January  17,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
65 
Dwarf  Lobelias  ( Tyio ). — If  you  have  a  good  stock  of  old  plants — - 
these  having  been  kept  with  a  view  to  obtaining  cuttings,  or,  better 
still,  divisions — keep  them  in  an  intermediate  temperature.  Exposing 
them  to  high  temperatures,  and  fire  heat  in  particular,  causes  the  youDg 
growths  to  harden  and  commence  flowering,  and  to  become,  therefore, 
unfit  for  propagating  purposes.  Succulent  tops  root  very  quickly  in 
heat,  and  in  their  turn  give  cuttings.  The  best  plants,  however,  can  be 
obtained  by  dividing  old  plants  freely  when  they  are  emitting  roots 
above  the  soil. 
Amaryllises  from  Seed  (F.  W.  IF.). — The  seeds  should  be  sown  in 
light  sandy  soil  and  placed  in  a  temperature  between  60°  and  70°, 
where,  if  the  seed  is  good,  germination  will  commence  in  about  a 
fortnight.  The  plants  will  flower  the  second  or  third  year,  but  they 
do  not  reach  their  best  condition  until  about  the  fourth  year,  when,  if 
they  have  been  well  grown,  the  bulbs  will  be  strong.  The  number  of 
good  varieties  obtainable  from  seed  depends  upon  the  quality  of  the 
strain.  If  the  seeds  have  been  gathered  from  carefully  hybridised 
flowers  of  the  best  types  in  cultivation,  three-fourths  of  the  seedlings 
may  be  expected  to  be  fairly  meritorious,  and  some  will  probably  excel 
their  parents  in  size  or  colour  of  flower. 
Microlepia  hirta  cristata  ( New  Reader ). — This  is  one  of  the  best 
Ferns  provided  it  is  not  grown  in  too  warm  a  temperature,  when  it  soon 
becomes  a  prey  to  scale.  In  the  conservatory  it  does  well,  and  in 
baskets  develops  into  beautiful  specimens.  Plants  that  have  been  in  a 
temperature  of  45°  to  50°  will  soon  commence  rapid  growth  again  if 
started  in  a  little  higher  temperature.  This  variety  does  not  like 
starving  at  its  roots,  as,  being  a  strong  grower,  it  has  a  tendency  to  go 
back  if  very  much  root-bound.  If  larger  plants  are  needed  directly 
signs  of  movement  are  visible  those  in  5  and  6-inch  pots  may  be  placed 
into  larger.  To  have  a  stock  of  good  plants  in  small  pots  some  of  the 
largest  with  plenty  of  crowns  may  be  cut  closely  over,  the  crowns 
divided  and  dibbled  thickly  into  a  box.  They  soon  start  into  growth  in 
brisk  heat,  when  they  can  be  potted  singly  and  hardened  to  an 
intermediate  temperature.  This  Fern  does  well  in  vineries  throughout 
the  growing  season. 
Growing  for  Market  (S.  B.). — -Your  capital  necessitates  beginning 
in  a  small  way.  For  the  £100  you  may  possibly  secure  a  house  of 
100  feet  length  and  20  feet  width  duly  heated  for  Tomato  cultivation, 
the  structure  being  wholly  of  wood  and  glass  construction,  but  upon  this 
point  you  should  consult  a  horticultural  builder,  even  if  you  undertook 
to  erect  the  structure  yourself.  The  land  nearest  the  town  would  be 
most  suitable,  and  the  rent  not  high  for  a  period  of  twenty  years, 
though  somewhat  high  for  half  that  time,  and  the  purchase  money, 
£400  per  acre,  not  excessive  for  the  longer  term,  as  possibly  the  land 
would  have  gone  up  in  value,  if  not  from  a  horticultural  standpoint,  for 
building  purposes.  The  other  land  at  £200  per  acre  appears,  however, 
to  us  more  to  the  purpose,  though  open  to  the  south-west  and  north-west 
winds,  as  shelter  of  a  remunerative  nature  could  possibly  be  provided  in 
the  shape  of  the  hardier  fruit  trees,  such  as  Damsons,  and  for  such 
purposes  as  the  cultivation  of  hardy  plants,  such  as  Dahlias,  Asters, 
also  Strawberries,  Easpberries,  and  vegetables,  would  probably  be  the 
better  of  the  two  positions,  the  rental,  we  presume,  not  being  more 
than  £2  per  acre,  and  held  on  lease  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  ten 
years,  the  option  of  purchase  holding  good  at  £200  per  acre.  Being  near 
the  town  it  would  be  an  advantage,  especially  if  you  intend  to  go  in  for 
jobbing,  this,  in  some  cases,  being  lucrative,  particularly  where  building 
is  carried  on  rather  extensively.  It  is  not  so  much  the  price  of  the  land 
as  its  quality  and  position  for  producing  the  desired  articles  and 
facilitating  their  disposal.  It  is  useless  entering  on  such  enterprises 
without  business  capacity,  as  otherwise  the  active  part  in  the  growing 
and  selling  counts  for  very  little.  With  sound  knowledge  and  keen 
judgment  we  do  not  see  why  you  should  not  obtain  a  fair  living, 
the  “  helpmeet  ”  not  being  depressed,  but  of  a  willing  helpful 
temperament. 
