January  26,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
75 
Calanthes  {Foreman). — Tlie  spikes  are  most  creditable,  and  it  is 
plainly  apparent  that  your  methods  of  cultivation  are  excellent.  Ti  e 
names  you  give  arc  correct.  The  Poinsettias  are  very  fine.) 
The  Vegetable  Pear  {N.  /?.). — By  this  we  presume  you  refer  to  Vege¬ 
table  Marrow.  If  so,  the  seed  should  not  be  sown  until  the  end  of  April 
or  early  in  May  under  a  wall  for  shelter,  and  they  should  be  placed  about 
■6  feet  apart,  it  being  usual  to  sow  three  seeds  in  a  place  to  make  sure  of  a 
sturdy  plant,  leaving  the  strongest  one  when  they  are  showing  the  second 
rough  leaf.  The  plants  do  not  transplant  well,  it  being  usual  to  raise 
them  in  pots  so  as  to  overcome  the  difficulty  and  get  them  forward  for 
■planting  out. 
Pruning  a  Shrub  {H.  F.). — The  shrub,  apparently  Pyrus  Maulei, 
should  be  pruned  in  the  summer — that  is,  have  the  growth  regulated  and 
■laid  in  so  as  to  cover  the  space  evenl)^  any  foreright  growths  being 
shortened  to  a  few  leaves.  When  this  has  been  neglected  the  pruning 
should  be.  attended  to  now,  cutting  away  any  excessive  growths  so 
as  to  keep  near  the  wall,  as  it  flowers  on  the  well-ripened  wood.  It  is 
usual  to  go  over  the  shrub  about  July,  regulating  the  growths  by  cutting 
back  the  shoots  not  required  for  filling  space,  and  again  in  the  autumn 
or  spring,  in  order  to  keep  it  within  bounds. 
Vallota  purpurea— Narcissi  Bulbs  {Idem). — This  ulant  usually  flowers 
in  the  late  summer  or  early  autumn,  but  not  in  the  spring.  The  plants 
should  be  kept  supplied  with  water  after  flowering,  and  grown  in  plenty 
of  light  in  a  cool  house  kept  safe  from  frost.  As  the  plants  are  looking 
■healthy  they  will  probably  flower  in  the  summer.  Towards  the  end  of 
May  or  early  in  .Tune  the  plants  may  be  placed  outside,  assigning  them  a 
sunny  position,  and  duly  supplying  with  water.  If  necessary  they  can  be 
potted  now,  but  it  is  advisable  not  to  disturb  the  plants  much,  and  to  keep 
somewhat  under  rather  than  over-potted.  They  are  perhaps  best  potted 
•and  planted  in  June  and  July,  when  they  commence  root  action,  before 
the  flower  stems  are  sent  up  ;  but  we  have  potted  them  with  success  just 
after  flowering.  They  should  not  be  dried  off,  but  have  the  soil  moist  at 
all  times  of  year,  2,  Narcissus  bulbs  will  flower  a  second  season,  but  not 
so  well  as  the  first,  as  they  suffer  more  or  less  from  the  forcing  process. 
They  should  be  kept  in  a  light  situation  safe  from  frost,  so  as  to  complete 
and  mature  the  growths,  then,  when  they  die  down,  they  may  be  kept 
drier  at  the  roots  or  dried  off,  though  they  are  best  left  in  the  pots,  and 
these  stood  on  a  moist  base.  They  should  be  potted  in  August  or 
September,  giving  them  fresh  soil  to  grow  in. 
Oil  Stove — Hot-water  Apparatus  {R.  D.). — The  “  smell  ”  of  an  oil  stove 
is  more  or  less  injurious  to  vegetation,  and  even  the  “new  blue-flame 
stoves”  must  do  some  harm,  as  they  give  off  the  heat  at  a  high  tem- 
pera'ure.  We  have  no  experience  of  the  “  twelve- hours  stove,”  but  if 
one  heating  water  and  not  giving  out  any  fumes,  it  may  be  a  suitable 
apparatus.  We  consider  “the  Loughborough  boiler,”  advertised  in  our 
columns  excellent  for  heating  a  small  greenhouse,  and  it  will  burn 
cither  coal  or  coke.  Being  fixed  outside  no  fumes  can  enter  the  house 
and  cause  harm  to  the  plants. 
Boarded  Fences  for  Peaches  {Scot,  N.B.). — We  have  no  experience 
so  far  north,  as  Dundee  of  Peach  trees  on  boarded  fences,  and  hardly 
think  them  likely  to  succeed.  Boarded  fences  only  afford  shelter  from 
•certain  points,  and  concentrate  the  sun’s  warmth  when  present,  not 
absorbing  much  heat  and  giving  it  out  again  as  in  the  case  of  a  wall. 
You  must  exercise  judgment  in  the  matter,  as  we  find  Peaches  do  not 
succeed  against  wooden  fences  with  a  south  aspect  in  the  north  of 
England  at  over  100  feet  above  sea  level.  There  are,  of  course, 
very  sheltered  and  sunny  situations — veritable  sun  traps — where  “  very 
fair  Peaches  have  grown  ”  under  the  conditions  you  propose,  but  they 
■must  be  esceptional  in  location.  1,  We  consider  single  oblique  cordon 
trees  would  be  the  most  suitable,  and  the  border  for  them  need  not  exceed 
one-half  the  height  of  the  wall  in  width,  nor  should  it  bo  loss  than  one- 
third.  2,  For  dwarf  trained  trees,  which  we  do  not  advise  for  vour 
jrurpose,  the  border  should  be  about  two-thirds  in  width  that  of  the 
height  of  the  fence,  and  the  trees  placed  twice  as  far  apart  when  the 
height  does  not  exceed  7  feet  0  inches.  3,  The  lowest  satisfactory 
height  for  the  fences  is  6  feet,  the  usual  height  of  boundary  boardings. 
