Augttsfc  id,  189^. 
JOURNAL  OP  HORTiCtJLTURP  AM  COTPAGP  GARLPMR. 
183 
Zsmene  calanthlnum  not  Flowering'  (J*.  C.  S.),  —  This 
Hymenocallis  is  not  generally  a  free  bloomer  until  it  becomes  large, 
and  then  requires  to  be  kept  dry  during  the  lesting  period,  or  in 
winter.  It  is  a  warm  greenhouse  or  cool  stove  species,  requiring 
abundacce  of  water  during  growth,  but  not  making  the  soil  sodden. 
The  chief  thing  is  to  secure  a  good  growth,  and  then  mature  it.  Strong 
turfy  loam  is  the  most  suitable  soil,  which  must  be  well  drained,  and  a 
rather  liberal  amount  of  pot  room  given.  The  bulbs  should  be  buried 
just  below  the  surface  of  the  soil.  Afford  all  the  light  practicable. 
Colutea  arboreacens  (^Irtquirer'). — The  shrub  which  ycu  have 
Eetn  in  Battersea  Park,  “with  leaves  very  much  like  an  Acacia,  yellow 
flowers  something  after  the  wild  Broom,  and  pods  like  bladders  ”  (a  very 
good  description)  is  no  doubt  the  one  above  named,  and,  as  yon  assnme, 
belongs  to  the  Nat.  Ord.  Leguminosce  ;  Tixhe,  Galegets.  It  is  commonly 
called  the  Blaflder  Senna,  in  reference  to  the  character  of  the  pods,  and 
because  it  is  said  that  Senna  (Cassia  lanceolata)  has  been  adulterated 
with  its  leaves.  It  is  a  native  of  Southern  Europe,  and  is  said  to  grow 
on  the  slopes  of  Mount  Vesuvius,  where  no  other  plant  exists.  It  is 
evidently  a  first-rate  town  shrub,  at  least  in  the  South  of  England,  for 
we  know  several  examples  of  it  growing  and  flowering  freely  in  a  small 
patch  of  a  garden,  enclosed  on  all  sides  by  lofty  buildings  in  the 
densely  populated  and  smoke-enveloped  “  East  End  ”  of  London. 
Exhibiting  Flowers  (^Hamilton).  —  In  all  questions  of  doubt 
relating  to  exhibiting  flowers,  or  anything  else,  we  have  often  stated 
that  schedules  should  be  sent  with  inquiries  in  order  that  the  whole 
question  and  conditions  may  be  understood.  You  say  in  your  letter,  “  Of 
course  there  are  the  eight  varieties,  and  they  would  be  exhibited  ’ with 
the  seedlings.”  This  would  no  doubt  be  clear  enough  with  the  schedule 
before  us,  but  it  is  rot  in  the  least  elucidatory  as  it  stands.  We  should 
regard  your  seedlings  fs  half-hardy  annuals,  having  regard  to  their 
origin  ;  but  if  the  Judges  should  rule  otherwise,  snd  their  ”  decision  is 
to  be  final,”  we  suspect  they  would  be  the  masters  in  this  particular 
case.  As  to  names,  if  the  seedlings  are  distinct  from  all  others,  and,  as 
you  say,  “  splendid,”  you  aie  at  liberty  to  give  them  what  names  you 
like,  which  have  not  previously  been  given  to  other  varieties  of  the 
genus  to  which  the  plants  belong.  If  you  like  to  send  samples  of  the 
flowers  we  will  tell  ycu  what  we  think  about  them.  All  letters  and 
samples  intended  for  the  Editor  should  be  sent  to  the  address  at  the 
head  of  this  column,  not  to  Fleet  Street. 
Eucharls  amazonlca  Infested  wltb  Mites  (^Eucharis). — It  is 
generally  advisable,  when  the  plants  become  infested  with  this  pest,  to 
turn  them  out  and  cleanse  the  bulbs  by  means  of  some  approved 
insecticide,  there  being  few  better  than  hot  water,  as  hot  as  it  can  be 
borne  by  the  hand  for  a  minute  (about  145°),  letting  the  bulbs  remain 
in  it  that  time,  rinsing  or  moving  up  and  down  so  as  to  get  the  water 
into  the  scales  or  outer  coating  of  the  bulbs.  They  can  then  be  potted 
in  soil  which  has  been  scalded  previously,  so  as  to  allow  for  draining 
and  getting  into  good  condition  for  potting.  The  plants  should  have 
bottom  heat  so  as  to  accelerate  root  action,  and  get  them  soon  re¬ 
established.  This  answers  for  a  time,  but  in  mite  districts  it  seems  to  get 
on  the  plants  again,  when  occasional  applications  of  Clibran’s  Eucharis 
mite  killer  will  keep  it  down,  carefully  following  the  instructions.  You 
may  use  soluble  phenyle,  one  part  to  ninety-six  parts  soft  water,  or  1  gill 
(^  pint)  to  3  gallons  of  water.  Both  may  make  the  plants  rather  queer 
for  a  short  time,  but  they  recover,  the  substances  then  acting  as  manure. 
