July  2J,  1897, 
87 
JOUmAL  OP  HORTlCULTtJkP  AND  OOTDAqP  GARDENPII 
Plum  Trees  Diseased  ( IF,  S,"). — Your  question  cannot  be  properly 
answered  this  week.  The  subject  shall  have  attention  in  an  early 
issue. 
Sowlnr  Grass  Seeds  (^Kittie). — The  state  of  the  weather  and 
condition  of  the  soil  are  matters  of  more  importance  than  any  mere 
date  in  the  calendar  for  sowing  lawn  or  grass  seeds.  You  may  sow  on 
the  north  aspect  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  in  a  thoroughly  moist  state. 
Excellent  lawns  have  been  formed  by  sowing  in  August  and  early 
September,  and  it  is  better  to  sow  in  the  last  named  month  when  the 
ground  is  moist  than  earlier  when  it  is  dry.  We  should  not  let  a  favour¬ 
able  opportunity  pass  in  August  if  we  intended  to  sow.  It  is  advan¬ 
tageous  to  have  a  sufficient  growth  of  grass  to  be  “  switched  over  with 
a  very  sharp  scythe  in  the  autumn. 
Exhibiting-  White  Grapes  ( Ftfis). — In  the  judging  code  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Tynningham,  Bowood,  and  Charlwood 
Muscats  are  for  pui poses  of  exhibiting  regarded  as  synonymous  with 
Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Canon  Hall  Muscat  is  not  so  considered  and 
specified  ;  therefore  if  the  show  to  which  you  refer  is  to  be  judged  in 
accordance  with  the  R.H  S.  rules,  an  exhibit  including  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  the  true  Canon  Hail  Muscat  in  such  a  class  as  you 
mention  would  not  be  open  to  disqualification  ;  but  if  the  adjudications 
are  not  to  be  under  these  rules,  there  is  no  telling  what  view  the  judges 
might  take,  and  if  their  decision  is  announced  to  be  "  final,”  and  the 
exhibit  were  disqualified,  they  would  be  masters  of  the  position.  You 
must  now  exercise  your  own  discretion  in  the  matter.  If  all  exhibitions 
were  to  be  judged  in  accordance  with  the  R.H.S.  code,  no  one  would 
be  in  the  least  prejudiced,  while  both  exhibitors  and  judges  would  know 
exactly  what  to  do  in  such  cases  of  doubt  as  this. 
Stopping  Peach  and  Nectarine  Trees  In  Pots  (^Lampeter'). — 
The  shoots  should  have  the  points  pinched  off  when  from  6  to  10  inches 
in  length.  This  refers  to  the  leading  shoots  of  the  trees,  and  where 
desiied  to  originate  others  for  furnishing  them  with  branches,  it  not 
being  advisable  to  have  them  very  closely  together,  but  so  far  apart  that 
the  hand  can  be  passed  between  them  without  disturbing  the  leaves. 
This  will  allow  light  to  reach  the  foliage  at  the  base  of  the  branches, 
and  they  will  form  firm  growths  on  which  the  fruiting  depends.  Side 
shoots  on  the  branches,  and  where  not  required  for  extension,  should 
be  pinched  to  two  or  three  leaves  to  form,  spurs,  and  the  laterals  from 
these  and  elsewhere  may  be  pinched  to  one  leaf  as  made.  Extension 
growths  once  pinched  will  push  again,  and  when  the  leading  lateral 
has  made  about  three  leaves  stop  it,  when  probably  not  more  attention 
in  these  respects  will  be  required  for  the  season.  Keeping  the  growths 
carefuily  stopped  and  fairly  thin  is  a  point  of  some  consequence  in  order 
to  secure  a  fairly  symmetrical  habit,  as  well  as  for  insuring  fruitfulness. 
IMEadresfield  Court  Grapes  (TF.  H.  T.). — We  think  you  have 
rather  overcropped  the  Vines  fur  securing  the  best  colour  in  the  Grapes. 
