April  20,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
331 
Gypsophilas  (^Scotland'). — There  are  several  hardy  herbaceous  perennial 
species — namely,  G.  cerastioides,  G.  fastigiata,  G.  glauca,  G.  paniculata 
{a  very  elegant,  light  and  graceful  species),  G.  perloliata,  G.  repens,  and 
G.  Steveni. 
The  Okra  or  Qumbo  (xV.  B.'). — We  have  no  experience  of  this  in  this 
country,  but  in  the  United  States  it  is  started  in  pots  in  the  northern 
j)art8.  We  do  not  consider  it  likely  to  succeed  in  Scotland  outdoors,  or 
do  well  in  the  south  of  England,  even  when  forwarded  in  a  hotbed,  and 
afterwards  planted  out  in  a  warm  sheltered  situation. 
Is  Ice  Plant  Edible?  (0.  F.').  —  We  are  not  aware  that  this  plant, 
grown  chietly  for  garnishing  fruit,  is  edible.  According  to  chemists  the 
watery  fluid  of  the  ice  consists  of  chloride  of  sodium  (common  salt), 
potash,  mageesia,  and  sulphuric  acid,  together  with  albumen,  malic 
acid,  &c.  Probably  the  plant  may  be  used  as  medicine,  but  hardly  as 
a  vegetable — at  least,  the  taste  is  saline  and  somewhat  nauseous.  The 
leaves  of  the  species  Mesembryantheraum  edule  or  Hottentot  Fig  are, 
tiowever,  eaten.  Probably  you  mean  New  Zealand  Spinach,  which  we 
have  sometimes  heard  referred  to  as  Ice  Plant,  from  its  creeping  and 
succulent  nature.  It  is  edible. 
Naegelia  (Gesnera)  cinnabarina  Culture  {Dorset). — This  appears  to  be 
the  plant  with  the  “red  velvety  leaf,”  an  exceedingly  ornamental  plant, 
both  on  account  of  the  flowers,  scarlet  with  a  white  throat,  and  because 
of  the  beautifully  marked  leaves.  Flowering  in  winter  renders  it  very 
•lesirable.  The  scaly  tubers  should  be  potted  in  Mav,  or  not  later  than 
June  for  flowering  at  Christmas,  in  a  compost  of  peat,  leaf  soil,  and  a 
.small  quantity  of  loam,  pressing  moderately.  Pots  of  about  0  inches  in 
diameter  are  large  enough  for  three  tubers,  covering  with  an  inch  of  soil, 
or  a  large  one  in  a  5-inch  pot.  Water  carefully,  but  keep  the  soil  moist 
until  the  plants  are  growing  freely,  then  supply  water  copiously.  Do  not 
syringe  the  plants,  as  sediment  spoils  the  foliage.  x\s  the  foliage  dies 
down  let  the  soil  gradually  become  dry,  in  which  keep  the  tubers  until 
\ou  start  them  again. 
Growing  Cucumbers  and  Melons  in  the  Same  House  (W.).— It  is 
rather  difficult  to  grow  the  two  together,  but  otten  done  satisfactorily, 
the  Cucumbers  occupying  the  northern  and  the  Melons  the  southern 
side  of  the  structure.  Wnen  the  Melons  are  setting  their  fruit  or  coming 
into  flow  tr,  the  syringing  on  the  other  side  of  the  house  can  be  moderated, 
whilst  the  fertilisation  has  been  effected  ;  indeed,  there  need  be  little 
difiEerence,  only  lake  care  not  to  produce  a  saturated  and  stagnant  atmo¬ 
sphere.  Instead  of  that,  a  little  air  should  be  admitted  constantly,  so  as 
to  prevent  the  deposition  of  moisture  on  the  flowers,  then  by  carefully 
syringing  on  the  other  side,  or  even  damping  only,  a  good  set  may  be 
secured,  a  little  extra  warmth  being  given  to  allow  of  the  constant  ventila¬ 
tion.  When  the  fruits  are  ripening  nothing  need  be  feared,  only  do  not 
♦‘tint  the  Melons  for  water  during  the  swelling  period,  or,  on  the  other 
hand,  give  an  excess.  If  you  proceed  the  same  at  the  maturing  period  as 
the  setting  time  the  Melons  ought  to  finish  well.  It  only  requires  a 
little  care,  and  then  both  can  be  had  from  the  same  structure.  Such, 
at'least,  is  our  experience,  necessity  having  prompted  the  overcoming  of 
difficulties,  if  such  can  so  be  called. 