Asters  Dying  (A.  W). — The  plants  are  infested  by  a  fungus  in 
the  stem  (Botrytis  cinerea  var.  sclerotiophila).  Infection  has  probably 
been  induced  by  an  excessive  use  of  enriching  material,  such  as  manure 
or  leaf  mould.  It  is  a  sort  of  “  sickness,”  and  by  some  considered  due 
to  a  minute  white  worm,  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  long,  which  attacks 
the  roots  ;  there  are  some  on  your  plants,  and  so  there  are  on  many 
other  kinds  of  plants,  especially  Primulas,  that  die  from  the  root 
upward  both  outdoors  and  under  glass.  It  may  be  found  in  leaf  mould 
and  other  decaying  substances,  and  at  most  is  semi-parasitic.  It  usually 
yields  to  dressings  of  basic  slag  phosphate,  14  lbs.  per  rod,  and  kainit, 
7  lbs.  per  rod,  applied  in  the  autumn  and  dug  in.  The  rains  of  winter 
will  wash  away  the  chlorine  and  leave  the  phosphoric  acid,  lime, 
potash,  and  magnesia  in  the  soil.  In  the  spring  a  dressing  of  fresh  y 
burned  chalk  lime  makes  assurance  doubly  suie,  using  4  c^t.  per  roc, 
applying  in  dry  weather,  say  in  March,  and  pointing  in  with  a  fork, 
taking  small  spits  so  as  to  secure  an  even  mixture.  Manure  can  be 
given  later,  if  necessary,  always  thoroughly  decayed. 
Caterpillar  Found  amongst  Weeds  {W.  Webb'). — The  very 
fine  specimen  you  have  sent  is  the  larva  or  caterpillar  of  the  death’s- 
head  moth  (Acherontia  atropos,  Linn).  The  caterpillar  measures 
about  4  inches  in  length,  thick,  fleshy,  with  three  pairs  of  feet.  The 
fore  legs  are  brown  or  black,  head  horny,  and  furnished  with  strong 
jaws.  The  colour  of  the  caterpillar  is  greenish  yellow,  speckled  with 
black  on  the  tack,  with  seven  slanting  stripes  of  lilac  on  each  side, 
meeting  along  the  back,  and  the  lower  ends  pointing  forwards  white  or 
bordered  by  a  white  line.  The  caterpillar  turns  to  a  lurid  yellowish  or 
reddish  tint  when  about  to  change,  then  goes  down  into  the  ground, 
there  throws  off  its  skin,  and  turns  to  a  large  dark  chestnut-coloured 
pupa  with  a  tail,  and  though  it  lies  in  the  ground  all  the  winter  has 
power  of  movement  by  means  of  the  short  tail  and  rings  above  it,  always 
moving  when  handled,  as  if  feeling  the  warmth  of  the  fingers.  The 
moth  emerges  from  the  pupa  in  the  spring  or  early  summer,  and  has  a 
spread  of  wings  of  4  to  6  inches,  according  to  the  size  of  the  caterpillar 
In  the  preceding  year.  Fore  wings  rich  brown,  yellowish  or  rusty 
tinted,  black  lines  waved  and  zig-zagged,  with  an  ochre-coloured  spot  in 
the  middle,  and  sprinkled  with  white  spots.  Hind  wings  bright  orange, 
with  two  brown  or  black  bands  outermost  broadest.  Head  black,  with 
two  horns  (antennae)  rather  stout  and  curved  at  the  tips,  and  a  curved 
proboscis  for  sucking  the  nectar  of  flowers,  such  as  white  Jasmine,  and 
the  moth  is  said  to  enter  the  hives  of  bees  for  the  honey.  The  eggs 
are  laid  in  hedges  or  amongst  rubbish,  and  the  caterpillars  spread  out 
for  feeding,  sometimes  being  found  in  Potato  fields. 
