July  11,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
45 
Cycas  revoluta  flowering  ( Ivie ). — Not  an  everyday  occurrence,  yet 
not  particularly  remarkable.  In  Cycadeae  the  growth  of  the  stem  is 
not  arrested  by  the  formation  of  a  terminal  flower,  as  in  the  Angio- 
sperme,  that  is,  true  flowering  plants.  Cycas  are  dioecious,  male  and 
female  flowers  occurring  on  different  plants.  In  the  male  flowers  the 
sporophylls  (stamens)  are  stalked  and  crowded  peltate  scales;  the 
female  inflorescense  is  cone-like.  You  can  easily  distinguish  them. 
Celery  Root-stem  Diseased  ( C .  P.). — The  Celery  is  what  is  known 
as  cankered,  and  affects  the  root-stem  just  beneath  the  setting  on  of 
the  leaves  or  within  the  ground.  It  infests  various  umbelliferous 
plants,  and  is  caused  by  a  fungus  named  Phoma  sanguinolenta.  There 
are  also  traces  of  attack  by  the  Carrot  fly,  Psila  rosts,  which  causes  the 
well-known  “rust”  in  Carrots.  The  disease  is  not  new,  though  yours 
appears  a  very  determined  case.  As  regards  remedy,  there  would  not 
be  any  harm  in  trying  the  boracio  acid,  1  part  to  1000  parts  water, 
which  is  a  potential  fungicide,  while  we  advise  watering  with  Little’s 
soluble  pheny  le,  1  fluid  ounce  to  3  gallons  of  water,  whioh  will  act  well 
against  the  maggot,  stopping  the  attack,  and  inducing  a  vigorous 
growth. 
Second  Spit  Soil  for  Casing  Outdoor  Mushroom  Beds  ( G .  F.  0.  B.). — 
The  second  spit  soil,  after  a  year’s  exposure  to  the  atmosphere  in  a 
ridge,  and  turning  over  occasionally,  say  every  three  months,  outside  to 
inside  and  top  to  bottom,  would  be  suitable  for  the  purpose,  as  it 
becomes  ameliorated  and  nitrogenised.  If  poor,  it  would  be  advisable 
to  add  to  it  about  a  fifth  part  of  sweetened  horse  droppings,  heated 
before  applying.  The  object  is  to  destroy  weed  seeds  and  the  spores 
or  mycelium  of  fungi,  and  thus  secure  a  compost  for  earthing  the  beds 
practically  free  from  organic  bodies  of  a  nature  calculated  to  interfere 
with  the  Mushroom  development.  Old  Mushroom  beds  stacked  for  two 
or  three  years  would  be  practically  vegetable  mould,  and  of  too  spongy 
a  nature  for  casing  Mushroom  beds.  The  old  casing  material,  however, 
could,  after  a  year  or  two,  be  again  used  for  the  purpose.  We  do  not 
consider  the  ground  would  become  tainted  by  either  the  Mushroom  beds 
or  manure  so  as  to  prejudicially  affect  the  crops  of  Mushrooms,  though 
it  would  probably  be  advisable  to  strew  the  ground  with  salt,  say  4  ozs. 
per  square  yard,  some  considerable  time  in  advance  of  making  up  the 
beds.  A  little  salt  may  be  added  to  the  manure  with  advantage,  though 
kainit  would  be  better  for  improving  the  fertilising  properties  of  the 
manure. 
Making  Bordeaux  Mixture  ( G .  S.).  —  The  50-gallon  formula  is 
believed  to  give  the  best  results.  This  contains  : — 
Water  . 50  gals. 
Copper  sulphate  . 6  lbs. 
Unslaked  lime  ...  ...  ...  .  ...  4  lbs. 
