October  7,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OP  tiORTIGULWRP  ANL  COTTAGP  GARDENPR, 
B51 
Asparagus  “Fern”  (A  F.  (?.).— There  is  usually  a  good  demand  for 
what  is  known  as  “  Asparagus  I'ern,”  in  Covent  Garden  and  other  flower 
markets,  and  those  who  have  a  considerable  supply  no  doubt  find  the 
culture  profitable.  Your  7  acres  is  not  the  right  kind  for  producing 
what  is  required  in  decorations,  the  species  the  most  in  demand  for  the 
purpose  being  Asparagus  plumosus  nanus,  a  native  of  South  Africa,  and 
grown  under  glass  in  this  country.  It  would  do  no  particular  harm  to  cut 
some  of  the  slender  tops  off  your  plants  now,  but  as  we  fear  they  would 
realise  a  very  small  amount  of  money  it  might  be  as  well  to  leave  them 
where  they  are. 
Do  Tomtits  attack  Peas  ?  (^E.  H.  0.). — Yes,  occasionally,  instances  of 
which  have  been  from  time  to  time  recorded  in  our  columns,  and  we  have 
verified  the  statements  by  observing  the  habits  of  the  birds.  Commonly, 
however,  sparrows  are  the  chief  delinquents.  Hawfinches  occasionally 
clear  the  Peas  off  wholesale,  and  so  also  do  jays,  but  these  are  seldom 
seen  at  work,  as  they  feed  very  early,  and  we  have  known  wood  pigeons 
clear  oT  the  entire  crop  of  late  Peas.  There  are  two  effective  jjlans  of 
preserving  the  Peas -namely,  killing  the  birds  and  netting  the  rows  so 
that  no  small  birds  can  enter.  Pilchard  netting  is  required  for  excluding 
tomtits.  We  have  used  petroleum  emulsion  with  good  effect,  as  a 
solution  of  it  makes  the  pods  distasteful  to  the  birds,  the  plants  being 
syringed  on  a  fine  day  so  as  to  get  the  stuff  to  dry  on  the  pods.  This 
repeated  occasionally  proved  effective. 
Leather -j  aoket  Grubs  {Evesham  Gardener). — We  are  unable  to  say,  in 
the  absence  of  specimen,  what  your  man  discovered.  The  female  Tipula 
oleracea  lays  small  black  shining  eggs,  always  in  little  heaps  on  or  just 
within  the  soil,  commonly  about  this  time  of  the  year,  and  the  larvas 
appear  from  them  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  if  the  eggs  are  laid  early 
in  the  autumn,  but  commonly  they  do  not  appear  until  spring,  at  the 
earliest  about  February,  generally  at  the  beginning  of  May.  The  grubs 
feed  during  the  summer,  usually  ending  in  late  June  to  the  beginning  of 
August,  but  some  much  later,  then  pass  into  chrysalis  or  pupa  form,  and 
appear  as  daddy  longlegs  in  late  summer  and  autumn.  The  grubs  are 
found  from  experience  to  be  best  acted  upon  by  nitrate  of  soda,  2^  cwt. 
per  acre.  If  lb.  per  rod.  It  stupefies  them,  and  they  ultimately  die, 
whilst  the  crop  thus  relieved  is  accelerated  in  growth. 
Diseased  Chrysanthemum  Shoot  {A.  G.).  —The  bud  “  taken  ”  in  the 
shoot  you  sent  is  “deaf,’  and  the  upper  leaves  blackened,  and  to  some 
extent  clammy.  On  making  a  vertical  section  of  the  bud  we  found  the 
interior  quite  hollow,  brown,  and  dead,  and  under  the  microscope  came 
first  upon  an  egg,  and  then  a  (so-called  perfect)  four-legged  creature, 
the  Chrysanthemum  bud  gall  mite  (Phytoptus  chrysanthemi.  Abbey), 
discovered  in  1893,  which  was  for  the  r,rst  time  illustrated  and  described 
in  the  Jo'irml  of  Horticulture,  September  28th,  1893,  page  291.  There 
was  also  the  complete  animal,  but  in  skin  form  only,  but  it  is  the  one 
named  that  devours  the  heart  of  the  Chrysanthemum  bud  and  causes  it 
to  be  “deaf"  or  “blind.’  In  the  leaves,  where  black  and  covered  with 
sticky  substance,  eelworm  (Tylenchus  devastratrix)  was  found,  and  may 
be  a  consequence  of  the  attack  by  the  mite.  Burn  sujh  shoots,  and 
another  season  dust  occasionally  with  tobacco  powder,  or  spray  with 
petroleum  emulsion  solution  at  intervals. 
