June  8,  1899, 
JOURNAL  OF  ..HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
481 
Fraxinus  Ornns  (IF.  B.  R.). — This  is  the  name  of  your  specimen, 
which  is  also  known  asOrnus  europ  ea,  and  has  been  popularly  desijinated 
the  Flowcriii"  Ash  and  the  Mamia  Tree.  In  J)r.  Hope’s  ‘‘Vegetable 
Kingdom”  wo  find  it  referred  to  thus: — “From  Ormis  curopfea,  the 
Flowering  or  Manna  Ash,  the  substance  called  manna  is  obtained.  Tt  is 
the  concrete  juice  which  exudes  alter  wounding  the  bark.  The  trees  grow 
spnntaneou'ly  in  Italy  and  Sicily,  whence  the  finest  manna  is  brought. 
Manna  is  a  gentle  tonic,  usually  operating  mildly,  but  in  some  cases 
produces  flatulence  and  pain.” 
Does  the  Stench  of  Hotten  Turnips  Affect  the  Foliage  of  vines  ? 
(Fin«s). — We  have  no  experience  on  this  particular  point,  but  we  have 
known  the  stench  from  a  heap  of  decayed  Brassicas  seriously  affect  Plum 
trees.  Figs,  and  even  Vines  in  hou‘es  to  the  eastward  of  the  putrefying 
mass  when  the  wind  has  been  in  the  west.  The  gaseous  matters  evolved 
were  believed  to  have  had  the  result  named,  for  the  foliage  was  more  or 
less  blackened,  as  if  from  an  overdose  of  ammonia  vapour  arising  from 
fermenting  materials,  and  the  Vines  I  ad  every  appearance  of  attack  from 
“  brownin?,”  the  parasite  known  as  Plasmodiophora  or  Pseudocominis 
vitis.  It  is  likely  that  the  stench  may  have  produced  the  “  browning  ” 
or  given  rise  to  that  condition  favourable  to  the  parasite,  which  is  a  phase 
of  the  subject  not  altogether  at  variance  with  the  circumstances  under 
which  the  micro-organism  manifests  itself. 
Narcissus  and  Daffodil  Bulbs  after  Flowericg  (Jf.  S.'). — The 
foliage  should  not  bo  cut  off  when  green,  but  allowed  to  die  naturally 
each  year,  and  then  be  removed.  It  is  a  bad  plan  to  “dig  up  the  bulbs 
yearly  and  dry  them  in  the  sun  during  July  and  August.”  The  bulbs 
ought  not  to  be  disturbed  except  for  transplanting  or  division,  which 
operations  are  best  performed  shortly  after  the  foliage  has  died  down,  as 
the  roots  of  the  bulbs  are  dormant,  and  the  earlier  they  are  planted  again 
the  better.  Deferring  lifting  for  the  purpose  of  increase,  or  to  prevent 
overcrowding  until  September  or  later  in  autumn,  causes  more  or  less 
injury  to  the  now  growth.  Plxcept  for  the  purposes  named  permanent 
clumps  should  not  be  lifted  so  long  as  the  plants  grow  vigorously  and 
flower  freely.  At  the  same  time  it  must  be  remembered  that  over¬ 
crowding,  sooner  or  later,  weakens  the  flowering  of  the  large  bulbs.  It 
is  good  practice  to  give  an  annual  top-dressing  of  loam  and  decayed 
manure  when  the  dead  foliage  is  removed. 
Grapes  Infested  with  Mildew  (/.  2).).— When  the  mildew  affects  the 
benies  and  bas  got  a  good  hold  they’  may’  be  regarded  as  ruined,  and 
the  fungus,  especially  the  form  known  as  O'idium  balsami,  hard  to  kill. 
