September  26,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
301 
position  such  as  a  sloping  bank.  In  the  case  of  these  slender  dwarf¬ 
growing  Miniature  Daffodils,  the  ground  may  be  carpeted  with  close¬ 
growing,  surface-rooting  plants,  such  as  AreDaria  caespitosa,  Thymus 
serpyllum  vars.,  T.  lanuginosus,  Herniaria  glabra,  Mossy  Saxifragas, 
&c. ;  these  plants  provide  a  natural  protection  for  these  little  bulbs, 
besides  keeping  their  dainty  blooms  from  being  splashed  and  soiled  in 
rainy  weather.  We  prefer,  however,  seeing  these  little  gems  peeping 
out  of  grass,  and  where  special  banks  are  made  or  reserved  for  them  we 
can  supply  seed  of  suitable  fine  dwarf  grasses  for  sowing  in  September 
after  planting  the  bulbs  ;  this  sowing  will  give  a  fine  green  carpet  by 
the  following  spring,  when  the  Narcissi  bloom.  The  selection  might 
include  Large  Sulphur  Hoop  Petticoat,  White  Hoop  Petticoat  (C.  mono- 
phylla),  Early  Yellow  Hoop  Petticoat,  Large  Yellow  Hoop  Petticoat, 
cyclamineus,  Lobularis,  minimus,  minor,  nanus,  Moschatus,  Macleai, 
triandrus  albus  (Angel’s  Tears),  juncifolius. 
Old  Scots  Fir  In  very  Bleak  Position  ( E .  (?.). — The  trees  would 
probably  be  benefited  by  a  dressing  of  basic  cinder  phosphate,  7  lbs. 
per  rod,  applying  it  from  the  stem  outwards  to  a  yard  beyond  the 
spread  of  the  branches.  This  would  probably  act  beneficially  on  the 
peaty  soil,  and  not  only  add  constituents  to  the  soil,  but  liberate 
essential  food.  In  the  early  spring  it  may  be  supplemented  by  a  top¬ 
dressing  in  equal  parts  cf  bone  superphosphate  and  double  sulphate  of 
potash  and  magnesia,  applying  If  lb.  per  rod,  and  afterwards  mulching 
about  an  inch  thick  with  chopped  up  turfy  loam.  This  may  possibly 
help  the  trees,  but  when  old  coniferous  trees  once  go  back  they  are 
difficult  to  recuperate,  and  especially  in  very  bleak  positions.  In  a 
similar  case  we  planted  Austrian  and  Corsican  Pines  amongst  (in 
sufficiently  open  places)  and  around  the  old  Scotch  Firs,  and  they  not 
only  throve,  but  assisted  the  old  trees,  probably  by  preventing  the  draw 
under  them,  and  thus  formed  a  very  interesting  group.  Those  are  the 
best  coniferous  trees  for  withstanding  the  full  force  of  winds,  whether 
land  or  sea. 
Moss  on  Lawn  ( E .  G.). — We  have  found  the  greatest  permanent 
benefit  from  the  use  of  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  air-slaked  lime,  soot, 
and  wood  ashes,  all  by  measure,  applying  a  peck  of  the  mixture  about 
the  middle  of  February,  or  as  soon  after  as  the  ground  was  thawed,  per 
rod,  and  repeating  the  dressing  at  a  similar  rate  during  moist  weather 
in  April.  Where  the  lawn  is  very  mossy  we  have  found  a  top-dressing 
of  rich  compost — the  rubbish  heap  debris  reduced  to  mould,  and  the 
woody  portions  burned  and  thrown  on  the  heap,  a  sixth  part  of  air- 
slaked  lime  being  added  to  the  rubbish  heap  debris  and  mixed  well 
with  it — given  in  autumn  at  the  rate  of  20  tons  per  acre,  If  cwt.  per 
rod,  spread  evenly  and  left  until  February,  then  raked  well  over, 
removing  all  stones  and  other  rough  material,  very  satisfactory, 
especially  when  a  dressing  was  then  applied  of  dissolved  bones  and  best 
quality  kainit  in  equal  parts,  mixed,  at  the  rate  of  lbs.  per  rod. 
