February  23,  1899. 
157 
JOURNAL 
Oi 
HORTTCULTURE  AND  COTTAGE 
GARDENER. 
Silico  fluoride  of  Ammonium  (/.  A.  S.'). — The  article  is  not  in  commerce, 
it  being  a  preparation  due  to  the  genius  of  Mr.  W.  Mills,  and  by  him  first 
brought  to  notice  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  for  the  destruction  of  pests. 
Mr.  G.  Abbey  had  his  supply  from  Mr.  Mills,  who  would  no  doubt  treat 
you  in  a  similarly  obliging  manner.  If  you  write  to  him,  care  of  Editor, 
8,  Rose  Hill  Road.  Wandsworth,  we  will  forward  the  letter. 
Seedling  Hollyhocks  (  W.). — The  better  plan  would  he  to  transfer  the 
seedlings  into  larger  pots,  growing  them  in  the  cold  frame  and  hardening 
before  planting  during  mild  weather  in  April.  This  will  give  much 
finer  plants  and  a  better  prospect  of  bloom  this  summer,  there  being 
nothing  like  a  strong  plant  with  plenty  of  active  roots  ready  to  lay  hold 
of  the  soil  without  delay. 
Planting  Carnations  (Zdern). — The  beginning  of  March  is  much  too 
early  to  plant  out  yellow-ground  and  other  Carnations  wintered  in  a  frame, 
as  the  winds  are  often  very  sharp  and  cold,  thus  stunting  the  “  grass,” 
especially  as  the  winter  has  been  mild.  We  should  keep  them  in  the 
frame,  well  ventilated,  until  April.  If  the  weather  prove  mild  during 
March  the  stock  may  be  planted  out,  but  we  should  not  be  in  a  hurry  for  the 
reason  given,  certainly  deferring  it  until  the  middle  or  end  of  the  month. 
Vines  Breaking  irregularly  {E.  R.).— It  is  not  unusual  for  Vines  of 
several  different  varieties  in  one  house  to  start  into  growth  unevenly,  and 
even  in  individual  Vines  for  some  buds  to  break  and  others  remain 
dormant,  or  not  start  until  the  others  are  well  advanced  in  growth.  'I'his 
usually  arises  from  indiffejtent  ripening  cf  the  wood  and  an  unsatisfactory 
condition  of  the  roots.  There  does  not  appear  to  be  anything  wrong  with 
the  treatment,  but  50°  to  60°  at  night  is  a  long  range,  yet  the  lower 
degree  would  not  do  any  harm  if  it  did  not  occur  often,  a  few  degrees  not 
making  much  difference.  Now  that  the  Vines  are  coming  into  leaf  the 
temperature  should  be  kept  at  60°  to  65°  at  night,  70°  to  75°  by  day, 
ventilating  from  70°,  and  increasing  it  with  the  advancing  temperature, 
avoiding  cold  currents,  allowing  an  advance  of  10°  to  15°  from  sun  heat, 
and  closing  early  so  as  to  husband  it.  It  is  best  not  to  hurry  the  Vines 
in  the  early  stages,  but  after  coming  into  leaf  they  must  have  sufficient 
heat  to  secure  steady  development  and  progressive  growth. 
Increasing  Rhubarb  (^Learner). — When  the  crowns  arc  beginning  to 
move  is  the  best  time  to  lift,  split  into  pieces  each  with  a  crown  or  two 
and  some  roots  attached,  and  replant.  No  crop  better  repays  for  liberal 
treatment  at  the  roots.  Where  possible  the  ground  should  be  broken  up 
two  or  three  spits  deep  and  good  manure  mixed  with  each  spit.  The 
divisions  may  either  be  planted  singly  or  in  groups  of  three,  arranging 
the  stations  3  feet  apart.  Sink  the  divisions  so  as  to  bury  all  but  the 
crown  or  buds,  fixing  them  firmly.  Mulch  early  with  strawy  manure, 
cut  out  any  flower  heads  that  may  develop,  and  do  not  pull  any  leaves 
during  the  first  season.  Rhubarb  is  easily  propagated  from  seed,  but  the 
plants  do  not  all  come  true  to  name.  The  seed  may  bo  sown  in  March, 
thinly,  in  rows  15  to  18  inches  apart,  eventually  moving  alternate  rows 
and  half  of  the  plants  from  the  rest.  A  few  weeks  will  be  gained  by 
sowing  the  seed  at  once  in  pans  of  light  soil  and  placing  it  in  gentle  heat. 
