September  3,  1896. 
JOTTRNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
241 
success,  and  being  an  annual,  seeds  must  be  sown  every  year,  preferably 
early  in  the  spring,  to  obtain  plants  for  fruiting  in  the  summer. 
Moderately  light  and  rich  soil  is  needed,  with  abundant  supplies  of 
water  during  growth.  One  of  the  most  effective  modes  of  training  is 
to  take  a  clean  stem  to  the  height  of  18  inches  or  2  feet,  and  then 
train  the  shoots  horizontally  either  along  a  string  or  so  as  to  cover  a  flat 
trellis,  from  which  the  fruit  will  hang,  and  it  can  then  be  seen  to  the 
best  advantage. 
Pears  Spotted  {Inquirer). — The  black  spots  on  the  Pears  are  caused 
by  a  fungus  (Cladosporinm  dendriticum).  Fruit  so  infested  usually 
cracks,  and  is  worthless.  It  is  generally  considered  that  lifting  and 
planting  in  fresh  firmer  soil  with  an  admixture  of  old  mortar  rubbish,  so 
AS  to  encourage  healthier  growth,  is  the  best  palliative,  but  there  is  no 
question  of  the  fungus  causing  the  disease,  which  would  probably  be 
overcome  by  phosphatic  manures,  and  might  be  destroyed  by  a  weak 
solution  of  sulphate  of  iron,  one  part  to  ninety-nine  of  water,  applied 
occasionally  in  the  early  stages  of  the  fruit  growth.  That,  however,  is 
matter  for  experiment,  and  a  light  dressing  to  the  soil  might  act 
beneficially.  Half  an  ounce  per  square  yard  is  a  fall  quantity  to  apply, 
a  quarter  of  an  ounce  being  safer'. 
Growings  Mushrooms  In  Meadows  {T,  F,  W,). — It  is  not 
unusual  for  Mushrooms  to  disappear  from  meadow  and  pasture  for  some 
years  where  they  have  previously  been  abundant  in  consecutive  seasons. 
This  may  arise  from  various  causes,  but  the  chief  is  exhaustion  of  the 
elements  upon  which  the  Mushroom  builds  up  its  structure,  especially 
chlorine,  hence  a  dressing  of  salt  in  the  springtime  has  been  found  to  be 
followed  by  an  abundant  crop  of  this  edible.  If  you  like  to  try  this 
about  5  cwt,  may  be  used  per  acre.  It  will  sweeten  the  grass,  and  may 
be  followed  by  an  abundant  growth  of  Mushrooms,  either  in  the  current 
year  or  in  the  following  season.  Procuring  spawn,  which  is  not  that  of 
the  field  Mushroom  (Agaricus  campestris),  but  the  cultivated  (A.  c,  hor- 
tensis),  and  mixing  it  with  soil,  then  spreading  it  on  the  land,  might 
to  some  extent  be  the  means  of  introducing  it  to  the  land.  The  better 
plan  is  to  procure  some  spawn  and  breaking  the  bricks  into  pieces  about 
1^  inch  square,  and  insert  these  in  the  turf  about  a  yard  apart,  about 
2  inches  deep,  closing  the  holes  firmly  with  the  turf  after  inserting  the 
spawn.  This  may  be  done  about  April,  when  the  ground  is  not  more 
than  moderately  moist,  and  with  a  prospect  of  a  continuance  of  fine 
weather.  The  ridges  of  the  lands,  if  any,  should  be  chosen,  it  being 
useless  inserting  the  spawn  in  the  furrows  unless  the  land  is  particularly 
well  drained,  and  there  is  a  prospect  of  fine  weather  for  some  time.  A 
very  successful  grower  of  field  Mushrooms  inserts  the  spawn  where  the  cow 
or  other  animal  manure  has  been  dropped,  drawing  this  aside  after  it  has 
lain  on  the  ground  a  few  days  and  become  dried,  then  placing  two  or 
three  pieces  of  spawn,  as  before  advised,  in  the  ground  and  returning 
the  dung  after  covering  with  soil.  This  is  done  any  time  during  the 
Bummer  and  early  autumn. 
