June  15,  1899. 
JOURNAL  CF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  OA^RDENER. 
Azaleas  after  Tlowering  {T’jro). — It  ia  essciuiat  to  the  future  well¬ 
being  ot  the  plants  that  }ou  keep  them  utider  glass,  aftordiiig  a  moist 
and  somewhat  warm  atmosphere,  so  as  to  encourage  them  to  make  a 
good  growth.  When  that  is  complete,  and  the  jiomts  ot  the  shoots  are 
thickening  a  little,  they  may  be  placed  outdoors  in  a  slieiiered  smiation 
on  a  thick  bed  of  ashe.s,  either  naturally  or  artilieially  shaded  for  a 
lew  days,  or  the  sun  may  prejudicially  affect  the  foliage.  The  plants 
are  generally  sufficiently  grown  and  the  wood  ripened  as  to  admit  of 
being  placed  outdoors  by  the  middle  of  July.  It  is  entirely  a  matter  for 
judgment  from  the  condition  of  the  plants.  They  must  be  housed  before 
the  last  week  in  September. 
Dividing  Asparagus  {Finchley'). — It  is  by  no  means  good  practice  to 
lift  and  divide  thicK  clumps,  as  the  plants  or  divisions  (io  not  grow  at  all 
well,  the  check  being  too  great  ;  hence  the  best  plan  is  to  fill  up  the  gaps 
by  planting  one  or  two-year-old  plants  from  seed  in  the  spring,  prelerably 
when  they  are  starting  into  growth,  or  early  in  April,  seiiiiig 
carefull}',  and  without  injuring  the  roots  or  crowns  of  the  old  plants. 
Some  growers  make  the  gaps  in  old  beds  good  by  sowing  seed  early  in 
April,  inserting  the  seed  in  holes  about  an  inch  deep,  and  twm  seeds  in  a 
hole,  the  holes  being  15  to  18  inches  apart,  and  so  made  where  the  bare 
places  are  to  fill  them  evenly,  covering  the  seeds  with  fine  soil.  The 
young  plants  from  the  seeds  will  gain  strength  from  year  to  year,  ami 
produce  heads  in  the  third  year  fit  for  cutting. 
Mildew  on  Vines  {Copley). — The  bunches  and  leaves  are  seriously' 
infested  with  mildew.,  and  unless  you  arrest  the  spread  of  the  fungus  at 
once  the  crop  will  bo  spoiled.  See  reply  to  “ D.”  on  page  481  lust  week. 
But  in  consequence  ot  the  extremely  thin  leaves  we  do  not  advise  tlie 
heating  and  sulphuring  of  the  pipes  as  there  recommended.  Your  saf-'st 
plan  will  be  to  dust  the  bunches,  covering  every  infested  berry  with  flowers 
of  sulphur,  through  muslin,  or  some  other  way  you  may  devise,  and  let 
it  remain  on  them  for  three  or  four  days  or  more  ;  you  may  dust  the 
leaves  also,  especially  on  the  under  side  ;  or  they  may  be  sponged  with  a 
mixture  of  sulphide  of  potassium  at  a  strength  not  exceeding  i  oz.  to 
2  gallons  of  water,  in  which  2  ozs.  of  softsoap  have  been  dissolved.  If  all 
the  leaves  are  like  those  sent  the  Vines  are  in  a  weak  and  iinsatisfactorv 
state.  You  say  nothing  about  the  border,  so  we  cannot  advise  on  that  ; 
but  observing  signs  of  scorching  we  suspect  the  house  has  not  been 
judiciously  ventilated.  It  has  priffiably  been  left  closeii  too  long  in  the 
morning.  It  should  never  be  entirely  closed  at  night,  and  further  venti¬ 
lation  ought  to  be  resorted  to  in  advance  of  the  rising  temperature.  Avoid 
late  syringings  or  damping.  Maintain  a  genial  night  temperature,  not 
less  than  60^",  and  a  buoyant  atmosphere.  Do  not  overcrop.  The  bunch 
sent  is  insufficiently  thinned.  Unless  you  proceed  with  promptitude  and 
judgment  you  may  have  a  general  collapse.  AVe  hope,  however,  the 
majority  ot  the  leaves  are  better  than  those  sent. 
Thistles  and  Nettles  in  Meadow  {C.  C.).— 1,  Drain  the  land  if 
necessary.  Many  fields  infested  with  Thistles  have  a  wet  subsoil. 
