October  16,  1S02. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
371 
*  *  *  All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should  be  directed 
to  “  The  Editor,”  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet  Street, 
London,  E.C.  It  is  requested  that  no  one  will  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents;  seeking  information  on  matters 
discussed  in  this  Journal,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to  unjustifiable 
trouble  and  expense. 
BOOKS  WANTED  (J.  B.).— We  do  not  publish  the  book  you 
name.  (A.  B.)  Apply  to  Wesley  and  Son,  Essex  Street, 
Strand,  London. 
PHOTOGRAPH  OF  GOOSEBERRY.  —  Would  “W.B.,” 
Buffham,  Lincoln,  who  se-nt  photograph  of  a  Gooseberry,  kindly 
send  his  full  name  and  address  to  the  Editor  P 
JOINING  THE  ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY 
(Thos.  Bell). — Write  to  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  London,  S.W. 
TOMATOES  WITH  A  MOTTLED  APPEARANCE 
(Tomato). — The  fruits  have  parts  here  and  there  of  a  waxlike 
consistency,  remaining:  of  a  firm  texture  and  of  an  unripe  colour, 
while  the  remainder  of  the  individual  fruit  is  quite  soft, 
thoroughly  ripened  and  good  in  colour  of  skin,  giving  a  mottled 
and  badly  perfected  appearance.  Various  opinions  have  been 
given  as  to  the  cause,  but  not  any  satisfactory  explanation  of 
the  phenomenon  based  upon  chemical  research.  It  unquestion¬ 
ably  arises  from  a  deficiency  of  potash  in  the  fruit  for  the 
transmission  and  diffusion  of  the  juices;  at  least,  a  due  supply 
of  that  element,  to.  the  plant  has  proved  of  great  advantage  in 
preventing  the. defect.  The  potash  is  best-  supplied  in  sulphate 
form,  and  mixed  with  the  soil,  2oz  or  3oz  being  applied  per 
square  yard,  some  time  in  advance  of  planting,  pointing  in 
lightly,  and  again  stirring  at  planting  time  about  Gin  deep. 
It  is  also  noteworthy  that  phosphate  of  potash  has  a  similar 
effect,  the  plants.,  especially  those  grown  in  pots,  being  watered 
after  the  first  trusses  of  fruits  are.  set  with  a  solution  at  the 
rate  of  ^oz  to  loz  per  gallon  of  water.  It  has  a  very  marked 
effect  on  the  cropping  of  the  plants  and  the  perfecting  of  the 
fruits.  The  phosphate  of  potash,  however,  is  very  dear,  some 
£20  per  ton,  hence,  practically  precluded  as  an  article  in  profitable 
cultivation.  The  sulphate  acts  well,  but  it  is  advisable  to  use 
it  along  with  superphosphate,  say  three  parts  superphosphate 
and  two  parts  sulphate  of  potash,  applying  4oz  of  the  mixture 
per  square  yard,  and  repeating  after  the  fruit  is  fairly  set  in 
about  half  the  amount  at,  intervals  of  three  weeks  once  or  twice. 
VINES  UNHEALTHY  (A.  B.). — The  specimens  that  were  sent 
to  us  before  clearly  did  not  represent  anything  like  the  actual 
condition  of  the  Vines,  and  we  are  sorry  to  have  been  misled  by 
them.  Even  if  you  have  sent  the  very  best  examples  obtainable, 
and  taking  the  others  as  the  worst  that  could  be  found,  the 
average  condition  of  the  Vines  is  very  much  better  than  we  were 
led  to  infer  from  the  data  supplied.  Your  letter  is  much  more 
intelligible  than  the  other  we  received,  and  it  indicates  that  you 
have  a  good  general  knowledge  of  Vine  culture.  You  proceeded 
cautiously  and  wisely  in  the  work  of  renovation.  It  is  quite 
natural  that  your  employer  would  not  like  being  without  Grapes 
for  a  year,  and  you  did  the  best  you  could  to  provide  some ;  and 
now  we  understand  the  case  we  do  not  suppose  the  crop  would  do 
any  material  harm.  It  is  always  advisable  to  allow  Vines,  as  far 
as  possible,  to  start  into  growth  naturally  after  much  disturbance 
of  the  roots,  even  if  extra  heat  has  to  be  provided  afterwards, 
when  new  roots  are  working  in  the  soil,  to  get  the  crops  and  wood 
ripe  by  the  autumn.  You  are  working  at  a  disadvantage  in  a 
high  cold  dull  district  ;  the  very  large  leaves  you  have  sent  show 
this  clearly  enough.  They  have  not  had  sufficient  sun  to  elaborate 
the  crude  sap  hence  their  enlargement  and  the  softness  of  the 
tissue.  The  less  the  light  the  larger  the  leaf.  Under  such  cir¬ 
cumstances  firm  borders  containing  much  calcareous  and  other 
gritty  matter  should  be  provided,  and  loose  rich  borders  avoided. 