Plantains  on  a  Lawn  {H.  G.  A.). — The  surest  method  of  exterminating 
Plantains  is  to  dig  them  up  with  small  forks  that  are  made  for  the  purpose, 
obtainable  from  nurserymen  and  horticultural  sundriesmen.  Another 
way  is  by  applying  oil  of  vitriol  from  a  stone  blacking  bottle,  with  wire 
round  the  neck  for  carrying  it  in  one  hand,  having  in  the  other  a  stick, 
with  several  notches  cut  round  the  end  to  the  extent  of  an  inch  or  so. 
By  plunging  this  stick  in  the  vitriol  the  notches  hold  enough  for  killing  a 
plant  or  two  by  pressing  the  point  of  the  stick  exactly  in  the  centre  of 
each.  It  must  not  touch  boots,  clothes,  hands,  or  be  drawn  along  the 
grass,  as  the  vitriol  will  burn  everything  it  touches.  In  a  few  days  after 
doctoring  the  withered  Plantains  may  be  swejit  up,  and  if  the  ‘‘stuff” 
has  been  properly  applied  the  roots  will  be  burnt  out.  Belative  to  the 
books  ydu  had  better  mention  about  the  cost  you  do  not  wish  to  exceed, 
sending  a  stamped  directed  envelope  for  reply.  You  give  no  information 
as  to  the  particular  kind  of  information  needed,  but  only  ask  for  the 
“  best  ”  books,  and  these  would  cost  several  pounds.  Please  repeat  the 
subjects,  as  your  letter,  now  it  is  answered,  cannot  be  preserved. 
generally  recognised  name,  and  is  not  thought  worthy  of  a  very  good 
one.  {T.  R.  B.). — 1,  Marie  Louise  ;  2,  Braddick's  Nonpareil  ;  3,  New 
Hawthornden.  {Amateur).  — Tlhe  Apple  is  a  local  seedling,  which  probably 
has  never  had  a  name.  The  Pear  is  Catillac.  {A.  G.). — 1,  Gansels 
Bergamot  ;  2,  Souvenir  du  Congres  ;  3,  Duchesse  d’Aiigoul6me  ;  4,  Beurrd 
de  Capiaumont.  {F.  B.). — 1,  Mere  de  Menage  :  2,  Gloria  IMundi ;  3,  Lord 
Derby;  4,  Sandringham  ;  5,  The  Queen.  6.  Warner’s  King.  {B.  N.  N.). 
— 1,  Comte  de  Lamy  ;  2,  Seckle  ;  3,  Wadhurst  Pippin  ;  4,  Gascoyne  s 
Scarlet  Seedling.  {J.  B.). — Possibly  an  abnormal  fruit  of  Tower  of 
Glamis.  (./.  R).  The  smaller  si)ecimen  is  a  typical  Warner’s  King,  and 
the  larger,  though  differing,  is  probably  the  same  variety.  {M.  E.). — 
1,  Beurre  de  Capiaumont ;  2,  Souvenir  du  Congres  ;  3,  Beurre  Superfin  ; 
4,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien  ;  5,  Pitmaston  Duchess. 
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  si.x  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. 
{R.  F.). — The  plant  appears  to  be  the  Virginian  Poke  Weed  (Phytolacca 
decandra),  which  is  found  in  several  gardens,  and  no  doubt  birds  distribute 
the  seeds.  {M.  M.). — 1,  Aster  amellus  bessarabicus  ;  2,  A.  acris  ;  3, 
A.  ericoides.  {R.  P.  J.). — 1,  Chrysanthemum  latifolium  ;  2,  Pyrethrum 
uliginosum  ;  3,  Chrysanthemum  maximum  ;  4,  Ilelianthus  rigidus. 
{B.  P.).— 1,  Rudbeckia  nitida  ;  2,  Ilelenium  autumnale.  {M.  A.). —  All 
.your  specimens  were  quite  dead  through  being  in  the  post  over  Sunday. 
