May  4,  1899. 
journ'Al  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
375 
Patent  Crocks  {Crocker), — We  presume  you  refer  to  the  wire  crocks 
which  were  advertised  in  our  columns  some  time  back.  They  are 
manufactured  by  Mr.  A.  Porter,  Stone  House,  Maidstone,  from  whom 
they  may  be  procured. 
XIi  All  and  Grapes  (TT.  Y.  Z.). — We  are  not  able  to  say,  from  actual 
experience,  w  hether  llichards’  XL  All  would  hurt  hy  fumigating  the  berries 
of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  which  are  just  stoning  Perhaps  some 
Gr.ipc-growing  reader  who  has  tested  the  matter  will  oblige  by  giving  the 
desired  information  ? 
Newly  Planted  Vines  {Amalcur). — When  the  Vines  have  taken  to  the 
soil,  as  will  bo  indicated  by  their  growing  freely,  ventilate  early  in  the 
day.  as  the  value  of  the  growth  is  dependent  more  on  its  sturdiness  and 
solidification  than  on  its  length  and  sappiness.  Encourage  laterals 
rather  than  mere  elongation  of  the  cane,  but  let  that  extend  and  retain 
all  the  foliage  that  can  have  exposure  to  light.  That  is  desirable  where 
the  Vines  are  weakly  ;  but  if  they  tre  vigorous  it  is  a  bettor  plan  to  pinch 
the  laterals  at  the  first  joint,  and  to  one  leaf  of  subsequent  growth, 
stopping  the  canes  at  9  to  10  feet,  and  allow  the  uppermost  to  grow  a  few 
joints,  and  then  keep  all  closely  pinched.  If  the  cane  break  into  two 
growths  cut  away  the  worst. 
Apple  Tree  Buds  Destroyed  by  Birds  {A.  The  shoots  are  not,  at 
least  so  far  as  we  can  discover,  infested  with  insects,  or  are  the  buds  in 
anywise  affected  with  parasites.  The  birds  take  the  buds  solely  as  a 
source  of  food,  and  the  delinquents  are  mostly  bullfinches,  especially  in 
secluded  positions.  There  are  many  palliatives,  such  as  syringing  the 
trees  with  hot  limewash — that  is,  freshly  burned  lime  slaked  in  the 
water,  and  formed  into  a  consistency  suitable  for  applying  with  a  syringe, 
at  once  when  the  trees  are  quite  dry.  The  limewash  is  not  easily 
washed  off  by  rain,  and  birds  certainly  do  not  relish  the  buds  of  trees  so 
treated.  The  petroleum  emulsion  and  the  caustic  soda  and  potash  solution 
are  useful,  especially  the  latter,  but  it  must  be  applied  whilst  the  trees  are 
quite  dormant,  and  not  after  they  are  advanced  in  swelling  their  buds, 
which  is  the  time  w  hen  the  birds  mostly  take  them,  especially  of  Apples 
and  Pears.  The  gun  is  the  best  remedy'.  Trapping  in  early  winter 
lessons  their  number,  but  in  wooded  districts  is  not  sufficiently  effective, 
but  it  is  easy  to  use  birdlime  and  a  call  bird  to  make  a  diversion  in  favour 
of  the  trees  during  the  spring  months.  The  petroleum  emulsion  may  be 
used  after  the  buds  commence  swelling,  but  duly  diluted. 
Tomato  Plants  with  Drooping  Disease  (IV.  J.  B.).—Ye8,  the  stems 
are  affected  by  the  drooping  disease  fungus,  Fusarium  lycopersici,  and 
certainly  in  the  plants  submitted  it  has  gone  over  in  the  seed,  as  the  roots 
are  perfectly  free  from  the  parasite,  only  the  radicle  and  root  stem,  with 
the  stem  above  ground,  being  affected.  No  external  application,  therefore, 
would  be  of  any  use,  unless  such  as  to  strike  the  disease  plasma  as  soon 
as  exposed  by  the  germination  of  the  seed.  For  this  reason  lime  has  a 
deterrent  and  often  a  fatal  effect  on  the  parasite,  as  it  does  not  like  this 
clement,  about  2^  per  cent,  of  best  chalk  lime  being  mixed  with  the  soil 
some  time  in  advance  of  using,  mixing  with  the  lime  some  kainit — namely, 
1  per  cent.  The  kainit  should  be  applied  several  weeks  before  the  crop 
is  planted,  and  the  compost  chopped  down  evenly  and  mixed  thoroughly 
before  use.  This  has  been  found  effectual,  so  far  as  the  soil  is  concerned, 
but  there  remains  the  passing  over  of  the  fungal  plasma  in  the  seed,  and 
that  can  only  be  overcome  by  saving  seed  from  perfectly  healthy  plants, 
never  from  a  tainted  stock.  We  have  known  bad  cases  greatly  bettered 
by  careful  seed  selection  and  the  use  of  half  the  quantities  of  lime  and 
kainit  to  the  soil,  the  disease  dying  out  or  taking  its  departure. 
