M«y  18,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDEXER, 
419 
Insect  on  Apple  Shoots  {E.  E.  and  S.). — The  small  greenish  yellow 
insects  are  the  Apple  sucker,  Psylla  miili,  which,  hy  abstracting  the 
inices  of  the  foliage,  impairs  the  vitality  of  the  trees.  There  does  not 
appear  to  bo  any  American  blight — certainly  not  on  the  twigs  sent. 
The  best  wash  is  petroleum  emulsion — the  soluble  petroleum  advertised — 
diluted  with  twenty-five  parts  of  water. 
Marguerite  Leaf  Miner  and  Coal  Tar  (G.  A.). — Boil  half  a  gallon  of 
coal  tar  in  a  gallon  of  water  for  fifteen  minutes,  or  till  the  tar  and  water 
are  perfectly  blended,  let  it  cool,  then  add  to  it  50  gallons  of  water.  This 
tar  water  so  made  is  lightly  distributed  in  fine  spray  over  the  leaves, 
and  also  over  the  stages,  shelves,  walls,  sashes — anything  and  everything 
near  the  ])lants. 
County  Councils  and  Gardeners’  Improvement  Associations  (17.  E. 
Groves). — What  you  request  would,  as  you  say,  amount  to  a  “tall  order” 
if  we  were  to  cite  from  “the  Acts  of  Parliament  which  govern  the  whole 
business”  ot  grants  such  as  you  have  in  view.  There  is,  however,  no 
occasion  to  do  anything  of  the  kind.  County  Councils  have  the  right  to 
apply’  the  funds  placed  at  their  disposal  within  the  terms  of  the  Technical 
Instruction  Act  of  1889  to  various  purposes  of  education,  including 
horticulture.  They  can  and  do  make  grants  to  borough  and  urban 
authorities,  and  in  such  cases  these  authorities  can  appropriate  the 
amounts  as  they  wish,  but  if  their  application  is  not  approved  by  the 
■County  Council,  this  body  has  the  power  to  decline  to  renew  the  grant. 
Also  we  think  grants  are  made  in  some  instances  to  the  officials  of 
gardeners’  improvement  associations  for  such  specific  purposes  as  are 
approved  by  the  county  authorities.  You  had  better  place  your  case  and 
requirements  before  the  Organising  Secretary’  of  the  Technical  Education 
Committee  of  the  County  Council,  from  which  you  desire  aid,  and  ask  his 
advice  as  to  further  prccedure. 
Jumper  Branch  Infested  with  Fungus  (C.  C.  E.). — The  branch  is 
infested  by  the  fungus  called  “  cedar  apples,”  a  name  given  to  the  out¬ 
growths  of  the  final  stage  of  the  Tear-rust  fungus,  vyhich  occurs  on 
Juniperus  sabina,  J.  virgiiiiana,  J.  phoenicea,  J.  oxycedrus,  and  Tinus 
halcpensis  ;  when  fresh  it  is  abruptly  conical  or  cylindrical,  golden-yellow, 
and  very  conspicuous.  This  form  is  Gymnosporangium  Sabinse,  syn. 
G.  fuscum,  and  from  occurring  on  Junipers,  the  wood  of  which  is  termed 
cedar  in  commerce,  popularly  called  “cedar  apples.”  It  gives  rise  to 
Pear-rust,  Koestelia  cancellata,  shoit  necked,  bottle-like  bodies,  situated 
together  on  orange-yellow,  cushion-like,  swollen  blotches  on  Tear  leaves, 
though  there  may  be  the  one  fungus  without  the  other.  On  the  Juniper  we 
<lo  not  know  of  any’  remedy  beyond  removing  and  burning  the  diseased 
parts,  and  this  as  soon  as  detected,  so  that  by  destroying  the  cedar 
apples  containing  the  teleidospores,  the  disease  cannot  spread.  It  has 
been  advised  to  spray  Pear  trees  with  Bordeaux  mixture  to  prevent  the 
Tear  rust,  but  it  does  not  usually  do  much  harm  in  this  country,  and  we 
have  found  removing  the  affected  leaves  and  burning  them  the  best 
procedure. 
Black  Alicante  Vine  Shoots  Terminated  by  Bunches  (Jf.  K.). — It  is 
not  unusual  for  this  variety  to  produce  the  bunches  at  the  end  of  the 
growths  to  some  extent,  and  these  will  perfect  the  Grapes,  especially  if  a 
lateral  from  the  topmost  leaf  be  allowed  to  grow  to  the  extent  of  three  or 
lour  loaves,  and  thus  carry  the  foliage  beyond  the  bunch,  though  originated 
from  below  it.  There  does  not  appear  any  remedy  in  long  pruning,  but 
tue  reverse,  for,  as  y’ou  say’,  the  shoots  otherwise  grow  very  coarse  and 
split  into  a  number  of  shoots  and  tendrils  at  about  the  fifth  joint.  The 
point  is  to  get  the  wood  well  ripened,  then  close  pruning  gives  good 
results,  especially  if  the  Vines  are  well  supplied  with  potash  so  as  to 
cause  Iree  growth,  also  using  a  little  sulphate  of  iron.  The  following 
mixture  should  help  the  Vines  ; — Bone  superphosphate,  dry  and  crumbling, 
five  parts  ;  sulphate  of  potash,  three  parts  ;  sulphate  of  magnesia,  one 
part  ;  and  sulphate  of  iron,  one  part ;  all  finely  powdered  and  mixed, 
using  4  oz=.  per  square  yard,  and  pointing  in  lightly,  as  the  roots  are  not 
near  the  surface.  The  exudation  of  moisture  shows  the  Vines  to  be 
vigorous.  The  house  should  be  ventilated  a  little  constantly  and  air 
admitted  freely  in  the  daytime,  especially  early,  without  causing  a  draught 
or  lowering  the  temperature.  Encourage  more  foliage  on  the  Alicante, 
and  then  it  may  grow  out  of  the  stiintedncss. 