Mushroom  Spawn  {E.  A.  T.). — You  are  not  advised  to  use  the 
spawn  from  the  old  bed,  either  directly  in  a  new  one  or  for  the  pur¬ 
pose  of  making  spawn  bricks.  It  is  not  much  easier  for  a  person  to 
make  these  from  instructions  on  paper  alone  than  it  would  be  in  the 
same  way  to  teach  how  to  make  a  watch.  You  will  find  somewhere  in 
■“  Mushrooms  for  the  Million  ”  something  to  the  effect  that  it  would  be 
as  advisable  and  practicable  for  any  builder  to  make  his  own  bricks  ns 
for  every  grower  of  Mushrooms  to  make  his  bricks  of  spawn.  The 
attempt  would  be  ruinous,  as  not  one  person  in  a  hundred  would 
succeed  in  the  absence  of  ‘‘  object  lessons.”  Spawn  that  is  formed  in 
a  bed  that  has  produced  a  good  crop  of  fine  Mushrooms  is  always 
weaker  than  that  which  was  used  in  producing  them,  as  it  degenerates 
by  every  generation  of  transmission,  so  to  say,  from  crop  to  crop  ; 
that  is  why  professional  makers  of  the  familiar  bricks  will  give  very 
high  prices  for  virgin  spawn,  or  that  direct  from  the  spores  of  Mush¬ 
rooms,  for  producing  very  strong  “bricks” — not  for  sale,  but  for 
reproducing  others  of  the  first  quality  for  that  purpose.  The  greater 
the  number  of  removes  from  the  spores  the  weaker  the  spawn, 
mycelium,  or  Mushroom  plant  is  said  to  become.  The  most  successful 
growers  of  Mushrooms  in  the  kingdom,  whether  on  a  large  or  small 
scale,  with  few  exceptions,  purchase  (not  make)  the  spawn  bricks  they 
tise.  As  the  kind  you  used  last  appear  to  have  been  so  satisfactory,  the 
best  thing  you  can  do  is  to  purchase  more  of  the  same  kind,  from  the  same 
source.  VVe,  however,  answer  your  questions.  The  “  cakes  ”  should  be 
<lried  steadily,  three  walnut-sized  lumps  of  spawn  from  strong  bricks 
inserted  in  each  at  the  right  time,  and  the  “cakes”  so  stacked  on  edge 
that  when  covered  with  fermenting  material  the  warmth  (about  60°)  will 
circulate  through  on  both  sides  of  each,  and  when  they  are  permeated 
with  fine  silvery  fibres  the  covering  must  be  gradually  removed  and 
the  bricks  dried. 
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 
lo  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.  {E.  i.) — 1,  Daphne  Mezereum  ;  2,  Scilla 
sibirica ;  3,  Anemone  Hepatica  ;  4,  Billbergia  nutans ;  5,  Begonia 
sulcata  ;  6,  Acalypka  Macfeeana.  We  are  always  glad  to  assist  readers, 
so  do  not  hesitate  to  write  when  you  require  information.  (£>.  W,  L,). — 
The  flowers  sent  are  both  good  varieties  of  Olivia  (Imantophyllum) 
miniaia.  (F.  M.). — 1,  Odontoglossum  Andersonianum  ;  2,  Cypripedium 
Exul,  poor  form  ;  3,  Dendrobium  Lowianum.  (0.  B.). — Angraecum 
sesquipedale. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
Abbot  Bros.,  Southall. — Bee  Appliances. 
G.  B unyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone. — Herbaceous  Plants. 
Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross. — New  Roses. 
J.  Stredwick,  St.  Leonard’s-on-Sea. — Dahlias. 
C.  Turner,  Slough.— Genera/  Plants. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Tottenham. — Dahlias.  Begonias,  Cannas. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— April  19th. 
FRUIT. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Apples,  J  sieve . 
...  1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
30  OtoGO  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
...  1  6 
2  G 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d. 
8.  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 
Muohrooms,  lb . 
...  0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.-CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
1 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Arums  . 
3  0  to  4  0 
LilyoftheValley,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  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  6 
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  6 
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  Harrisi,  12  hlooms 
4  0 
6  0 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
„  longitlorum,  12  blooms 
6  0 
8  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  0 
4  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitas,  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.  ... 
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 
THE  MANGOLD  WURTZEL. 
Now  that  every  human  being  who  has  a  shilling  in  his  pocket  and 
wants  a  dinner  can,  in  any  large  town  at  least,  pick  and  choose  to  his 
fancy’s  if  not  to  his  stomach’s  content,  we  may  as  well  inquire 
whether  we  always  study  the  tastes  of  our  animals  as  well  as  we  do 
our  own. 
