August  28,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
211 
GARDENING  APPOINTMENT  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 
(Artus). — Really  good  gardeners,  and  especially  those  who  are 
able  to  do  two  days’  work  in  the  space  of  one.  will  doubtless 
succeed  in  the  United  States.  Reports  as  to  the  chances  and 
opportunities  there,  vary.  One  says  “(‘cine,  there  are  situa¬ 
tions  and  high  wages  for  all U7  Another  will  tell  you  that  there 
are  plenty  of  gardeners  only  getting  the  equal  to  £1  per  week. 
Certainly  the  demand  for  private  gardeners,  and  especially 
landscape  gardeners  and  all  connected  with  their  work,  is  grow¬ 
ing  in  America,  according  to  report  ;  and  this  must  necessarily 
be  so,  as  the  country  becomes  older  and  country  estates  come 
into  being.  The  country  is  in  its  infancy  in  that  respect.  You 
could  write  to  Meehan  and  Sons,  of  Germanstown,  Philadelphia, 
who  would  possibly  supply  the  proper  advice.  Why  not  consider 
British  colonies  first  ? 
CUTTING  BACK  STEPHANOTIS  (J.  L.).— The  plant 
trained  over  the  roof  of  the  stove  with  long  naked  wood  several 
yards  and  lengths  should  be  cut  back  by  degrees,  shortening 
the  longest  to  the  next  successional  growth  below  and  so 
on  towards  the  lower  part  of  the  plant,  which  will 
have  the  tendency  to  cause  some  cf  the  latent  buds 
to  start  even  in  the  bare  wood,  and  by  continuing  this  pro¬ 
cedure  from  year  to  year  the  plant  may  be  kept  furnished  with 
young  flowering  growths  from  the  base  upward.  This  is  simply 
a.  matter  of  judicious  shortening  and  thinning  so  as  to  keep  up 
a  succession  of  flowering  wood  without  a  break  in  the  supply. 
If  cut  in  close  there  is  a  certainty  of  loss  of  bloom,  and 
probably  not  starting  exactly  where  desired,  though  we  have 
cut  hard  back  and  secured  growth  from  old  wood,  there  usually 
being  some  eyes  remaining  dormant. 
SMALL  AUTUMN  AND  SPRING  ONIONS  (G.  N.).— The 
Onions  are  quite  sound  in  both  cases,  and  there  is  no  trace  of 
disease,  though  the  roots  appear  as  you  say,  to  be  eaten  away, 
yet  no  evidence  of  this  having  been  done  by  wireworm  or  other 
root  pest.  It  is  likely  there  is  something  amiss  with  the  soil. 
A  dressing  of  well  rotted  farmyard  manure,  however,  ought  to 
give  better  results.  If  you  can  command  wood  ashes  apply 
1-  bushel  per  rod,  and  dig  in  lightly  in  the  autumn.  Give  a  light 
dressing  of  very  short  thoroughly  rotted  manure  in  early  spring, 
say  1^  cwt.  per  rod,  and  3tlb  cf  a  mixture  in  equal  parts  of 
basic  cinder  phosphate  and  superphosphate  of  lime,  and  point 
in  lightly,  it  being  important  that  the  Onions  have  finp  ground, 
sowing  in  due  course.  When  the  young  plants  begin  to  grow, 
give  them  a  top-dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda,  finely  crushed,  at 
the  rate  of  fib  per  rod.  and  continue  these  applications  of  the 
nitrate  about  every  three  weeks  until  the  crop  is  about  half 
grown.  In  the  case  of  autumn  sown  Onions  the  nitrate  should 
not  be  applied  until  spring.  Failing  the  wood  ashes,  apply 
3.jlb  basic  cinder  phosphate  and  lflb  kainit  per  red  in  the 
autumn  and  dig  in,  and  before  sowing  the  seed  in  spring, 
broadcast  l|-Ib  per  rod  of  superphosphate,  and  fib  per  rod 
nitrate  of  soda. 