In  a  barrel  or  other  suitable  vessel  place  25  gallons  of  water.  Tie  the 
copper  sulphate  in  a  coarse  gunny  sack  and  suspend  it  just  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  water,  tying  the  bag  to  a  stick  laid  across  the  top  of  the 
barrel.  In  another  vessel  slake  the  lime,  using  care  in  order  to  obtain 
a  smooth  paste,  free  from  grit  and  small  lumps.  This  is  best  effeoted 
by  placing  the  lime  in  a  pail,  and  adding  a  quart  to  a  quart  and  a  half 
of  water.  When  the  lime  cracks  and  crumbles  and  the  water  disappears, 
add  another  quart  or  more,  exercising  care  that  the  lime  at  no  time  gets 
too  dry.  Towards  the  last  considerable  water  will  be  required,  but,  if 
added  carefully  and  slowly,  a  perfectly  smooth  paste  will  be  obtained, 
provided,  of  course,  the  lime  is  of  good  quality.  When  the  lime  is 
slaked,  add  sufficient  water  to  the  paste  to  bring  the  whole  up  to 
25  gallons.  When  the  copper  sulphate  is  entirely  dissolved  and  the 
lime  is  cool,  pour  the  lime  milk  and  copper  sulphate  solution  slowly 
together  into  a  barrel  holding  50  gallons.  The  milk  of  lime  should  be 
thoroughly  stirred  before  pouring.  To  complete  the  mixing,  the  liquid 
should  receive  a  final  stirring,  for  at  least  three  minutes,  with  a  broad 
wooden  paddle.  It  is  well  to  test  the  mixture  before  use.  Two  simple 
methods  are  :  first,  insert  the  blade  of  a  penknife  in  the  mixture, 
allowing  it  to  remain  for  at  least  one  minute.  If  metallic  copper  forms 
on  the  blade,  or,  in  other  words,  if  the  polished  surface  of  the  steel 
assumes  the  colour  of  copper-plate,  the  mixture  is  unsafe,  and  more 
lime  must  be  added.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  blade  of  the  knife 
remains  unchanged,  it  is  safe  to  conclude  that  the  mixture  is  as  perfect 
as  it  can  be  made.  Second,  pour  some  of  the  mixture  into  an  old  plate 
or  saucer,  and,  while  held  between  the  eyes  and  the  light,  the  breath 
should  be  gently  blown  upon  the  liquid  for  at  least  half  a  minute.  If 
the  mixture  is  properly  made,  a  thin  pellicle,  looking  like  oil  on  water, 
will  begin  to  form  on  the  surface  of  the  liquid.  If  no  pellicle  forms, 
more  lime  should  be  added.  Air-slaked  lime  must  not  be  used  in  the 
preparation  of  Bordeaux  mixture,  since  it  results  in  injury  to  the 
foliage.  The  Bordeaux  mixture  is  sufficiently  adhering  to  ordinary 
foliage,  but  in  the  case  of  smooth  or  waxy  leaved  plants  its  adhesive 
property  is  much  increased  by  adding  softsoap  in  quantity  equal  to  the 
copper  sulphate.  The  soap  increases  the  tendenoy  of  the  liquid  to 
spread  instead  of  forming  into  large  drops,  which  roll  off  the  surface  of 
the  leaf.  It  is  advisable  to  bear  in  mind  that  the  Bordeaux  mixture, 
prepared  in  the  proportions  given,  sometimes  injures  tender,  young 
foliage,  hence  it  is  important  to  dilute  the  mixture  for  spring  spraying, 
say,  half  for  the  earliest  application,  especially  on  young  fruit,  only 
using  the  full  strength  when  the  leaves  are  full  grown.  Also,  remember 
that  it  is  not  advisable  to  spray  Apples,  Cherries,  and  Pears  after  the 
fruit  is  half  grown,  for  otherwise  the  Apples,  Cherries,  and  Pears  are 
liable  to  be  spoiled. 
Sowing  Seed  of  Chrysanthemum  frutescens  and  C.  f.  Etoile  d’Or 
( F .  T.  H.). — Yes,  the  seeds  may  be  sown  now  in  pots  or  pans,  and 
p  laced  in  greenhouse  or  frame.  When  up  and  showing  second  leaves  the 
seedlings  may  be  pricked  off  in  pots  or  pans,  or  potted  off  singly  into 
small  pots.  From  the  pots  or  pans  the  plants  can  be  potted  into 
3-inch  pots,  and  those  potted  into  small  pots  shifted  into  this  size,  and 
after  being  established  in  a  frame  they  may  be  stood  outdoors  on  and 
plunged  in  ashes.  After  treatment  is  simple.  Place  them  in  a  green¬ 
house  from  which  frost  is  excluded  during  winter.  They  will  flower  in 
early  summer  next  year. 
Name  of  Insect  (Beech). — The  caterpillar  sent  is  that  of  the  August 
Thorn  moth  (Ennomos  angularia),  about  half  grown.  The  group  takes 
its  popular  name  because  the  caterpillars  are  mostly  adorned  with 
humps  or  protuberances,  resdnbling  slightly  the  thorns  of  vegetable 
growth.  You  may  have  observed  that  this  particular  species  has  two 
small  bumps  on  the  head,  six  along  the  back,  and  two  at  the  tail,  while  a 
caterpillar.  It  feeds  during  June  and  July,  the  moth  appears  in  August 
or  later.  A  variety  of  trees  and  shrubs  afford  it  focd,  both  in  gardens 
and  the  country,  but  it  is  seldom  found  in  sufficient  numbers  to  do  harm 
of  a  serious  sort  to  the  foliage. 
