November  7,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
433 
PLANTING  SPRUCE  FIR  ON  HEAVY  LAND  (W.  J.).— 
The  Norway  Spruce  (Picea  syn.  Abies  excelsa),  being  a  surface 
rooting  tree,  succeeds  on  heavy  land,  especially  if  well  under¬ 
drained,  or  there  are  open  drains  to  prevent  the  land  from  being 
swamped.  As  the  land  has  been  trenched  two  spits  deep,  and 
we  presume  the  bottom,  if  of  a  stubborn  nature,  broken  up  with 
a  pick,  but  not  brought  to  the  surface,  we  do  not  see  why  the 
Spruce  should  not  thrive;  though  in  exposed  places  they  do  not 
prove  satisfactory,  especially  in  a  thin  belt,  after  attaining  a 
height  of  about  30ft,  or  twenty  to  twenty-five  years  age.  Indeed, 
they  are  not  suitable  for  outside  of  plantation  planting  in  very 
exposed  places,  especially  when  thin,  but  this  may  be  obviated 
to  a  great  extent  by  attention  to  early  thinning,  never  over¬ 
doing  it,  so  that  the  trees  shelter  each  other.  For  exposed  situa¬ 
tions  Austrian  Pine,  Pinus  austriaca,  is  the  best  coniferous  tree, 
and  you  should  employ  it  along  with  the  Norway  Spruce,  and  for 
variety  introduce  Corsican  Pine,  a  more  rapid  grower  than 
Austrian  Pine,  and  it  is  very  desirable  for  exposed  situations, 
never  inclining  with  us  in  the  most  exposed  places,  as  the 
Austrian  Pine  does  where  exposed  to  strong  wind.  Still,  it 
(Austrian  Pine)  bears  the  brunt  of  the  fiercest  gales  from  land 
or  sea,  and  should  be  used  largely  on  the  outside  of  the  planta¬ 
tion.'  The  noble  Silver  Fir  (Abies  syn.  Picea  nobilis)  does 
splendidly  on  heavy  land,  and  is  a  very  beautiful  tree,  contrasting 
finely  with  the  brown  of  Norway  Spruce. 
SCIENTIFIC  EVIDENCE  THAT  EXPLAINS  THE  PHENO¬ 
MENON  OF  CERTAIN  FLOWERS  EXHALING  PERFUME  AT 
NIGHT  ONLY  (W.  C.  R.). — We  are  not  aware  of  any  scientific 
evidence  on  the  odours  of  plants  and  flowers  beyond  that  based 
on  known  proclivities,  and  certainly  not  any  accounting  for  some 
plants  or  flowers  giving  forth  their  odours  during  daylight,  and 
especially  during  its  most  sunny  hours,  examples  of  which  are 
afforded  by  the  flowers  of  many  of  the  Labiatae,  the  Orange,  and 
the  Cistus  families,  while  others,  such  as  Hesperis  tristis  and 
Gladiolus  tristis,  are  fragrant  only  during  the  night.  Nor,  so 
far  as  we  know,  is  there  any  scientific  evidence  or  explanation  why 
the  fragrance  of  certain  plants,  such  as  Sweet  Briar,  is  most 
pronounced  after  rain  or  even  in  the  evening.  Indeed,  it  is  almost 
an  untrodden  path,  not  only  from  a  practical,  but  more  especially 
s^'entific  point  of  view.  Soil,  and  even  situation,  have  a  great 
duence  on  the  odour.  Thus,  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean, 
ear  Grasse  and  Nice,  the  Orange  tree  and  the  Mignonette  bloom 
most  deliciously  in  low,  warm,  sheltered  spots;  while  in  the  same 
region,  the  Violet  grows  sweeter  as  ascent  is  made  from  the 
lowest  land  and  approach  the  foot  of  the  Alps.  So,  Lavender 
and  Peppermint  grown  at  Mitcham,  in  Surrey,  yield  oils  far 
excelling  those  of  France  or  other  foreign  countries.  This  effect 
of  soil  and  climate  on  the  odour  of  plants  resembles  that  which 
they  exercise  in  so  remarkable  a  manner  on  the  narcotic  con¬ 
stituents  of  tobacco,  opium,  and  hemp.  The  agent  rendering  any 
plant  odoriferous  arises  from  a  highly  volatile  oil,  which  is  notedly 
affected  by  external  influence  as  well  as  by  soil.  Some  plants 
flower  only  at  night — why,  is  one  of  the  mysteries  of  Nature,  just 
as  plants  observe  various  seasons  of  blooming.  Why?  It  is 
Nature,  and  who  can  unfold  its  hidden  mysteries? 