2,  Draw  every  'I'histle  in  the  early  summer  months — April  or  May — 
or  as  late  as  can  bo  done  without  trampling  down  the  herbage  and 
spoiling  it  tor  cutting,  using  a  pair  of  “reps,"  a  toothed  pincer-like 
implement  with  3-teet  handles,  common  enough  formeily,  but  now  seldom 
seen  ;  c.r  cut  off  the  Thistles  below  ground  with  a  spud,  which  at  the 
same  time  delivers  a  little  salt  or  kainit  on  the  rootstock.  This  attended 
to,  there  will  be  a  greaily  lessened  number  of  Thistles  in  the  ha\'  crop. 
3,  In  autumn  or  rather  late  summer  repeat  the  spring  treatment  wuh  the 
Thistles  in  the  aftermath  or  “fog.”  When  in  pasture,  cut  the  Thistles 
in  summer,  July  or  August,  always  when  or  before  “nopping”  for 
flowering.  Better  me  the  “reps”  or  spud  persistently  from  spring  to 
autumn,  never  allowing  the  Tliisiles  to  make  mucli  growth.  This  practice 
is  that  we  have  found  most  successful,  but  permanent  riddance  seems  out 
of  the  question,  as  so  many  seeds  are  broadcasted  every  year  over  culti¬ 
vated  land  from  waste  places,  and  evenlrom  so-called  farmed  lands.  For 
lawns  the  weeders  that  drop  a  little  weed-killer  on  the  cut-off  root  ot 
coarse  weeds  answer  well,  but  we  have.not  tried  the  process  on  Thistles  in 
meadows.  As  regards  the  Nettles,  there  is  no  better  plan  than  to  uproot 
them  bodily  with  a  drag  hoe,  a  strong  iron '  implement  made  by  blark- 
smiths,  w'hich  tears  up  the  rootstocks  and  the  creeping  roots,  every 
particle  of  which  should  be  removed  and  cleared  off  the  meadow.  Spring 
lime  is  the  best  to  operate  against  the  Nettles. 
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 
tlattciied  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.  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.  {C.  D.  B.). — Cyrtanthus  Mackeni ;  see 
Jonrnal  of  Horticulture,  April  7th,  1898,  page  309.  (  W.  N.). —  I,  Aquilegia 
glandulota  ;  2,  Saxifraga  Wallace!  ;  3,  S.  gramilata  flore-pleno ;  4, 
Aquilegia  coerulea.  (/.  C.  C,). — 1,  Oncidiuin  inacranthum  ;  2,  O.  lance- 
anum  ;  3,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  wlnte  variety.  {Amateur). —  1, 
Veronica  rupeslris  ;  2,  Sedum  azoideum  variegatum  ;  3,  Lithospermum 
proslratum;  4,  Lychui«  dioica  fi.-pl.  :  5,  Geranium  sanguineum  ;  6, 
Byriis  domesiica,  the  Service  Tree.  (//.  P.).- 1,  Berberis  valgads  ;  2, 
Crasbula  coccinea  ;  3,  Carpentcria  californica  ;  l,  Fremontia  californica. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  14tii. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES. -FRUIT. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d.  8. 
d. 
Apricots,  per  box  ... 
...  1  3  lo  2  0 
Nectarines,  per  doz. 
0  0io24 
0 
Applet,  Tasiiiaiiian, 
per 
Peaclies,  piT  doz . 
i;  0  24 
0 
case . 
...  0  0 
0  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0  8 
0 
Ch  nics.  ^  sieve 
...  f.  0 
10  0 
Plums,  per  box . 
1  f>  2 
0 
Goosebei  riep,  h  sieve 
...  4  11 
0  0 
Strawi ernes,  Inithonse,  lb. 
1  G  4 
0 
Grapes,  black  . 
...  1  0 
3  0 
,,  outdoor,  bskt. 
Leinoiis,  cate  . 
...  14  0 
31)  0 
about  4  lbs . 
G  0  C 
0 
Melons  . 
...  2  (i 
4  0 
Rii;.MA.i:ivs. — Markets  good. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES. -VEGETABLES. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
. 
d. 
Asparagu8,  per  100 . 
1 
0  to 
3 
6 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
0 
6  to  1 
0 
Beane,  per  lb . 
0 
!» 
