January  23,  1902. 
■JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
93 
An  Observer’s  Notes. 
Under  this  heading  there  are  many  shc/rt  interesting  notes  oxw 
readers  might  sexid. 
January  24-30.  Plamts  dedicated  to  each  day. 
Fri.  24  Anemone  He^iatiea  flowers. 
Sat.  25  Hazel  (male)  flowers. 
Sun.  26  *  House  flies  astir  on  windows. 
Mon.  27  Stinking  Hellebore  flowers. 
Tu.  28  Daisy  flowers. 
Wed.  29  Witch  Hazel  flowers. 
Thrs.  30  Honey  bee  flies  abroad. 
Winter  Aconite. 
White  Butterlnirr. 
Earth  Moss  (Phasum). 
Double  Daisy. 
Royal  “flowering”  Fern. 
Common  Maidenhair. 
Hart’s-tongue  Fern. 
This  applies  to  their  first  appearance  in  activity,  in  rooms"  where 
there  is  no  lire. 
In  countries  where  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  prevails, 
ever\'  day  of  the  year  is  the  anniversary  of  some  saint,  to  each  of 
whom  a  plant  is  dedicated,  and  is  worn  by  anyone  on  that  anni¬ 
versary,  if  he  wushes  to  evince  especial  reverence  for  tlie  saint 
then  commemorated.  Those  saints  are  wiped  from  “  An  Ob¬ 
server’s  Notes,”  but  the  flowers,  we  think,  may  w^ell  be  retained  ; 
because  they  have  been  so  selected  as  to  be  brought  to  our  notice 
at  the  time  of  their  greatest  beauty,  or  at  the  time  when  they 
may  be  most  useful.  The  flowers  are  as  an  ever-present  voice, 
speaking  to  us  out  of  the  “  midst  of  the  garden.”  In  the  “  Notes  ” 
to-day  we  have  “the  Winter  Aconite,”  the  yellow  blossoms  of 
wdiich  are  noiv  to  be  found  in  our  borders,  of  which  they  have 
been  the  earliest  ornament  ever  since  the  plant’s  fii’st  introduc¬ 
tion  from  Switzerland  in  the  year  1596.  Its  botanical  names  are 
now  Eranthis  hyemalis,  or  Winter  Flower  of  Love  ;  for  it  tells 
us,  if  we  wall  but  accept  the  lesson,  that  though  all  appears  dull 
and  dreary,  yet' that  providential  care  and  love  are  silently  about 
our  path,  and  that  there  can  be  but  one  ansiver  to  this  question, 
since  outward  life  requires  them  not. 
Then  wherefore  had  they  birth? 
To  minister  delight  to  man, 
To  beautify  the  earth. 
The  Daisy,  the  Mosses,  and  the  Ferns,  which  comprise  the  other 
plants  in  this  day’s  “  Notes,”  offer  the  same  reply  ;  but  they  tell 
us  much  more.  At  this  time  of  the  year,  when  in  our  climate 
the  more  noble  plants  are  at  rest,  and  their  functions  almost 
suspended,  these  humbler  and  more  hardy  plants  come  forth  to 
supply  their  place.  We  before  explained  (p.  67)  that  plants 
supply  the  atmosphere  with  the  vital  air  (oxygen)  necessary  for 
our  breathing.  The  Aconite,  the  Daisy,  the  Moss,  and  the  Fern 
are  now  performing  this  important  office. 
- - 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  The  Floral  Farms,  Wisbec-h. — Seeds,  also  Carna¬ 
tions,  Pceonies,  Pansies,  Violas,  etc. 
John  Forbes.  Bucoleuch  Nurseries,  Hawick,  Scotland. — Seeds. 
Harrison  and  Sons,  Royal  Midland  Seed 'Warehouse,  Leicester. — Price 
List  for  1902. 
Kelway  A  Sons,  seed-growers,  Langport,  Somei'set. — Seeds. 
Friedr.  C.  Pomrencke,  seedsman,  Altona,  Hamburg. — Seeds. 
Pope  A  Son.  Central  Avenue.  Market  Hall.  Biimingham. —  Seeds. 
Thomas  S.  W'are,  Ltd..  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  Feltham.  Middlesex. — 
Seeds,  Begonias,  Gladioli,  Chr^santhexiiums,  Dahlias,  Lilies,  d'c. 
— — 
Publications  Received. 
The  War  in  South  Africa:  its  cause  and  conduct;  by  A.  Conan 
Doyle,  (leo.  Newnes,  Ltd. ;  price  6d.  *  *  Garten  FI  ra  :  .January 
15th.  *  *  Journal  of  the  Deparbnent  of  Western  Australia: 
December.  1901.  Chief  contents  :  Insectivorous  Birds  of  W^.A. 
