April  13,  1899. 
309 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Books  (F.  BJ). — For  a  book  conibininoj  botany  and  practical  garden- 
you  will  find  “  Johnson’s  Gardeners’  Dictionar\-,”  procurable  from 
the  publisher,  JoKrjia/  of  Horticulture,  12,  iVlitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  most  usetul.  The  price  is  9s.  fid.,  post  free.  Sir  Joseph 
Hooker’s  “  Primer  of  llotany,”  which  is  published  by  Macmillans,  and 
can  be  obtained  through  any'bookseller  for  Is.,  is  excellent  for  a  beginner 
in  the  study  of  botany  ;  while  for  popular  gardening  you  cannot  do  better 
than  “  The  Garden  Manual,”  published  at  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers, 
whence  it  can  be  had  post  free  for  Is.  9d. 
Dendrobium  ’Wardianum  Malformed  {Txenty  Years  Subscriber). — 
The  flower  sent  is  a  peculiarly  malformed  Dendrobium  Wardianum,  the 
petals  being  entirely  absent.  The  viscid  stigma  has  almost  disappeared, 
but  there  is  pollen  in  plenty.  It  will  probably  appear  again  in  the  same 
plant,  though  when  well  established  the  latter  may  produce  perfect 
flowers. 
Pruning  White  Jasmine  (iV.  B  'j. — Yes,  it  should  be  pruned,  cutting 
out  the  dead  wood,  shortening  foreright  growth  to  two  or  three  buds  from 
the  base,  thinning  the  growths  where  too  crowded,  and  shortening  the 
long  shoots  required  to  till  space  to  firm  well-ripened  wood.  This  should 
be  attended  to  without  much  further  delay. 
Manure  for  Parsley  (0.  F.). — Sutton’s  Al  manure  is  better  than  kainit, 
as  it  contains  phosphoric  and  nitrogenic  substances,  as  well  as  the  pro¬ 
perties  of  kainit.  The  per  cent,  of  air-slaked  chalk  lime  is  easily 
mixed  with  soil,  taking  a  hundred  tablespoonfuls  of  the  soil  and  adding  to 
that  amount  2J  tablespoonfuls  of  the  lime,  sprinkling  on  the  soil  and  mixing 
thoroughly  a  lew  days  before  use. 
Forcing  Newly  Planted  Seakale  {Idem). — The  Seakale  may  be  covered 
with  pots  the  same  season  as  ])lanted,  and  the  growths  thus  blanched  be 
cut  for  use  when  ready.  It  will,  however,  weaken  them  considerably  for 
another  year,  hence  is  not  practised,  especially  on  small  planting  crowns. 
Of  course,  the  tops  unblanched  can  be  cooked  and  eaten  ;  the^'  are  much 
tougher  and  stronger  in  flavour  than  blanched  heads. 
Conifer  Brown  (^Scotland) — The  small  spray,  evidently  of  some  Spruce, 
would  not  be  imnroved  by  thinning  out  the  branches,  unless  carefully 
done  and  confined  to  the  very  weakly  and  partly  dead  or  dying  twigs,  or 
small  branches.  This  maybe  desirable,  operating  now,  but  avoid  excessive 
interference  with  the  principal  side  and  leading  growths.  Give  the  tree 
a  top-dressing  of  leaf  soil  thoroughly  reduced  or  old  cow  manure,  leaving 
■on  the  surface  as  a  mulch,  about  an  inch  thickness  sufficing,  and  from  the 
stem  all  round  to  the  outside  of  the  spread  of  the  branches. 
Gerbera  Jamesoni  (F.  C.). — This  plant  was  introduced  from  tho 
Transvaal  in  1889,  and  has  occasionally  been  exhibited  at  the  meet¬ 
ings  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  It  is  probably  obtainable 
from  several  of  the  leading  nurserymen,  though  it  is  neither  widely 
known  nor  grown.  It  was  illustrated  on  page  o  of  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture  for  July  2nd,  1896,  and  of  this  issue  we  are  sending  you  a 
copy. 
Black  Currant  Twigs  Infested  with  Mite  {E.  W.). — Yes,  the  buds 
are  infested  by  the  Rlack  Currant  bud  gall-mite,  Phytoptus  ribes,  nearly 
all  the  buds  being  affected.  The  best  remedy  is  to  cut  oS  all  the  attacked 
shoots  and  burn  them,  or  remove  the  galled  buds,  placing  them  at  once  in 
a  pail  containing  some  paraffin  oil,  the  sides  being  smeared  with  it.  This 
we  have  found  very  effectual,  following  with  a  spraying  of  petroleum 
emulsion  when  the  bushes  are  quite  dry.  The  soluble  petroleum  sold  by 
nursery  and  seedsmen  answers  well,  only  attend  to  the  instructions.  We 
have  not  found  the  mite  on  either  Red  or  White  Currants  ;  if  you  do, 
kindly  submit  specimens  of  affected  buds. 
