June  22,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
523 
Abnormal  Tulip  (-B.  B,'). — The  specimen  you  eend,  though  not  unique, 
is  unusual,  and  because  it  is  interesting  an  illustration  will  be  given  in  a 
future  issue. 
Mowing  Lawns  in  Dry  Weather — Machines  Clogging  (0.  F.). — You 
ask  “if  it  is  a  good  plan  to  keep  otf  the  grass  box  of  a  mowing  machine, 
particularly  during  such  hot  weather  ;  or  are  the  droppings  ot  grass  apt 
to  clog  mowing  machines  ?  ”  In  mowing  lawns  when  the  grass  is  very 
^ry,  there  is  no  more  liability  to  clogging  when  the  box  is  off  than  when 
It  is  attached  to  the  machine.  Except  when  the  grass  is  very  long,  it  is 
advantageous  rather  than  otherwise  to  let  the  machine  scatter  the  grass 
evenly  on  the  lawn  during  dry  hot  weather  in  summer.  We  have  not 
removed  any  grass  from  our  lawn  during  the  past  three  weeks,  and  it  has 
been  the  same  no  doubt  over  hundreds  of  acres  where  machines  have  been 
run  over  the  surface  weekly.  When  machines  clog  in  wet  weather,  it  is 
an  excellent  plan  after  using  them  to  turn  them  on  their  sides,  and  flush 
them  out  with  hot  water  before  putting  them  away.  The  working  parts 
are  then  cleansed,  dry  immediately,  do  not  rust,  and  are  in  good  condition 
when  wanted  again. 
Vine  Leaves  Waited  (J.  M,'), — Both  the  Black  Hamburgh  and  Gros 
Golman  leaves  are  waited.  This  is  mainly  caused  by  a  close,  moist,  and 
warm  atmosphere,  which  retards  evaporation,  and  causes  an  abnormal 
growth  of  tissue  on  the  under  side,  with  corresponding  depressions  on  the 
■upper  surface  of  the  leaves.  The  warts  seriously  interfere  with  the 
transpiration,  and  not  infrequently  the  leaves  become  scorched,  and  the 
foliage  in  some  cases  falls  prematurely.  Otherwise  the  waiting  does  not 
materially  affect  the  health  of  the  Vines,  and  they  usually  finish  the  crop 
well,  other  conditions  being  favourable.  Of  course  it  is  best  to  avoid  the 
abnormality  by  judicious  ventilation,  especially  in  the  early  part  of  the 
^ay  ;  and  it  is  necessary  to  be  very  careful  in  this  matter  after  a  dull 
period,  as  the  leaves  are  then  tender,  and  the  more  liable  to  receive 
a  check  by  exposure  to  hot  sun.  In  other  re.spects  the  Vines,  judging 
from  the  leaves,  are  in  good  condition.  You  have  to  remember  that  on 
a  west  aspect  the  sun  has  attained  great  power  when  it  reaches  the  house, 
and  you  must  act  accordingly.  We  should  leave  the  top  ventilators 
slightly  open  all  night,  though  they  may  be  closed  for  a  time  after 
damping  or  syringing  in  the  afternoon  or  evening,  according  to  the 
weather. 
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  re.st  in 
the  post  oflice  over  Simday,  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.  (i?.  B.).  —  Lamium  maculatum  aureum. 
AT.), — 1,  Ilex  aquifolium  var.  scotica  ;  2,  cannot  be  positively  identi¬ 
fied,  but  very  closely  resembles  some  of  the  forms  of  I.  aquifolium 
Hodginsi  ;  3,  I.  aquifolium  aqrea  inarginata.  (^Garden  Boy), — A  rather 
■old  boy,  we  suspect,  judging  by  your  letter,  but  all  the  same,  you  failed 
to  see  the  correct  editorial  address  prominently  given  at  the  head  of  the 
“Correspondents’”  page  and  elsewhere.  Nor  did  you  observe  that  we 
only  undertake  to  name  “species”  (not  varieties)  of  “cultivated” 
plants.  If  you  do  not  know  the  difference,  as  many  “  boys  ”  do 
not,  you  should  try  and  learn.  We  have  now  to  say  that  by  the  delay 
•caused  in  sending  the  parcel  to  the  wrong  address,  and  not  packing  the 
specimens  in  soft  green  grass  or  damp  moss,  they  arrived  in  such  a 
shrivelled  state  as  to  be  practically  beyond  identification.  We  can  only 
say  that  1  appears  to  be  Saxifrage  ceratophylla  ;  3,  a  Fumaria  ;  4,  a 
Salvia,  possibly  S.  Heeri.  The  Bose  we  suspect  is  the  old  Maiden’s  Blush. 