MUSCAT  GRAPES  DISCOLOURED  IN  SKIN  (W.  H.).— 
The  berries  are  what  is  known  a^  rusted.  This  affection  of  the 
cuticle  or  skin  is  usually  caused  whilst  the  skin  is  young  and 
tender,  about  thinning  time,  and  disfigures  them  even  when 
ripe.  Handling  the  berries  or  brushing  them  with  the  hair  will 
cause  rust,  but  the  chief  cause  of  rust  is  cold  currents  of  air, 
especially  when  it  occurs  in  the  early  stages  of  swelling.  The 
discolouration  of  the  skin  of  your  berries,  however,  appears  to 
have  occurred  at  a  later  period,  and  may  have  been  caused  by 
fumes  of  sulphur,  sometimes  had  recourse  to  for  destroying  red 
spider,  the  sulphur  being  applied  to  hot -water  pipes.  We  have 
also  known  fumigation  with  tobacco  paper  to  cause  rusit  in  Muscat 
Grapes,  and  this  probably  from  the  article  containing  a  small 
quantity  of  sulphur  or  other  substance  in  fumes  acting  preju¬ 
dicially  on  the.  skin  of  the  berries.  Vapourisation  with  nicotine 
compound  also  injures  the  cuticle  of  Muscat  Grapes,  as  well  as 
damages  the  foliage.  We  have  known  Muscats  practically  ruined 
by  the  use  of  solutions  for  the  destruction  of  red  spider.  We 
mention  these  as  there  has  been  some  injury  to  the  skin  ;  at 
least,  we  do  not  find  any  trace  of  disease,  and  we  may  further 
say  we  have  known  such  injury  to  arise  from  the  use  of  stable 
manure,  not  properly  sweetened,  as  mulching,  and  even  from 
ammonia  vapour  given  off  by  guano  and  other  fertilisers,  and 
from  strong  liquid  manure,  the  house  being  kept  close. 
NAMES  OF  FRUIT.  —  Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  'present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
following  number.  (J.  H.  C.). — 1.  Nectarine  Oldenburg;  2,  Lord 
Napier. 
NAMES  OF  PLANTS. — Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
following  number.  (G,  G.  T..  Kent). — White  flower,  Galtonia  candicans ; 
yellow  one,  Melilotus  suaveolens  ;  the  other  is  an  Iris,  but  please  send 
when  in  flower.  (T.  J.  R.). — Conifers  received,  will  be  named  next 
week.  (N.  T.). — 1,  Veronica  Traversi;  2,  Cimicifuga  raeemosa  ;  3, 
Limnanthes  Douglasi  ;  4,  Clerodendron  splendens  ;  5,  Begonia 
incarnata.  (F.  K.).— 1,  the  Reed-Mace,  Typha  latifolia  ;  the  true  Bull- 
rush  is  Scirpus  laeustris.  (M.  T..  Hamilton). — 1.  Polygonum  Bistorta  ; 
2,  Gentiana  sp. ;  3,  Polemonium  ceeruleum. 
Covent  Garden  Market. — August  27th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Fruit. 
s.  cl.  s.  d 
Apples,  English,  dessert' 
^-sieve  ...  6  Oto  8  0 
,,  culinary,  £  sieve  3  0  4  0 
Bananas .  8^C  12  0 
Currants,  red,  £-sieve  5  0  6  0 
,,  black,  ,,  9  0  10  0 
Figs,  green,  doz .  2  0  4  0 
Filberts,  lb .  0  8  0  9 
Gooseberries,  ^-sieve  ...  4  0  5  0 
Greengages,  ^-sievc 
s.  d.  s.'d 
4  Oto 6.  0 
Lemons,  Messina,  case  12  0 
,,  •  Naples  ,,  25  0 
Melons,  each .  1  6 
Nectarines,  doz .  3*0 
Oranges,  case  . 12  0 
Peaches,  doz .  3  0 
Pears,  Jargonelle, i-sieve  3  0 
20 
0  0 
2  0 
12  0 
16  0 
12  0 
4  0 
Grapes,  Hamburgh,  lb. 
0  9 
1  6 
each .  2  6 
5  0 
,,  Muscat  . 
2  0 
3  0 
Plums,  Orleans,  ^-sieve  4  0 
5  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Artichokes,  green,  doz. 
2  0  to  3  0 
Lettuce,  Cabbage,  doz.  0  6to0  0 
,,  Jerusalem,  sieve 
1  6 
0  0 
,,  Cos,  doz.  ...  0  9 
1  0 
Batavia,  doz . 
2  0 
0  0 
Marrows,  doz.  . .  1  0 
0  0 
Beans,  French,  lb. 
0  2 
0  0 
Mint,  doz.  bun.  .  4  0 
0  0 
,,  broad . 
3  0 
4  0 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb.  0  8 
0  9 
,,  Searlct  Runners 
4  0 
5  0 
Mustard  &  Cress,  pnnt.  0  2 
0  0 
Beet,  red,  doz . 
0  6 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.  ...  3  0 
0  0 
Cabbages,  tally  . 
5  0 
0  0 
Peas,  blue,  bushel  ...  3  0 
4  0 
Carrots,  new,  bun. 
0  2 
0  3 
Potatoes,  English, 
Cauliflowers,  doz. 
3  0 
0  0 
new,  cwt.  ' .  6  0 
7  0 
Corn  Salad,  strike 
1  0 
1  3 
Radishes,  doz .  1  0 
0  0 
Cucumbers  doz . 
