December  23,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OP  nORTlOULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
613 
Burning  Clay  for  Garden  Use  (An  Old  Subscriber). — The  clay  is  best 
burned  with  wood,  as  the  ashes  have  considerable  manurial  value  in 
potash  and  phosphoric  acid.  We  should  select  a  spot  in  a  situation 
where  fire  would  not  prejudice  the  surroundings,  and  for  such  small 
quantity  as  a  cartload  of  clay  stand  an  ordinary  wood  faggot  on  end, 
opening  the  part  placed  downward  somewhat,  and  introduce  in  this  a 
wisp  of  dry  straw  for  lighting,  the  faggot  then  having  a  cone-like 
appearance.  Around  this  place  some  cord  wood,  standing  it  on  end  all 
round  the  faggot,  and  bringing  the  w'ood  up  to  about  a  height  of  3  feet. 
The  clay  being  ready  at  hand  light  the  straw,  an  opening  being  left  for 
that  purpose,  and  when  the  faggot  gets  well  alight,  and  the  surrounding 
wood  commences  to  kindle,  place  the  clay  all  round  the  base  of  the  wood, 
and  about  an  ordinary  spit  thick,  working  upwards  as  in  covering  a 
Potato  pie  with  earth,  the  clay  being  put  on  in  junks,  thus  lying  some¬ 
what  open,  and  allowing  the  fire  to  burn  fairly  freelj'.  When  covered 
to  the  top  the  thick  wood  will  be  well  alight,  and  the  flames  coming 
through  openings  between  the  lumps  of  clay.  Close  these  by  placing  on 
the  remainder  of  the  clay,  and  it  will  soon  become  heated  through,  the 
clay  first  put  on  falling  through  more  or  less  as  the  wood  consumes. 
The  only  further  attention  consists  in  placing  any  lumps  of  clay  not 
receiving  sufficient  action  of  the  fire  where  this  breaks  through,  thus 
exposing  all  parts  equally  to  the  burning,  and  as  the  heap  falls  in  the 
bottom  layer  of  clay  may  need  placing  on  the  fire  to  secure  an  effectively' 
burned  heap.  When  burned  and  cool  it  will  be  a  crumbling  mass,  or 
can  easily  1)0  broken,  and  when  raised  with  the  ashes  form  excellent 
material  for  adding  to  soil,  being  suitable  for  most  kinds  of  plants  and 
fruits.  The  process  of  burning  is  more  difficult  to  explain  than  carry  out. 
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  Pears 
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  ai*e  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials  sufficing  for 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannof  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot  he  narr.ed  in  a  hard  green  state. 
(T.B.). — 1,  Winter  Nelis  ;  2, Pitmaston  Duchess  ;  3,  unknown.  (W.  T.  A.). 
— 1,  New  Ilawthornden  :  2,  Yorkshire  Greening  ;  3,  Alfriston  ;  4,  M^re 
de  Menage  ;  5,  Golden  Noble  ;  6,  Gloria Mundi.  (A.  S.  //.).  —  !,  Josephine 
de  Malines  ;  2,  Easter  Beurrd.  (D.  D.).  —  1,  Bramley’s  Seedling  ; 
2,  Wellington  ;  3,  Dr.  Harvey  ;  4,  Ribston  Pippin  ;  5,  Cox’s  Orange 
I’ippin  ;  G,  American  Mother. 
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  six  specimens  can  be  named 
at  once,  and  the  numbers  should  be  visible  without  unty'ing  the  ligatures, 
it  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp. 
(F.  J.  B.). — ],  A  good  form  of  Lselia  anceps  ;  2,  Cypripedium  insigne  ; 
3,  Lfelia  autumnalis  ;  4,  Odontoglossum  Rossi  majus.  (W.  L.).-i, 
Nephrolepis  tuberosa  ;  2,  Adiantum  cuneatum  grandiceps  ;  3,  Asplenium 
bulbiferum  :  4,  Pteris  serrulata  ;  5,  Davallia  canariensis  ;  6,  Nephrodium 
molle.  (E.  E.). — 1,  Coccoloba  platy'clada  ;  2,  Maxillaria  picta  ;  3,  Cyperus 
alternifolius.  [R.  A.). —  Justicia  flavicoma.  (R.  J.). —  1,  Adiantum 
cuneatum  grandiceps  ;  2,  Nephrolepis  davallioides  furcans  ;  3,  Davallia 
canariensis  ;  4,  Nephrolepis  exaltata.  \^B.  -S'.)— As  we  have  repeatedly 
stated,  we  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists’  flowers.  Send  your 
specimens  to  some  specialist  and  you  will  get  what  y'ou  require. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Dec.  22nd. 
FRUIT. 
Apples,  J  sieve  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  6  to  4  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  8  to  2  0 
Cobs  . 
•  •• 
22  6 
24  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
11  0 
14  0 
Filberts,  100  lbs. 
•  •• 
•  •• 
0  0 
0  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines, 
each 
2  6 
5  0 
Asparagus,  per  100 
VEGET 
8.  d.  s.  d. 
0  0  to  0  0 
ABLES. 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  ^  sieve  ... 
•  •• 
•  •  • 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
... 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz. ... 
•  •  • 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.... 
... 
2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch  ... 
•  •• 
•  *  t 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
... 
1  0 
0  0 
Caulifloweis,  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,  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.  .1.  ... 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  4 
Herbs,  bunch  ... 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  ... 