0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnec 
0 
2 
0 
4 
,,  Loiigpod.s,  -I  bushel 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1  cwt. 
r> 
6 
n 
0 
Beet,  Red,  iiuz . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Par.dey,  doz.  bunches  ... 
2 
0 
i; 
0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
5 
0 
7 
0 
Peas,  per  bushel  . 
7 
0 
u 
r 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
G 
0 
0 
Potatoes,  cwt. . 
2 
0 
4 
(■ 
Caulifiowere,  doz . 
4 
0 
G 
0 
new  . 
!l 
0 
11 
0 
Celery,  n  w,  per  bundle  ... 
1 
9 
0 
0 
Shallots,  lb . 
ti 
H 
d 
I' 
Cucumbers . 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Spinach,  per  bushel . 
2 
G 
0 
0 
.Endive,  doz . 
1 
3 
1 
G 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
0 
4 
u 
i; 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
H 
II 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz. 
G 
0 
8 
0. 
Lettuce,  doz . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Rf.makks. — Markets  fair. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
6.  d. 
8.  d. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches...  1  6  to  2  0 
Lilyofthe  Valley,12  sprays 
0  4 
to  1  0 
Arums  .  3  0 
4  u 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
A'paragus,  Fern,  bunch...  2  0 
2  6 
Maidenliair  Fern, 
doz. 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs.  3  0 
4  0 
bnchs . 
•  •• 
4  0 
G  0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ...  i  6 
3  0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
G  0 
Daffodils,  single  yellow. 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  0 
2  0 
boll.  12  blooms  .  0  6 
0  8 
Orenids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches  0  4 
0  G 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
G  0 
EucUans,  doz .  2  0 
3  0 
Paeonies,  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  u 
,,  Red,  doz . 
•  •  • 
2  0 
4  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  Tea.  white,  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.  .. 
•  •• 
2  0 
2  6 
Iris,  per  doz.  bunches  ...  G  (1 
1  '  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
•  •  • 
3  0 
4  0 
Lilium  Hurrisi,  12  blooms  3  U 
4  0 
Tulips,  bunch . 
0  4 
0  6 
,,  iongiflorum,  12  blooms  4  0 
G  0 
* 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
0.  d. 
s.  d. 
Arbor  Vitas,  var.,  doz.  ...  G  0to36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var..  each 
1  0  to  5  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 18  0 
3G  0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
.  .  . 
4  0 
G  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ...  5  0 
10  G 
Heliotropes,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
GO 
Boronias  . 12  0 
18  0 
Hidrangeas  . 
... 
G  0 
10  0 
Crotons,  doz . I8  0 
24  0 
Liliuin  Harris!,  doz. 
•  •• 
12  0 
18  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz . 12  0 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz.  ...  9  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
3  0 
4  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz 
... 
6  0 
8  0 
Erica  various,  doz .  9  0 
24  0 
\lyrtles,  doz . 
•  •• 
G  0 
9  0 
Euonvmus,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
•  •• 
1  0 
15  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ...  4  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz .  4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  ... 
... 
21  0 
63  0 
18  0 
Pelargoniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
„  small,  100  .  4  0 
8  0 
4o!anums,  doz . 
•  •• 
6  0 
12  u 
Ficas  elastica,  each .  1  .0 
7  0 
Stocks . 
4  0 
6  0 
Bedding  out  plant.s  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
RABBIT  LAND. 
Tins  is  the  name  by  which  ^hortly  will  be  known  a  very  large 
tract  of  England.  \Vhen  men  like  Lord  Walsinghatn  and  Mr.  Rider 
llagjard  talk  seriously  of  the  impossibility  of  making  farming 
prolitable,  and  that  rabbit  warrens  are  the  only  alternative  to  barren 
common,  we  must  come  to  the  conclusion  that  at  any  rate  some 
districts  are  in  danger  of  becoming  depopulated. 
No  doubt  the  land  in  question  is  very  light  and  sandy,  and  was 
only  taken  into  cultivation  owing  to  the  high  price  of  grain  many 
years  ago,  but  there  are  numbers  of  such  tracts  of  country  spread  about 
England  to  which  the  same  descri[)'ion  would  apply,  and  the  great 
question  is  this,  “Is  it  necessary  that  such  or  any  land  should  be 
turned  into  rabbit  warrens  ?  ”  Well!  It  is  all  a  matter,  of  money. 
Sentiment  is  not  considered  nowad.ays,  and  a  profit  is  the  only  thing 
to  take  into  account. 
