February  IG,  1899. 
JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
137 
Old  Currant  Bushes  (^Amateur^, — Those  with  thick  main  branches, 
spurless  at  the  base  and  upwards  to  a  great  extent,  ought  not  to  be 
tolerated  for  long  without  some  attempt  being  made  to  renew  their 
vigour  by  originating  new  shoots,  cutting  the  old  ones  away.  This  can 
easily  be  done  by  selecting  a  strong  growth,  either  from  the  base  of  such 
above  or  below  the  ground  line,  or  a  prominent  sucker  springing  up  in  a 
suitable  position.  Very  old  and  fungus-stricken  bushes  should  be  dis¬ 
carded.  grubbing  up  and  burning  them,  then  the  ground  must  be  deeply 
dug,  sweetened,  and  enriched  before  planting  young  vigorous  trees. 
Peaches  to  Ripen  in  July  (iJ.  Lavorenoe'). — The  trees  to  afford  fruit 
in  .Tul}’  must  be  started  at  once,  they  having  commenced  to  swell  their 
buds  naturally.  Syringe  the  trees  occasionally  until  the  blossom  buds 
show  colour,  when  it  should  be  discontinued,  but  sorinklo  available 
surfaces  once  or  twice  a  day  to  maintain  a  genial  condition  of  the 
atmosphere,  avoiding  a  close  stagnant  one.  If  the  flowers  are  very 
numerous  thin  them  by  rubbing  the  hand  downwards  on  the  under  side 
of  the  shoots,  which  will  strengthen  the  remainder,  enabling  them  to  set 
better.  Maintain  a  temperature  of  40°  to  45°  at  night,  and  50°  by  day, 
above  which  ventilate  freely.  When  the  flowers  expand  raise  the  tempe¬ 
rature  to  50°  at  night,  55°  bj'  day,  and  60°  to  65°  from  sun  heat  with  free 
ventilation.  On  cold  nights  the  temperature  may  fall  to  45°,  or  even 
less,  also  50°  by  day,  allowing  a  little  ventilation  constantly  at  the  top  of 
the  house. 
Pruning  Apricots  (F.  S.  P.').  —  Extreme  measures  in  pruning  are 
ill-iidapted  to  the  Apricot,  the  most  successful  results  following  when 
pruning  can  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  Apricots  bear  freely  on  well- 
ripened  shoots  of  the  previous  year,  also  on  spurs  formed  by  shortening 
shoots  not  wanted  for  extension  or  furnishing  young  bearing  wood. 
In  addition  to  these,  spurs  are  naturally  formed,  and  wherever  such 
are  suitably  placed  they  should  be  retained  in  preference  to  artificial 
spurs.  The  overcrowding  of  spurs  should  be  avoided,  and  undue  elonga¬ 
tion  of  spur  clusters  prevented  by  judiciously  shortening  projecting 
portions  either  at  the  winter  pruning  or  when  the  trees  are  examined 
after  the  fruit  is  gathered.  The  annual  shoots  reserved  for  bearing  ought 
to  have  the  immature  points  removed  down  to  firm  wood,  being  usually 
when  thus  shortened  about  a  foot  or  15  inches  in  length.  Weak  shoots 
cut  in  closer.  Those  reserved  with  the  intention  of  originating  new  growth 
must  also  be  pruned  to  a  strong  wood  bud. 
Apple  Royal  Jubilee  (I>.  E.  H). — This  variety  bears  a  close  resem¬ 
blance  to  Golden  Noble,  the  fruit  being  medium  sized  to  large,  usually 
very  even,  conical  (instead  of  round,  as  in  Golden  Noble),  skin  smooth, 
clear  bright  lemon,  without  any  flush  of  red,  but  a  few  small  reddish 
spots  and  small  patches  of  russet ;  eye  small,  rather  closed  ;  stalk  short  ; 
flesh  yellowish,  firm,  solid,  with  a  pleasant  acid  juice,  and  baking  of  a 
clear  amber  colour,  perfectly  melting,  and  with  a  rich  acidity.  A  very 
handsome  and  heavy  culinary  Apple,  in  use  from  October  to  March,  but 
most  valuable  at  midwinter,  as  conical  fruit  is  preferred  in  the  markets, 
especially  golden,  about  Christmas.  The  tree  has  a  compact  but  free 
habit,  very  stout  and  firm,  is  late  in  flowering,  foliage  large  and  shining, 
and  the  wood  being  stout  and  robust  the  fruit  is  not  liable  to  fall  in 
windy  weather.  It  is  a  free  bearer  and  healthy — a  fine  sort  to  graft  on 
old  stems.  This  Apple  was  raised  by  Mr,  Graham  about  twenty-eight 
years  ago,  and  has  been  grown  to  some  extent  in  Kent,  experienced 
growers  regarding  it  as  a  great  advance  on  the  softer  autumnal  Apples, 
as  it  travels  well,  and  can  be  kept  until  March.  It  does  well  in  any  good 
loamy  soil,  and  though  a  Kentish  fruit  would  no  doubt  succeed  in  favour¬ 
able  localities  in  the  north — at  least,  it  gives  promise  of  sterling  value 
further  north  than  your  location. 