Rust  on  Carnations  (  W.  B.'). — Old  rusted  plants  cannot  be  cured,  they 
should  be  burned.  Good  results,  however,  have  been  obtained  by  removing 
the  worst  infested  “grass”  and  then  spraying  the  plants  with  dilute 
Bordeaux  mixture,  repeating  at  occasional  intervals.  The  strength  of 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  may  be  1  oz.  each  of  copper  sulphate  and  freshly 
burned  lime  to  a  gallon  of  water.  Sulphide  of  potassium,  1  oz.  tolO 
gallons  of  water,  has  also  been  successfully  applied,  and  some  growers  have 
got  rid  of  the  rust  by  the  aid  of  permanganate  of  potassium,  1  oz.  to  3 
gallons  of  water.  The  application,  in  any  case,  should  be  made  upon  the 
first  appearance  of  the  disease,  and  repeated  at  intervals  of  about  ten  days. 
Of  course,  the  thing  is  to  prevent  the  disease,  for  which  purpose  we  know 
of  nothing  better  than  dilute  Bordeaux  mixture,  or  dusting  occasionally 
with  the  preparations  of  sulphate  of  copper  in  powder,  such  as  anti-blight 
and  fostite.  Soluble  phenyle  has  a  burning  effect  on  foliage,  and  can 
hardly  be  recommended.  If  it  is  tried  begin  with  a  strength  of  1  fluid  oz. 
to  6:f  gallons  of  rain  water. 
Eiical3rptiis  globulus  in  Tubs  Failing  (^Blackpool). — The  most  likely 
cause  of  the  failure  is  general  defective  conditions  of  growth.  A  cellar 
is  not  a  -proper  place  for  the  tubs,  as  the  soil  will  be  deprived  of  air  to 
a  great  extent,  and  their  need  of  water  or  otherwise  cannot  properly  be 
attended  to.  The  structure  also  is  very  unsuitable,  “  10  feet  wooden 
walls  with  a  rolled  plate  glass  roof  with  two  coats  of  white  paint 
on  the  outside,  no  top  ventilation,  only  end  doors,  and  six  rooms  opening 
into  the  corridor.”  Besides,  the  plants  have  been  in  the  tubs  about  eight 
years.  No  wonder  they  sicken  and  go  off  one  after  the  other.  We 
should  consider  the  plants  have  done  well  to  live  so  long  under  the  trying 
circumstances,  and  that  the  collapse  now  taking  place  is  due  entirely  to 
the  adverse  conditions.  Possibly  the  soil  has  become  sodden  and  sour, 
and  the  plants  have  thus  died  from  loss  of  roots.  Of  course,  they  may 
have  been  overwatered,  and  the  conditions  brought  about  have  resulted 
in  the  death  of  the  plants.  On  these  points  we  can  offer  no  opinion. 
Why  not  procure  young  plants,  and  grow  them  in  tubs  in  the  house, 
where  they  could  be  properly  attended  to  ?  The  plhnts  like  abundance 
of  sunlight  and  air,  just  the  very  things  they  are  deprived  of  in  your 
case.  Surely  white  paint  is  not  a  suitable  material  for  shading  purposes, 
but  it  has  no  doubt  been  used  to  give  the  requisite  coolness  in  the 
structure  during  the  summer.  Ventilation  ought  to  be  provided,  and  the 
paint  removed  from  the  glass,  using  “  summer  cloud  ”  or  such  preparation 
as  could  easily  be  washed  off,  and  the  plants  thus  have  modified  light 
in  summer  and  full  in  the  winter. 
