April  21,  1904. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
35;i 
GRAPES  SCALI)l<p  (T.  F.).-Slitrhtly  incrpft.se  the  night 
temperature  with  ventilation  to  prevent  the  condensation  of 
moisture  on  the  berries,  giving  more  air  very  early  and 
gradually  in  the  morning.  Keeping  vineries  closed  too  lone, 
then  opening  the  lights  too  wide  at  once,  causes  rapid  evapora¬ 
tion,  which  is  most  injurious  to  Grapes. 
THINNING  ASPARAGUS  (Cottager). -If  the  plants  are 
from  seed  sown  this  year  we  should  dig  up  every  alternate  row 
next  spring  just  when  growth  commences,  and  plant  other  beds 
if  wanted.  The  plants  in  the  I'ov  s  may  be  a  foot  apart.  A  great 
number  of  useful  heads  may  be  had  from  plants  in  rows  a  foot 
apart,  but  to  have  large  produce  more  space  must  be  afforded. 
Rows  9in  apart  are  too  close. 
MANURING  POTATOES  (E.  F.  C.  B.).— The  dressing  you 
propose — l^cwt.  of  nitrate  of  soda  with  Icwt.  chlorate  of  potash 
—  is  good,  and  the  best  way  of  applying  it  is  to  sprinkle  it 
between  the  rows  before  earthing  up.  In  many  di.stricts,  and 
probably  in  yours,  an  addition  of  superphosphate  wid  do  good. 
We  have  found  a  mixture  of  potass'c  chloride  and  guano  very 
good.  A  mixture  of  nitrate  of  soda,  half  cwt.,  potassic  chloride, 
one  cwt.,  and  three-quarters  cwt.  of  superphosphate  is  as  good 
as  any.  If  the  Potatoes  are  growing  weakly  you  had  better 
double  the  amount  of  nitrate,  if  moderately  give  a  little  more 
than  you  allow.  Often,  in  the  case  of  vei'v  strong-growing  kinds, 
nitrates  are  not  necessary,  but  in  your  climate  they  may  be 
freely  applied  with  nothing  but  benefit.  Occasionally  potash 
does  no  good,  but  generally  it  is  the  most  important  ingredient 
in  Potato  manure.  If  our  hints  help  you  we  shall  be  glad  to 
hear  of  the  result. 
MUSHROOIM  SPORES  AND  SPAWN  BRICKS  (A.  W.).— 
It  has  been  held  by  many  investigators  that  it  is  necessary 
for  the  spores  to  pass  through  the  system  of  an  animal  to  acquire 
the  power  of  germinating,  and  we  believe  the  opinion  is  still 
entertained  by  .some.  We  have,  however,  heard  of  experiments 
by  which  it  was,  we  understand,  proved  that  the  spores  could 
germinate  when  taken  direct  from  the  iMushroom  and  placed  in 
a  suitable  medium  and  temperature,  but  we  cannot  refer  you  to 
any  published  record  of  these  results.  The  bricks  are  composed 
of  horse  and  cow  manure  and  sound  loam,  mixed,  kneaded,  and 
pressed  into  moulds.  W  hen  the  bricks  are  sufficiently  dry  pieces 
of  spawn  are  inserted  in  them,  and  they  are  then  kept  warm  by 
being  covered  with  fermenting  manure  until  the  mycelium 
spreads  through  the  mass.  The  covering  is  then  gradually  re¬ 
moved,  the  bricks  dried  and  kept  in  a  cooi  dry  place,  and  it  is 
not  necessai'y  to  cover  them  with  anjdhin^.  It  is  almost  im¬ 
possible  to  teach  a  person  how  to  make  these  bricks  satisfac- 
toi'ily  who  has  no  knowledge  of  the  work,  rre  must  see  the 
process  throughout,  and  even  then  he  may  fail.  It  is  much 
better  for  amateurs  to  purchase  spawn  than  to  lo.se  time  in 
attempting  to  make  it. 