The  luiiies  of  sulphur  are  the  most  effective,  and  we  can  only  account  for 
their  inelli -acy  in  your  case  by’  the  hot-water  pipes  not  having  been 
heated  sufficiently  for  giving  off  sulphur  vapour  ;  it  is  necessary  that 
they  he  heated  from  170°  to  200°,  and  kept  so  for  at  least  an  hour,  and 
the  house  kept  close  for  that  time  to  retain  the  fumes,  and  then  the 
structure  should  be  well  aired.  Flowers  of  sulphur  dusted  on  the 
bjrders  has  also  proved  effective.  In  case  it  is  used  the  sulphur  must,  of 
course,  be  washed  off  before  the  Grapes  are  sent  to  table.  Another 
useful  application  is  prepared  by  boiling  1  lb,  each  of  flowers  of  sulphur 
and  quicklime  in  a  gallon  of  water  (not  counting  that  used  for  slaking 
the  lime  and  forming  a  paste  with  the  sulphur)  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
constantly  stirring  whilo  it  is  boiling,  then  allowed  to  settle,  and  the  clear 
liquid  poured  off  for  use.  The  Vines  should  be  syringed  with  a  mixture 
of  this  preparation  with  ninety-six  times  its  bulk  of  water  (1  gill  or  a 
■quarter  pint  to  .3  gallons  of  water),  and  in  ten  minutes  afterwards  the 
Vines  must  be  thoroughly  syringed  with  clear  water.  Probably  the 
attack  is  due  to  ill-ventilation,  the  Orchids  being  more  considered  than 
the  Vines,  which  require  very  careful  attention  in  that  respect  to  avoid 
the  pest  in  some  situations. 
Names  of  Plants.  {Ignoramus). — 1,  a  Funkia,  but  the  varietal 
name  can  only  be  distinguished  with  the  aid  of  flowers  ;  2,  Saxifraga 
granulata  flore-pleno ;  3,  withered,  probably  Cheiranthus  alpinus. 
<F.  IF.).— 1,  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei ;  2,  0.  crispum  ;  3.  Oncidium 
varicosum  ;  4,  Cypripedium  Lawrenceanum,  poor  form.  {R.  S.  R.). _ 
1,  Styrax  japonica  ;  2,  Cytisns  scojiarius  Andreanus  ;  3,  Choisya  ternata  ; 
4,  Cytisus  priBcox.  {ff.  F.  W.).  — 1,  Tiarella  cordifolia  ;  2,  Ainelanchier 
Imtryapium  (ihe  Snowy  Mespilus) ;  3,  Spiraea  confusa ;  4,  Papaver 
oiientale  ;  5,  P.  bracteatum  ;  6,  Geum  Heldreichi, 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Juke  7th. 
FKUIT. 
8.  d.  8.  d.  I  g_ 
.  1  3  to  3  6  I  Lemons,  case  . 30  OtoOO  0 
.  1  ()  2  6  I  St.  Michael’s  Pines,  each  2  6  5  C 
VEGETABLES. 
8.  d.  S.  d.  i  a.  d.  a.  d. 
Apples,  i  sieve ... 
■Grapes,  lb. 
Asparagus,  per  100  .. 
Beans,  ^  sieve  . 
Beet,  Ked,  doz . 
•Carrots,  bunch . 
Cauliflowers,  doz.  .. 
Celery,  bundle . 
Coleworts,  doz.  bnchf 
Cucumbers . 
Endive,  doz . 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
Lettuce,  doz . 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
1  6  to  3  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2  to  0  4 
0  0 
0  0 
Onions,  bushel . 
3  6 
4  0 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.... 
2  0 
3  0 
•  ••• 
0  3 
0  4 
Parsnips,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
2  0 
3  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
2  0 
4  0 
• 
1  0 
0  0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
B.  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Scorzonera,  bundle ... 
1  6 
0  0 
•  ••• 
0  4 
0  8 
Seakale,  basket . 
1  6 
1  0 
•  ••• 
1  3 
1  6 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
•  ••• 
0  3 
0  0 
Spinach,  pad  . 
0  0 
0  0 
0  2 
0  0 
Sprouts,  J  sieve 
1  6 
1  9 
1  3 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0  4 
0  9 
.  ... 
0  6 
0  8 
Turnips,  bunch . 
•  •• 
0  3 
0  4 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
s.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
1  6  to  2 
0 
LilyoftheValley,12  sprays 
0  4  to  1  0 
Arums  . 
3  0 
4 
0  1 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
3  0 
4  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
2  0 
2 
6 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
3  0 
4 
0 
bnebs . 
