248 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOQIST. [November, 



I liave here under my charge six large Vineries, averaging 70 ft. in length, 

 in three ranges. The 'first of these has been built 50 years, and frona being kept 

 in good repair, they are not now to be grumbled at. The size of the squares of 

 glass is 8 in. by 7 in., so that there is ample ventilation all over the roof, and 

 herein, according to my way of thinking, lies the secret of success, for during the 

 past five years, I do not remember having in them a single scalded leaf. These 

 houses contain Black Hamburghs principally. 



The next range is used for pot Grapes and Muscats, but is glazed differently. 

 In the pot vinery the squares are giants, being 27 in. by 21 in., and the Vines 

 always burnt or scalded badly until last year, when I overheard Mr. D, T. Fish 

 telling a friend that the best remedy against scalds, was to syringe the surface of 

 the roof lightly over with whitening and water, which I put into practice, and 

 now thank that able horticulturist for such a valuable recipe. In the Muscat 

 house the squares are IG in. by 9 in., and here the leaves always scalded until 

 syringed as stated above. Both these houses are glazed with British sheet-glass, 

 and, I believe, with 21-oz. glass. 



The next and last range is certainly the best. The squares are 24 in. by 

 10 in. One of them has a light ribbed glass which succeeds perfectly. In the 

 other the ribs are more numerous, but it is not so good in many ways, as it is apt, 

 unless one is very patient, to crack by the shaking in giving air ; but for this, it 

 answers -well, and a scalded leaf is more the exception than the rule. 



Now, I draw my conclusions from five years' experience here, that small squares 

 of glass are the best, and if I had any quantity of glass to put up, 8 in. by 6 in. 

 or 7 in. would be the size for me. However, I invite discussion on the subject, 

 and should like to hear how Grapes behave under rough plate-glass. Perhaps 

 Mr. W. P. Ayres would favour us with a line on this interesting subject. — 

 E, GiLBEET, Burghky^ Stamford. 



THE HEDYCHIUM, OR GARLAND FLOWER. 



riH Jn^OST of the species of this- delightful genus are exceedingly beautiful, and 

 Cpi^i^ IL richly deserve a place in every collection of plants. Being natives of the 

 East Indies, they require a stove temperature, but in other respects they 

 are of the simplest culture. They grow freely in a light, rich compost 

 of turfy loam, rotten dung, and sand. During the growing season, the plants 

 should be kept well supplied with water. In the autumn, after they have done 

 flowering, they may be placed anywhere at the back of the stove, and kept rather 

 dry. When the stems become withered, they should be cut off to within an 

 inch or two of the base ; the plants should afterwards have little or no water 

 during the winter months, but early in March they should be examined, those 

 that require it divided and potted, and those that do not require dividing should 

 also be potted, removing from them as much of the old compost as possible, so as to 

 give them a quantity of fresh soil. When potted, if placed in a favourable place 

 in the stove, the shoots will soon begin to push freely and finely, when too much 