Names  of  Fruits  (2).  J.  if.).:— 1,  Shrivelled  beyond  the  possibility  of 
recognition  ;  2,  Wellington  ;  3,  possibly  Keddleston  Pippin  ;  4,  unknown 
and  worthless,  probably  never  had  a  recognised  name  ;  5,  not  sure, 
resembles  Dumelow’s  Seedling  ;  6,  Yorkshire  Beauty. 
Names  of  Plants  (71  E.  Rf). — Specimens  packed  as  yours  were 
seldom  reach  us  sufficiently  fresh  for  identification.  1,  is  possiblv 
Davallia  canariensis  ;  2,  too  small  and  withered  to  even  permit  ot  "a 
suggestion  being  made.  (P.  .4.).— 1,  Cattleya  Trianm  ;  2,  Cypripedium 
insigne  ;  B,  Adiantum  cuneatum,  varietal  form;  4,  Pteris  cretica  albo- 
lineata.  ( IF.  T.  C.). — Zygopetalum  Mackayi. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Feb.  22nd. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  OtoGO  0 
Cabs  . 
•  •• 
30  0 
40  0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
•  •• 
1  2 
2  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Asparagus,  per  100  ... 
•  •• 
0  0  to  0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
Beans,  I  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,  J  sieve  . 
1  6 
1  9 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
0  « 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE 
WH  OLESALE  PRICES.-CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arums  . 
•  •• 
3  Oto  4  0 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  6  to  1  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2  6 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnebs. 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
4  0 
5  0 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  ... 
•  •  » 
0  4 
0  6 
bnchs . 
6  0 
8  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
•  •  • 
1  6 
3  0 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
bch.  12  blooms  ... 
•  •  • 
0  9 
1  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
10  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
0  6 
0  9 
Poiiisettias,  doz.  blooms... 
0  0 
6  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
•  •• 
2  0 
3  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
•  • » 
2  0 
4  0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
•  •• 
9  0 
12  0 
,,  Tea.  white,  doz. 
2  0 
4  0 
Geranium,  scarlet, 
doz. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
bnchs . 
•  •• 
6  0 
8  0 
Safrano,  doz . 
1  0 
1  6 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  6 
0  8 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Lilium  lancifolium,  white 
0  0 
0  0 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
1  0 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  0 
4  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
•  •• 
6  0to36  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0  to  7  0 
•  •• 
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  Daisj',  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 
a'  treat  for  dinner. 
We  believe  it  was  said  of  the  good  king  Henri  Quatre,  the 
Huguenot  monarch  of  France,  that  ho  had  so  much  at  heart  the 
prosperity  of  his  subjects,  great  and  small,  that  he  did  all  in  his  power 
to  promote  prosperity,  and  that  he  considered  one  sign  of  that  prosperity 
was  that  every  poor  man  in  his  dominions  should  be  able  to  afford  a 
fowl  to  improve  the  contents  of  his  Sunday  sonp  pot. 
We  do  not  know  whether  the  English  artisan  will  ever  arrive  at 
this  comfortable  consummation ;  but  we  fancy  a  good  many  of  them 
would  have  no  objection  to  such  a  savoury  morsel,  and  we  fail  to  see 
any  reason  why  tbe  fowl  dinner  for  Sunday,  or  indeed  any  other  day, 
should  not  be  greatly  on  the  increase. 
Fowls  have  come  to  be  considered,  first,  the  rich  man’s  delicacy, 
and,  second,  tbe  sick  man’s  diet.  So  far,  so  good  ;  but  when  wo  con¬ 
sider  the  quantity  of  excellent  food  on  a  fine  fowl  we  wonder  that  it 
is  not  more  sought  after  as  a  substitute  for  the  everlasting  beef  and 