There  will  perhaps  be  a  little  brownness  in  consequence  of  the 
destruction  of  the  moss,  but  this  will  soon  be  recovered  from,  and  the 
lawn  acquire  a  deep  green  appearance.  The  advertised  lawn  manures 
are  excellent  for  improving  lawns,  and  the  moss  dies  out  gradually  as 
the  grasses,  &c.,  gain  the  mastery. 
Basic  Slag  for  Destroying  Yarrow  (IF.). — Basic  cinder  phosphate  is 
a  good  manure  for  lawns,  especially  on  strong  soil  and  where  there  is 
a  deficiency  of  lime  in  the  surfacing  soil,  and  it  also  has  value  on  lawns 
that  have  a  mossy  and  spongy  bottom  from  long  being  under  grass  and 
consequent  accumulation  of  vegetable  matter.  It  certainly  has  a  good 
effect  on  Yarrow ;  and,  indeed,  all  plants  peculiar  to  poor  and  light 
soils,  especially  when  supplemented  by  dressing  with  kainit.  We  have 
not,  however,  found  basic  cinder  phosphate  entirely  subdue  Yarrow  on 
a  lawn,  though  by  favouring  the  grasses,  and  particularly  Clover  and 
other  leguminous  herbage,  the  Yarrow  was  held  greatly  in  check,  as 
might  be  expected  from  the  better  growth  of  the  other  plants.  A 
dressing  of  7  lbs.  per  rod  is  not  too  much  of  basic  cinder  phosphate, 
applying  it  in  the  autumD,  and  then  also  supplying  If  lb.  per  rod  of 
best  quality  kainit.  We  should  reject,  as  not  worth  laying,  turf 
consisting  mostly  of  Yarrow,  for  where  the  grasses  are  to  come  from 
it  is  difficult  to  make  out ;  but,  if  the  Yarrow  is  not  very  abundant, 
why  not  extract  it  before  laying  down  the  turves?  This  we  have 
found  good  practice,  not  only  as  regards  Yarrow,  but  other  weeds, 
carefully  examining  every  turf  and  extracting  the  weeds. 
Eeplanting  Peach  House  (  W.  C.). — A  house  facing  west  is  not  a 
good  aspect  for  early  forcing,  certainly  not  suitable  for  starting  before 
the  new  year,  and  the  fiuit  would  not  ripen  before  June.  We  should 
not  advise  your  planting  one  sort  exclusively.  You  will  have  accommo¬ 
dation  for  ten  trees  at  15  feet  distance  apart,  and  these  may  consist  of 
Waterloo  as  a  first  early,  of  medium  size,  with  good  oolour  and  excellent 
flavour ;  Hale’s  Early,  medium  size,  good  colour  and  quality ;  Condor, 
large,  finely  coloured,  excellent  flavour  ;  Stirling  Castle,  medium  size, 
bears  freely,  carries  a  good  colour;  Royal  George,  large  to  medium 
size,  good  colour  and  of  great  excellence ;  Early  Grosse  Mignonne, 
large,  handsome  ;  Dymond,  very  large,  rich  colour,  excellent  quality  ; 
Yiolette  Hative,  large,  good  colour,  and  first-rate  quality;  Bellegarde, 
large,  handsome,  and  excellent  quality ;  Goshawk,  large,  colour  pale, 
grand  flavour.  These  would  give  a  succession  over  s  x  weeks  or  more. 