(illustrated)  ;  Plain  Talks  on  iManures;  The  Red  Pear-mite  ;  Impoi-ta- 
tion  of  Indian  Oranges  ;  Lime  and  its  Application  to  the  Soil.  *  * 
Le  Jardixi.  *  *  Mxj  Garden  Diary  for  190:1 :  Messrs.  Sutton  and 
Sons,  Reading.  A  Avell  known  little  annual,  containing  abundance  of 
timely  hints  on  the  sowing  of  seeds  and  general  routine  work  of  the 
garden  ;  has  also  pages  for  memoranda  notes,  calendar,  and  Monthly 
Notes  of  affaii’s  in  general.  *  *  The  American  Florist  (we  note 
page  marked).  *  ^  Le  Mois  Sciintifhpie. 
Trade  Notes. 
A  new  edition  of  Mr.  William  Watson’s  book  on  “  Orchids  ” 
ils  being  prepared,  and  will  appear  before  long.  L.  ITpcott  Gill 
is  the  publisher.  Another  edition  of  Mr.  W.  Robinson’s  “Alpine 
Flowers”  (John  Murray,  London)  will  also  appear  in  a  short 
while. 
Mr.  J.  Williams,  4a,  Oxford  Road,  Ealing,  W.,  has  designed 
a  new  form  of  his  graceful  epergnes.  JTus  new  epergne  is 
de.signed  to  facilitate  lightness  of  decorations,  there  being  also 
no  obstruction  to  the  view  across  table,  tlie  centre  stem  being 
left  free  from  decoi’ation.  'ITie  flower  holders  are  at  the  base,  and 
at  the  top,  the  central  stem  being  25in  higb.  We  hope  very 
shortly  to  depict  an  illustration  of  this  useful  and  graceful 
eiiergne. 
The  firm  of  Mr.  John  Downie  having  quitted  part  of  their 
Beechhill  Nursery  about  a  year  ago,  took  a  long  lease  of  Belgrave 
Park,  situated  on  Corstorjihiue  Hill.  Ediidmrgh.  This  they 
have  now  laid-out  and  planted  with  Roses,  fruit  trees,  shrubs, 
&c.  We  trust  to  have  further  notes  regarding  the  change. 
Covent  Garden  Market.— January  22nd. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
iMost  of  the  undermentioned  plants  are  sold  in  48  and  32-sizcd  pots. 
Aralias,  doz . 
Araucaria,  doz . 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
Azaleas,  white  and 
coloured,  doz. 
Begonias,  (iloire  do  L., 
per  doz . 
Carox  variegata  . 
Crotons,  doz . 
Cyclamen,  doz . 
Cyperus  altcrnifolius 
[ler  doz . 
Dracsena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Dracmna,  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  catfra,  doz . 
,,  byemalis 
,.  ,,  alba . 
Evdalia  jajionica  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d 
5  0tol2  0 
12  0  30  0 
18  0 
30  0 
9  0 
0  0 
18  0 
10  0 
4  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
9  0 
10  0 
0  0 
36  0 
36  0 
10  0 
0  0 
30  0 
12  0 
5  0 
30  0 
18  0 
18  0 
10  0 
12  0 
0  0 
Ferns,  var,  doz . 
Ferns,  small,  100 . 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.  ... 
Foliage  plants,  var,  each 
Crevillcas,  48’s,  doz.  ... 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
iMarguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
jNIyrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz.  ... 
,,  specimens 
Pandanus  ^'citcbi,  48’s, 
doz . 
Primulas  . 
Shrubs,  in  pots  . 
Solanums  . 
Spinca  ja],ionica,  48’s, 
doz . 
s.  d.  s.  d 
4  0tol8  O' 
10  0  16  0, 
9  0 
1  0 
4  0 
3  0 
8  0 
6  0 
15  0 
21  0 
24  0 
3  0 
4  0 
8  0 
12  0- 
5  0 
5  0 
0  Q 
10  0 
9  0- 
30  6. 
63  0. 
30  0 
4  0 
6  0 
10  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Cut  Blowers 
Acacia  “mimosa,”  per 
pad  . _  ••• 
Anemone,  double  pink, 
per  doz . 
Arums,  doz . 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bnch. 
Azalea  mollis,  jierl.iun. 
Bouvardia,  white, 
doz.  bunches . 
Bouvardia,  coloured, 
doz.  bunches . 
Camellias,  white . 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
Cattleyas,  doz . 
Chrysanthemums, 
specimen  blooms, 
doz . 
,,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
,,  coloured,  per  doz. 
bunches  . 
