January  3,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
21 
Cocoa-nnt  Fibre  Refuse  (Amateur) . — Cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  alone  will 
not  effect  the  desired  improvement  in  your  soil.  That  which  it  is  most 
in  need  of  is  draining,  and  next  to  this  a  liberal  application  of  such 
mechanical  disintegrators  as  old  mortar  and  cinder  ashes,  dug  in  and 
well  mixed  with  the  soil  as  soon  as  possible.  If  the  latter  could  be 
thrown  up  into  ridges,  thus,  /\,  2  feet  wide  at  the  base,  and  allowed 
to  remain  in  that  position  until  March,  and  the  fibre  applied  before 
levelling  down,  you  might  render  it  both  workable  and  considerably 
lighter. 
Early  Lettuces  (TV.  H.  B.). — Since  the  introduction  of  the  extra 
quick  growing  Cabbage  varieties  there  has  been  less  need  to  take  so 
many  pains  in  raising  and  wintering  a  number  of  plants  to  give  an  early 
supply  of  hearts.  Both  Early  Paris  Market  and  Veitch’s  Golden  Queen 
are  of  exceptionally  quick  growth,  and  are  second  to  none  in  point  of 
quality.  Sow  seeds  at  once.  Especially  ought  thick  sowing  to  be 
avoided,  crowded  seedlings  either  damping  off  badly  or  quickly  become 
worthless.  There  is,  however,  no  necessity  to  pot  the  plants ;  in 
fact,  they  move  better  out  of  boxes,  and  ought  to  be  early  pricked  out 
in  these  accordingly.  Duly  hardened  and  planted  out  on  warm  borders 
they  form  hearts  very  quickly,  but  where  frames  or  the  room  can  be 
spared  a  few  score  ought  to  be  gently  forced.  Shallow  frames  on  a 
mild  hotbed  are  the  best  positions  for  them,  but  a  moderately  good 
supply  might  be  bad  with  the  aid  of  boxes,  these  being  located  in  a 
light  position  in  a  newly  started  vinery  or  Peach  house. 
Zonal  Pelargonium  (B.  A.). — Zonal  Pelargoniums  will  only  flower 
freely  and  continuously  in  winter  in  a  very  light  house  indeed,  with 
nothing  between  the  plants  and  the  glass,  and  the  temperature  should 
not  remain  long  below  50°,  and  the  plants  must  be  vigorous,  with 
plenty  of  active  roots.  Your  plants  were  probably  too  root-bound ; 
and  very  stout  young  plants  previously  topped  and  breaking,  potted  a 
month  or  two  later,  would  probably  have  been  better  in  the  small¬ 
sized  pots  used.  Old  plants  cut  back  in  June  or  early  July,  shaken  out, 
potted  firmly,  and  grown  outdoors  till  the  autumn,  then  placed  in  frames 
for  a  time,  flower  profusely  in  early  winter  in  a  warm  light  house,  but 
not  continuously  till  spring.  Some  varieties  are  much  better  than  others 
for  winter  blooming.  Your  plants  will  flower  in  early  summer  if  not 
pruned,  or  slightly  ;  later  if  cut  back  in  February  or  March,  shaken  out 
a  month  afterwards,  and  potted  firmly  in  fresh  loam.  The  roots  must 
be  kept  active,  and  they  are  checked  by  too  much  water  or  liquid 
manure,  also  if  they  get  much  too  dry  now  and  then. 
Fowl  Manure  (TV.  White).  —  Fowl  manure  being  very  powerful 
should  not  be  applied  too  liberally,  about  6  tons  per  acre  being  a 
sufficiently  heavy  dressing  for  ground  to  be  cropped  with  vegetables, 
and  is  best  applied  shortly  before  the  crops  are  sown  or  planted. 