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  Apqdes  and 
Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  be  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only 
specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior, 
which  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  be  sent 
on  the  first  indication  of  change  towards  ripening.  Dessert  Pears  cannot 
be  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  difficulty  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.  (D.  &.). —  1, 
Queen  Caroline  ;  2,  Annie  Elizabeth  ;  3,  Golden  Reinette;  4,  Hereford- 
shire  Beefing.  (H.  E.). — 1,  Gloucestershire  Costard;  2,  Bess  Pool;  3, 
Bramley’s  Seedling.  (H.  H.  R.). — 1,  Bramley’s  Seedling  ;  2,  Roundway 
Magnum  Bonum  ;  3,  Knight’s  Monarch  ;  4,  Easter  Beurre.  (A.  B.  C.). 
— Easter  Beurre.  (J.  D.). — 1,  Bergamotte  Esperen  ;  2,  Marechal  de 
Cour  ;  3,  Winter  Nelis  ;  4  resembles  Spencer’s  Favourite. 
Names  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  specie s  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.  (H.  H.). — 1,  Pteris  cretica ; 
2,  P.  serrulata  cristata  ;  3,  P.  cretica  albo-lineata ;  4,  Aspidium 
falcatum  ;  5,  probably  a  variety  of  Aspidium  angulare,  but  the  specimen 
is  not  sufficiently  complete  for  positive  determination  ;  6,  Asplenium 
bulbiferum.  (A.  P.  P.). — 1,  Cypripedium  venustum  ;  2,  C.  insigne; 
3,  a  fine  dark  form  of  Laslia  autumnalis  ;  it  closely  resembles,  but  is 
not  identical  with,  the  variety  atro-rubens.  (L.  J.). — 1,  Dieffenbachia 
picta  ;  2,  Asplenium  biforme;  3,  Adiantum  cuneaturn  grandioeps- 
Covent  Garden  market. — January  16th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.d. 
Apples,  table,  £  bush.  ... 
2  0  to  4  6 
Oranges,  case . 
6  Oto  150 
„  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  (> 
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 
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  6 
0  8 
Onions,  Dutch,  bag 
3  6 
0  0 
„  Paris  Green 
4  0 
5  0 
,,  English,  cwt.  ... 
5  0 
0  0 
Beans,  French,  per  lb.  ... 
0  5 
0  0 
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  0 
1  3 
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 . 
15  0 
18  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 . 
2  6 
3  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  8' 
1  6 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bunch 
Carnations,  12  blooms  ... 
Cattleyas,  doz . 
Chrysanthemums,  dozen 
blooms  .  ... 
Daffodils,  doz . 
Eucharis,  doz . 
Gardenias,  doz . 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
bunches . ... 
Hyacinths,  doz . 
Lilium  lancifolium  album 
,,  „  rubrum 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
s.  d.  s.  d.  I 
1 
1 
10  0 
6  to  2 
0 
1  0 
12  0 
4  0 
3  0 
12  0 
6 
3  0 
18  0 
0 
various . 
3 
18  0 
6  0 
5  0 
18  0 
8  0 
5  0 
5  0 
8  0 
Lilac,  white,  bunch, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches . 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
Mimosas,  bnch . 
Odontoglossums  . 
Poinsettias,  doz.  blooms . 
Roses  (indoor),  doz. 
,,  Safrano,  doz . 
,,  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
„  Yellow, doz.  (Perles) 
Smilax,  bunch . 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
4  0  to  6  0 
12  0  18  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
Acers,  doz . 12  0to24  0. 
Arbor  Vital,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0  36  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 18  0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  ...  15  0 
Azaleas,  various,  each  ...  2  6 
Boronias,  doz . 20  0 
Cannas,  doz . 18  0 
Crotons,  doz . 18  0 
Dracama,  var.,  doz.  ...  12  0 
Dracaena,  viridis,  doz.  ...  9  0 
Erica,  various,  doz.  ...  8  0 
Euonymus,  var.,  doz.  ...  6  0 
Evergreens,  var.,  doz.  ...  4  0 
Ferns,  var..  doz .  4  0 
„  small,  100  4  0 
Ficus  elastiea,  each  ...  16 
36  0 
20  0 
5  0 
24  0 
0  0 
30  0 
30  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
18  0 
Foliage  plants,  var.,  each 
Geraniums,  scarlet,  doz. 
„  pink,  doz.  ... 
Hydrangeas,  white,  each 
„  pink,  doz . 
,,  paniculata,  each 
Lilium  Harrisi,  doz 
Lycopodiums,  doz . 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.... 
Mignonette,  doz . 
Myrtles,  doz . 
Palms,  in  var.,  each 
„  specimens  . 
18  0  I  Roses,  doz . 
8  0  j  Stocks,  doz . 
7  6  I 
4 
0 
8 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
0 
1 
6 
6 
0 
8 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
1 
6 
2 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
2 
0 
4 
0 
3 
0 
5 
O' 
s. 
d. 
S.  i 
i. 
1 
Oto  5 
0 
6 
0 
10 
0 
8 
0 
10 
0 
2 
6 
5 
0 
12 
0 
15 
6 
1 
0 
3 
0 
8 
0 
18 
0 
3 
0 
6 
0 
8 
0 
10 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
6 
0 
9 
0 
1 
0 
15 
O’ 
21 
0 
63 
0 
6 
0 
18 
0 
8 
0 
12 
0 
