August  15,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
165 
Shrub  Infer  ted  with  a  Peculiar  Fungoid  Disease  {Torquay). — Up  to 
the  time  of  writing  no  specimens,  which  you  say  have  been  forwarded 
by  parcel  post,  lave  reached  us,  therefore  we  are  unable  to  advise.  In 
the  case  of  the  bcx  turning  up,  or  fresh  specimens  being  forwarded  to 
ns,  we  shall  be  pleased  to  examine  them  and  report  thereon. 
Strains  of  Carnations  and  Picotees  ( F .  IT7.). — The  three  best  flowers 
sent  are  No.  1,  Red  edged  Picotee  ;  No.  2,  a  purple  edged  Picotee; 
and  3,  a  purple  flake  Carnation.  As  sent  these  do  not  favourably 
compare  with  named  varieties  in  commerce;  still,  we  recognise  the 
fact  that  they  have  had  no  special  cultivation.  At  any  rate,  they  are 
worthy  another  season’s  test.  The  self  coloured  flowers  may  be  useful 
border  varieties,  but  they  are  simply  ordinary  flowers. 
Exhibiting  Fruit  (D.  M.  N.). — According  to  the  wording  of  the 
prize  schedule  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  you  from  showing  all  Grapes. 
It  is  another  instance  of  loose  wording  of  a  prize  schedule.  Instead  of 
its  reading,  “  collection  of  six  dishes  of  fruit,  in  six  distinct  varieties 
(Pines  excluded),”  distinct  kinds  should  have  been  substituted  for 
“  varieties.”  In  this  case  only  one  variety  of  Grape  would  be  admitted, 
but  this  difficulty  is  usually  obviated  by  a  clause  to  the  effect  that  one 
dish  each  of  black  and  white  Grapes  may  be  shown,  or  something  to 
that  effect.  You  ought  not  to  be  disqualified  by  showing  four  varieties 
of  Grapes,  as  suggested,  but  in  order  to  avoid  any  unpleasantness  we 
would  suggest  that  only  black  and  white  Grapes  be  shown,  the  other 
four  dishes  being  composed,  say,  of  a  Melon,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and 
either  Figs,  Apricots,  Plums,  or  Cherries. 
Circumference  of  Roots  for  Exhibition  ( R .  A.  B.). — Coarseness  is 
a  relative  term,  and  implies  irregularity  of  outline  and  general  bad 
shape  without  reference  to  size.  If  it  were  not  so,  high  cultivation 
would  have  no  significance,  and  in  many  cases  it  is  ignored  for  mere 
taste,  the  finest  and  cleanest  examples  of  Large  Guernsey  Parsnip 
being  placed  behind  moderate  examples  of  The  Student,  simply  because 
the  adjudicator  has  a  proclivity  for  a  medium-sized  variety,  and  would 
even  go  so  far  as  to  award  a  prize  to  a  medium-sized  root  of  Hollow 
Crown  rather  than  to  a  full-sized,  clean-grown  specimen  weighing 
perhaps  5  lbs  ,  and  the  other  not  more  than  a  quarter  of  the  weight.  A 
fair  circumference  for  Parsnips  is  7J  to  9  inches;  Beet,  6  to  inches; 
Carrots,  4^  to  6  inches  ;  and  Turnips,  to  9,  or  even  12  inches.  The 
main  points  are  clean  growth  and  even  outline,  with  even  size. 
Names  of  Plants  ( Kewite ). — Cherry  Plum.  {Keep  Plodding). — The 
Peaoh  is  a  fine  specimen  of  Alexandra  Noblesse.  The  Rose  was 
withered.  The  other  plant  is  Begonia  maculata.  {A.  B.  C.). — 
1,  Nephrolepis  tuberosa;  2,  Adiantum  formosum ;  3,  Pteris  cretica 
cr  Btata  ;  4,  Selaginella  Wildenoii ;  5,  Adiantum  cuneatum  elegans; 
6,  Pteris  majus  (syn.  Ouveradi) ;  7,  Begonia  Scarffiana.  {8.  P.). — 
1,  Ecbium  vulgare,  the  Viper’s  Bugloss ;  2,  Stachys  sylvatioa ; 
3,  Lychnis  Viscaria  var.  alba ;  4,  Scabiosa  columbaria  ;  5,  Lysimachia 
vulgaris;  6,  Monarda  didyma ;  7,  Veratrum  nigrum;  8,  Flowers  of  the 
Ailantus  glandulosa  or  Tree  of  Heaven ;  9,  Spiraea  salicifolia  var. 