Moreover,  this  variety  does  not  colour  so  quickly  as  some  others,  and  the 
fruit  may  yet  finish  better  than  you  imagine.  You  may  perhaps  be 
surprised  to  hear  that  the  fine  berries  you  sent  have  perceptibly 
deepened  in  colour  since  we  received  them.  Beyond  giving  another 
application  of  the  farmyard  liquid,  if  the  border  is  in  the  right  condition 
to  receive  it,  we  do  not  see  what  can  be  done  in  addition  to  the  excellent 
routine  treatment  described  in  your  letter.  We  have  known  more  than 
one  instance  of  the  border  being  kept  fully  loo  dry  during  the  colouring 
stage  of  this  fine  Grape  from  a  fear  of  the  berries  cracking,  but  they  are 
much  more  liable  to  split  when  the  border  is  too  dry  and  the  atmo¬ 
sphere  too  close  and  moist  than  they  are  under  reverse  conditions.  Of 
course  it  would  be  foolish  to  give  either  water  or  liquid  manure  if  the 
border  is  already  moist  enough  right  through  for  the  well-being  of  the 
Vines.  Please  say  whether  there  has  been  any  improvement  in  the 
Grapes  since  you  wrote  more  than  a  week  ago  ;  also  say  whether  the 
other  black  Grapes  in  the  house  colour  well  as  a  rule  or  not,  and  the 
subject  shall  have  further  attention.  If  your  letter  had  not  been 
accidentally  misdirected  it  would  have  been  just  in  time  for  being 
answered  last  week. 
Pruning-  Young  Orcbard  Trees  QL.  Morn  s'), — You  planted  a 
young  orcbard  in  March  and  was  advised  not  to  prune,  and  so  the  long 
young  branches  were  left  intact.  The  leaves  have  fallen  from  the 
branches  of  some  of  the  trees  except  tufts  at  the  ends,  and  there  is  an 
attempt  at  premature  fruiting.  You  now  ask  “  if  you  should  cut  back 
freely  or  whether  the  trees  may,  be  left  to  recover  another  year  1  ”  Cut 
all  the  trees  back  freely,  but  not  now.  October  will  be  soon  enough. 
If  you  leave  them  unshortened  another  year  some,  if  not  all,  will  be 
practically  ruined,  as  hundreds  have  been  by  want  of  assistance.  In 
all  probability,  if  two-thirds  of  the  length  of  the  brand es  had  been  cut 
oS  when  the  buds  commenced  swelling  in  the  spring  the  trees-  would 
be  in  a  much  healthier  condition  than  they  are  now.  However,  as  they 
are  alive,  and  yon  shorten  them  as  suggested  in  the  autumn,  you  may  not 
lose  much  in  the  end,  as  they  may  be  expected  to  make  good  growth  next 
year — much  better  than  can  possibly  be  produced  if  left  as  they  are. 
When  the  trees  were  dag  up  more  than  two-thiids  of  the  fibrous  roots 
which  had  been  necessary  to  produce  and  support  the  branches  were 
left  behind  in  the  soil.  With  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  root  power 
lost,  how  do  you  think  the  unshortened  branches  could  be  supported 
and  free  extension  growths  produced  by  them  ?  The  extent  of  the 
shortening  depends  somewhat  on  the  length  and  number  of  the  young 
branches.  If  you  like  to  send  particulars  on  those  points  we  will 
willingly  refer  to  the  subject  again.  Elementary  questions  are  often 
the  most  important  of  all.  We  suspect  you  are  more  likely  to  err  in  not 
shortening  the  branches  enough  than  shortening  them  overmuch. 
Itramea  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. 
(iZ.  .B  ). — 1,  Campanula  latifolia  ;  3,  C.  pumila  ;  4,  C.  pumila  albs. 
There  was  no  specimen  in  the  box  numbered  2.  (C.  D.  F.). — 1,  Inula 
glanduloia  ;  2,  Olearia  Haasti ;  3,  Viburnum  lantanoides  ;  4,  Polemonium 
coeruleum  variegatum.  (F.  F.  C.  0.). —  1,  Bocconia  cordata  ;  2,  Ver- 
bascum  Chaixi  ;  3,  Anternaria  tomentosum  ;  4,  Spii^a  Billardi  ;  5, 
tEnothera  Lamarckiana  ;  6,  Thalictrum  aquilegifolium. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  21st. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  1  sieve' . 
s.  d.  B.  d. 