4.  The  best  plan  of  nailing  on  the  boards  is  the  upright.  When 
placed  horizontally  the  wet  lodges  in  the  joints  between  the  boards, 
an  1  they  decay  accordingly.  Why  not  place  the  boards  upright  to 
within  a  foot  or  board-width  of  the  ground  and  there  place  a  stout  board 
horizontally  1 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  cultivated 
plants,  not  wild  flowers,  or  varieties  that  have  originated  from  seeds  and 
termed  florists’  flowers.  Flowering  specimens  are  necessary  of  flowering 
plants,  and  Fern  fronds  should  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in 
a  fresh  state  in  securely  tied  firm  boxes.  Thin  paper  boxes  arrive  in  a 
flattened  state.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the 
best  poking,  dry  wool  or  paper  the  worst.  Those  arrive  in  the  best 
condition  that  are  so  closely  or  firmly  packed  in  soft  green  fresh  grass,  as 
to  remain  unmoved  by  shaking.  No  specimens  should  be  sent  to  rest  in 
the  post  office  over  Sunday,  on  which  day  there  is  no  delivery  of  postal 
•matter  in  London.  Specimens  in  partially  filled  boxes  are  invariably 
injured  or  spoiled  by  being  dashed  to  and  fro  in  transit.  Not  more  than 
six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  the  numbers  should  be  visible 
without  untying  the  ligatures,  it  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them 
when  the  paper  is  damp.  (W.  C.  S.). — Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine, 
see  page  74.  (W.  —  Cypripedium  insigne,  good  variety  ;  2, 
Lselia  anceps  ;  3,  Adianium  cuneatum  grandiceps  ;  4,  Selaginella  csesia. 
{0.  S,  P.). — 1,  Cupre.ssus  funebris  ;  2,  Thuia  Lobhi ;  3,  Taxodium 
flistichum  ;  4,  Cedrus  deodara  ;  5,  Ketinospora  plumosa  aurea. 
TRADE  CATALOaUES  RECEIVED. 
S.  Bide,  Alma  Nurseries,  Farnham. — Seeds. 
G.  Cooling  &  Sons,  Northgate,  Bath.— 5c’cds. 
B.  R.  Davis,  Yeovil. — Begonias  and  Seeds. 
Davy,  Beaufort-en-Vall4e  (Marne  and  Loire),  France. — Seeds. 
H.  P.  Kelsey,  Boston,  Mass. — American  Plants  and  Flowers. 
It,  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street,  Birmingham. — Seeds. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Jan.  25th. 
FRUIT. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  §  sieve 
•  •  • 
1  3  to  3  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  OtoGO  0 
Cobs  . 
•  •• 
40  0 
45  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  10 
1  6 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
•  •  • 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  J  sieve  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
Beet,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs . 
2  0 
3  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz.  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . ' ... 
1  0 
0  0 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchs 
2  0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle . 
1  6 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
•  •• 
0  4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
1  6 
1  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
j  Sprouts,  \  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  6 
0  8 
j  Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
6  0to36  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0  to  7  0 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
•  •• 
18  0 
36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen , 
•  •• 
5  0 
10  6 
Lilium  Harris!,  doz. 
24  0 
36  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
24  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0- 
4  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
•  •• 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
9  0 
12  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •• 
9  0 
18  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
9  0 
24  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  0 
15  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0 
18  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
8  0 
12  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
4  0 
18  0 
Solanums,  doz . 
6  0 
12  0 
„  small,  100  ... 
•  •• 
4  0 
8  0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.-CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arums  . 
•  •• 
6  Oto  8  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  6  to  5  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  6 
1  3 
Azalea,  white,  per 
doz. 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
5  0 
bnchs . 
•  •  • 
3  0 
4  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ... 
•  •• 
0  4 
0  6 
bnchs . 
6  0 
8  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
•  •  • 
1  6 
2  0 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  bch. 
0  6 
2  0 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
„  specimen 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
10  0 
blooms,  per 
doz. 
1  6  to  2  0 
Poinsettias,  doz.  blooms... 
4  0 
6  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
bch.  12  blooms  ... 
•  •  • 
1  0 
0  0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
•  •  • 
2  0 
3  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
3  0 
4  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
... 
2  0 
4  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Safrano,  doz . 
1-0 
1  6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  Pink,  doz . 
0  0 
0  0 
bnchs . 
... 
6  0 
8  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  6 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  C 
0  8 
Tulips,  bunch . 
1  0 
1  6 
Lilium  lancifolium,  white 
3  0 
4  0 
Violets  . 
1  0 
2  6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
8  0 
10  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
A  FULL  MILK  PAIL. 
It  is  no  figure  of  speech  to  say  we  are  greatly  under  obligations  to 
our  readers  for  the  questions  they  at  times  ask  u.^,  as  they  serve  to 
show  the  subjects  most  appreciated,  and  most  calculated  to  be  of  use. 
We  have  said  it  before,  and  we  say  it  again,  if  people  would  only 
mention  little  difficulties,  we  are  always  willing  (where  possible) 
to  help  in  their  solution.  We  prefer,  if  our  applicant  can  wait,  to 
make  his  difficulty  the  subject  of  a  paper,  as  we  can  then  discuss 
the  subject  at  greater  length,  and  possibly  make  our  answer  more 
comprehensive. 
Among  all  gentlemen  and  ladles  of  property  living  in  the  country, 
or  suburbs  of  our  towns,  the  first  thing  that  occurs  to  them  after  the 
establishment  of  a  garden,  is  the  building  of  a  cowhouse  and  the 
I  ma’ntenance  of  a  cow.  They  seem  to  consider  there  is  a  great  charm 