Various  Plants  (J.  C.  S.). — Euterpe  edulis  is  a  stately  Palm,  growing 
to  the  height  of  100  feet  in  Brazil,  and  requires  a  warm  house  lor  its 
satisfactory  cultivation.  The  leaf  you  send  is  Dasylirion  acrctrichum, 
an  evergreen  plant  from  Mexico,  which  succeeds  in  a  not  too  cold 
greenhouse.  Both  Gasterias  and  Ilaworthias  resemble  small  Aloes, 
to  which  genus  of  Liliaceous  plants  they  are  closely  allied.  Gasterias 
have  mostly  red  and  Ilaworthias  grey  flowers  ;  they  are  greenhouse 
plants,  and  require  very  little  water  during  the  winter.  They  are  often 
seen  with,  and  admired  by,  lovers  of  quaintly  formed  Cactaceous  plant.'. 
By  all  means  try  them,  and  let  them  have  abundance  of  sun  in  the  summer 
and  much  more  water  than  in  the  winter.  Avoid  very  rich  soil  and 
needlessly  large  pots.  Kleinias  (also  called  Cacalias)  are  of  excellent 
growth,  the  species  varying  greatly  in  character.  C.  articulafa  is 
commonly  called  the  “  Candle  Plant,”  from  its  articulated  candle-like  stems 
A  plant  called  Kleinia  repens  (Senecio  succulentus)  is  used  in  carpet 
bedding  because  of  its  blue  tinted,  fleshy  growths.  All  the  Kleinias,  as 
well  as  the  Liliaceous  plants  named,  like  crushed  lime  rubbish  in  the 
soil,  and  to  be  kept  somewhat  dry  in  the  winter.  They  are  more  curious 
than  beautiful  greenhouse  plants,  Pistacia  Terebinthus  is  a  deciduous 
tree  grown  in  Southern  Europe,  Northern  Africa,  and  Asia  for  the  Cyprus 
turpentine  it  yields.  It  attains  a  height  of  20  feet,  and  has  pinnate  leaves. 
It  will  grow  very  well  in  the  same  kind  of  soil  that  you  would  use  for 
P^uchsias,  and  would  be  as  well  out  of  doors  as  in  a  greenhouse  during 
summer.  We  are  obliged  by  your  reference,  and  like  to  be  helpful  when 
we  can  to  any'  of  our  readers.  We  do  not  regard  searchers  for  knowledge 
as  “  troublesome,”  but  rather  as  helpers  in  eliciting  information  that  is 
often  acceptable  to  others  besides  the  querists. 
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.  Specimeus  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 
when  the  paper  is  damp,  ((?.  A.,  jnn.). — 1,  Sempervivum  chrysan- 
thum  ;  2,  Lychnis  coronaria.  {Daff] — Daffodils  must  be  included 
within  the  category  of  florists’ flowers,  and,  as  such,  can  only  be  named  by 
comparison.  Your  best  course  would  be  to  send  specimens  to  one  of  the 
several  specialists,  who  no  doubt  would  gladly  assist  you.  {G.  C.). — 
L  Trunus  (Cerasus)j  padus,  the  Bird  Cherry;  2,  Arabia  alpina  ;  3, 
Aubrietia  purpurea  ;  4,  Iberis  corrcmfolia.  (A.  W.).  —  Lycium 
europeum. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— May  3rd. 
FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  i  sieve . 
...  1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
•  •• 
30  OtoGO  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
...  1  6 
2  6 
St.  Michael’s  Pines, 
each 
2  6 
5  0 
VEGETABLES. 
B.  d. 
s.  d. 
B.  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 
Muhrooms,  lb . 
...  0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.-CUT  FLOWERS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arums  . 
2  0  to  3  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  4  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  ... 
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  6 
0  8 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
0  4 
0  6 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Red,  doz. ...  ...  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
2  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 
Liiium  Harris!,  12  blooms 
3  0 
4  O' 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2 
3  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  0 
4  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  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 
Liiium  Harrisi,  doz. 
24  0 
36  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
18  0 
24  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Draccena,  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 
BUTTER  FROM  THE  ANTIPODES. 
Exgland  has  many  fair  jewels  in  her  crown — some  jewels  which 
have  become  hers  at  bitter  cost,  the  cost  of  good  men’s  lives  ;  some 
that  she  has  been  obliged  to  take,  to  save  them  from  themselves,  from 
the  despotic  government  of  men  worse  than  savages ;  and  some  that 
have  come  to  her  peaceably  and  quietly,  the  fruits  of  the  adventures 
and  hardihood  .of  her  sailors. 
We  are  a  restless  people,  never  long  content  with  our  present 
|X)sition — in  fact,  our  circumstances  are  such  that  we  cannot  be.  The 
limits  of  our  island  home  are  too  restricted — w'e  have  not  scope  here 
for  our  energies  and  desires.  If  we  as  elders  settle  down  quietly  at 