cainea.  Heracleum  giganteum  is  known  as  the  Cow  Parsnip  or  the 
Cart-wheel  Flower.  {J.  C.  S.). —  Dracocephalum  oanariense  is  a  purple 
flowered  plant  and  takes  its  name  from  the  islands  whence  it  comes.  It 
is  more  correctly  known  as  Credronella  triphylla,  and  is  not  hardy.  Your 
other  question  will  be  answered  next  week.  {Novice). —  1,  We  cannot 
name  leaves  without  flowers,  or  mere  varieties  of  garden  flowers ;  2, 
Spiiaea  opulifolia ;  3,  Clematis  ;  5,  Geranium  pratense.  {A  Reader). — 
Hedychium  is  a  gei  us  (not  a  species),  and  is  giouped  with  the  Zingi- 
beractse  or  Gingerworts- 
Next  Week’s  Events. 
Friday,  August  16th. — “One  and  All”  Flower  Show  at  Crystal  Palace 
(two  days). 
Saturday,  August  17th. — Bankfoot  (Perth)  Horticultural  Society. 
Tuesday,  August  20th. — Grand pont  Horticultural  Society. 
Wednesday,  August  21st.  —  Shropshire  Horticultural  Society’s  Show 
at  Shrewsbury  (two  days). 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
Dickson  &  Robinson,  Manchester. — Bulbs  and  Roses. 
Dicksons  &  Co.,  Edinburgh. — Flower  Roots. 
E.  P.  Dixons  &  Sons,  Hull. —  Choice  Bulbs. 
Hogg  &  Robertson,  Dublin. — Bulbs,  “  Holland  in  Ireland." 
Wm.  Paul  &  Sons,  Waltham  Cross. — Bulbs  and  Winter  Flowers. 
J.  R.  Pearsons  &  Sons,  Chilwell. — Bulb  Catalogue. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading. — “  Buttons’  Bulbs." 
Toogood  &  Sons,  Southampton. — Catch-crops. 
James  Yeitch  &  Sons,  Limited. — Bulb  Catalogue. 
“  Field  ”  Notes. — In  our  issue  of  last  week,  owing  to  inadvertence, 
our  indebtedness  to  “  T  he  Field  ”  for  the  paragraphs  entitled  Single- 
flowered  Hollyhockp,”  “  Alstromeria  aurantiaca,”  and  “  Pheasant’s  Tail 
Grass,”  was  overlooked. 
Covent  Garden  Market. — August  14th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
Apricots,  20s.,  24s.  ...box 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  0  to  1  3 
„  i  sieve  . 
4  0 
6  0 
Bananas  . 
8  0 
12  0 
Figs,  green,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
Grapes,  Hamburgh,  lb. ... 
1  0 
1  6 
Average  Wholesale 
Artichokes,  green, doz. ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
„  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1  6 
0  0 
Batavia,  doz  . 
2  0 
0  0 
Beans,  French,  bushel  ... 
4  0 
0  0 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Cabbages,  tally  . 
1  6 
3  0 
Carrots,  new,  doz.  bnch. 
Chicory,  Belgian,  lb 
3  0 
4  0 
0  4 
0  0 
Corn  Salad,  strike . 
1  0 
1  3 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Endive,  doz  . 
1  3 
2  0 
Greens,  bush . 
1  0 
1  6 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Horseradish,  bnch . 
1  2 
1  6 
Average  Wholesale 
B. 
d. 
8.  ' 
a. 
Aralias,  doz . 
5 
0tol2 
0 
Araucaria,  doz . 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Campanula,  pyramid,  doz. 
10 
0 
12 
0 
,,  isophylla  ... 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Crotons,  doz . 
18 
0 
30 
0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz.  ... 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
10 
0 
16 
0 
Ficus  elastica,  doz. 
