502 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  15,  1899. 
Ail  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should,  until 
further  notice,  be  directed  to  “The  Editor,”  a,  Rose  Hill  Road, 
Wandsworth,  S.W.,  and  HOT  to  12,  Mitre  Court  t  hambers, 
Fleet  Street.  It  is  requested  that  no  one  will  write  privately  to 
any  of  our  correspondents,  seeking  information  on  matters 
discussed  in  this  Journal,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to 
unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense,  and  departmental  writers 
are  not  expected  to  answer  any  letters  they  may  receive  on 
Gardening  and  Bee  subjects  through  the  post.  If  information 
be  desired  on  any  particular  subject  from  any  particular 
authority  who  may  be  named,  endeavour  will  be  made  to  obtain 
it  by  the  Editor.  Letters  of  inquiry  must  be  accompanied  by 
the  names  and  addresses  of  the  writers,  but  these  will  neither  be 
published  nor  disclosed  when  initials  or  nom  de  flumes  are  given 
for  the  purpose  of  replies. 
Correspondents  should  not  mix  up  on  the  same  sheet  questions  relating 
to  Gardening  and  those  on  Bee  subjects,  and  it  is  crmvenient  when 
each  question  is  written  on  a  separate  sheet.  All  articles  intended 
for  insertion  should  be  written  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only  ;  and 
the  name  and  address  of  each  writer  must  be  known  by  the 
Editor,  though  not  necessariiy  for  insertion.  We  cannot,  as  a 
rule,  reply  to  questions  through  the  post,  and  we  do  not  under¬ 
take  to  return  communications  which,  for  any  reason,  cannot 
be  inserted. 
vines  in  Pots  (Aoi-jce). — Stop  those  for  fruiting  next  season  when 
from  6  to  8  feet  long,  and  pinch  the  laterals  and  sub-laterals  to  one  joint 
as  produced.  Obtain  as  much  stored-up  matter  in  the  \'ines  as  possible 
oy  judicious  'eeding  and  cleanly  foliage,  thoroughly  exposed  to  light  and 
air.  Vines  intended  for  planting  should  be  kept  in  comparatively  small 
pots,  and  in  that  case  they  w  ill  not  make  a  large  amount  of  lateral  growth, 
which  need  not  be  closely  pinched,  but  it  is  better  to  stop  at  first  joint, 
and  afterw’ards  not  allow  the  sub-laterals  to  interfere  with  the  principal 
foliage. 
Pears  Filled  with  Maggots  (dnarfows). — The  Pears  are  infested  by 
the  larvfe  of  ihe  P«ar-gall  gnat,  Diplosis  pyrivora  or  nigra.  It  was 
described  and  figured  in ‘ti  e  Journal  of  Hovticullure,  .Tune  3rd,  1897, 
page  487,  and  preventiies  and  remedies  propounded.  It  is  one  of  the 
worst  diseases  to  which  the  Pear  is  liable,  and  the  pest  causing  it  appears 
greatly  on  the  increase  in  some  localities.  The  best  things  we  have  used 
against  it  :  1,  Destrojintr,  by  burning,  all  galled  fruit  as  soon  as  noticed. 
This  is  easily  done  with  bush,  pyrainiu,  espalier,  and  wall  trees,  but  almost 
1  mpracticable  as  regards  standard  trees.  We  traced  the  infection  of  some 
wall  trees  to  that  of  the  orchard  some  distance  away,  and  seldom  giving 
anything  but  blossom,  galled  fruit,  and  leaves.  Seeing  the  American 
recommendation  to  sow  kainit  at  the  middle  of  .June,  7  lbs.  per  rod,  the 
hint  was  taken  and  the  practice  answered  well.  As  some  of  the  maggots 
were  considered  to  have  dropped  out  of  the  galled  fruit  before  this  was 
cleared  off  the  garden  trees,  the  ground  about  them,  quite  a  yard  from 
the  spread  of  the  heads,  was  similarly  treated.  We  also  caught  many 
midges  on  pieces  of  tin  smeared  with  a  sticky  Substance  and  placed  in  the 
forks  of  the  branches  just  before  the  blossoms  unfolded.  The  gnats 
also  hate  smells — that  of  petroleum  or  tar  water — using  before  the 
flowers  open.  The  petroleum  should  be  emulsified,  or  one  part  of 
petroleum  emulsion  used  to  seventy’  parts  water,  or  tar  one  part  to  1000 
parts  of  water,  spraying  on  very  lightly. 
Doctors  Differing  {Puzzled).— -Ynw  need  not  trouble  yourself  about 
“scientific  specialists”  apparently  differing.  In  the  case  you  mention 
the  difference  was  one  of  terras,  not  of  substance.  “Ardent  young 
scientists,”  as  an  old  scientific  celebrity  not  long  ago  observed,  “  are 
always  discovering  something,  especially  new  names,  and  there  is  no 
keeping  pace  with  them.”  We  may  mention  another  case  of  difference 
— one  of  substance  this  time.  A  while  ago  some  minute  eggs  were  sent 
to  us  that  had  been  found  in  the  deca3ed  portion  of  a  fruit  tree. 