•  •• 
•  •• 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  i  sieve . 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
Turnips,  bunch . 
... 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz. 
•  •• 
1  3 
0  0 
... 
0  4 
0  0 
Mushrooms,  lb. ... 
•  •• 
0  6 
0  8 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  0 
Arbor  Vitas,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Azalea,  per  doz . 
Chrysanthemums,  doz.  ... 
,,  „  single  plants 
Cineraria,  per  doz. 
Cyclamen,  per  dozen 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ... 
Erica  hyemalis,  per  doz. 
,,  gracilis,  per  doz.  ... 
„  various,  per  doz.  ... 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ... 
PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
B.  d.  8.  d. 
6 
0  to  36 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
5 
0 
10 
6 
30 
0 
42 
0 
4 
0 
9 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
9 
0 
15 
0 
12 
0 
18 
0 
12 
0 
30 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
9 
0 
15 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Evergreeens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz . 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each . 
„  specimens  . 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
Tulips,  various,  doz.  bulbs 
B.  d.  B.  d. 
4  OtolS  0 
4  0  18  0 
4  0  8  0 
10  7  0 
10  5  0 
12  0  18  0 
-3  0  4  0 
4  0  9  0 
6  0  9  0 
1  0  15  0 
21  0  63  0 
4  0  6  0 
0  9  16 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS.— Orchids  in  variety. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  ... 
4  0  to  6  0 
Asparagus  Fern,  bunch  ... 
1  0 
2  G 
Bouvardias,  bunch  . 
0  G 
0  8 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
1  0 
3  0 
Chrysanthemums,  12  bnchs. 
2  0 
6  0 
,,  ,,  12  blooms 
1  0 
4  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
3  0 
6  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
6  0 
9  0 
Hyacinths  (Roman)  dozen 
bunches  . 
0  9 
1  0 
Lilac  (French),  bunch  ... 
3  0 
5  0 
Lilium  longiflorum,  12 
blooms  . 
4  0 
6  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12 
sprays  . 
1  0 
2  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs.... 
2  0 
3  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs.  ...  . 
4  0 
8  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bncbs. ... 
Mimosa  or  Acacia,  buncli 
(French)  . 
Narciss,  vt'hite  (French) 
dozen  bunches  . 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
,,  Safrano  (Englislfldoz. 
„  „  (French)  per  doz. 
„  „  .,  per  100... 
„  Pink,  doz . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
Tuberoses,  12  blooms 
Tulips,  doz.  blooms . 
Violets,  doz.  bnchs . 
,,  Parme  .(French), 
bunch . 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
2  0  to  4  0 
0  9  10 
1  0 
2  6 
12  0 
1  0 
1  6 
1  0 
0  6 
5 
1 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1  0 
3  0  4  0 
IS  THERE  A  RELATIONSHIP? 
In  the  great  European  wars  nations  were  decimated.  To  make  a 
great  victory,  as  at  Blenheim,  many  thousands  fell — fell  for  no  purpose 
but  to  add  to  the  aggrandisement  of  a  monarchy,  or  to  minister  to  foolish 
ambition.  Of  late  we  have  had  no  European  wars,  but  we  have  lost 
men  and  money  in  our  little  Alrican  and  Indian  wars — more  men  than 
we  can  well  afford,  for  they  were  tried,  good  honest  English  soldiers. 
We  regret  their  loss,  and  wreath  their  tombs  with  Laurel,  and  talk 
about  the  time  when  disputes  shall  be  settled  by  arbitration  instead  of 
by  gunpowder. 
There  is  a  foe  at  our  own  firesides  —a  foe  far  more  deadly  than  the 
bravest  soldier  ever  born  ;  it  is  an  insidious  foe,  creeping  upon  us 
unawares,  deluding  us  with  feigned  retreats,  and  playing  with  our  hopes 
and  fears.  It  is  an  enemy  vigilant  and  relentless,  with  no  more  mercy 
than  the  tiger  show's  to  its  victim.  It  regards  neither  youth  nor  old 
age — indeed,  for  choice,  prefers  the  youngest  and  fairest.  Palace  and 
cottage  alike  suffer  from  its  ravages,  and  though  money  and  its 
attendant  comforts  may  do  mucfi  to  alleviate,  yet  no  skill,  no  cafe  can 
avail  to  save  the  victim. 
We  speak  of  England’s  scourge,  consumption  ;  we  need  not  dwell 
on  it,  for  who  among  us  cannot  speak  feelingly  of  dear  ones  removed 
from  our  sight  by  this  fell  disease  ?  We  doubt  there  are  but  few' 
families  in  this  dear  old  country  of  ours  perfectly  free  from  the  taint. 
True,  our  variable  climate  may,  and  is,  in  a  great  measure,  to  blame. 
The  dampness  and  humidity  foster  the  disease ;  but  we  are  led  to  con¬ 
sider  w'hether  there  are  not  other  causes  at  work — causes  which  might 
be  prevented,  or  at  any  rate  mitigated. 
We  are  indebted  to  Professor  Long,  in  “  Nineteenth  Century,”  for 
October,  for  a  capital  article  on  “  Consumption  in  Cattle  Conveyable 
to  Man.”  He  gives  us  some  startling  facts,  and  deduces  some  strange 
conclusions.  We  had  some  idea  that  cattle  were,  in  a  measure,  affected 
by  tuberculosis,  but  had  little  notion  to  what  extent  the  mischief 
had  spread. 
Professor  Long  is  in  a  position  to  put  before  us  a  most  alarming 