Coelogyne  cristata  (Cam.).  —  No,  there  is  nothing  unusual  in 
Ccelogyne  cristata  pushing  two  leads  from  one  of  the  bases  of  the  old 
flower  spikes.  It  is  a  sign  of  vigour  in  the  plant  when  the  growths 
begin  to  push  double  leads,  and  it  shows  that  you  have  been  treating 
the  plants  well.  It  would  be  very  interesting,  and  helpful  to  beginners 
in  Orchid  culture,  if  those  who,  like  yourself,  have  met  with  a 
reasonable  amount  of  success  with  them,  would  give  their  experiences 
through  the  medium  of  this  column.  Notes  could  be  compared  in  this 
way  by  observant  cultivators  on  small  matters  that  are  not  usually 
touched  on  by  writers  on  Orchids,  and  considerable  benefits  would 
accrue  to  the  inexperienced  ;  and  in  any  case,  when  expert  advice  was 
needed,  the  Editor  would  no  doubt  see  that  it  was  given. 
Names  of  Fruit  ( T .  F.). — Apple  Calville  Rouge. 
Names  of  Plants  ( Sender  of  Roses). — The  red  variety  is  Abel 
Carriere  ;  the  white  one  no  one  can  name  definitely.  It  is  probably  a 
variety  of  Rosa  alba  fl.-pl.,  and  is  found  sometimes  under  the  name  of 
Rose  Old  Double  White.  (A.  J.).—' The  Bee  Orchis  (Ophrys  apifera). 
(L.  R.  N.). — 1,  Calamintha  grandiflora  ;  2,  Yerbascum  Chaixi  ;  3, 
Begonia  nitida.  (St.  Andrews). — 1,  Common  Agrimony  (Agrimonia 
Eupatoria)  ;  2,  Nepeta  Mussini  ;  3,  Lythrum  Salicaria  ;  4,  Genista 
hispanica.  (R  ). — 1,  Phalacnopsis  amabilis ;  2,  Hoya  imperialis ;  3, 
Clerodendron  Thompsoni ;  4,  Tecoma  jasminoides.  (N.  N.). — Salvia 
virgata.  (G.). — 1,  Achimenes  var. ;  2,  Rosa  polyantha  White  Pet  ;  3;, 
common  Balm  (Melissa  officinalis)  ;  4,  Clematis  recta. 
Gardeners’  Provident  and  Charitable  Institutions. 
The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution.  —  Secretary 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  175,  Victoria  Street,  S.W. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society. — Secretary, 
Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balham,  London,  S.W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund. — Secretary,  Mr.  Brian  Wynne, 
8,  Danes  Inn,  Strand.  London,  W.C. 
- - 
Potato  Spraying. — The  Congested  Districts  Board  in  Ireland  are 
evidently  determined  to  arouse  a  keener  interest  amongst  the  poor 
farmers  in  the  efficacy  of  spraying.  At  present  the  apathetic  condition 
of  those  cultivators,  where  failure  of  a  crop,  be  it  rotation  or  otherwise, 
spells  a  dismal  winter ;  and  largely  the  Board  are  actuated  by  the 
heavy  loss  to  the  country  by  the  absence  of  spraying  last  year.  To 
prevent  a  possible  recurrence  for  this  year,  the  idea  of  issuing  sprayers 
at  a  nominal  figure  to  this  class  of  growers  is  to  lessen  the  number  of 
infecting  areas.  The  machines  offered  to  the  growers  are  the  “  Erin  ” 
and  “Eclair”  Potato  spraying  machines. 
Publications  Received. — “  Le  Mois  Soientifique ;  ”  “  Agricultural 
Economist,”  contains  many  delightful  illustrations  and  articles  of  a 
highly  useful  nature  ;  “  Field  ;  ”  “  Florists’  Exchange  ;  ”  “  The 
American  Cultivator  ;  ”  “  Le  Moniteur  d’Hortioulture ;  ”  “  American 
Gardening  ;  ”  “  The  American  Florist ;  ”  “  Gartenflora;  ”  “  Bullettino 
della  R.  Society  Toscana  di  Ortioultura  ;  ”  “  Tropical  Agriculturist ;  ” 
“  Field  Studies  in  Natural  History ;  ”  “  Programme  of  Summer 
Rambles,  1901,  Chelmsford  County  Council  Laboratories  ;  ”  “  The  Best 
Twelve  Kinds  of  Vegetables  to  Grow  for  Exhibition,”  a  paper  read 
before  the  Devon  and  Exeter  Gardeners’  Association  by  Mr.  W.  R. 
Baker;  “What  is  a  Kindergarten?”  by  Mr.  Geo.  Hanson;  “The 
Story  of  Wild  Flowers,”  by  Prof.  Henslow,  Messrs.  Geo.  Newnes  and 
Co.,  Is.  nett ;  “  Report  by  the  Principal  of  the  School  of  Horticulture  ” 
(C.  Bogue  Luffmann),  Council  of  Agricultural  Education,  Victoria;. 
“  Proceedings  of  the  Forty. sixth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Western,  New 
York,  Horticultural  Society.” 