0  OtoO  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
Currants,  Black,  half 
•  •• 
7  6 
7  9 
Raspberries,  tub,  £27  to  £28 
„  Red,  half  ... 
•  •  • 
3  6 
■1  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
Strawberries,  per  lb . 
Filberts  aud  Cobs,  100 
lbs. 
0  0 
0  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
... 
0  8 
2  0 
VEGETABLES. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
Beans,  ^  sieve  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs . 
Beet,  Red,  doz  . 
1  0 
0  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
•  •  • 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz  . 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
Cfoleworts,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
Seakale,  basket . 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  8 
Scorzonera,  bundle . 
Endive,  doz . 
♦  •  # 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  ^  sieve . 
Lettuce,  doz . 
•  • 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch .  ... 
Arbor  Vitm,  var.  doz. 
•  •• 
PLANTS 
8.  d.  a.  d. 
6  0to36  0 
IN  POTS. 
Heliotropes,  per  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
i6  0 
Hydrangeas,  doz . 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
•  •• 
5  0 
10  6 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
Calceolarias,  doz.  ... 
•  •  • 
3  0 
6  0 
Lobelias,  doz . 
Coleus,  doz . 
... 
2  6 
4  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
.  •  • 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz. 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen 
* .  * 
6  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  . 
Ferns,  small,  100 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz . 
Ficus  elastica.  each  ... 
1  0 
7  0 
,,  Scarlet,  do^. 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Rhodanthe,  doz . 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
•  •• 
4  0 
6  0 
Spiraea,  doz . 
Bedding  plants  in  great  variety. 
g.  d.  s.  d. 
11  0tol4  0 
3  0 
0  3 
8  0 
1  0 
g.  d'.  s.  d. 
0  2  to  0  4 
3  0  4  0 
2  0 
1  0 
0  0 
1  6 
0  4 
0  3 
3  0 
0  0 
4  0 
0  0 
1  9 
0  0 
0  0 
0  4 
1  9 
0  0 
0  0 
s.  d.  B.  d. 
4  0  to  6  0 
8  0  10  0 
12  0 
2  6 
.3  0 
6  0 
4  0 
6  0 
1  0 
21  0 
8  0 
3  0 
4  0 
6  0 
18  0 
4  0 
4  0 
9  0 
6  0 
9  0 
15  0 
63  0 
12  0 
5  0 
6  0 
9  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
Asparagus  Fern,  buneh  ... 
Bouvardias,  bunch  . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cornflower,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs.  ...  ...  ... 
Gladioli,  doz.  bnchs. 
Iris  (var.),  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs . 
•Oichid  Blooms  in 
2  0  to  4  0 
2  0  3  0 
0  4 
1  0 
1  6 
3  0 
2  0 
4  0 
4  0 
4  0 
3  0 
1  0 
0  C 
3  0 
3  0 
4  0 
4  0 
6  0 
8  0 
0  0 
4  0 
2  0 
4  0  8 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
0  4  0 
6 
PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
variety. 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
Marguerites,  12  bnchs. 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs.  ...  2 
Myosotis,  doz.  bunches  ...  16  2  0 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms.  10  12  0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bnchs....  4  0  6  0 
Pinks,  doz.  bnchs .  2  0  6  0 
Pyrethrura,  doz.  bnchs  ....  10  3  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz .  0  6  10 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ...  1  0  2  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Niels)  16  4  0 
,,  Red,  doz.  blooms  ...  1  0  3  0 
„  Safrano  (English)  doz.  10  2  0 
„  Pink,  doz....  .  3  0  5  0 
,.  outdoor,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0  6  0 
Smilax,  bunch .  3  0  4  0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms  ...  10  16 
EXTREMES  MEET. 
Yes,  that  indeed  they  have  during  this  past  month  of  J une — a 
month  that  has  been  anxiously  expected,  a  month  that  will  ever  be 
remembered  wherever  the  Englishman  is  found,  or  the  English 
tongue  spoken.  Early  in  the  year  the  prophets  were  busily  at 