If  only  three  kinds  wanted,  and  early,  select  Waterloo,  Hale’s  Early, 
and  Stirling  Castle.  Ycu  do  not  mention  Nectarine s ;  three  good  are 
Early  Rivers,  Lord  Napier,  and  Humboldt.  It  would  be  advisable  to 
cement  the  bottom  of  the  border  to  keep  out  the  large  tree  roots.  The 
best  plan  is  to  place  in  a  layer  of  concrete  about  6  inches  thick,  and  then 
place  bricks  on  flat  and  run  in  with  cement.  You  must  provide  proper 
drain  and  outlet  to  carry  off  superfluous  water,  the  bottom  of  the 
border  inclining  to  it  ;  also  9  inches  of  drainage,  with  3-inch  layer  of 
old  mortar  rubbish.  About  2  feet  depth  of  soil  is  ample.  If  von 
procure  trees  that  have  been  trained  three  or  four  years,  and  these  have 
been  recently  transplanted  so  as  to  move  with  safety,  there  is  no  reason 
why  you  should  not  have  some  fruit  the  first  season.  Of  course 'he 
trees  must  be  carefully  lifted,  and  planting  done  as  soon  as  possible 
after  the  leaves  fall. 
Names  of  Fruit. —  Correspondents  whose  queries  are  unanswered  in 
the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the  following  number. 
(J .  IF.,  Cobham). — Plum  Wyedale,  not  River’s  Early.  (Cymro).— Grape 
Buckland  Sweetwater,  (ft.  C.). — Apple  King  Harry,  a  splendid  dessert 
Apple,  too  little  cultivated.  ( J .  E.). — 1,  Lane’s  Prince  Albert;  2,  not 
recognised,  probably  local ;  3,  Lemon  Pippin.  (P.  Taylor). — 1,  Marie 
Louise;  2,  Doyenne  Bouesoch  ;  3,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey;  4,  Beurre 
Goubault ;  5,  Forelle ;  6,  rotten  and  smashed.  (H.  S.,  Duns). — 58 
and  148,  Apple  Irish  Peach;  lOe,  rotten;  90,  Maltster;  138,  Du  ch 
Mignonne  ;  141,  Norfolk  Beefing ;  151,  Blenheim  Orange  ;  153, 
Baumann’s  Red  Winter  Reinette ;  160,  Hawthornden.  (F.  C.  B.)  — 
1,  Duchess’  Favourite  ;  2,  Sandringham;  3,  Lord  Burghley. 
Names  of  Flowers. — Correspondents  whose  queries  are  unanswered  in 
the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the  folloivinq 
number.  (Curious). — No;  not  a  “  Cracesbill,”  but  probably  a  Drosera. 
We  are  unable  to  determine  the  species;  could  you  send  another  fresh 
speoimen  ?  (J.  W.  Cobham). — 1,  see  answer  under  “  Names  of  Fruits  ;  ” 
you  should  number  fruits  and  flowers  separately  ;  2,  Lobelia  (next  wpek) 
3,  Aster  Amelins;  4,  Aster  dahuricus.  (IF.  F.  T.). — Solidago  hmnili«. 
(ft.  C.). — 1,  Cymbidium  pendulum;  2,  Selaginella  coesia ;  3,  Pellionia 
D  tveauana ;  4,  Acalypha  Macafeeana ;  5,  Aoalypha  marginata;  6, 
Thuya  (Biota)  orientalis ;  7,  Cryptomeria  japonica;  8,  Thrinax  rad>nta 
(syn  T.  elegans)  or  T.  paiviflora,  we  cannot  determine  from  the 
specimen  sent. 
Covent  Garden  Market. — September  25th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. —  Fruit. 
Apples,  cooking,  bush.  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
2  0  to  6  0 
Lemons,  Naples,  case  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
24  0to30  0 
„  dessert  . 
3  0 
6  0 
Melons,  each  . 
0  9 
1  0 
Bananas  . 
8  0 
12  0 
Pears,  English,  £  sieve  ... 
2  0 
6  0 
Cobnuts,  lb . 
0  8 
0  9 
Pears,  French,  crate 
4  0 
9  0 
Damsons,  J  sieve  . 
2  0 
2  6 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
4  6 
Figs,  green,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
Plums,  \  sieve . 