For  garden  crops  we  use  it  at  the  rate  named — viz.,  2£  to  3  lbs.  per 
square  yard  with  very  satisfactory  results.  It  is  applied  to  the  surface 
evenly  and  pointed  in  with  a  fork  lightly.  For  flowers  it  is  not 
advisable  to  give  so  heavy  a  dressing,  as  it  sometimes  proves  too 
powerful  for  the  delicate  and  moderate  growing  kinds,  promoting 
luxuriance  of  growth  not  favourable  to  the  production  of  flowers; 
therefore  we  think  it  best  to  give  a  light  dressing  about  February,  and 
again  in  June  to  plants  that  have  been  planted  in  autumn  or  are 
permanent,  in  each  case  pointing  it  in  lightly.  For  ground  intended  to 
be  planted  with  flowers  it  may  be  applied  just  before  planting,  pointing 
it  in  with  a  fork,  following  with  a  light  sprinkling  between  the  plants 
a  little  before  they  come  into  flower,  or  when  they  are  showing  the 
flower  buds,  giving  at  the  same  time  a  good  watering  if  the  weather 
be  dry.  It  is  assumed  the  manure  is  dry  and  mixed  with  sand  or 
road  grit.  If  the  manure  is  unmixed  it  must  be  used  in  lessened 
proportion.  Being  rich  in  ammonia  it  should  not  be  left  on  the 
surface  of  the  soil,  as  the  ammonia  will  be  rapidly  evolved  and  pass 
away.  It  should  be  kept  dry,  and  not  placed  thickly  so  as  to  heat 
before  it  is  used. 
Names  of  Fruits  ( B .  C.). — 1,  Bramley’s  Seedling  ;  2,  Roundway 
Magnum  Bonum  ;  3,  Newton  Wonder.  (0.  P.). — 1,  Wellington;  2, 
Lord  Derby.  (F.  J.  B.). — 1,  unknown,  probably  a  local  seedling;  2, 
Small’s  Admirable.  (W.  F.  G.). — Pear  Beurre  d’Aremberg;  Apple 
Golden  Reinette. 
TTames  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  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.  (N.  G.). — 1,  Eranthemum 
pulchellum  ;  2,  Justicia  calycotricha  ;  3,  Platyloma  rotundifolia ;  4, 
Todea  intermedia.  (0.  F.). — 1,  Dracaena  terminalis ;  2,  Cyperus 
alternifolius.  The  Crotons  could  only  be  named  by  comparison  in  a 
large  collection,  such  as  that  grown  by  Messrs.  Veitoh  &  Sons  at 
Chelsea. 
Covent  Carden  Market. — January  2nd. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
s.  d. 
9.  <1. 
s.  d. 
9.  d: 
Apples,  table,  ^  bush.  ... 
2  0  to  4  6 
Oranges,  case . 
6  0  to] 5  0 
„  cooking,  bush.  ... 
2  6 
7  0 
Pears,  crate  . 
3  0 
7  0 
,,  Californian,  case 
7  6 
9  6 
„  stewing,  case  of 
Chestnuts,  bag,  from 
5  0 
15  0 
72  to  120 . 
4  6 
6  6 
Cobnuts,  doz.  lb.,  best  ... 
4  0 
5  0 
,,  Californian,  case 
15  0 
18  0 
Grapes,  black . 
0  6 
2  6 
,,  ^  case . .  ... 
4  0 
9  0 
„  white,  per  lb.  ... 
1  6 
5  0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
3  0 
6  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
9  0 
16  0 
Walnuts,  bag  . 
4  6 
6  0 
Melons,  house,  each 
0  6 
2  6 
* 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
Artichokes,  green, doz. ... 
2  6  to  4  0 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb.  ... 
0  8  to  0  9 
„  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1  6 
0  0 
Mustard  and  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0  0 
Asparagus  (Sprue  Grass) 
0  8 
0  0 
Onions,  Dutch,  bag 
3  6 
0  0 
„  Paris  Green 
4  6 
5  0 
„  English,  cwt.  ... 
5  0 
0  0 
Beans,  French,  per  lb.  ... 
0  6 
0  9 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
0  0 
„  Jersey,  per  lb.  ... 
1  6 
2  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . .  ... 
3  0 
7  0 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Rhubarb,  doz . 
1  6 
1  9 
Brussels  Sprouts,  sieve... 
0  9 
1  6 
Savoys,  tally  . 
2  0 
3  0 
Cabbages,  tally  . 