2  6 
4  0 
Spinach,  bush .  2  0 
3  0 
Endive,  doz . 
1  6 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb.  0  4 
0  5 
Herbs,  bunch  . 
0  2 
0  0 
,,  Jersey .  0  3 
0  3i 
Horseradish,  bunch  ... 
2  6 
0  0 
Turnips,  bnch .  0  2 
0  3 
Leeks,  bunch  . 
0  li 
0  2 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Plants  in  Pots. 
Most  of  the  undermentioned  plants  are  sold  in  48  and  32-sized  pots 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Aralias,  doz . 
5  0tol2  0 
Fuchsias . 
4  OtoO  0 
Araucaria,  doz . 
12  0 
30  0 
Grevilleas,  48’s,  doz.  ... 
5  0 
0  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
36  0 
Hydrangea,  pink . 
10  0 
12  0 
Crotons,  doz . 
18  0 
30  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ... 
3  0 
0  0 
Cyperus  alternifolius 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz. 
4  0 
6  0 
doz . 
4  0 
5  0 
Mignonette . 
6  0 
0  0 
Dracaena,  var.,  doz.  ... 
12  0 
30  0 
Myrtles,  doz . 
6  0 
9  6 
,,  viridis,  doz. . 
9  0 
18  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz.  ... 
15  0 
30  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
,,  specimens  '  ... 
21  0 
63  0 
,,  small,  100 . 
10  0 
16  0 
Pandanus  Veitchi,  48’s, 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.  ... 
9  0 
12  0 
doz . 
24  0 
30  0 
Foliage  plants,  var,  each 
1  0 
5  0 
Shrubs,  in  pots  . 
4  0 
6  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Cut  Blowers 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Arums,  doz .  3  0  to  0  0 
Lily  of  Valley,  12  bnchs  12  0tol8  0 
Asparagus,  Fern,  bnch.  1  0 
2  0 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz. 
Bouvardia,  coloured, 
bnchs . 
4  0 
5  0 
doz.  bunches  .  6  0 
0  0 
Marguerites,  white, 
Carnations,  12  blooms  0  6 
1  0 
doz.  bnchs . 
2  0 
0  0 
Cattleyas,  doz . 12  0 
15  0 
,,  yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  0 
0  0 
Cornflower,  doz.  bun.  1  0 
0  0 
Myrtle,  English,  per 
Croton  foliage,  bun.  ...  0  9 
1  0 
bunch  . 
0  6 
0  0 
Cycas  leaves,  each  ...  0  9 
1  6 
Odontoglossums . 
4  0 
0  0 
Cypripediums,  doz.  ...  2  0 
3  0 
Orange  blossom,  bunch 
2  0 
0  0 
Eucharis,  doz .  2  0 
3  0 
Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
Gardenias,  doz .  2  0 
0  0 
doz. . 
1  0 
1  6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  pink,  doz . 
2  0 
0  0 
bnchs .  4  0 
0  0 
,,  yellow, doz. (Perles) 
1  0 
1  6 
Gladiolus,  white,  doz. 
,,  Generals . 
0  5 
0  6 
bunches  .  3  0 
0  0 
Smilax,  bunch  . 
2  6 
0  0 
Gypsophila,  doz.  bun.  3  0 
0  0 
Stephanotis,  doz.  pips 
1  6 
0  0 
Ivy  leaves,  doz.  bun. ...  1  6 
0  0 
Stock,  double,  white, 
Lilium  Harrisi  .  2  0 
3  0 
doz.  bun . . 
2  0 
3  0 
lancifoliumalb.  1  0 
1  6 
Sweet  Peas,  white  and 
,,  1.  rubrum .  1  0 
1  6 
coloured,  dozen  bun. 
1  0 
0  0 
,,  longiflorum  ...  2  0 
3  0 
Tuberoses,  dozen . 
0  3 
0  4 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
E.  P.  Dixon  and  Son,  Yorkshire  Seed  Establishment,  Hull. — Bulbs. 
Frank  Dicks  and  Co.,  66,  Deansgate,  Manchester. — Bulbs. 
Dobbie  and  Co.,  The  Royal  Seedsmen,  Rothesay,  Scotland. — A utwnn 
Catalogue. 
Dobbie  and  Masson,  22,  Oak  Street,  Manchesteix — Bulbs. 
Hogg  and  Robertson,  22,  Mary  Street,  Dublin.— Bulbs. 
Kent  and  Brydon.  Darlington.— Bulbs,  Fruit  Trees ,  &c. 
Albert  F.  Upstone,  35,  Church  Street,  Rotherham. — Bulbs. 
Ant.  Van  Velsen  and  Co.,  Wilhelmina  Park,  Haarlem.  Holland.  Bulbs • 
