  J  sieve 
6  6  to  7  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0tol4 
0 
3  0 
3  6 
Peaches . . 
1  6 
6 
0 
Crapes,  per  lb.  . . 
0  9 
1  6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  , , 
2  0 
6 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d« 
1 
s.  d. 
B.  d 
Asparagus,  per  100  .,  ,. 
0  0 
to  0  0 
1  Mustard  and  Oress,  punnet 
0  2 
to  0 
0 
Beans,  ^  sieve  . 
2  6 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4 
0 
Beet.  Bed,  dozen . . 
1  0 
0  0 
1  Parsley,  dozen  bunches  .. 
2  0 
3 
0 
Oarro;,3,  bunch . 
0  8 
0  4 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1  0 
0 
0 
Caulihowers,  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  bunchei 
2  0 
4  0 
;  Seakale,  per  basket  .. 
0  0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
1  6 
3  0 
Soorzonera,  bundle  .. 
1  6 
0 
0 
Rndivf*,  dozr.Ti 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallot, Sf  pftr  Ih . 
0  3 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . .  . .  . . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad 
0  6 
4 
6 
Leeks,  bunch  . «  . .  . . 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  hall  siv.. 
0  0 
0 
0 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  per  lb. 
0  2 
0 
4 
Mushrooms,  per  lb . 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch  ..  . 
0  3 
0 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
B.  d. 
6.  d. 
s.  d. 
S. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitas  (various)  doz. 
6  0to36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1  0  to  5 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  ..  .. 
18  0 
36  0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen 
3  0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
6  0 
10  6 
Heliotrope,  per  dozen 
4  0 
6 
0 
Balsims,  per  dozen. . 
3  0 
4  0 
Hydrangea,  various,  doz.  . . 
9  0 
18 
0 
Calceolarias,  per  dozen 
4  0 
6  0 
Ivy  Geranium,  per  dozen  . 
3  0 
6 
0 
Campanulas,  per  dozen  . . 
9  0 
18  0 
Lllium  Harrissi,  per  dozen 
12  0 
18 
0 
Cockscombs,  per  dozen  . . 
4  0 
6  0 
„  lancifolium,  doz. 
9  0 
15 
0 
Orassula,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
12  0 
24  0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3  0 
i 
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 
Buonymus,var.,  dozen 
6  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  dozen . 
6  <> 
9 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6  0 
24  0 
Palms,  in  var..  each  ..  .. 
1  0 
15 
0 
Vems  in  variety, dozen  .. 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  (■specimens''  .. 
21  0 
63 
0 
Ferns  (small)  per  hundred 
4  0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  .. 
6  0 
10 
0 
Ficus  elastica, each  ..  .. 
1  0 
7  0 
,.  scarlets,  per  dozen 
3  0 
9 
0 
AVBRAGB  WHOLESALE 
PRICES. — OUT  FLOWERS. — Orohid  Blooms  In  vaiietv 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
s 
d> 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
2  0  to  4  0 
Myosotis  or  Forget-me-not, 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
2  0 
4  0 
dozen  bunches . 
1  6  to  2 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0  4 
0  9 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
Carnations,  12  blooms  . . 
0  6 
2  0 
blooms  . 
1  6 
12 
0 
„  dozen  bunches 
4  0 
8  1 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
i  0 
6 
0 
Cornflower,  per  dozen 
Primula  (doable),  uozen 
bunches . . 
1  0 
1  6 
sprays 
0  4 
0 
9 
Bucharis.  dozen . 
2  0 
4  0 
Pyrcthrum,  dozen  buuvbes 
1  6 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  .. 
1  6 
3  0 
Boses  (indoor),  dozen 
0  6 
1 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
0  9 
2 
0 
bunches . 
3  0 
6  0 
„  Yellow,  dozen  (Niels) 
2  0 
4 
0 
Lihum  longiflorum,  twelve 
■  „  Bed,  dozen  blooms  . , 
0  6 
1 
0 
blooms  . 
2  0 
4  0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Maidenhair  Fern,  per  dozen 
dozen . 
1  0 
2 
0 
bunches . 
4  0 
8  0 
Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . , 
1  0 
2 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  .. 
1  C 
8  0 
„  dozen  bunches  ..  ., 
2  6 
6 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
Smilax,  per  bunch  . ,  . . 
2  0 
4 
0 
bunches . 
3  0 
4  0 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
1  6 
2 
0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms. .  . . 
0  4 
0 
6 
THE  ENDING  YEAR. 
A  QUEER  title  for  August,  is  it  not  ?  but  agriculturists  do 
not  follow  the  order  of  the  Calendar  implicitly.  Those  farmers 
who  do  keep  books— and  a  good  many  do— despite  all  that  is 
said  and  written  about  their  unbusiness-like  qualities  calculate 
their  gains  and  losses  (alas!  too  ofte  i  the  latter)  from  harvest  to 
harvest.  With  the  new  harvest  they  hope  to  begin  a  clean,  new 
prosperous  reckoning;  they  then  know  to  a  fraction  what  the 
yield  of  their  acres  has  been,  whether  in  corn,  roots,  or  grass, 
how  their  stock  has  sold,  and  what  the  value  of  their  remaining 
animals — their  working  plant,  in  fact. 
Taking  the  average  of  many  years,  we  heard  an  old  farmer, 
grey  headed  and  prosperous,  only  saying  last  week  that  he  had 
long  ago  arrived  at  the  belief  that  each  article  he  produced  was 
better  sold  at  the  natural  or  seasonable  time.  He  said  he  never 
really  gained  by  waiting  for  a  rise.  He  did  not  mean  by  this 
foolishly  forcing  his  goods  in  a  falling  market — he  allowed  some 
little  latitude  ;  but  he  did  not  believe,  and  had  proved  by  actual 
experience,  that  the  man  who  went  calmly  on  without  specula¬ 
tion  was  the  best  off  in  the  long  run. 
A  man  may  be  thankful  if  he  gets  a  fair  value  for  a  fair* 
honest  article.  We  know  of  two  men  in  our  parish  who  grow 
quantities  of  a  certain  root— viz.,  Potatoes.  One  man  sells  his 
by  the  acre  directly  after  harvest ;  he  knows  then  exactly  how 