Thames  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.  Slight  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. 
(TF.  ill.  C  ). — 1,  Gypsophila  paniculata  ;  2,  Montbretia  Pottsi  ;  3, 
Bambusa  Fortunei.  (Y.  J.  H.). — 1,  Adiantum  gracillimum  ;  2,  Nephro- 
lepis  devallioides  ;  3,  Davallia  canariensis  ;  4,  Adiantum  grandiceps ; 
5,  A.  trapeziforme ;  6,  A.  cuneatum.  (Ai.  C.), — 1,  Abelia  rupestris  ; 
2,  Escallonia  rubra  ;  3,  Centranthns  ruber.  (P.  P.), — Honlettia  Brockle- 
hurstiana.  (  W.,  Reading). — Through  being  in  the  post  over  Sunday  the 
flowers  were  shrivelled  beyond  recognition. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— August  18th. 
FRUIT. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d- 
Apples,  1  sieve . 
1  3to3  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
...  11  0tol4  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs . 
25  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each  3  0 
8  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
0  8 
2  0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8,  d. 
8.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  . 
0  0  to  0  0 
LIustard  and  Cress,  punnet  0  2  toO  4 
Beans,  ^  sieve  .  ... 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
...  3  G 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz  '. . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs  ... 
...  2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz  . 
...  1  0 
0  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
...  2  0 
4  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
...  1  0 
0  0 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Seakale,  basket...  ... 
...  1  G 
1  9 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  8 
Scorzonera,  bundle  ... 
...  1  6 
0  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
...  0  3 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
...  0  0 
0  4 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  \  sieve . 
...  1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz.-  . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
...  0  4 
0  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
...  0  8 
0  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
B.  d- 
Arbor  Vitro,  var.  doz. 
6  0to36  0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
...  3  0  to  5  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
;6  0 
Heliotropes,  per  doz. 
...  3  0 
6  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Hydrangeas,  doz. 
...  8  0 
10  0 
Campanula,  per  doz . 
4  0 
9  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz.... 
...  12  0 
18  0 
Cockscombs,  per  doz...  .%. 
2  0 
4  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
...  3  0 
4  0 
Coleus,  doz . 
2  6 
4  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
...  4  0 
9  0 
•Dracrona,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
30  0 
Mignonette,  doz. 
...  4  0 
G  0 
Dracrona,  viridis,  doz. 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
...  6  0 
9  0 
Euonymus,  van,  dozen  ... 
6  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each... 
...  1  0 
15  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens 
...  21  0 
63  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  ... 
...  8  0 
9  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  Scarlet,  doz.  2  0 
4  0 
Ficus  elastiea,  each . 
1  0 
7  0 
Rhodanthe,  doz. 
...  4  0 
6  0 
Foliage  plants,  van,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLES.4LE 
PRICES.- 
-CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids  in  variety 
8.  d. 
8.d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
2  0  to  4  0 
Marguerites,  12  bnchs. 
...  2  0to3  0 
Asparagus  Fern,  bunch  ... 
2  0 
3  G 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Asters  (French)  per  buch. 
0  6 
1  0 
bnchs . 
...  4  0 
8  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  . 
0  4 
0  6 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. 
...  2  0 
4  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1  0 
3  0 
Orchids,  var.  doz.  blooms.  1  G 
12  0 
,,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
3  0 
6  0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bnchs. 
...  4  0 
6  0 
Cornflower,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnchs 
....  1  6 
3  0 
Eucharis,  doz.  ...  . 
2  0 
3  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz.... 
...  0  6 
1  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
...  1  0 
2  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Niels)  1  6 
4  0 
bnchs.  ...  ...  ...  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Red,  doz.  blooms 
...  1  0 
2  0 
Gladioli,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
8  0 
„  Safrano  (English)  doz.  1  0 
2  0 
Lavender,  doz.  buchs. 
G  0 
8  0 
„  Pink, doz . 
...  1  0 
2  6 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
,,  outdoor,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0 
G  0 
blooms  . 
2  0 
4  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
...  2  U 
3  G 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
1  0 
2  0 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
...  0  3 
0  4 
THE  STACK  YARD. 
Thebe  is  to  the  uninstmeted  eye  little  difference  between  one 
stack  and  another,  and  to  speak  of  stackyard  scenery  would,  and 
will  perhaps,  provoke  a  smile  ;  bnt  the  great  variety  of  stacks  that 