A  multiplicity  of  surface  roots  should  be  the  great  object,  as  these 
are  followed  by  sturdy  growth  and  stout  leaves ;  and  whatever 
extra  support  may  be  required  for  the  crops  can  be  applied  from 
the  surface.  It  is  also  very  important  that  the  Vines  and  laterals 
be  thinly  trained.  Not  a  leaf  "should  be  permitted  to  form  that 
cannot  develop  under  the  direct  action  of  light.  There  must  not 
be  the  slightest  suspicion  of  overcrowding,  while  all  the  air 
possible  must  be  admitted  consistently  with  avoiding  sharp  cur¬ 
rents,  even  if  a  little  extra  fire  heat  has  to  be  employed  to  main¬ 
tain  the  requisite  temperature.  Where  there  are  frequent 
changes  of  gardeners  there  are,  as  a  rule,  unsatisfactory  Vines. 
We  are  convinced  the  Vines  referred  to  will  improve  under  your 
management,  as  your  past  experience  with  them  will  be  turned  to 
account  in  a  manner  adapted  to  their  peculiar  condition;  a 
stranger  would  have  all  this  to  learn,  and  in  the  meantime  it 
would  be  a  mere  matter  of  chance  if  the  Vines  did  not  suffer.  That 
is  the  reason  that  Grapes  are  rarely  satisfactory  when  many 
different  persons  share  in  their  management. 
NAMES  OF  FRUITS. — Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
following  number.  (T.  R.  B.). — 1,  Jefferson ;  2,  Bramley’s  Seedling. 
A  number  of  replies  have  to  remain  unanswered  till  next  week. 
NAMES  OF  PLANTS. —  Correspondents  icliose  queries  are  un- 
ansivered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
folloivinq  number.  (Zoe).--l,  Begonia  (see  next  issue);  2,  Begonia 
semperflorens  var. ;  3,  Begonia  fuchsioides  ;  4,  Begonia  semperflorens 
var. ;  5,  Adiantum  Moorei ;  6,  Adiantum  gracillimum  ;  7,  Cypripedium 
barbatum  superbum ;  8,  Cypripedium  pardinum.  (Prestonkirk). — 
No.  6,  Mesembryantheinum  crystallinum ;  the  fruits  will  be  named  in 
another  paragraph.  (A.  B.). — 1,  Ilex  Aquifolium  aureo  medio-picta; 
2,  Ilex  dipyreana  ;  3,  Ilex  Aquifolium  eamellitefolia.  (L.). — Calceolaria 
integrifolia.  (C.  A.  W.). — 1,  Tradescantia  virginiana  var. ;  2,  Aster 
Novse-Angli®  var.,  probably  pneeox ;  3,  Aster  vimineus  var.  ;  4, 
Helenium  autumnale ;  5,  Galega  officinalis  ;  6,  Rudbeckia  fulgida. 
- <«•«) - 
Covent  Garden  Market. — October  15th. 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Fruit. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d  : 
s.  d. 
s. 
d 
Apples,  Blenheims, 
Grapes,  Alicantes 
0  9tol 
6 
bush. 
7  Oto  8 
0 
,,  Col  man  . 
0  9 
1 
6 
,,  culinary,  bush. 
3 
0 
6 
0 
Lemons,  Naples,  case 
35  0 
0 
0 
,,  King  Pippins, 
Melons,  each . 
Oranges,  case  . 
Peaches,  doz . 
1  0 
1 
6 
^-sieve 
5 
0 
6 
0 
16  0 
21 
0 
,,  Cox  0.  Pippins, 
3  0 
6 
0 
^-sieve 
8 
0 
10  0 
Pears,  dessert,  ^-sieve 
3  0 
6 
0 
Bananas . 
8 
0 
12 
0 
,,  stewing,  ^-sieve 
2  6 
3  6 
Cobs  and  Filberts,  lb. 
0 
3i 
0 
0 
Pines,  St.  Michael’s, 
Figs,  green,  doz . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
each . 
2  6 
5 
0 
Grapes,  Hamburgh,  lb. 
0 
9 
1 
6 
Plums,  ^-sieve  . 
4  0 
5 
0 
,,  Muscat  . 
1 
0 
3  0 
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 
Foliage  plants,  var,  each  1  Oto  5  0 
Araucaria,  doz . 
12  0 
30  0 
Grevilleas,  48’s,  doz.  ...  5  0 
0  0 
Aspidistra,  doz . 