We  would  have  named  the  specimens  if  they  had  arrived  in  a  reasonably 
fresh  state,  though  in  the  future  you  must  be  so  good  as  to  comply  with 
the  published  conditions.  {R.  C.  W), — Halesia  tetraptera,  see  page  509  ; 
Genista  hispanica.  (W.  B,  B.'), — The  flowers  had  fallen,  but  we  are 
endeavouring  to  expand  one  bud  for  identification. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— June  21st. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES. -VEGETABLES. 
s.  d. 
8.  d. 
B 
d. 
8.  d. 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
1  0  to  2  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
•  •• 
1  3  to  0  0 
Asparagus,  per  100 . 
1  0 
3  6 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  6 
1  0 
Beans,  per  lb . . 
0  3 
0  6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
„  Longpods,  J  bushel 
1  6 
2  0 
Onions,  bag,  about  1 
cwt. 
5  6 
0  0 
^leet.  Red,  doz....  ...  ... 
1  0 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bunches 
•  •« 
2  0 
6  0 
Cabbages,  per  tally . 
7  0 
10  0 
Peas,  per  bushel 
5  0 
6  0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0  6 
0  0 
Potatoes,  cwt. . 
•  •• 
2  0 
6  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
new  . 
9  0 
11  C 
Celery,  n^w,  per  bundle ... 
1  9 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  3 
0  0 
Cucumbers . 
0  4 
0  0 
Spinach,  per  bushel... 
•  •• 
2  G 
4  n 
Endive,  doz . 
1  3 
1  6 
Tomatoes,  lb . 
•  •• 
0  4 
0  6 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  3 
0  0 
Turnips,  bunch . 
••• 
0  .a 
n  4 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Vegetable  Marrows, 
doz. 
2  6 
3  6 
Remarks.— Markets  fair.  Asparagus,  arrival  heavy  ;  trade  bad  for 
tnedium  samples. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— FRUIT. 
8.  d.  B.  d. 
Apricots,  per  box  .  1  0  to  1  fi 
Apples,  Tasmanian,  per 
case .  13  0  20  0 
Cherries.  J  sieve  .  0  0  10  0 
Figs,  green,  per  doz.  ...  3  0  6  0 
Gooseberries,  4  sieve  ...  2  9  0  0 
Grapes,  black  .  10  3  0 
Lemons,  case  .  14  0  36  0 
8.  d.  8.  d. 
Melons  .  1  0  to  3  0 
Nectarines,  per  doz.  ...  l>  0  12  0 
Peaches,  per  doz .  3  0  15  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each  3  0  8  0 
Plums,  per  box .  16  2  0 
Strawberries,  hothouse,  lb.  16  3  0 
,,  outdoor,  bskt. 
about  6  lbs .  2  0  3  0 
Remarks. — Markets  good. 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES.— CUT  FLOWERS. 
Anemones,  doz.  bunches... 
Arums  . 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
Azalea,  white,  doz.  bnchs. 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Daffodils,  single  yellow, 
bch.  12  blooms 
Daffodils,  double,  bunches 
Eucharis,  doz.  ... 
Freesia,  doz.  bnchs. 
Gardenias,  doz. 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bnchs . 
Hyacinths,  Roman,  bunch 
Iris,  per  doz.  bunches 
Lilium  Harrisi,  12  blooms 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  doz. 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
Boronias  . 
Crotons,  doz . 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.... 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz. 
Erica  various,  doz.  ... 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz. 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz. 
Ferns,  var.,  doz. 
,,  small,  100  ... 
Ficus  elastica,  each ... 
Bedding  out  plants  in  variety  from  3s.  doz. 
B.  d. 
8. 
d. 
s.  d. 