After  examination,  the  reply  was  given  to  the  effect,  “  Not  known, 
possibly  the  eggs  of  some  small  spider.”  Some  of  the  same  eggs  were 
sent  to  a  specialist,  who  replied  they'  could  not.  because  isolated,  be 
the  eggs  of  a  spider.  Thereupon  some  were  forwarded  to  another 
authority  to  “settle  the  difference.”  The  reply  was,  “eggs  of  woodlice 
undoubtedly  ;  ”  but  before  this  reply  arrived  the  sender  of  the  “  speci¬ 
mens”  had  been  quietly  engaged  in  working  out  the  problem  for  himself, 
and  had  obtained  a  fine  brood  of  young  spiders  !  In  cases  of  doubt  it 
is  well  to  be  cautious,  but,  unfortunately,  there  are  rather  too  many 
people  in  the  world  so  clever  that  admitting  a  lack  of  knowledge  would 
seem  to  be  an  operation  aoout  as  painful  to  them  as  the  extraction  of 
one  of  their  wisdom  teeth.  In  cases  of  abstruse  questions  or  of  grave 
doubt,  a  man  is  as  likely,  or  more  likely,  to  gain,  rather  than  lose, 
status,  by  perm  tting  himself  to  say — after  the  manner  of  the  most  really 
eminent — “  I  don’t  know.” 
Fig  Leaves  and  Fruit  Eusted  {A.  B.). — The  rust  or  disease  is  caused 
by  a  minute  insect-like  creature,  Tarsonymus  fici,  which  lives  to  some 
extent  in  the  cucicular  tissues,  and  by  its  action  there  and  biting  outside 
gives  rise  to  the  rust.  It  also  attacks  the  fruit,  spoiling  it,  and  seriously 
affects  the  young  wood.  Happily  it  is  not  of  common  occurrence,  but 
sometimes  proves  disastrous,  chiefly  under  glass,  and  is  not  infrequently 
accompanied,  or  rather  followed,  by  bacteria,  which  give  the  leaves  a 
clammy’  feel.  The  best  means  of  eradieation  is  frequent  syringing  with 
tobacco  juice,  diluted  about  twelve  times  with  soft  water  or  nicotine 
essence,  one  part  in  ninety-six  parts  water,  spraying  on  with  an  atomiser 
or  pneumatic  sprav’er,  coaling  with  the  finest  possible  film  all  over,  but 
especially  the  under  side  of  the  leaves.  FrKjuent  fumigation  with  tobacco 
paper  or  vaporisation  with  nicotine  also  destroy  the  pest,  but  wo  prefer 
the  liquids. 
Weevils  on  Ferns  ( IL.  W,  TV.). — The  specimen  sent  represents  the 
clay  or  copper-coloured  weevil  (Otiorhyrichus  picipes).  This  pest 
is  very’  injurious  to  vegetation,  feeds  at  night  on  a  great  variety  of 
plants  and  trees,  which  should  be  taken  advantage  of  to  capture  the  pests. 
Spread,  therefore,  a  white  cloth  or  newspaper  on  the  stage  or  floor,  stand 
the  pot  on  it,  and  place  some  paper  on  the  surface  of  the  pot  nearly,  but 
not  quite  close,  to  the  crown.  This  should  be  done  in  the  afternoon,  and 
after  dark  at  night  enter  the  house  carefully  with  a  lantern  darkened 
(a  bull’s-eye  one  being  best  with  the  light  turned  off)  ;  then  shake  the 
plant  sharply,  brushing  the  fronds  with  the  hand,  after  which  immediately 
turn  on  the  light  and  kill  all  the  pests,  which  will  have  fallen  on  the  cloth 
or  paper,  scrutinising  the  base  of  the  plant  closely  w'here  the  soil  has  not 
been  covered.  'I'his  is  the  best  remedy,  repeating  until  the  weevils  are 
annihilated. 
Tuberose  Flowers  not  Developing  (Anxious).  —  The  tuber  is  quite 
sound,  also  the  roots,  of  which  there  is  no  scarcity  ;  stem  and  leaves  are 
also  clean,  except  for  a  little  “spider.”  The  raceme  of  flower  buds  is 
also  strong,  Imt  the  flowers  as  they  open  die  off  instead  of  developing. 