CUCUMBER,?.  GIUAIiMING  (G.  C.).— The  soil  is  probably 
too  rich,  and  may  be  too  wet,  especially  on  the  surface.  Examine 
it  by  digging  to  the  bottom  of  the  bed,  and  if  it  is  moist  there 
lessen  the  water  supply;  if  dry  make  holes  in  the  bed  and  pour 
water  in.  It  is  not  po.ssible  to  say  bow  much  water  the  plants 
should  have,  that  depends  wholly  on  the  size  and  the  conditions 
under  which  they  are  grown.  Plants  that  show  a  ten¬ 
dency  to  gum  should  have*  no  more  water  than  will  prevent 
flagging ;  and  if  the  gumming  be  excessive  shading  must  be 
resorted  to  for  a  few  hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  so  as  to 
lessen  the  necessity  for  water  in  order  to  prevent  flagging:.  The 
atmosphere  must  be  kept  drier  and  warmer,  so  as  to  allow  of 
freer  ventilation,  which  wili  cause  more  rapid  evaporation,  and 
enable  the  plants  to  part  with  the  superfluous  moisture.  Gum¬ 
ming  is,  however,  better  avoided  than  remedied.  The  .soil  should 
not  be  kept  very  wet  in  the  early  stages  of  growth  ;  indeed,  no 
more  water  should  be  given  than  to  keep  the  plants  in  .steady 
progressive  growth  until  the  fruit  is  set  and  swelling,  when 
copious  supplies  will  be  nece.ssary.  Encouraging  a  free  growth 
in  the  plants  in  the  early  stages  and  up  to  the  fruiting  .stage, 
and  afterwards  keeping  the  growths  closely  restricted,  is  likely 
to  induce  gumming,  as  are  also  large  reductions  of  growth  at 
one  time  and  at  distant  intervals. 
NAMES  OF  PLANTS.  —  Correspondents  whose  queries  are 
unanswered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult 
the  following  number.  (W.  A.). — 1,  Pieris  (Andromeda)  floribunda  ; 
2,  Forsythia  suspensa  ;  3,  Pyrus  sp.,  not  sufficiently  developed ;  4, 
Prunus  Pissardi ;  5,  Prunns  sinensis  rosea  fl.-pl.  ;  6,  Amelanehier 
canadensis.  (G.  W.  K.). — Sprekelia  formosissima.  (N.  T.). — 1, 
Gardenia  florida ;  2,  Hoya  imperialis ;  3,  Hoffmannia  Ghries- 
breghtiana  ;  4,  Pteris  trenmla.  (N.  N.). — 1,  Aphelandra  sp.  (Nor¬ 
wood). — 1,  Doodia  carrdata  ;  2,  Adiantnm  reniforme. 
To  KILL  Plantain,  Dandelion,  and  other  of  the  rosettes,  drop 
crude  carbolic  or  sulphuric  acid  into  the  centre.  Or,  in  winter 
strike  with  the  spud  under  the  heart.  In  the  garden,  if  tnere 
is  no  other  soil  cover  for  winter,  these  do  good  rather  than 
harm.  A  little  persistent  cutting  in  the  spring  will  clear  them 
out. 
Covent  Garden  Market.  April  20tli. 
Avei-ag-e  Wholesale  Pnices.— Fruit. 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
8.  (1 
American  Limes,  400-.500 
1 
Grapes,  Alicante,  lb. 
2  6  to  4  0 
in  case  . 
7  0  to  9  0  ' 
,,  in  barrel  . 
12  0 
18  0 
Apples,  Australian,  in 
„  Almeria,  doz.  ... 
6  0 
8  0 
cases 
9  6 
15  0 
,,  Gros  Colinan,A.,ib. 
3  0 
5  0 
,,  Nova  Scotia,  barb 
14  0 
IS  0 
Lemons,  per  case  . 
8  6 
10  0 
,,  Californian,  case  . 
7  6 
9  0 
Lychees,  box  . 
1  2 
0  0 
,,  Tasmanian  „  ... 
Bananas,  bunch  . 
6  0 
10  0 
Oranges,  per  case . 
8  0 
35  0 
6(1 
14  0 
Pears,  per  case  . 
7  0 
17  0 
Chestnuts,  bag  . 
19  0 
0  0 
„  stewing,  A-sievc  ... 