B.  d. 
1  6  to  2 
0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  sprays 
0  4  to  1  0 
3  0 
4 
0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
3  0 
4  0 
2  0 
2 
6 
Maidenhair  Fern, 
doz. 
3  0 
4 
0 
bnchs . 
•  •• 
4  0 
6  0 
1  6 
3 
0 
Mignonette,  doz.  bunches 
4  0 
6  0 
Narcissus,  doz.  bnchs. 
•  •• 
1  0 
2  0 
0  6 
0 
8 
Orchids,  var.,  doz.  blooms 
1  6 
9  0 
0  4 
0 
6 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
6  0 
2  0 
3 
0 
PfBonies,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
8  0 
2  0 
3 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz.... 
2  0 
3  0 
1  0 
2 
0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz. 
•  •• 
2  0 
3  0 
4  0 
6 
0 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
3  0 
0  4 
0 
6 
„  Safrano,  doz.  .. 
2  0 
2  6 
G  0 
12 
0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
3  0 
4  0 
3  0 
4 
0 
Tulips,  bunch . 
... 
0  4 
0  6 
4  0 
6 
0 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
8.  d. 
6. 
d. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
6  0to36  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0  to  5  0 
18  0 
36 
0 
Fuchsias,  doz . 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
5  0 
10  6 
Heliotropes,  doz. 
... 
4  0 
6  0 
12  0 
18  0 
Hydrangeas  . 
... 
6  0 
10  0 
18  0 
24  0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz. 
•  •• 
12  0 
18  0 
12  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
•  •• 
3  0 
4  0 
9  0 
18  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz 
•  «  •  • 
6  0 
8  0 
9  0 
24 
0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
•  •• 
6  0 
9  0 
6  0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
•  •• 
1  0 
15  0 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  ... 
21  0 
63  0 
4  0 
18  0 
Pelargonium?,  scarlet,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
4  0 
8 
0 
Solanums,  doz . 
•  •• 
6  0 
12  0 
1  0 
7  0 
Stocks . 
•  •  • 
4  0 
.6  0 
BEER  DRINKERS  v.  BREWERS. 
Or  we  might  say,  The  People  v.  Farmers.  Such  used  to  be  the  case, 
but  it  now  appears  as  though  the  farmer  is  to  be  left  out  of  the  matter. 
In  most  countries  we  find  what  we  may  term  a  national  beverage — the 
drink  of  the  people ;  something  cheap  and  wholesome  and  something 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  wants  and  requirements  of  the  climate, 
“  home  grown,”  the  manufacture  of  which  is  a  source  of  modest  wealth 
to  several  sets  of  peoiffe — the  grower  of  the  raw  'material,' the  more 
skilful  manipulator,  and  the  honest  retailer.  And  it  seems  to  us  a 
great  pity  that  for  the  sake  of  the  extra  profits  filling  the  pockets  of 
the  few  that  the  national  beverage  should  be  of  alien  growth. 
We  find  there  are  districts  in  England  peculiarly  adapted  for  the 
growth  of  the  best  class  of  malting  Barleys.  We  find  that  there  is  a 
class  of  men  who  have  spent  their  lives  and  brought  the  wisdom  of 
iheir  forefathers  to  bear  on  the  improvement  of  these  Barleys,  till  at 
last  they  have  got  something  as  near  perfection  as  possible ;  we  find 
these  men,  by  means  of  their  Barley  growing,  able  to  afford  good 
wages  to  a  large  class  of  labourers,  to  pay  a  fair  rent,  and  to  supply 
the  nation  with  excellent  mutton  into  the  bargain  (for  mutton  and 
Bailey  production  must  go  together).  And  now  it  appears  highly 
probable  that  these  men  will  find  their  occupation  gone,  their  crops 
unremimerative,  their  landlords  and  labourers  unpaid,  and  this  good 
Barley  land  thrown  out  of  cultivation.  It  will  take  a  wise  man  to 
calculate  the  loss  to  England  in  general  should  such  a  thing  happen. 
The  strong  heavy  clay  went  out  of  cultivation  first,  and  all  hopes 
were  rested  on  the  lighter  and  more  easily  worked  wold  and  cliff 
lands.  People  were  under  the  impression  that  though  we  might 
import  Wheat  with  advantage  to  greater  community,  yet  as  ours 