NAMES  OF  FRUIT. — Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
following  number.  (D.  McIntosh). — Apples  :  1.  Worcester  Pearmain  ; 
2,  Egremont  Rirsset ;  3.  Striped  Beefing.  Pears :  1.  Princess ;  2, 
Urbaniste  ;  3.  Josephine  de  Malines  ;  4.  Winter  Nelis.  (J.  Pitts). — 
1.  Duchesse  d’Angouleme  ;  2,  Pitmaston  Duchess.  (L.  F.). — Apple 
Mrs.  Barron. 
NAMES  OF  PLANTS. —  Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
Jollowing  number.  (M.  Carpenter). — Alonsoa  Warscewiczi.  (H.  Pugh). 
— Strelitzia  regime,  a  plant  which  you  are  to  be  complimented  on 
having  grown  so  successfully.  These  flowers  last  in  good  condition 
for  months.  They  are  fortunate  with  this  remarkable  plant  at  Ivew, 
■where  it  is  a  source  of  the  greatest  interest.  (H.  M.). — Your  specimen 
leaf  is  that  of  a  species  of  Karatas,  near  rutilans,  one  of  the 
Bromeliads.  They  are  slow-growing  yet  interesting  plants,  especially 
when  one  knows  a  few  facts  about  their  various  characteristics. 
EDITORIAL  NOTICE. — Our  readers  can  greatly  assist  in  adding 
interest  to  the  pages  of  “The  Journal”  by  their  kindly  con¬ 
tribution  of  timely  notes  and  notices,  and  at  the  present  period 
of  the  year  there  may  he  photographic  examples  of  well-grown 
fruit,  Ac.,  growing  or  otherwise,  that  would  be  worthy  of  repro¬ 
duction.  The  Editor  would  be  pleased  to  have  such  subjects  for 
consideration  and  probable  use.  He  does  not  guarantee  to  pay 
for  prints  unless  by  special  agreement. 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
Wm.  Clibran  &  Son.  Seed.  Bulb,  and  Plant  Merchants,  Oldfield 
Nurseries.  Altrincham. —  Trees,  Roses.  Shrubs ,  and  Fruits. 
Dammann  A  Co.,  Seed  and  Bulb  Growers,  San  Giovanni  a  Teducci  o 
near  Naples,  Italy. — General  Price  List  of  Garden  Stock  Generali  y 
Covent  Garden  Market.— November  6th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Fruit. 
s.  d. 
s. 
d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Apples,  cooking,  bush. 
2  0  to  6 
0 
Lemons,  Naples,  case 
24  Oto 
30  0 
,,  dessert  . 
3  0 
6 
0 
Melons,  each  . 
0  9 
1  0 
Bananas . 
8  0 
12 
0 
Pears,  English,  4  sieve 
2  0 
6  0 
Figs,  green,  doz . 
1  6 
2 
0 
Pears,  French,  crate... 
4  0 
9  0 
Grapes,  Alicante,  lb. ... 
0  6 
1 
0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s, 
,,  Colman . 
0  8 
1 
6 
each . 
2  6 
4  6 
,,  Hamburgh  ... 
0  6 
1 
0 
Plums,  4  sieve  . 
3  0 
4  0 
,,  Muscat  . 
0  9 
2 
0 
Walnuts,  4  sieve . 
2  0 
3  Q 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
s. 
d 
s.  d. 
s.  d' 
Artichokes,  green,  doz. 
2  0  to  3 
0 
Horseradish,  bunch  ... 
1  Oto 0  O' 
,,  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1  6 
0 
0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
o  14 
0  2 
Batavia,  doz . 
2  0 
0 
0 
Lettuce,  Cos,  doz . 
0  0 
2  0 
Beans,  French,  per  lb. 
0  8 
0 
9 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb. 
0  6 
0  8: 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0  6 
0 
0 
Mustard  A  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0  0 
Brussels  Sprouts, ^sieve 
2  0 
2 
3 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Cabbages,  tally  . 