The  petals  turn  brown  and  wither,  and  from  them  appear  the  outgrowths 
of  the  Lily  disease  fungus  in  the  conidiul  or  Botrytis  condition.  The 
cause  of  its  appearance  we  have  no  means  of  determining,  but  it  may 
have  been  induced  by  damp.  We  have  found  that  a  little  more  air  — some 
constantly — had  a  good  effect  on  the  flowers  opening,  water  not  being 
very  liberally  given,  and  the  feeding,  if  any,  of  a  phosphaiic  nature.  We 
have  had  a  similar  evil  without  any  accompanying  parasite,  and  attributed 
the  defect  to  the  tubers  or  bulbs  being  lifted  too  early,  or  taken  up  and 
shipped  from  their  American  or  African  quarters  before  the  growth  was 
sufficiently  matured  and  the  flowers  properly  formed  in  embryo.  This 
we  consider  the  most  likely  cause  of  the  disaster  now  appearing,  there  not 
being  anything  apparently  detective  in  the  management— indeed  the  plant, 
barring  the  flowers,  is  as  healthy  as  we  have  ever  seen  a  Tuberose. 
Epacris  Culture  (G.  H.  F.). — An  excellent  compost  consists  of  good 
fibrous  peat  with  sharp  sand  to  keep  it  open.  Efficient  drainage,  proper 
watering,  and  firm  potting  are  also  necessary'.  When  once  plants  which 
are  firmly  potted  in  peat  become  dry  ordinary  waterings  are  not  sufficient 
to  moisten  the  soil  thoroughly.  They  must  be  watered  again  and  again 
until  the  water  pours  from  the  hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  pot.  Indeed,  if 
the  dryness  is  allowed  to  go  too  far  there  is  nothing  for  it  but  steeping 
the  pot  in  the  cistern  until  the  air  bails,  which  are  displaced  by  the  water, 
cease  bubbling  up.  After  the  ball  is  thoroughly  soaked  no  more  water 
should  be  applied  until  necessary,  when  an  ample  supply  should  be 
given.  This  is  one  of  the  secrets  in  successful  Epacris  growing. 
Another,  as  wo  have  said,  is  firm  potting.  Another  consists  in  growing 
them  in  an  airy  greenhouse,  where  as  little  tire  heat  as  possible  is  used, 
and  where  a  constant  circulation  of  air  is  maintained  on  all  favourable 
occasions.  After  the  flowers  have  faded  the  growth  should  be  pruned, 
T-Orret  kinds  must  be  cut  back  close  to  the  old  wood,  and  drooping 
forms  scarcely  so  far  back.  After  they  are  cut  back  they  should  be 
kept  rather  close  until  they  begin  to  grow  again,  when,  if  necessary, 
they  must  be  placed  into  larger  po's.  After  they  have  fairly  recovered 
from  cutting  back  and  potting  they  should  be  plunged  in  ashes  out  of 
doors  for  the  summer.  By  the  end  of  September  they  ought  again  to  be 
housed. 
Exhibiting  Trebbiano  Grapes  —  Qualifications  (TrehUano). — We  have 
seen  bunches  of  this  Grape  successfully  exhibited  later  in  the  season 
“  against  other  white  varieties,  excluding  Muscats.”  We  have  also 
more  than  once  seen  first-class  samples  of  it  defeat  comparatively 
inferior  Muscats.  Most  good  judges  of  Grapes  take  into  account  the 
cultural  merit  displayed  in  exhibits,  according  to  the  respective  varieties, 
and  do  not,  so  to  say,  fall  down  and  worship  second  and  third-rate 
Muscats.  In  the  ILH.S.  rules  for  judging  Grapes  it  is  stated  that 
“the  bunches  should  be  of  uniform  size,  of  perfect  shape,  properly 
thinned,  so  that  every’  berry  has  had  room  to  develop,  the  bunch  when 
cut  remaining  compact.  Large  bunches,  with  berries  varying  in  size, 
are  less  meritorious  than  smaller  bunches  with  berries  of  uniform  size. 
The  berries  should  be  large  for  the  variety,  and  carry  a  dense  bloom. 
Loose  bunches,  ill-coloured  berries,  rubbing,  shanking,  spot,  insect 
marks  and  mildew’,  are  all  grave  defects.”  Bead  also  very  carefully  the 
conditions  attached  to  every  class  in  the  schedules  of  the  shows  at 
which  you  think  of  exhibiting,  and  act  in  accordance  with  the  siipula- 
tions.  In  the  great  class  at  Shrewsbury,  for  instance,  you  will  find 
that  “neither  size  of  bunch,  as  such,  nor  flavour,  is  to  carry  primary  weight, 
but  superior  cultivation  and  finish  for  the  respective  varieties,  as  large 
bunches  may’  have  inferior  berries,  and  the  flavour  of  all  varieties 
cannot  be  fully’  developed  at  the  time  of  the  show.”  We  cannot  make 
the  matter  clearer  than  by  citing  the  above  two  sets  of  conditions,  and 
there  is  no  conflict  between  them. 