9 
0 
12 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1 
0 
5 
0 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Grapes,  Muscat  .  2  0  to  3  0 
Lemons,  Naples,  case  ...  24  0  30  0 
Melons,  each  .  10  2  O' 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each  4  6  6  O' 
Prices. — Vegetables. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  1^  to  0  2 
Lettuce,  doz .  0  6  1  O' 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb.  ...  0  8  0  9 
Mustard  and  Cress,  pnnt.  0  2  0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.  ...  2  0  3  0 
Peas,  bush .  4  0  0  0 
Potatoes,  new  English,  ct.  4  0  6  0 
Radishes,  doz .  0  6  0  9 
Shallots,  lb .  0  4  0  0 
Spinach,  bush .  40  50' 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb.  ...  0  3  0  4 
Turnips,  doz.  bnch.  ...  2  0  3  0 
Watercress,  doz  .  0  6  0  8 
ices. — Plants  in  Pots 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Fuchsias  .  3  0  to  4  0 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz.  0  0  4  0 
,,  pink,  doz .  00  40 
,,  King  of  Denmarlt.doz.  0  0  4  O' 
Hydrangea  panicula,  doz.  18  0  24  O' 
Hydrangeas,  white,  pink  9  0  0  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz .  3  0  4  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz....  3  0  4  0 
Mignonette,  doz .  6  0  0  0 
Myrtles,  doz .  6  0  9  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz.  ...  15  0  30  0 
,,  specimens  .  21  0  63  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers, 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch  1  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ...  0  6 
Cattleyas,  doz . 15  0 
Eucharis,  doz .  3  0 
Gardenias,  doz .  1  6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches .  3  0 
Gladioli,  doz.  bnchs.  ...  4  0 
Gypsopliila,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0 
Lilium  lancifolium  album  0  9 
,,  ,,  rubrum  1  0 
„  longiflorum .  16 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 12  bnchs  12  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bnchs .  2  0 
Mignonette,  English,  doz.  0  9 
32  0  Marguerites,  white,  doz. 
0  0 '  bunches . 
18  0  „  yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0  1  Odontoglossums  . 
2  0  Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
doz . 
0  0  „  pink,  doz . 
6  0;  „  yellow,  doz.  (Perles)... 
0  0:  „  red,  doz . 
1  0  Smilax,  bunch  ...  ...  ... 
1  6  Stephanotis,  doz . 
2  0  Stock,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
18  0  Sweet  Peas,  white,  doz. 
bunches . 
3  0  „  coloured, doz. bnchs. 
I  6  Tuberoses,  gross  . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  0  to  2  0 
0  6  10 
3  0  4  0 
10  0  0 
1  0  0  0 
10  16 
0  6  10 
10  2  0 
2  0  2  6 
2  6  3  0 
2  0  0  O' 
2  0  0  0 
16  0  0 
Farming  Without  Stock. 
There  are  many  ways  of  farming,  and  although  we,  as  farmers, 
are  said  to  travel  much  in  the  same  way  as  our  fathers  and  grand¬ 
fathers,  yet  it  must  be  confessed  that  there  is  no  business  that  gives 
more  opportunities  for  each  man’s  own  individual  enterprise.  A  man’s 
early  training  has  often  much  to  answer  for.  If  he  has  been  an 
observant  man  and  boy  he  has  noted  the  successes  and  failures  of  his 
neighbours,  and  out  of  or  by  their  experience  he  will  guide  his  life 
work.  We  often  learn  more  from  lailures  than  by  any  other  means. 
A  farmer  has  to  be  an  adaptable  man.  He  is  never  quite  sure  of  what 
to-morrow  may  bring  ;  he  certainly  is  never  sure  of  what  the  next 
season  will  do.  We  were  very  much  struck  by  the  remarks  of  a 
gentleman  the  other  day.  He  was  speaking  of  farmers  being  always 
on  the  grumble  at  adverse  seasons,  and  he  calmly  observed,  “  That  if 
farmers  farmed  better  we  should  hear  less  of  adverse  seasons !  ”  Severe 
as  that  was,  there  is  still  a  germ  of  tiuth  in  the  remark.  There  is 
no  doubt  about  it,  that  impoverished,  badly  farmed  land  suffers  more 
from  drought  and  other  ills  than  well  farmed  land.  Yet  as  the  rain 
falls  (or  is  withheld)  on  the  just  and  unjust  alike,  adverse  seasons 
affect  us  all  more  or  less.  As  to  different  styles  of  farming,  one  man 
swears  by  a  good  root  crop,  another  will  have  none  of  it ;  one  affects 
bare  fallows ;  one  folds  all  his  sheep ;  one  will  graze ;  one  will  produce 