4  0 
G  0 
1  6 
3 
0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
1  0 
‘2  0 
bch.  12  blooms  . 
0  6 
0 
8 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
0  4 
0 
6 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
2  0 
3 
0 
Pmonies,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
8  0 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
3 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
1  0 
2 
0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz. 
2  0 
4  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
2  0 
3  0 
bnchs . 
4  0 
6 
0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
0  4 
0 
6 
Safrano,  doz . 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
2  6 
Iris,  per  doz.  bunches 
6  0 
12 
0 
3  0 
4  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
3  0 
4 
0 
Tulips,  buuch . 
0  4 
0  6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4  0 
6 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8. 
d. 
8.  d. 
B.  d. 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz.  ... 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
6  0to36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0  to  6  0 
18  0 
36 
0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
5  0 
10  6 
Heliotropes,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Boronias  . 
12  0 
18  0 
Hydrangeas  . 
6  0 
10  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
18  0 
24  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz. 
12  0 
18  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 
12  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
3  0 
4  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
9  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Erica  various,  doz . 
9  0 
24  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
6  0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
1  0 
15  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
„  specimens  . 
21  0 
63  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
„  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8 
0 
Solanums,  doz . 
6  0 
12  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each . 
1  0 
7 
0 
Stocks . 
4  0 
6  0 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
A  SOUTH  AFRICAN  INDUSTRY. 
Africa;  so  vast,  so  huge,  so  unknown!  Ask  the  average  man 
or  woman  what  he  or  she  can  tell  you  of  that  great  continent. 
The  answers  will  be  short,  and  mixed — missionaries  and  blacks, 
elephants  and  lions,  explorers  and  miners,  intense  heat,  sharp  frosts, 
high  mountains,  belts  of  swamp,  Dutch  vrows,  Portuguese  traders, 
yellow  fever  and  rinderpest,  our  choicest  exotics  growing  wild, 
2s.  6d.  the  price  of  a  good  Cabbage,  Oranges  for  the  asking, 
rushing  rivers  with  golden  sands,  parching  deserts,  the  glittering 
diamond  and  sudden  death,  President  Kruger  and  Cecil  Ithodes — 
all  these  subjects  would  be  mentioned  were  questions  of  Africa 
demanded  from  a  room  full  of  people.  Yet  how  little  we  know  of 
it ;  possibly  some  one  province  is  familiar  as  the  adopted  home  of 
a  dear  one ;  but  still,  unless  that  friend  is  a  clever  word  painter, 
from  his  letters  we  can  get  but  a  poor  impression  of  his 
surroundings. 
Though  the  African  day  is  hot,  yet  night  and  early  morning 
are  often  piercingly  cold,  so  cold,  indeed  that  waggon  bullocks 
will  succumb,  as  Eider  Haggard  says,  from  “  frost  at  the  heart.” 
Though  African  deserts  are  many,  yet  fertile  plains  are  identiful 
too,  and  some  districts  are  exceedingly  well  watered,  P)ig  game, 
owing  to  ruthless  harrying,  is  disappearing  before  the  white  man, 
being  driven  far  into  the  interior  ;  but  the  grassy  plains  are  tenanted 
and  support  a  vast  multitude  of  sheep  and  goats. 
South  Africa  does  not  confine  itself  to  one  variety  of  sheep ;  there 
is  the  native  and  also  the  imported.  The  native,  as  is  usually  the 
case  in  hot  countries,  is  clothed  with  hair  rather  than  wool,  and  is 
noted  for  its  fine  caudal  appendage,  which  will  often  w’eigli  up  to 
12  lbs.  This  tail  is  juicy  and  fat,  and  produces  a  most  delicious 
substitute  for  butter  in  the  eye  of  the  old  Dutch  folk;  indeed,  some 
people  prefer  the  llesh  of  the  hairy  variety  to  that  of  the  more  delicate 
wool-bearer.  The  skin  of  the  former  is  in  much  request,  from  its 
toughness,  by  bookbinders. 
It  was  in  1790  that  we  have  the  first  record  of  woolled  sheep  in 
S.  Africa,  and  they  were  introduced  by  Colonel  Gordon,  being  the 
