125 
February  7,  1901.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Cyclamen  Flowers  Indifferent  (Mancunian).- — The  flowers  are  large, 
have  plenty  of  substance,  but  crumpled,  and  lack  some  essential 
condition  for  perfect  development.  We  should  suggest  defective  root 
action  or  nutriment  as  the  cause.  A  light  top-dressing  of  some 
approved  fertiliser — say  a  pinch  of  dissolved  bone  (superphosphate)  to 
each  pot,  about  a  thimbleful  sufficing,  watering  in,  might  act  beneficially. 
The  temperature  should  range  between  50°  and  55°,  with  a  genial 
atmosphere,  secured  by  damping  available  surfaces  occasionally. 
Fandanus  Veitchi  (Amateur). — Repot  small  plants  in  a  mixture  of 
loam,  sand,  and  one-seventh  of  manure.  These  are  useful  in  various 
sizes  up  to  10-inch  size.  When  plants  are  well  developed  all  the 
suckers  are  removed  fpr  stock,  and  the  specimens  are  employed  for 
decoration  until  they  are  of  no  further  use..  When  once  a  stock  is 
obtained  there  is  no  difficulty  in  growing  on  young  plants  as  rapidly  as 
others  are  destroyed.  For  rooms,  or  even  the  dinner  table,  these  plants 
look  well  rising  from  a  base  of  Selaginellas  and  small  Ferns.  When 
giving  the  final  potting  a  few  may  be  placed  on  the  surface.  By  the 
time  the  plants  are  ready  for  use  the  base  will  be  well  furnished. 
Choice  Pentstemons  (E.  R.  J.). —  In  order  to  be  certain  of 
perpetuating  good  named  varieties  you  ought  to  have  rooted  last 
autumn,  wintered  them  in  cold  frames,  and  prepared  for  bedding  out 
in  April  or  May.  Seedlings,  however,  are  quite  as  beautiful  as  named 
varieties,  a  single  packet  of  seeds  giving  a  large  number  of  plants. 
Sow  the  seeds  at  once  on  the  surface  of  well  prepared  pans  of  soil. 
It  is  a  good  plan  to  moisten  the  latter  prior  to  sowing  the  seeds,  covering 
lightly  with  fine  soil.  Place  in  a  frame  over  a  hotbed  or  in  a  fairly  brisk 
heat,  cover  with  squares  of  glass,  and  shade  heavily  till  the  seedlings 
appear.  The  latter  being  early,  pricked  out  in  pans  or  boxes  of  good 
fine  soil,  and  kept  for  a  time  in  gentle  beat,  will  soon  be  large  enough 
for  hardening  off,  and  if  planted  out  in  beds  or  borders  of  well  prepared 
soil  by  the  middle  of  May,  a  fine  display,  will  be  made  this  season. 
Peach  Shoots  Browned  (Mc.M.). — The  brown  and  dead  bark  on  a 
portion  of  the  shoots  is  due  to  what  is  known  as  gummosis,  though 
there  is  no  evidence  of  an  exudation.  In  your  case  the  evil  is  situated 
in  the  outer  wood  and  cambial  layer,  where  exist  the  mycelial  hyphse  of 
a  fungus,  apparently  that  of  the  exceedingly  common  Cladosporium 
epiphyllum,  which  is  a  wood  parasite,  and  the  cause  of  gummosis  in 
some  kinds  of  stone  fruits.  The  fungus  appears  to  gain  access  by  a 
wound,  though  it  is  difficult  to  account  for  such  entrance  in  the 
case  of  young  shoots  in  which  the  fungal  hyphas  ascends  and  kills 
the  wood,  girdling  it  between  the  bark  and  wood,  and  then  the  bark 
dies.  The  diseased  parts  should  be  cut  away  to  sound  wood  below 
them,  and  the  trees  dressed  with  quicklime  on  the  surface  of  the  pots. 
Probably  placing  the  trees  outdoors  may  have  tended  to  accelerate 
the  progress  of  the  parasite,  if  not  actually  induced  an  attack,  the 
prolonged  damp  weather  being  favourable  to  it.  There  is  no  trace  of 
frost-bite,  as  the  attack  is  in  maturer  parts  of  the  shoots,  hence 
pointing  to  the  parasite  being  latent  in  the  older  wood,  though  this  is 
not  clear. 