3  0 
5  0 
Scotch  Kale,  per  bushel... 
0  9 
1  0 
Carrots,  doz.  bnch . 
2  0 
3  0 
Seakale,  best,  doz . 
10  0 
15  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
1  6 
3  0 
,,  2nd,  doz.  ...  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
Celery,  bundle . 
1  0 
0  0 
Shallots,  lb . 
0  2 
0  3 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
Spinach,  bush . 
1  0 
1  6 
Endive,  score  . 
1  6 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb.  ... 
0  4 
0  7 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
Turnips,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  1* 
0  0 
Turnip  tops  . 
0  9 
1  0 
Lettuce,  doz.  French  ... 
0  0 
1  6 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
9.  d. 
9.  d. 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
1  6  to  2  6 
1  0 
3  0 
Cattleyas,  doz . 
Chrysanthemums,  dozen 
10  0 
18  0 
blooms  . 
1  0 
3  0 
Daffodils,  doz . 
12  0 
18  0 
Eucharis,  doz . 
4  0 
6  0 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
3  0 
5  0 
bunches .  ... 
12  0 
18  0 
Hyacinths,  doz . 
4  0 
8  0 
Lilium  lan  cifolium  album 
3  0 
5  0 
,,  ,,  rub  rum 
3  0 
5  0 
„  various . 
4  0 
8  0 
Average  Wholesale  F 
9.  d. 
s.d. 
Acers,  doz . 
12  0to24  0 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
36  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
36  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ... 
15  0 
20  0 
Azaleas,  various,  each  ... 
2  6 
5  0 
Boronias,  doz . 
20  0 
24  0 
Cannas,  doz . 
18  0 
0  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
18  0 
30  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz. 
12  0 
30  0 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz.  ... 
9  0 
18  0 
Erica,  various,  doz. 
8  0 
18  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
18  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ... 
4  0 
18  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
„  small,  100  . 
4  0 
8  0 
Ficus  elastica,  each 
1  6 
7  6 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Lilac,  white,  bunch,  ...  4  0to6  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun.  12  0  18  0 
j  Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches .  40  80 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0  4  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs.  2  0  4  0 
'  Mimosas,  bnch .  10  16 
Odontoglossums  .  6  0  8  0 
Poinsettias,  doz.  blooms .  8  0  12  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz.  ...  2  0  4  0 
,,  Safrano,  doz .  16  2  0 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ...  10  3  0 
„  Yellow, doz.  (Perles)  2  0  4  0 
Smilax,  bunch .  30  50 
i. — Plants  in  Pots 
s. 
.  d. 
9. 
d. 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
1 
Oto  5 
0 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
6 
0 
10 
0 
,,  pink,  doz.  ... 
8 
0 
10 
0 
Hydrangeas,  white,  each 
2 
6 
5 
0 
„  pink, doz . 
12 
0 
15 
6 
,,  paniculata,  each 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Lilium  Harrisi,  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 
1 
0 
15 
0 
„  specimens  . 
21 
0 
63 
0 
Roses,  doz . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Stocks,  doz . 
8 
0 
12 
0 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
G.  B unyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone. — Seeds. 
Cooper,  Taber  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Southwark  Street,  London. —  Wholesale  Seed 
List. 
Dicksons,  Ltd.,  Chester. — Seeds. 
A.  Dickson  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Royal  Avenue,  Belfast. — Seeds. 
Dickson,  Brown  &  Tait,  Corporation  Street,  Manchester. — Seeds. 
Dickson  &  Robinson,  Manchester. — Seeds. 
Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay. — Catalogue  and  Competitors'  Guide. 
S.  Dobie  &  Sons,  Heathfield  Gardens  near  Chester. — The  Amateurs' 
Garden  Annual. 
C.  E.  &  F.  W.  Lilley,  Ltd.,  St.  Peter  in  the  Wood,  Guernsey. — 
Chrysanthemums. 
McHattie  &  Co.,  Chester. — Seeds. 
T.  Methven  &  Sons,  15,  Princes  Street,  Edinburgh.—  Seeds. 
E.  Webb  &  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge. — Seeds. 