Melon  Plants  Diseased  at  the  Soot  Stem  (F.  W.). — There 
was  no  eelworm  or  other  form  of  animal  parasite  on  or  in  the  root  stem, 
but  a  fungus,  Sclerotinia  sclerotiorum,  .3Iass.  It  is  the  stem  canker  of 
Cucumber  and  Melon  plants,  “sudden  collapse"  disease  of  Potatoes  and 
Tomatoes.  On  the  latter  it  is  frequently  confounded  with  “  black 
stripe,”  “  drooping,”  and  “sleepy”  disease,  and  occasions  i  he  destruction 
of  the  plants  in  a  similar  manner.  On  the  stem  of  the  plant  forwarded 
there  were  the  white  threads  of  the  fungus,  and  in  the  destroyed  portion 
of  the  stem  oval-shaped  black  bodies,  somewhat  elongated — the  sclerotia 
or  resting  stage  of  the  parasite.  The  fungus  subsists  on  organic  matter, 
especially  vegetable,  in  a  dead  or  diseased  state.  Quicklime  acts  more 
promptly  than  chalk  or  limestone,  and  is  the  most  effectual  preventive 
of  stem-choking  fungus,  also  of  root  or  root  stem  fungi.  “Stone”  is 
better  tban  “chalk"  lime,  but  the  lime  must  not  be  “magnesian” 
unless  for  applying  to  land  made  sour  by  heavy  manuring,  or  surcharged 
with  vegetable  matter,  as  bog  or  moorland.  As  a  precautionary  measure 
1  lb.  per  square  yard  should  be  employed,  slaking  without  delay  and 
whilst  floury  spreading  evenly  and  mixing  with  the  soil  to  a  depth  of 
4  to  6  inches.  This  should  be  done  when  the  ground  is  in  good  working 
order,  preferably  dry  rather  than  wet.  This,  and  afterwards  using 
another  dressing  of  air-slaked  lime  at  the  rate  of  ^  lb.  per  square  yard, 
say  when  the  crop  is  above  ground,  or  as  soon  as  set  plants  become 
established,  will  prove  thoroughly  effectual  against  this  fungus  in  the 
matter  of  Cucumbers  and  Melons  ;  at  least,  such  is  our  experience  of 
them  in  manure-heated  frames  and  in  houses.  In  case  of  attack,  seldom 
seen  until  the  plants  are  too  far  gone  to  admit  of  remedy,  but  usually 
noticeable  by  their  being  checked  in  growth,  F^e  stem  becoming  rough 
at  the  collar,  as  if  affected  with  dry  canker,  promptly  use  quicklime  at 
that  part  and  fer  6  inches  distance  from  the  stem,  when  the  soil  being 
dry  and  the  surface  more  or  less  open,  seme  of  the  lime  will  pass  into 
it  and  coming  into  contact  with  the  mycelium  destroy  it.  When  the 
plants  collapse,  remove  the  roots  carefully  and  burn  the  whole  of  the 
plant,  then  disinfect  the  places  where  they  have  been  with  quicklime, 
working  it  well  into  the  soil  with  a  fork.  Infested  soil  should  be 
dressed  with  from  2  to  3  lbs,  of  freshly  burned  lime  per  square  yard, 
and,  after  slaking,  mixing  with  the  soil  to  a  depth  of  t  to  6  inches  with 
a  fork. 
lO'ames  ofTrults  {G.  M.), — 1,  Pond’s  Seedling  ;  2,  Cox’s  Emperor; 
3,  Prince  Engelbert ;  4,  possibly  a  deformed  specimen  of  Victoria  ; 
6,  Kirk’s.  {J,  II.  C.). — 1,  Combermere  ;  2,  Benoni  ;  3,  inferior,  pro¬ 
bably  a  local  seedling ;  4,  malformed,  possibly  Worcester  Pearmain  ; 
6,  Lady  Sudeley.  The  Pear  is  Beurrd  de  TAssomption.  {C.  B.). — 
The  Pear  is  utterly  unfit  for  naming  ;  send  when  ripe.  {S.  K.). — 
Golden  Spire, 
IWamea  of  Plants  (i?.  If.  F.) — 1,  Begonia  Evansiana  ;  2,  Berberis 
vulgaris  ;  3,  Satureia  hortensis,  the  summer  Savory.  {31.  E^.),— Lilium 
lancifolium,  a  good  flower,  bat  of  no  special  merit.  {J.  F.). — As  you 
did  not  follow  our  instructions  with  regard  to  packing,  most  of  the 
specimens  were  too  much  withered  for  identification.  No.  1,  Asplenium 
flaccidum.;  2,  Davallia  canariensis ;  3,  Davallia  decora  ;  4  and  5,  Quite 
dead.  {G.  <?.). — The  yellow  flower  is  Lysimachia  vulgaris  ;  the  other  is 
insufficient  for  identification. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET. — September  2nd. 