Potting  Alocasias  (W.  Raby). — The  plantB  should  be  potted  now, 
and  to  insure  their  success  the  whole  of  the  old  compost  should  be 
removed  from  the  roots  annually,  for  the  very  best  material  in  one 
season  becomes  too  much  decomposed.  Where  the  root  portion  of  the 
stem  of  these  plauts  is  too  long  to  allow  of  them  being  lowered  in  the 
pots  in  which  they  are  to  be  placed,  a  good  portion  may  be  removed 
without  injury  to  the  plants.  As  growth  extends  they  root  freely  from 
the  collar  and  upper  portion  of  the  stem,  and  if  placed  sufficiently  low 
in  the  pots  at  the  commencement  they  can  be  top-dressed  with  rich 
material  during  the  growing  season.  Alocasias  do  well  in  a  compost 
of  fibrous  peat  and  sphagnum  moss  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  with 
large  lumps  of  charcoal  freely  intermixed.  The  former  must  pre¬ 
dominate,  and  a  good  layer  of  the  moss  should  be  placed  over  the 
surface  after  potting  has  been  completed.  The  pots  or  pans  should  be 
about  one-third  filled  with  drainage,  and  the  centre  of  the  plants  well 
elevated  above  the  rim.  The  material  advised  for  potting  should  be 
pressed  as  firmly  as  possible  into  pots  as  the  work  proceeds — that  is,  if 
the  crowns  are  separated.  In  many  instances  this  need  not  be  done,  as 
the  old  material  can  be  washed  from  amongst  the  roots  without 
separating  the  crowns.  If  possible  plunge  them  in  bottom  heat  to  give 
them  a  start,  and  keep  them  in  a  close  moist  atmosphere.  The  root 
portions  of  the  stem,  if  young  plants  are  needed,  may  be  cut  up  into 
lengths  and  laid  amongst  sandy  soil  in  pans,  and  placed  into  the 
propagating  box  until  they  break  into  growth,  when  they  can  be  potted 
singly,  or  a  number  placed  together  in  each  pot. 
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  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.  (FJ.  E.  T.). — 1,  Polypodium 
pectinatum  ;  2,  Todea  hymenophylloides ;  3,  Adiantum  Farleyense  ;  4, 
Asplenium  viviparum.  (C.  B.). — 1,  Cypripedium  Harrissianum  ;  2, 
C.  villopum.  (A.  R.). — 1,  Begonia  ferrea ;  2,  B.  lucida  ;  3,  B.  Gloire 
de  Sceaux ;  4,  B.  metallica.  (8.  F.). — 1,  Masdevallia  Lindeni;  2, 
M.  tovarensis ;  3,  Platycerium  alcicorne ;  4,  Nephrolepis  davallioides ; 
5,  N.  tuberosa;  6,  Adiantum  trapeziforme.  (F.  L.  H.). — Hoffmannia 
Grhiesbrgheti,  Mexico.  (T.  E.  Lander). — Ccelogyne  cristata  (the  type). 
The  yellow  mark  is  absent  in  the  white  variety. 
Covent  Garden  Market— February  6th. 
Trade  moving. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Fruit. 
Apples,  cooking,  bush. 
„  Californian,  case 
Apricots,  Cape,  box 
Chestnuts,  bag,  from 
Cobnuts,  doz.  lb.,  best 
Grapes,  black . 
,,  Dutch,  lb.  ... 
„  white,  per  lb. 
Artichokes,  green, doz.  ... 
„  Jerusalem,  sieve 
Asparagus  (Sprue  Grass) 
„  English,  100 
,,  Giant,  bundle  ... 
,,  Spanish,  bundle , 
„  Paris  Green 
Batavia,  doz  . 
Beans,  French,  per  lb.  ... 
„  Jersey,  per  lb.  ... 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
Broccoli,  bush . 
Brussels  Sprouts,  sieve. 
Cabbages,  tally  ...  . 
Carrots,  doz.  bnch _  , 
Cauliflowers,  doz . 
Celery,  bundle . 
Chicory,  Belgian,  lb 
Corn  Salad,  strike  ...  . 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
Endive,  doz  . 
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 
various . 
a.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
a.  d. 
2  6  to  7  0 
Lemons,  case  . 
9  Oto  16  0 
7  6 
9  6 
Oranges,  case . 
6  0 
15  0 
8  0 
10  0 
Pears,  crate  . 