Names  of  Fruits.  —  Notice.  —  We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  grow'ers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  Apples  and  Pears 
sent  to  this  office  to  be  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only  specimens  and 
varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior,  which  are  not  worth 
sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of  senders  of  fruits  or 
flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed  with  the  specimens, 
whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or  not.  The 
names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials  sufficing  for 
that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any  beyond  that 
number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the  first  indication  of 
change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  carmot  be  named  in  a  hard  green  state, 
in.  C.'). — Your  Apple  is  the  Broad-eyed  Pippin,  It  is  a  very  old  English 
variety,  and  was  mentioned  by  John  Ray,  a  celebrated  botanist  and 
writer,  who  was  born  in  1629  and  died  about  1704. 
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  packing,  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.  [S.  Junior). — Begonia  insignis,  slightly  out  of 
character.  (  W.  J.). — Crotons,  are  florists’  flowers  that  can  only  be  named 
by  comparison  in  a  large  collection.  The  Ferns  and  Selaginellas  were 
quite  dead  through  packing  in  cotton  wool.  Orchid  shrivelled,  probably 
Lycaste  Skinneri.  (A.  H.  E.), — Apparently  a  small  leaf  of  Calathea 
(Maranta)  tubispatha. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Feb.  15th. 
FRUIT. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  ds 
Apples,  \  sieve . 
...  1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  0to60  0 
Cobs  . 
...  30  0 
40  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
6  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
1  2 
2  0 
VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
...  0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  \  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 
Sprouts,  \  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
...  1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
...  0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE 
WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
B.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arums  . 
...  3  Oto  4  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  0  to  4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch...  2  0 
2  6 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  6 
1  0 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs.  3  0 
4  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
5  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ... 
...  0  4 
0  6 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
...  1  6 
3  0 
bnchs . 
6  0 
8  0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  bch.  1  6 
2  0 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  specimen. 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
blooms,  per 
doz.  1  6  to  2  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
10  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Poinsettias,  doz.  blooms... 
0  0 
6  0 
bch.  12  blooms  ... 
...  0  9 
1  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches  0  6 
0  9 
,,  Red,  doz* ...  ...  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
...  2  0 
3  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
...  2  0 
4  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
...  9  0 
12  0 
,,  Safrano,  doz.  . 
1  0 
1  6 
Geranium,  scarlet, 
doz. 
,,  Pink,  doz . 
0  0 
0  0 
bnchs . 
...  6  0 
8  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch  0  6 
0  8 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
1  0 
Lilium  lancifolium,  white  0  0 
0  0 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms  4  0 
6  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
p.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
B.  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  Harrisi,  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 
SHEEP  FOR  MUTTON, 
We  are  well  acquainted  with  wholesale  butchers  in  a  large  way  of 
business,  men  who  know  what  is  what  and  have  either  made 
fortunes  out  of  their  business,  or  we  are  very  much  mistaken.  We 
meet  with  them,  not  every  day  but  occasionally,  and  have  been  very 
much  struck  with  the  constant  tenor  of  their  remarks  on  the 
mutton  trade.  They  have  one  text,  “  Farmers  must  cater  for  the 
public.” 
Now  when  these  men  speak  of  the  public  they  do  not  mean  the 
Bradford  woolmerchants  Imt  the  toiling  millions  who  eat  the  joints 
of  mutton.  Wool  is  not  what  it  used  to  be,  an  uncertain  quantity, 