9  0 
11  0 
Cobnuts,  per  lb . 
0  7A 
0  0 
Pines,  each  . 
2  0 
5  (• 
Cranberries,  per  case  ... 
10  6" 
13  8 
Strawberries,  A.,  lb. 
4  0 
6  0 
Figs,  per  doz . 
12  0 
18  (I 
„  ■  '  B.  ... 
2  0 
4  0 
Average  Wholesale 
Prices.— Vegetables. 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
s.  d. 
B.  d 
Artichokes,  '  Jerusalem, 
Onions,  picklers,  sieve  ... 
3  0  to  5  0 
sieve  . 
1  0  to  1  3 
,,  English,  cwt.  ... 
7  6 
0  0 
Asparagus,  Sprue,  bundle 
0  9 
0  0 
Parsley,  doz.  bnchs. 
4  0 
4  6 
,,  Paris  Green  . 
4  6 
6  0 
Parsnips,  per  bag  . 
2  0 
2  6 
,,  English,  bun. 
5  0 
7  6 
Peas,  lb . 
2  0 
2  6 
Beans,  dwarf,  per  lb.  ... 
0  9 
010 
Potatoes,  per  ton  . 
90  0 
146  0 
Beetroots,  per  bushel  ... 
2  6 
3  6 
,,  Frame,  lb.  ... 
0  4i 
0  5 
Cabbages,  doz . 
1  0 
1  9 
,,  New  Teneriffe, 
Carrots,  doz.  bun . 
2  (1 
3  0 
per  cwt 
10  0 
12  0 
,,  per  bag  . 
2  6 
4  0 
Radishes,  doz.  bun. 
0  9 
1  0 
Cauliflower,  doz . 
1  6 
3  6 
Rhirbarb,  per  doz . 
0  9 
1  0 
Celery,  per  doz.  bun.  ... 
8  0 
18  0 
Salad,  small,  pun., doz.... 
0  6 
1  0 
Cress,  per  doz.  p)un. 
0  9 
1  0 
Savoys,  tally  . 
3  0 
4  0 
Cucumbers,  doz . 
2  0 
3  6 
Seakale,  per  doz . 
10  0 
15  0 
Endive,  per  doz . 
1  6 
0  0 
Shallots,  per  lb  . 
Spinach,  per  bush . 
0  lA 
0  2 
Garlic,  per  lb . 
0  2 
0  3 
3  0 
3  6 
Horseradish,  foreign,  per 
Tomatoes,  Cxnary 
bmrdlc  . 
1  3 
1  6 
Deeps,  lb . 
2  6 
3  0 
Leeks,  per  doz.  bun. 
Lettuces,  Cabbage,  doz.  . 
1  0 
1  3 
Turnips,  doz.  bun . 
1  6 
2  0 
1  0 
1  3 
„  per  bag . 
Watercress,  per  dozen 
2  0 
2  6 
Mushrooms,  house,  lb.  ... 
1  0 
1  6 
Onions,  per  case  . 
7  6 
0  0 
bunches . .  ... 
0  4 
0  8 
,,  per  bag  . 
3  6 
7  6 
Averag-e  Wholesale  Prices.— Plants  in  Pots. 
Most  of  the  undermentioned  plants  are  sold  in  48  and  32-sized  pots. 
Acacia  Drummondi,  doz. 
Adiantums,  per  doz. 
Aralias,  per  doz . 
Arbor  Vitiie,  per  doz. 
Aspidistras,  per  doz. 
Aucirbas,  per  doz . 
Azaleas,  each . 
Begonias,  per  doz . 
Callas,  per  doz . 
Cinerarias,  doz . 
Coleuses,  per  doz . 
Crotons,  per  doz . 
Cyclamens,  per  doz. 
Cyperus,  per  doz . 
Daffodils,  per  doz . 
Dielytra  spectabilis, 
})er  doz. 
Dracmnas,  cars.,  doz.  ... 
