September  27,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
303 
Melons  Splitting  (7Z.  H.  C.). — Melons  split  from  the  rind  not 
expanding  in  proportion  to  the  growth.  Splitting  usually  occurs  after 
a  continuance  of  dry  weather,  when  the  rind  becomes  nearly  as  hard  as 
that  of  a  Pumpkin,  and  it  splits  from  the  pressure  of  the  matter 
impelled  into  the  fruit.  As  a  preventive,  keep  the  atmosphere  and 
soil  moist  after  the  fruit  begins  to  swell.  A  deficiency  of  moisture  in 
the  atmosphere  and  at  the  root  gives  a  check  to  growth,  and  the 
consequence  is  that  the  fruit  does  not  swell,  but  becomes  rindbound. 
During  very  bright  weather  slight  shading  is  also  beneficial,  especially 
when  the  fruit  is  not  protected  from  sun  by  the  leaves.  It  is  only  when 
Melons  are  setting  and  ripening  that  they  need  a  dry  atmosphere,  at 
other  times  they  require  as  much  moisture  as  Cucumbers  in  order  to 
swell  to  a  good  size,  and  that  they  will  do  in  the  first  thirty  days  after 
setting  or  never.  If  they  are  kept  moist  when  they  ought  to  be  dry 
they  crack. 
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  Arm  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  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  beingr  often  difficult  to 
separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp.  (/.  Cross). — 1,  Hibiscus 
ayriacus;  2,  Crataegus  pyracantha  ;  3,  Rudbeckia  triloba  ;  4,  Viburnum 
Lantana.  (Q.  H,  Fr). — 1,  Retinospora  ericoides  ;  2,  R.  plumosa  aurea  ; 
3,  Thuiopsis  dolabrata;  4,  Cupressus  Lawsoniana,  seedling  form; 
5,  C.  L.  erecta  viridis.  (L.  C.  O.). — 1,  Ri-vina  Itevis;  2,  Datura 
Stramonium;  3,  the  Tree  Tomato,  Cyphomandra  betacea.  (IF.  W.  W.). 
— 1,  Nerine  Fothergilli ;  2,  Aspleuium  adiantum  nigrum  ;  3,  Lopho- 
spermum  scandens.  (G.  P.). — Polygonum  bistorta. 
Names  of  Fruits. — Notice. — We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good  typical 
fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of  regular 
subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruits,  and  not  collectors  of 
specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is  wholly 
irregular,  and  we  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow  themselves  to 
be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special  attention  is 
directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is  to  dis¬ 
courage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  worthless  A  pies  and 
Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  he  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only 
specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior, 
ivhich  are  not  worth  sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses 
of  senders  of  fruit  or  flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed 
with  the  specimens,  whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by 
post  or  not.  The  names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication, 
initials  sufficing  for  that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once, 
and  any  beyond  that  number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  he  sent 
on  the  first  indication  of  change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot 
he  named  in  a  hard  green  state.  The  practice  of  pinning  numbers  to 
the  eyes  of  the  fruit  tends  to  destroy  one  of  the  most  characteristic 
features  and  increases  the  diflficulty  of  identification.  When  Plums  are 
sent  to  be  named  young  wood  of  the  trees  should  accompany  them. 
Leaves  of  the  trees  are  necessary  with  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  with 
information  as  to  whether  the  flowers  are  large  or  small.  (/.  F.  B.). — 
The  Pears  resemble  small  fruits  of  the  Hessle,  as  if  produced  by  an 
old  or  overladen  tree.  This  variety  originated  in  your  neighbourhood, 
and  you  might  compare  the  fruits  with  others.  Those  sent  are  not 
quite  typical  specimens.  The  Apple  is  the  London  Pippin,  also  known 
as  the  Five-crowned  Pippin.  (Ignoramus). — Pears  ;  1,  possibly  Dr. 
Hogg  Bergamot,  but  past;  2,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien;  Apples:  3, 
Tower  of  Gla'i>i8;  4,  Besspool ;  5,  possibly  Cellini ;  6,  unknown.  (P  ). — 
],  Bismarck  ;  2,  Sandringham  ;  Pears  :  1,  Durondeau  ;  2,  Nouvelle 
Fulvie  ;  3,  Gansel’s  Bergamot.  (Peach).  —  Plum  Reine  Claude  de 
Bavay  ;  Peach  :  if  the  flowers  are  small  and  the  leaves  have  round 
glands,  Bellegarde.  (F.  R.). — 1,  Worcester  Pearmain  ;  2,  Cellini  ;  3, 
possibly  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin  from  an  old  tree  ;  4,  Beurrd  Clairgeau ; 
5,  Vicar  of  Winkfield  ;  6,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien,  out  of  character. 
(W.  B.). — 1,  Fondante  d’Automne  ;  2,  Williams’  Bon  ChrStien  ;  3, 
Duchesse  d’Angouleme  ;  4,  Souvenir  du  Congrbs ;  5,  Yorkshire  Beauty  ; 
6,  small  Winter  Hawthornden. 
Covent  Carden 
llarket. — Sept.  26lli. 
Trade  very  quiet. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
Apples,  table,  J  bushel  ... 
2  0 
to  3  0 
Nectarines,  doz . 
1  6  to  9  0 
,,  cooking,  bushel  ... 
1  6 
5  0 
Oranges,  case  . 
10  0 
15  0 
Cobnuts,  doz.  lb.,  best  ... 
4  0 
5  0 
Peaches,  doz.  small . 
1  0 
2  0 
Damsons,  ^  bushel . 
0  9 
2  0 
,,  doz.,  good  size... 