1  0 
3  0 
Grapes,  Hamburgh,  lb. ... 
0  6 
1  0 
Walnuts,  4  sieve  . 
5  0 
6  0 
„  Muscat  . 
Average 
Artichokes,  green, doz.  ... 
10  16 
Wh'  lesale 
a.  d.  s.  d. 
2  0  to  3  0 
• 
Prices.  —  Vegetables. 
Lettuce,  cos,  doz . 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb.  ... 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
1  0  to  2  0 
„  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1  6 
0  0 
0  8 
0  9 
Batavia,  doz  . 
2  0 
0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0  0 
Beans,  French,  bushel  ... 
2-  0 
3  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
5  0 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Peas,  bush . 
4  0 
0  0 
C  abbages,  tally  . 
1  6 
3  0 
Potatoes,  English,  ct.  ... 
4  0 
6  0 
Carrots,  new,  doz.  bnch. 
3  0 
7  0 
Radishes,  doz . 
0  6 
0  9 
Corn  Salad,  strike . 
1  n 
1  3 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  2 
0  3 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Spinach,  bush . 
2  0 
3  0 
Endive,  doz  ...  ...  ... 
1  0 
1  3 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb.  ... 
0  2 
0  2£ 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Turnips,  doz.  bnch. 
2  0 
3  0 
Horseradish,  bnch . 
1  0 
0  fi 
Watercress,  doz  . 
0  6 
n  8 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  14 
0  2 
Yeg.  Marrows,  per  tall ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.  —  Plants  in  Pots 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Aralias,  doz . 
.  5  0tol2  0 
Ferns,  small,  100  . 
10  0  to  16  0 
Araucaria,  doz . 
..  12  0 
30  0 
Ficus  elastica,  doz. 
9  0 
12  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
..  18  0 
36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Campanula  isophylla  .. 
,.4  0 
6  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
0  0 
Chrysanthemums,  doz. . 
3  i  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.... 
3  0 
4  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
..  18  0 
30  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz. 
..  12  0 
30  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz. 
15  0 
30  0 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz.  ., 
..9  0 
18  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Erica  gracilis,  doz . 
..  10  0 
12  0 
Shrubs,  in  pots  . 
4  0 
6  0 
,,  caffra,  doz  ...  . 
..  15  0 
18  0 
Solanums . 
8  0 
10  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . . 
..  4  U 
18  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. —  Cut  Flowers. 
s.  d. 
6.  d. 
s. 
d. 
s.  d. 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch 
1  0to2  0 
Mignonette,  English,  doz.  0 
9  to  l  6 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
1  3 
Marguerites,  white,  doz. 
Cattleyas,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
bunches .  1 
0 
2  0 
Chrysanthemums,  speci¬ 
,,  yellow,  doz.  bnchs.  0 
6 
1  0 
men  blooms,  doz.  ... 
1  0 
2  6 
Odontoglossums  .  3 
U 
4  0 
,,  white,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
4  (. 
Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
,,  coloured,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
3  (i 
doz .  1 
0 
2  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  pink,  doz .  0 
6 
1  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
„  yellow,  doz.  (Perles)...  1 
0 
1  6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  red,  doz .  0 
6 
1  0 
bunches . 
3  0 
0  0 
Smilax,  bunch .  1 
0 
2  6 
Gypsophila,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
0  0 
Stephanotis,  doz .  2 
0 
2  6 
Lilium  lancifolium  album 
0  9 
1  0 
Stock,  white,  doz.  bnchs.  1 
6 
2  0 
„  „  rubrum 
0  6 
1  0 
,,  coloured, doz. bnchs.  3  0 
0  0 
„  longiflorum . 
2  0 
2  6 
Tuberoses,  gross  .  1 
6 
2  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 12  bnchs 
12  0 
18  0 
Violets,  single,  doz.  ...  0 
9 
1  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
„  double,  doz.  ...  3 
0 
4  0 
bnchs . 
3  0 
4  0 