Croton  foliage,  bun.  ... 
Cycas  leaves,  eacli 
Cypripediums,  doz.  ... 
Daffodils,  single,  doz.... 
,,  double  ,,  ... 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Freesias,  doz.  bunches 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Hyacinth,  Roman, 
doz.  bunches . 
Ivy  leaves,  doz.  bun.  ... 
Lajjageria  alba  ...  ... 
Lilac,  French,  white, 
per  bun.  ... 
d.  s.  d 
0to8  0 
2  0 
3  0 
2  0 
0  0 
6  0  8  0 
6  0 
1  6 
1  3 
8  0 
1  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  9 
0  9 
8  0 
2  0 
1  9 
12  0 
4  0 
0  0 
0  0 
1  0 
1  6 
3  0 
8  0 
8  0 
3  0 
3  0 
0  0 
4  0  6  0 
0  0 
8  0 
0  0 
0  0 
4  0  4  6 
Lilium  Harrisi  . 
Liliumlancifolium  alb. 
Lilium  1.  rubrum 
Lilium  longiflorum  ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12 
bnchs  . 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Marguerites,  white, 
doz.  bnchs . 
,,  yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
IMj’rtle,  English,  per 
bun . 
Narcissus,  paper  white, 
doz.  launches . 
,,  Soleil  d’Or  . 
,,  double  Roman 
Odontoglossums . 
Orange  blossom,  bun. 
Primula,  double  white, 
doz.  bunches . 
Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
doz . 
,,  pink,  doz . 
,,  yellow, doz. (Perles) 
Smilax,  bnch  ...  '  ... 
Tuberoses,  gross . 
Tulips,  wliite,  single, 
doz.  bun.  ... 
,,  coloured,  doz. 
bun . 
,,  scarlet,  single, 
doz.  bun.  ... 
Violets,  single,  doz  ... 
,,  double,  doz . 
10  0  12  0- 
s.  d.  s.  d 
3  0  to  4  0. 
2  0 
2  0 
3  0 
2  6 
2  6; 
4  0 
6  0  12  0 
6  0  8  0' 
0  6 
4  0 
0  0 
0  b 
2  0 
0  0 
2  0 
0  0 
3  0 
6  0  8  0 
8  0 
9  0 
9  0 
4  0 
1  6 
3  0 
3  0 
6  0 
3  0 
4  0 
0  0 
12  0 
12  0 
5  0 
0  0 
4  0 
Apples,  cooking,  bush. 
,,  New  towns, 
case  . 
Bananas . 
Cranberries,  30  to  36  qf. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. 
s.  d.  s.  d 
6  0  to  8  0 
-Fruit. 
10  0 
8  0 
12  0 
12  0 
9  0  10  0 
Grapes,  Alicante,  lb. ... 
,,  Col  man . 
,,  Muscat  . 
,,  Almeria . 
Oranges,  per  case 
Pears,  French,  crate ... 
s.  d.  s.  d 
1  Otol  6 
1  0 
3  6 
0  0 
10  0 
12  0 
1  6 
5  0 
0  0 
25  0 
0  0 
Dates,  red  V.,  doz.  bxs. 
5 
6 
0 
0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s, 
Lemons,  Messina,  case 
12 
0 
16 
0 
each . 
2  6 
3 
6 
Average 
Wholesale  Prices.— 'Vegetables. 
s 
d. 
d 
s.  d. 
s. 
(1 
Artichokes,  green,  doz. 
2 
0  to  3 
0 
Lettuce,  Cabbage,  doz. 
1  3t( 
2 
0 
,,  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1 
6 
0 
0 
IMushrooms,  forced,  lb. 
0  5 
0 
6 
Batavia,  doz . 
2 
0 
0 
0 
IMustard  A  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0 
0 
Beans,  French,  |ier  lb. 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
2  0 
3 
0 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Potatoes,  English,  cwt. 
4  0 
5 
0 
Brussels  Sprouts. ^sievc 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Radishes,  doz . 
1  6 
0 
0 
Cabbages,  tally  . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Seakalo  . 
0  9 
1 
0 
Carrots,  doz.  bnch. 
2 
0 
2 
6 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  2 
0 
3 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Spinach,  bush . 
2  0 
3 
0 
Corn  Salad,  si  rike 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Sprue,  French,  doz. 
Cucumbers  doz . 
10 
0 
15 
0 
bun . 
8  0 
9  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1 
0 
1 
3 
Tomatoes,  Canaiy  con¬ 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
signment  . 
6  0 
0 
0 
Horseradish, 'bunch  ... 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Turnips,  doz.  Imch.  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
li 
2 
0 
Watercress,  doz . 
0  6 
0 
0 