(■/.  G.).  Through  packing  in  wood  wool  all  the  nature  had  been  drawn 
from  the  specimens,  and  they  could  not  be  named.  The  Pear  is  not 
recognised. 
COVENT  GAIIDEN  MAEKET.— Oct.  6th. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  ^  sieve . 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
.  1  0  to  3  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  8  to  2  0 
Cobs  . 
.  20  0 
22  G 
Lemons,  case  . 
St.  Michael’s  Pines, 
.4. 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  lOO  lbs . 
.  0  0 
0  0 
each 
3  0 
8  0 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
VEGET 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
ABLES. 
Mustard  and  Cress  punnet 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  ^  sieve  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel  ... 
3  6 
4  0 
Rjet,  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 
Silsafy,  bundle... 
•  •• 
1  0 
0  0 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4.0 
Seakale,  ba-ket ... 
1  6 
1  9 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  8 
Scorzonera,  bundle 
1  6 
0  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
.Shallots,  lb. 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  4 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  p.ad 
0  0 
n  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
Lettuce,  doz . 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  J  sieve... 
'Tomatoes,  lb.  ... 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
0  0 
4.4 
0  4 
0  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch ... 
... 
0  3 
0  0 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz.  ... 
PLANTS 
s.  d.  8.  d. 
G  OtoSG  0 
IN  POTS. 
Ficus  elastica,  each... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  0  to  7  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
3G  0 
Foliasje  plants,  var.,  e 
ich 
1  0 
5  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
... 
3  0 
5  0 
Chryoanthemnms,  doz.  ... 
„  „  single  plants 
4  0 
9  0 
Heliotropes,  doz. 
••• 
3  0 
6  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz.... 
12  0 
18  0 
Coleus,  doz. 
2  6 
4  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
... 
3  0 
4  0 
Dractena,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
9  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ... 
9  0 
18  0 
Mignonette,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
... 
6  0 
9  0 
Evergreeens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each... 
... 
1  0 
15  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens 
... 
21  0 
63  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
4  0 
G  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
2  0 
4  0 
Names  of  Fruits.  —  Notice. — We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and  Pe  irs 
sent  to  this  office  to  be  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only  specimens  and 
varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  or 
flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed  with  the  specimens, 
whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or  not.  The 
names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials  sufficing  for 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  bejmnd  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be  named  in  a  hard  green  state. 
{E.  H.). — Your  Apple  has  been  compared  with  a  few  thousand  others  at 
the  Crystal  Palace  Show,  and  examined  by  all  the  leading  fruit  experts 
who  assembled  there.  It  is  regarded  as  a  local  seedling,  and  never  had  a 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLO  VERS.— Orchids  in  variety. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
Asparagus  Fern,  bunch  ... 
Asters,  bunch  . 
Rouvardias,  bunch  . 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
,,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Chrysanthemums,  12  bnchs. 
,,  ,,  12  blooms 
Cornflower,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Batilias,  doz.  bnchs . 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Gladioli,  doz.  bnchs. 
Lilium  lancifolium,  bnch. 
Lilium  lancifolium,  short, 
per  12  blooms  . 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  ...  ...  •••  **• 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
3  0to5  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
1  0  to  2  0 
1  0 
2  6 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs...; 
2  0 
3  0 
0  2 
0  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
0  6 
0  8 
bnchs . . 
4  0 
8  0 
1  0 
3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bnchs. ... 
2  0 
4  0 
3  0 
.  6  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  G 
12  0 
4  0 
G  0 
4  0 
6  0 
0  6 
2  6 
Pyrethrum,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
1  6 
4  0 
1  0 
2  0 
0  G 
1  0 
2  6 
G  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Niels) 
1  G 
4  0 
1  6 
2  0 
„  Red,  doz.  blooms  ... 
0  9 
1  0 
,,  Safrano  (English)doz. 
1  0 
2  0 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Pink,  doz,  . 
1  0 
2  6 
6  0 
21  0 
,,  outdoor,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
6  0 
1  G 
2  0 
Srailax,  bunch . 
1  6 
2  G 
Sunflowers  (various) 
2  0 
4  0 
1  0 
1  6 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
0  3 
0  4 
Violets,  doz.  bnchs . 
1  G 
2  0 
3  0 
4  0 