Heavy  supplies  with  prices  unaltered. 
FRUIT. 
1. 
d 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
i. 
d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
1 
3  to  2 
6 
\ 
0 
Filberts,' per  100  lbs . 
25 
0 
0 
0 
Plums,  ^  sieve  . 
2 
i) 
3 
6 
drapes,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
1 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  . . 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11 
0 
14 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
B. 
d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ..  .. 
0 
0 
to  0 
0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  to  0 
0 
Beans,  i  sieve  . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Onions,  bushel . 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Beet,  Be<i,(ioaen . . 
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 
Ooleworta,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Seakaie,  per  ba.sket  , ,  . . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ..  ., 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . .  . .  . . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Rpinar.h,  pad  .. 
0 
0 
4 
6 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
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. 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitae  (various)  doz. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
Pious  elastica. each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
to  T 
0 
Asters,  dozen  pots  . .  . . 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  ..  .. 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Fuchsias,  per  dozen 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Heliotrope,  per  dozen 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Balsams,  per  dozen . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Lilium  lancifolium,  dozen 
9 
0 
16 
0 
Campanulas,  per  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy, dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Cockscombs,  per  dozen  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Mignonette,  dozen  pots  . . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen .. 
Dracaena  viridls,  dozen  . . 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
,,  (specimens)  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Buonymus,  var.,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
Pelargoniums,  per  dozen  . , 
6 
0 
8 
0 
Ferns  in  variety, dozen  ., 
4 
0 
18 
0 
„  scarlets,  per  dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Perns  (srrall)  per  hundred 
4 
0 
6 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
PRICES.- 
•OUT  FLOWERS, — Orchid  Blooms  in  vailety 
S. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
0. 
d. 
s. 
C* 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Mignonette,  per  dozen 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
1 
0 
2 
6 
bunches . 
2 
0  to  4 
0 
Asters,  dozen  bunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Myosotis  or  Forget-me-not, 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ..  .. 
0 
4 
0 
9 
dozen  bunches . 
1 
6 
s 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
0 
6 
2 
0 
Orchids,  various,  per  dozen 
„  dozen  bunches 
4 
0 
6 
bloom,s  . 
1 
6 
12 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  dozen 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
4 
0 
6 
0 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Pyrethrum,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  dozen 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
0 
6 
1 
6 
blooms  , .  . . 
0 
9 
3 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
0 
9 
2 
0 
Eucharis, dozen  ..  ..  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
,,  Yellow,  dozen  (Nick) 
,,  Red,  dozen  blooms  ,, 
2 
0 
4 
fl 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Safrano  (English), 
bunches  . 
3 
0 
S 
0 
dozen . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  twelve 
„  Pink,  per  dozen  . .  . . 
1 
0 
2 
0 
blooms  . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  dozen  bunches  . .  , . 
2 
6 
6 
0 
,,  lancifolium,  12  blooms 
1 
0 
2 
6 
Sniilax,  per  bunch  ,. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Maidenhair  Pern,  per  dozen 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
1 
6 
2 
6 
bunches . 
4 
0 
8 
0 
Sunflowers,  dozen  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Tuberoses.l2  blooms. .  . . 
0 
2 
0 
4 
“SAFE”  MILK. 
What  a  ghastly  thing  science  is,  or  rather,  perhaps, 
what  horrible  things  it  brings  to  our  notice.  We  are  con¬ 
fronted  with  its  revelations  in  every  phase  of  life,  active  or 
passive.  Science  tells  us  why  we  were  born,  why  we  died,  and 
teaches  the  survivors  to  dispose  of  our  poor  remains  in  the  most 
sanitary  manner. 
In  days  of  old  we  ate,  drank,  and  made  merry,  and  if  any  of 
our  number  were  the  victims  of  fell  disease  we  looked  upon  that 
disease  as  the  finger  of  God,  and  did  not  try  to  find  secondary 
causes.  That  science  prolongs  man’s  life  we  have  no  doubt,  but 
it  also  adds  much  to  the  terrors  of  that  life.  Ignorance  is 
oftenest  bliss,  and  we  may  cry,  Save  us  from  our  friends. 
Milk  is  at  once  the  most  valuable  of  foods  and  also  the  most 