Er  cas,  i^er  doz . 
s.  d.  s.  d 
12  Oto.50  0 
4  0  8  0 
4  0  8  0 
9  0  18  0 
18  0  33  0 
4  0  8  0 
10  3  0 
4  0  8  0 
6  0  8  0 
6  0  24  0 
4  0  5  0 
12  0  24  0 
9  0  18  0 
3  0  4  0 
6  0  8  0 
12  0  18  0 
12  0  48  0 
6  0  12  0 
I  Euonymus,  cars.,  doz.  ... 
Ferns  in  var.,  per  doz.  ... 
Ficus  elastica,  doz. 
Genistas,  doz . 
Hyacinths,  Roman  (48- 
'  pots),  doz . 
,,  Dutch  . 
Lycopodiums,- per  doz.  ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  doz.... 
Marguerites,  white,  doz. 
Orange  trees,  each 
Palms,  var.,  each  . 
Primulas,  per  doz . 
Pteris  Iremula,  per  doz.  . 
,,  Wimsetti  ,, 
„  major  ,, 
Spirmas,  doz . 
Tulips,  red,  doz.  roots. . 
,,  yellow,  doz.  r or 
s.  d.  s.  d 
4  0  to  6  0 
4  0  30  0 
9  0  24  0 
6  0  10  0 
SO  9  0 
8  0  12  0 
3  0  4  0 
9  0  24  0 
4  0  8  0 
3  6  10  6 
3  0  20  0 
4  0  6  0 
4  0  8  0 
4  0  8  0 
4  0  6  0 
6  0  8  0 
10  16 
10  16 
Average  Wholesale  Prices.— Cut  Flowers. 
Anemones,  doz.  bun. 
Azaleas,  per  bun . 
Bouvardias,  per  bun.  ... 
Callas,  per  doz . 
Camellias,  box . 
Carnations,  per  bun. 
Daffodils,  per  doz.  bnchs. 
Eucharis,  per  doz . 
Ferns — Asparagus,  bun. . 
French,  doz.  bunches 
Maidenhair,  doz.  bun. 
Freesia,  per  doz . 
Gardenias,  box  of  18-24 
blooms . 
Lilac  (French),  bun.  .  . 
L  i  1  i  u  m  longiflorum , 
doz.  blooms. 
„  lancifolium  „ 
,,  auratum  . 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  per 
doz.  bun . . 
Mimosa  (Acacia)  per  bun. 
8.  d. 
8.  d 
s.  d. 
s.  d 
0  9  to  1  6 
Marguerites,  yellow,  per 
1  0 
2  0 
doz.  bun . 
1  0  to  2  0 
0  4 
0  6 
Narcissus,  doz.  bun. 
1  0 
4  0 
2  6 
4  0 
„  Soleil  d'Or,  per  doz. 
„  Pheasant’s  Eye  ,, 
3  0 
4  0 
1  0 
2  0 
1  6 
3  0 
1  0 
3  0 
Orchids,  various,  per  doz. 
,,  Odontoglossums  „ 
3  0 
12  0 
1  0 
4  0 
2  6 
3  0 
1  6 
2  6 
„  Cattleyas,  per  doz. 
10  0 
12  0 
1  0 
2  6 
Pelargoniums,  zonal,  doz. 
4  0 
9  0 
0  4 
0  6 
bun . 
4  0 
6  0 
Roman  Hyacinths,  per 
0  6 
1  0 
1  0 
2  0 
bunch  . 
Roses,  Mermet,  per  doz. . 
3  0 
6  0 
4  0 
5  0 
„  Various,  per  bun. 
0  6 
1  6 
1  6 
3  0 
„  White 
1  6 
2  0 
„  Pink  ,, 
1  0 
2  0 
4  0 
7  0 
Smilax,  per  doz.  trails  ... 
1  0 
1  6 
1  6 
3  0 
Stocks,  per  doz . 
2  0 
2  6 
2  6 
4  0 
Tulips,  per  bunch . 
,  Violets, per  doz.  bun.  ... 
0  6 
0  9 
1  0 
1  6 
6  0 
15  0 
'  „  Parma  „ 
1  6 
2  6 
0  6 
1  0 
1 
Trade  Catalogue  Received. 
Richard  Smith  and  Co.,  Worcester.— Climbing  and  other  Plants. 