18  0 
36  0 
Lycopodiums,  doz.  ...  3  0 
0  0 
Chrysanthemums 
6  0 
12  0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  doz.  4  0 
6  0 
Crotons,  doz.  . 
Cyperus  alte’rnifolius 
18  0 
30  0 
Myrtles,  doz .  6  0 
Palms,  in  var.,  doz.  ...  15  0 
9  6 
30  0 
doz . .  ... 
4  0 
5  0 
,,  specimens  ...  21  0 
63  0 
Dracmna,  var.,  doz.  ... 
12  0 
30  0 
Pandanus  Veitchi,  48’s, 
,,  viridis,  doz. . 
9’0 
18  0 
doz . 24  0 
50  0 
Erica  gracilis  . 
8  0 
9  0 
Primulas  .  4  0 
5  0 
Ferns,  var.,  doz . 
4  0 
18  0 
Shrubs,  in  pots  .  4  0 
6  0 
,,  small,  100 . 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.  ... 
10  0 
9  0 
16  0 
12  0 
Solanums  .  5  0 
8  0 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Artichokes,  green,  doz.  2  Oto  3  0 
Lettuce,  Cabbage,  doz. 
0  6  to  0  0 
,,  Jerusalem,  sieve  1  6 
0  0 
,,  Cos,  doz. 
0  6 
0  9 
Batavia,  doz .  2  0 
0  0 
Marrows,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Beans,  Scarlet  Runner, 
Mint,  doz.  bun . 
4  0 
0  0 
bushel  .  16 
2  0 
Mushrooms,  forced,  lb. 
1  0 
0  0 
Beet,  red,  doz .  0  6 
0  0 
Mustard  &  Cress,  pnnt. 
0  2 
0  0 
Cabbages,  tally  .  3  0 
0  G 
Onions,  bushel  . 
3  0 
4  0 
Carrots,  new,  bun.  ...  0  2 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs.  ... 
2  0 
0  0 
Cauliflowers,  doz.  ...  1  6 
0  0 
Peas,  blue,  bushel 
6  0 
0  0 
Corn  Salad,  strike  ...  1  0 
1  3 
Potatoes,  cwt . 
3  0 
6  0 
Cucumbers  doz .  2  6 
4  0 
Radishes,  doz . 
1  0 
0  0 
Endive,  doz .  1  6 
0  0 
Spinach,  bush . 
2  0 
2  6 
Herbs,  bunch  .  0  2 
0  0 
Tomatoes,  English,  lb. 
0  4 
0  5 
Horseradish,  bunch  ...  2  6 
0  0 
,,  Jersey . 
0  3 
0  0 
Leeks,  bunch  .  0  lj 
0  2 
Turnips,  bnch . 
0  2 
0  3 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Cut  Blowers 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
Arums,  doz .  5  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 . 
5  0 
6  0 
doz.  bunches  .  6  0 
0  0 
Marguerites,  white, 
Carnations,  12  blooms  1  3 
1  9 
doz.  bnchs . 
2  0 
0  0 
Cattleyas,  doz . 12  0 
0  0 
,,  yellow,  doz.  bnchs. 
1  0 
0  0 
Chrysanthemums,  doz. 
Myrtle,  English,  per 
bun.  3  0 
4  0 
bunch  . 
0  6 
0  0 
,,  doz.  blooms  1  0 
4  0 
Odontoglossums . 
4  0 
0  0 
Croton  foliage,  bun.  ...  0  9 
1  0 
Orange  blossom,  bunch 
2  0 
0  0 
Cycas  leaves,  each  ...  0  9 
1  6 
Roses,  Niphetos,  white, 
Cypripediums,  doz.  ...  2  0 
3  0 
doz . 
1  0 
2  0 
Eucharis,  doz .  2  6 
3  0 
,,  pink,  doz . 
2  0 
0  0 
Gardenias,  doz .  2  0 
0  0 
,,  yellow, doz.  (Perles) 
1  6 
2  0 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
,,  Generals . 
0  6 
1  0 
bnchs .  4  0 
0  0 
Smilax,  bunch  . 
2  6 
0  0 
Ivy  leaves,  doz.  bun. ...  1  6 
0  0 
Stephanotis,  doz.  pips 
2  6 
3  0 
Lilium  Harrisi  ...  ...  4  0 
0  0 
Stock,  double,  white, 
'  ,,  lancifoliumalb.  1  6 
0  0 
doz.  bun . 
2  0 
3  0 
,,  1.  rubrum .  1  0 
0  0 
Tuberoses,  dozen . 
0  -1 
0  6 
„  longiflorum  ...  4  0 
0  0 
Violets,  doz.  bun. 
1  6 
2  0 
