Marcli  2,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
177 
Tennis  Lawn  (/.  V.  //.). — There  is  no  orthodox  size  ior  a  lawn  tennis 
j'round,  but  it  should  not  be  less  than  twice  the  length  of  the  width  of 
the  net,  which  is  usually  36  feet  or  42  feet  wide,  and  it  is  better  to  have 
too  much  rather  than  too  little  room  ;  hence  30  yards  and  18  or  20  yards 
wide  is  preferable  to  a  lawn  only  just  large  enough,  Ijoking  much  better 
and  being  pleasanter  for  all  concerned.  A  full-sized  tennis  “ court”  is 
78  feet  long  and  36  feet  wide. 
Winter  Salading  {G.  W.'). — As  there  is  a  difficulty  in  obtaining 
Lettuce  with  good  white  hearts  during  the  months  of  February  and 
March,  we  should  advire  you  to  rely  upon  blanched  Endive  during  that 
period,  and  ChicDry,  which  are  admirable  winter  salads.  Endive  may  be 
readily  blanched  by  tying  up  the  tops  of  the  leaves,  and  inverting  a  pot 
over  the  plant,  stopping  the  hole  with  a  stone.  A  slate  laid  flat  on  the 
plants  is  a  method  adopted  by  some,  and  answers  well.  Chicory  is 
readily  forced  in  darkness  and  heat. 
Soft  Rot  In  Celery  ( W.  S.'). — The  “  head  ”  has  the  central  part 
decayed,  and  brown  or  black.  It  is  what  is  termed  “  soft  rot,”  and  by 
some  regarded  as  due  to  bacterial  agency,  but  we  failed  to  discover  any 
micro-organisms  of  that  nature  in  your  specimen,  or  any  form  of  lile 
of  a  fungoid  character.  A  small  portion  of  the  decayed  part  swarmed 
with  eelworm,  commonly  called  stem-eelworm,  Tylenchus  devastatrix, 
also  innumerable  eggs  of  the  eelworm.  We  do  not  consider  the  eelworm  the 
•cause  of  the  “soft  rot,”  but  rather  as  the  consequence  of  the  decay 
set  up  by  excessive  moisture  in  the  heart  ot  the  head  of  Celery,  and 
the  cause  of  that  decay  we  should  attribute  to  the  sewage.  The  eel- 
worms  may  have  been  aided  by  the  soft  character  of  the  central  stalks, 
and  thus  have  pierced  them  and  furthered,  if  not  produced,  the  rot, 
for  it  is  difficult  in  such  cases  to  separate  or  distinguish  cause  from 
effect.  White  Celeries  are  no  more  tender  than  red  varieties,  yet  not 
all,  for  Sandringham  is  one  of  the  very  best  for  late  use.  We  should 
give  the  land  a  good  liming,  say  half  hundredweight  per  rod,  and 
point  in  shortly  after  slaking,  then  supply  a  top-dressing  of  kainit, 
3^  lbs.  per  rod,  and  leave  for  the  rains  to  wash  in. 
Diseased  French  Beans,  Cucumber,  and  Tomato  Plants  (A  and  S.). — 
The  whole  of  the  plants  are  “  cankered  ”  at  the  roots  and  more  or  less 
in  the  root  stems,  and  in  these  are  the  threads  of  a  fungus,  Fusarium 
lycopersici,  which  is  popularly  known  as  “sleepy  disease.”  The  plants 
collapse  or  “  blister  ”  in  the  leaves  under  powerful  sun  because  their 
feeding  roots  are  destroyed,  hence  not  able  to  supply  sap  in  proportion  to 
the  water  evaporated  from  the  leaves.  We  failed  to  detect  any  trace  of 
animal  pests  at  the  roots  or  in  the  soil,  though  we  subjected  all  the 
samples  to  careful  microscopical  examination.  The  soil  is  practically 
devoid  of  lime,  and  to  this  may  prolmbly  be  due  the  presence  of  the  fungus. 
We  should  supply  a  dressing  of  best  chalk  lime,  preferably  air-slaked, 
using  half  a  pound  per  square  yard,  and  whore  possible  pointing  in  lightly 
with  a  fork.  In  the  case  of  soil  for  potting  or  beds  we  advise  per 
cent,  of  the  lime  named  to  be  mixed  with  it,  and  some  little  time  before 
use,  turning  once  or  twice  to  insure  even  incorporation  ;  or,  as  equally 
effective,  and  at  the  same  time  supplying  both  lime  and  phosphoric  acid, 
basic  slag  phosphate,  1  lb.  per  square  yard,  pointing  in  as  advised  for  the 
lime.  For  mixing  with  soil  use  7  lbs.  of  basic  slag  phosphate  per  cubic 
yard,  incorporating  thoroughly.  Either  lime  or  basic  slag  phosphate 
would  be  likely  to  give  the  desired  relief,  and  the  soil  would  be  further 
improved  by  an  addition  of  wood  ashes  ;  or  kainit  may  be  used  in  the 
proportion  of  2  to  3  ozs.  per  square  yard  for  top-dressing.  The  soil  also 
appears  deficient  in  grit,  and  would  be  improved  by  the  addition  of  one- 
sixth  of  old  mortar  rubbish.  We  cannot  analyse  in  any  case,  hence 
express  no  opinion  on  the  water  ;  but  as  this  does  not  act  prejudicial!}', 
or  appear  to  do  so  only  under  the  influence  of  powerful  sun,  we  can 
hardly  consider  injury  to  arise  from  its  use.  If  you  want  an  analysis  it 
may  be  had  for  a  reduced  fee  from  Dr.  Voelcker  through  Royal  Horticul¬ 
tural  Society  if  you  are  Fellows. 