3  0 
7  0 
5  0 
15  0 
„  stewing,  case  of 
4  0 
5  0, 
72  to  120  . 
4  6 
6  6 
0  6 
2  6 
,,  Californian,  case 
15  0 
18  jO 
0  6 
1  0 
„  £  case .  ... 
9  0 
10  0 
1  6 
5  0!  Pines,  St.  Michael’s,  each 
1  6 
4  6 
Wholesale  Prices. — Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
S.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
2  6  to  3  6 
Greens,  bush . 
0  6  to  1  0 
1  6 
0  0 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
0  6 
0  8 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
o  i£ 
0  0 
7  0 
0  0 
Lettuce,  doz.  French  ... 
0  8 
1  0 
15  0 
20  0 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb.  ... 
0  8 
0  9 
1  6 
1  9 
Mustard  and  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0  0 
5  0 
6  0 
Onions,  Dutch,  bag 
3  6 
0  0 
1  3 
1  6 
„  English,  cwt.  ... 
5  0 
0  0 
010 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
3  0 
1  6 
2  0 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
3  0 
7  0 
0  6 
0  0 
Radishes,  doz  . 
1  0 
1  3 
0  6 
1  0 
Rhubarb,  doz .  ... 
1  2 
1  5 
1  0 
2  0 
Savoys,  tally  . 
4  0 
5  0 
3  0 
5  0 
Scotch  Kale,  per  bushel. . . 
0  6 
1  3 
2-0 
3  0 
Seakale,  best,  doz . 
12  0 
0  0 
1  6 
3  0 
„  2nd,  doz . 
6  0 
8  0 
1  0 
1  9 
Shallots,  lb.  . 
0  2 
0  3 
0  4 
0  0 
Spinach,  bush. ...  . . 
2  6 
3  6 
1  0 
1  3 
Turnips,  doz . 
2  0 
3  0 
12  0 
18  0 
Turnip  tops  . 
0  9 
1  0 
1  6 
0  0 
Watercress,  doz  . 
0  8 
010 
Wholesale  Prices. — Cut  Flowers. 
s.  d. 
a.  d. 
s.  d. 
s.  d. 
1  6  to  2  6 
Lilac,  white,  bunch, 
3  Oto 5  0 
2  6 
3  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  12  bun. 
8  0 
15  0 
10  0 
18  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  dozen 
bunches . 
4  0 
8  0 
1  0 
3  0 
Marguerites,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
12  0 
15  0 
„  Yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
2  0 
4  0 
4  0 
6  0 
Mimosas,  bnch . . 
1  0 
1  6 
3  0 
5  0 
Odontoglossums  . 
6  0 
8  0 
Poinsettias,  doz.  blooms . 
8  0 
12  0 
8  0 
12  0 
Roses  (indoor),  doz. 
2  0 
4  0 
4  0 
8  0 
,,  Safrano,  doz . 
1  6 
2  0 
3  0 
5  0 
„  Tea,  white,  doz.  ... 
1  0 
3  0 
3  0 
5  0 
„  Yellow, doz.  (Perles) 
2  0 
4  0 
4  0 
8  0 
Smilax,  bunch . 
3  0 
5  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices. — Plants  in  Pots. 
s.  d.  s.  d. 
.  12  0to24  0 
6  0  36  0 
Acers,  doz . 
Arbor  Vitae,  var.,  doz. 
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 
Dracasna,  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  ...  16  7  6 
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  . 
Roses,  doz . 
Stocks,  doz . 
d.  s.  d- 
Oto  5  0 
6  0 
8  0 
2  6 
12  0 
1  0 
8  0 
3  0 
8  0 
8  0 
6  0 
1  0 
21  0 
6  0 
8  0 
10  0 
10  0 
5  0 
15  6 
3  0 
18  0 
6  0 
10  0 
12  0 
9  0 
15  0 
63  0 
18  0 
12  0 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
Z.  Coleman,  High  Street,  Sandwich,  Kent.— S'  eds. 
J.  Jefferies  &  Sou,  Cirencester.—  Seeds. 
H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham.— Portfolio  New  Chrysan¬ 
themums,  New  and  Choice  Plants  and  Seeds,  Chrysanthemum  Guide . 
Vilmorin,  Andrieux  &  Co.,  4,  Quai  de  la  Megisserie,  Paris.— Seeds. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  Feltham. — Seeds. 