1  6 
3 
0 
Potatoes,  English,  cwt. 
3  0 
4  0 
Carrots,  doz.  bnch. 
2  0 
2 
6 
Radishes,  doz . 
0  6 
0  9' 
Cauliflower,  tally 
4  0 
6 
0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  2 
0  3 
Corn  Salad,  strike 
1  0 
1 
3 
Spinach,  bush . 
2  0 
3  0 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
3 
0 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb. 
0  3. 
0  4 
Endive,  doz . 
1  0 
1 
3 
Turnips,  doz.  bnch.  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0 
0 
Watercress,  doz . 
0  6 
0  8 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
Aralias,  doz . 
Araucaria,  doz . 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
Chrysanthemums',  doz. 
Crotons,  doz . 
Cyclamen,  doz . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  gracilis,  doz. 
,,  caffra,  doz . 
Perns,  var,  doz . 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d 
5 
0tol2 
0 
12 
0 
30 
0 
18 
0 
36 
0 
6 
0 
30 
0 
18 
0 
30 
0 
10 
12 
0 
12 
0 
30 
0 
9 
0 
18 
0 
10 
0 
12 
0 
15 
0 
.18 
0 
4 
0 
18 
0 
Ferns,  small,  100 . 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.  ... 
Foliage  plants,  var,  each 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz.  ... 
1  ,,  specimens 
I  Primulas  . 
j  Shrubs,  in  pots  . 
I  Solanums  . 
Average  Wholesale 
s.  d.  s. 
Arums,  doz .  5  0  to  6 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bnch.  10  2 
Bouvardia,  white, 
doz.  bunches .  4  0  6 
Bouvardia,  coloured, 
doz.  bunches .  4  0  6 
Camellias,  white .  3  0  4 
Carnations,  12  blooms  10  1 
Cattleyas,  doz .  8  0  12 
Chrysanthemu  m  s, 
\  specimen  blooms, 
doz .  10  4 
,,  white,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0  8 
,,  coloured, doz.  bnchs  2  0  8 
Cypripediums,  doz.  ...  3  0  4 
Eucharis,  doz.  . .  16  2 
Gardenias,  doz .  2  0  2 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs .  3  0  4 
Hyacinth,  Roman, 
doz.  bunches . 15  0  18 
Lilium  lancifolium  alb.  2  0  2 
d 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
6 
Prices.— Cut  Blowers 
Lilium  1.  rubrum 
Lilium  longiflorum  ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12 
bnchs  . 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Marguerites,  white, 
doz.  bnchs . 
,,  yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
Odontoglossums . 
Primula,  double  white, 
doz.  bunches . 
Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
doz . 
,,  pink,  doz . 
,,  yellow, doz.  (Perles) 
,,  red,  doz . 
Smilax,  bnch  . 
Stephanotis,  doz. 
Tuberoses,  gross . 
Violets,  single,  doz  ... 
,,  double,  doz . 
s.  d.  s.  d 
10  0tol6  0 
9  0  12  0 
10  5  0 
3  0  0  0 
6  0  10  0 
6  0  9  0 
15  0  30  0 
21  0  63  0 
3  0  4  0 
4  0  6  0 
8  0  10  0 
s. 
d. 
S. 
d 
1 
6  to  2 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
12 
0 
18 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
4 
0 
5 
0 
5 
0 
6 
0 
1 
0 
2 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
0 
6 
1 
0 
1 
0 
2 
6 
3 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
5 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
The  Coming  Winter  and  Cattle  Feeding. 
“  It  is  the  unexpected  which  always  happens,”  and  we 
have  become  so  accustomed  of  late  to  mild  winters  that  one 
of  the  old-fashioned  type  might  readily  find  us  very  unpre¬ 
pared  for  it.  The  supply  of  straw  is  decidedly  less  than  an 
average  one  ;  the  surplus  stock  has  been  dwindling  for  two 
or  three  years  under  the  influence  of  too  dry  seasons,  and 
there  is  very  little  reserve  to  draw  upon.  The  same  may  be 
said  in  respect  to  hay.  This  year’s  crop  is  of  very  good 
quality,  but  much  under  the  average  as  regards  quantity, 
which  is  shown  by  the  very  decided  rise  in  price. 
Mangold  is  a  good,  almost  a  bumper,  crop,  but  the  acreage 