6  0 
9  0 
Fins,  green,  doz . 
0  6 
0  10 
Pears,  crate  . 
3  0 
7  0 
Grapes,  black  . 
0  6 
2  6 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
6  0 
wliiito  ••• 
1  6 
3  0 
Plums,  ^  bushel  . 
1  0 
2  6 
Lemons,  case  . 
10  0 
20  0 
„  Californian, ease  ... 
4  0 
6  0 
Melons,  house,  each 
0  6 
1  6 
„  common,  sieve  ... 
0  6 
1  0 
,,  water,  case . 
3  6 
5  0 
Average 
Wholesale 
Prices. — Vegetables. 
8.  d. 
9.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  <1. 
A.rtiohokes,  green,  doz.  ... 
3  0  to  4  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
OIJ  toO  6 
Beans,  French,  sieve 
1  0 
1  6 
Mint,  green,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
0  0 
„  scarlet,  bushel  ... 
0  3 
1  0 
Mushrooms,  lb . 
1  3 
1  6 
Beet,  red.  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0  2 
0  0 
Brussels  Sprouts,  sieve  ... 
1  6 
2  0 
Onions,  Dutch,  bag . 
4  0 
4  6 
Cabbages,  tally . 
3  0 
6  0 
Parslev,  doz.  biinebes  ... 
2  0 
0  0 
Cirrots,  doz.  bunches 
2  0 
3  0 
Peas,  English,  bushel 
5  0 
6  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
3  0 
5  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  2 
0  3 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
1  6 
3  0 
Spinach,  bushel  . 
2  0 
0  0 
Endive,  score  . 
1  6 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb.  ... 
0  2 
0  4 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Turnips,  doz . 
2  0 
8  0 
Lettuce,  doz . 
0  9 
0  0 
Vegetable  Marrows,  doz.  . 
0  6 
1  0 
,,  Cos,  score . 
0  6 
2  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8  d 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch... 
1  6  to  2  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
Asters  . 
3  0 
4  0 
bunches . 
2  0  to  4  0 
Cirnatious,  12  blooms  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
Gattleyas.doz . 
6  0 
12  0 
„  Ye  low  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
Chrysanthemums,  doz. 
Odontoglossums  . 
3  0 
4  0 
blooms  . 
1  0 
3  0 
Pelargoniums,  doz.  bnchs 
4  0 
6  0 
Euebaris,  doz . 
1  6 
2  6 
Roses  (indoor),  doz . 
2  0 
4  0 
Girdenias,  doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Red,  doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
Geranium,searlet.doz.bch8. 
4  0 
5  0 
„  Safrano,  doz  . 
1  6 
2  0 
Gladiolus,  doz.  spikes  ... 
1  0 
2  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
Lilium  lancifohum  album 
1  6 
2  6 
,,  Yellow,  doz.  (Perles) 
1  0 
2  6 
„  „  rubrum 
1  6 
2  6 
„  English — La  France, 
,,  various  . 
2  0 
3  0 
doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
15  0 
18  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
2  0 
4  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
B.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.  d. 
8.d. 
Acers,  doz . 
12  0to24  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1  0  to  5  0 
Arbor  Vitse,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
36  0 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz.... 
6  0 
10  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
36  0 
„  pink,  doz.  ... 
8  0 
10  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen 
15  0 
20  0 
Hydrangeas,  white,  each 
2  ^ 
5  0 
. —  , 
Boronias,  doz.  ... 
Gannas,  doz 
Orotons,  doz.  ... 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz. 
Dracaena  viridis,  doz 
Erica  various,  doz. 
Buonymus,  var.,  doz 
E/ergreens,  var.,  do 
Kerns,  var.,  doz. 
„  small,  100 
PiniiR  elastica.  each 
2  6 
20  0 
18  0 
18  0 
12  0 
9  0 
8  0 
5  0 
24  0 
0  0 
30  0 
30  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
8  0 
7  6 
- - 
,,  paniculata,  each  10  3  6 
Lilium  Harris!,  doz .  8  0  18  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz .  3  0  6  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  ...  8  0  10  0 
Mignonette,  doz .  8  0  12  0 
Myrtles,  doz.  ...  6  0  9  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ...  10  15  0 
,,  specimens  .  21  0  63  0 
Roses,  doz .  6  0  18  0 
Stocks,  doz .  8  0  12  0 
Old  Books. 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
F.  Bernaix  fils,  Villeurbaune,  pres  Lyons,  France. — Roses. 
Daniels  Bros.,  Ltd.,  Norwich. — Bulhs,  Roses,  and  Fruit  Trees. 
Harrison  &  Sons,  Leicester. — Bulhs. 
H.  J.  Jones,  Lewisham. —  Bulhs  and  Tuhers. 
W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross. — Roses. 
J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons,  Lowdham. — Fruit  Trees  and  Roses. 
J.  P.  Williams  &  Brothers,  Henaratgoda,  Ceylon. — Trojiical  Seeds. 
Old  books,  old  wine,  old  friends  !  how  good  they  are  !  But  what 
have  old  books  to  >io  with  The  Home  Farm  ?  Perhaps  more  than 
The  Home  Farm  guesses.  In  a  neighbour’s  house  the  other  day  we 
came  across  a  volume  of  1840,  “The  Farmer’s  Magazine.”  Of  course 
we  immediately  asked  to  borrow  it,  and  found  in  it  a  pleasant  and 
profitable  evening’s  reading.  It  was  a  most  conscientious  book;  the 
pages  were  open  to  the  careful  discussion  of  endless  subjects  connected 
with  the  improvement  of  working  methods  on  the  farm.  Looking  at 