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  stale.  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,  (C.  F.  /*.). — 1,  Linum  flavum  ;  2,  Freesia 
Leiehtlini  ;  3,  Cypripedium  superbiens  ;  4,  C.  barbatum.  (A.  L.  B,'). 
— 1,  Maranta  Veitchi ;  2,  Adiantum  trapeziforme  ;  3,  Ficus  repens  ; 
4,  Veltheimia  viridifolia  ;  5,  Lachenalia  Nelsoni  ;  6,  L.  pendula  aureliana. 
{J.  G,  T.'), — 1,  Adiantum  pubescens  ;  2,  Asplenium  flaccidum  ;  3,  Cattleya 
Trianm.  (H.  M.  C.). — 1,  Dendrobium  nobile,  fine  dark  form  ;  2,  Cypri¬ 
pedium  insigne  ;  3,  C.  superbiens ;  4,  Pteris  argentea  ;  5,  Polystichum 
eapensis.  (/T.  S.  E.). —  1,  Cupressus  Lawsoniana  ;  2,  C.  L.  erecta  viridis  ; 
3.,  Thuiopsis  borealis  ;  4,  Retinospora  ericoides.  {Park  HiVJ). — Cupressus 
punebris.  {fnterested'). — The  Anemone  is  Rose  de  Nice,  which  can  be 
procured  from  most  seedsmen  of  repute.  (W.  B.). — The  Ay  pie  is 
Dumelow’s  Seedling,  slightly  malformed,  (P.  (7.). — 1,  Prunus  sinensis 
llore-pleno  ;  2,  Boussingaultia  basseloides  ;  3,  Deutzia  gracilis  ;  4,  Crassula 
lactea  ;  5,  Veltheimia  viridifolia  ;  6,  Angrtecum  sesquipcdale. 
CO  VENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— March  1st. 
FRUIT. 
B.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
Cobs  . 
1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  OtoGO  0 
•  •• 
30  0 
35 
0 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
Crapes,  lb . 
... 
1  G 
2 
6 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
s. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8.  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,  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 
WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
6. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arums  . 
•  •• 
3  Oto  4 
0 
LilyoftheValley,12  sprays 
0  6  to  1  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2 
6 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
5  0 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4 
0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
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  yel 
ow, 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
bch.  12  blooms  ... 
... 
0  6 
1 
0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
6  0 
10  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
0  4 
0 
6 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
•  •• 
2  0 
3 
0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
... 
2  0 
4 
0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
2  0 
4  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
•  •• 
4  0 
6 
0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,.  Safrano,  doz.  . . 
1  0 
1  6 
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,  hunch  ... 
2  6 
3  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
... 
3  0 
4 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arbor  Vitae,  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  Harrisi,  doz. 
24  0 
36  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
24  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
•  •• 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
9  0 
12  0 
•  •• 
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 
SMALL  PROPKIETORS. 
Very  small  indeed,  aud  a  vast  number  of  them,  all  very  bard 
working  and  industrious,  and  very  agricultural.  This  land  is  not 
within  the  confines  of  Great  Britain,  but  is  over  seas  ;  near  enough  to 
be  counted  as  our  neighbour,  and  near  enough  ior  us  to  learn  some¬ 
thing  of  the  methods  of  this  most  methodical  people. 
If  we  have  not  visited  Belgium  in  actual  bodily  form,  we  have 
been  taken  there  in  spirit  by  several  of  the  writers  to  this  our 
good  old  Journal.  Our  friends  have  gone,  not  so  much  to  view 
Belgium  from  an  agricultural  as  from  a  horticultural  point  of  view_ 
They  have  told  us  much  of  interest,  and  much  that  has  made  us 
inclined  to  be  a  bit  shame-faced.  They  are  such  thorough  energetic 
workers,  and  mean  so  to  get  on,  Did  we  not  read  of  one  of  the 
gardeners  interviewed  who  learnt  English  that  he  might  read  in  the 
original  the  collected  wisdom  to  be  found  in  our  pages  ?  Ves,  we  feel 
sure  it  was.  And  can  we  point  to  many  English  working  gardeners 
w'ho  have  taken  up  the  study  of  French  or  German  so  that  they  might 
read  gardening  journals  in  those  tongues  ? 