Eradicating  Coltsfoot  {G.  (?  ).— The  chief  thing  to  be  attended  to  is 
draining,  the  land  in  most  cases  being  cold  and  wet.  The  drains  need 
not  bo  more  than  4  feet  and  should  not  be  less  than  3  feet  in  depth, 
placing  them  about  5  yards  apart,  and  giving  proper  fall  and  outlet.  This 
•done,  trench  the  ground  as  deeply  as  the  good  soil  allows,  and 
remove  all  the  roots  of  the  weed.  Where  this  cannot  be  adopted,  cut  off 
the  tops  as  often  as  the3’  appear  above  ground,  and  persist  in  it  from  time 
to  time,  then  the  growth  will  get  gradually  smaller,  and  finally  disappear. 
Draining,  however,  is  the  thing,  together  with  the  extraction  of  the  roots. 
The  draining  will  improve  the  land  as  well  as  hinder  the  growth  of  the 
weed. 
Non-appearance  of  Peas  above  Ground  (/.  II.  B.). — The  creatures 
found  on  the  Peas  underground  are  jthe  spotted  millipede,  Julus  guttatus, 
which  is  a  general  feeder.  The  pests  arc  harboured  by  vegetable  matter 
in  the  ground,  hence  dressings  of  quicklime  are  useful.  A  stone  of  freshly 
burned  lime,  slaked  with  the  smallest  amount  of  water  possible,  and 
■sprinkled  evenly  over  a  square  rod  of  ground,  has  an  excellent  effect  on 
both  the  land  and  the  vermin  in  it,  and  in  the  course  of  a  fortnight  or 
ihree  weeks  a  dressing  of  soot,  one  peck  per  rod,  has  a  still  lurther 
beneficial  effect  on  the  crop.  You  may  use,  if  you  like,  a  mixture  of 
equal  parts  superphosphate  (mineral  37  per  cent.)  and  kainit,  3^  lbs.  per 
rod,  and  follow  with  lb.  of  finely  crushed  nitrate  of  soda,  when  the 
plants  are  commencing  to  grow,  the  quantity  named  being  for  a  square 
rod  of  ground,  and  should  be  applied  when  the  plants  are  dry,  but  the 
ground  moist.  As  traps  there  is  nothing  better  than  slices  of  Mangold 
W’lirtzel,  inserted  here  and  there  just  within  the  ground  or  laid  on  this 
and  lightly  covered  with  short  litter,  examining  daily  and  destroying  the 
pests  by  removing  the  baits  carefully  and  placing  in  hot  water.  Renew 
the  bails  as  required,  and  the  pests  will  soon  be  got  rid  of. 
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  unty'ing  the  ligatures,  it  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them 
wtien  the  paper  is  damp.  {C.  F.  W.). — 1,  Sparaxis  tricolor}  2,  dead. 
{N.  B.).  —  1,  Rolygala  Dalmaisiana  ;  2.  I’rimula  Reidi  ;  3,  Saxifruga 
Boydi  ;  4,  Celsia  arciurus.  {B.  C.  C.). — Kindly  read  the  rules  given  above, 
and  pack  y'our  specimens  in  accordance  with  them.  The  Ferns  you 
despatched  in  brown  paper  on  Saturday'  were  quite  dead  when  tliey 
reached  us  on  Monday.  {C.  T.).  —  1,  Taxus  japonica  ;  2,  Laurus  azorica  ; 
3,  Gaultheria  Shallun  ;  4,  Cryptomeria  japonica  ;  .5,  C.  Lobbi. 
COYENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— April  12tii. 
FRUIT. 
8.  (1. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8«  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  OtoGO  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
1  G 
2  fi 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
6  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  U  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  G 
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  « 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE 
WHOLESALE  PRICE8.-CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
Arums  . 
««• 
3  0 
to4  0 
Lily  ofthe  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  6  to  010 
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. 
Camellias,  per  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
1  0 
2  0 
bnchs . 
6  0 
8  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms 
•  •  • 
i  G 
3  0 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
bch.  12  blooms  ... 
•  •  • 
0  G 
0  8 
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 . 
4  0 
6  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
•  •  • 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz. 
•  •  • 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Geranium,  scarlet. 
doz. 
,,  Safrano,  doz . 
2  0 
2  G 
bnchs . 
•  •  • 
4  0 
6  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  4 
0  6 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
0  6 
Lilium  Harris!,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
,,  longitiorum,  12  blooms 
G  0 
8  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
... 
3  0 
4  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  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  Harris!,  doz. 
24  0 
36  0 
Crotons,  uoz . 
•  •• 
18  0 
24  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
12  0 
30  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
8  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 
AMERICAN  EGG  COMRETITIONS. 
A  YEAR  ago  last  1st  of  iMarcli  a  movement  was  set  on  foot  in 
Ejjgland  by  Col.  de  la  Bere — a  kind  of  competitive  egg  production, 
A  given  number  of  hens  were  to  be  enclosed  in  a  given  space  and  led 
in  a  given  manner;  a  close  record  w’as  to  be  kept  of  all  expenses 
incurred  and  of  all  profits  received,  and  the  result  was  to  be  made 
public  in  March,  1899. 
We  have  only'  seen  cne  of  these  balance-sheets,  and  we  were 
struck— 1st,  by'  the  small  amount  put  down  as  paid  for  labour 