Apple  Shoot  and  Leaves  (17.  E.  IL). — There  are  no  caterpillars  of 
the  red  bud  moth  (Tmetocera  ocellana)  in  the  leave.? — at  least,  we  failed 
to  discover  any,  though  the  leaves  were  rolled  up  in  some  instances.  We 
found,  however,  a  far  worse  pest — the  bud  shoot  tunneller  moth  or  Apple 
twig  moth  (Laverna  vinolentella),  which  eats  the  ‘‘  heart  ”  out  ot  the 
twig,  so  that  the  young  shoot  or  blossom  bud  becomes  sere,  and  has  a 
withered  appearance.  The  caterpillar  was  very  active,  though  only  about 
u  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length,  with  a  black  head  and  tail,  also  dark 
segment  next  the  head,  and  six  black  legs.  We  have  known  the  animal 
half  a  century  on  Crab  and  Crab  Apple  trees,  a  closely  allied  species, 
L.  atra,  infesting  “haws.”  We  know  of  no  remedy  or  even  preventive 
but  to  remove  the  afiected  twigs,  cutting  them  clean  off  about  an  inch 
below  the  point  of  attack  and  burning  them.  A  grower,  who  sprays  with 
Paris  green  in  spring  and  with  Bordeaux  mixture  in  autumn  against 
canker  fungus,  has  not  got  any  bud  moths,  though  there  are  plenty  in 
the  old  orchards  and  woods  near  his  plantation.  The  red  or  crimson 
discoloration  on  the  leaves  that  are  stunted  and  distorted  is  the  work  of  a 
limgus,  Apple  leaf  blister  (Ascomyces  bullatus),  very  common  in  some 
localities,  especially  gravelly  or  chalky  soils.  Spray  with  Bordeaux 
mixture,  and  add  Tans  green  for  caterpillars. 
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.  Elowering  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  cl(  sely  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  arc  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.  (Dehdcn). — Miltonia  flavescens,  see  page  402. 
(LT.  T7.) — The  variety  ot  Laelia  purpurata,  of  w  hich  you  send  a  flower,  is 
very  good,  particularly  the  rich  dark  lip  ;  the  petals  lay  back  rather  too 
much  for  a  really  excellent  flower,  but  this  is  to  a  certain  extent  governed 
by  the  constitution  of  the  plant.  (Z>,  H.). — 1,  Abies  Douglasi  ;  2,  Ceano- 
thus  dentatus  ;  3,  Trunus  Tadus.  (^Mayfield). — Winter  Majetin.  (Yminy 
Gardener). — 1,  specimen  insufficient,  a  Berberis,  possibly  dulcis ;  2, 
Tulmonaria  officinalis  ;  .3,  Davallia  canaiicnsis  ;  4,  Erica  depressa  ; 
5,  Cytisus  racemosus  ;  8,  Ophiophogon  jaburan  variegatum. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— May  17th. 
FEUIT. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  i  sieve . 
1  3  to  3  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
•  •• 
30  OtoGO  0 
Grapes,  lb . 
1  G 
2  6 
St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each 
2  6 
5  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,  %  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 
Cauliflo'wers,  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 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
... 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
6.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
6.  d. 
Arums  . 
2  0  to  3  0 
Lily  ofthe  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,  hunch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  4 
0  6 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
0  6 
Lilium  Harris!,  12  blooms 
3  0 
4  0 
Violets  doz.  bunches  ... 
0  6 
1  6 
longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6  0 
„  Parme,  bunch 
2  6 
3  0 
Lilac,  bunch  . 
3  0 
4  0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
8.  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,  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 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  8s.  doz. 
MANURES  FOR  SWEDES. 
As  the  time  of  drilling  Swedes  is  now  rapidly  approaching,  it 
would  seem  to  be  opportune  to  consider  what  assistance  we  shall  give 
to  the  soil  in  order  to  produce  the  most  remunerative  crop. 
Before  we  consider  the  effect  of  manures  we  must  lay  considerable 
stress  on  the  fact  that  the  preparation  of  a  good  tilth  has  more  to  do 
with  the  production  of  a  crop  of  Turnips  than  has  the  choice  of 
manures.  Then,  again,  we  are  not  going  to  take  into  account  any 
