FEBRUARY. 61 



opposite character ; but the effect of different soils and degrees of ripe- 

 ness as influencing the flavour of fruits is not confined to Pears and 

 Apples. Among the exhibition of Muscat Grapes we noticed a much 

 wider difference as regards the flavour of some of the collections than a 

 mere outward inspection would have led us to believe ; even Mr. 

 Drewett's magnificent Muscats were much less piquant and high 

 flavoured than some of the others ; this leads us to the conviction that 

 there is a limit to the period when the peculiar vinous principle, which 

 characterises the flavour of Grapes when in their highest perfection, 

 passes into a more saccharine state. Grapes hanging long after they 

 are ripe, and particularly if exposed to a strong light, lose the vinous 

 piquancy and aroma which they possess when newly ripened ; and 

 when Grapes have to be kept long after being ripe, we advise their being 

 well shaded during the day ; indeed, the darker they are kept, the 

 longer will they retain their briskness and flavour. 



We were much disappointed at not seeing much larger collections of 

 foreign Grapes, knowing how many dessert varieties, new to English 

 growers, are cultivated in some districts of France ; let us hope 

 Monsieur Deynoot will not be the only exhibitor in this class the next 

 occasion. We very strongly recommend this report to the consideration 

 of fruit growers, who may gather from its perusal much that will 

 instruct them on the peculiarities of fruits for the season just passed 

 away. These reports should be kept and compared hereafter with those 

 which we hope will follow in due course. We beg to give entire the 

 following observations of the reporters on the non compliance of exhi- 

 bitors with the wishes of the Fruit Committee: — 



" The reporters regret that the responses made to the schedules 

 issued by the committee were so few. The object of these schedules 

 was to ascertain particulars respecting the climate, soil, and subsoil of 

 the locality where the respective fruits were grown, and the circum- 

 stances under which they were produced. Such of these schedules as 

 were returned filled up have been incorporated in the report ; and, 

 where such is the case, it will at once be seen how desirable it would 

 have been if similar information could have been given in every 

 instance." 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Azaleas and Camellias. — We class these together, for although 

 there are several points of variance in their culture, they do well 

 enough together for the present. Camellias, if at all forward, will now 

 be coming into bloom ; to retain these in perfection for some time, keep 

 the air of the house as dry as possible, and shaded from bright sun, 

 as the least damp or drip will soon spoil the blooms of the light-coloured 

 varieties. Camellias at this season, if full of flower buds, should be 

 watered with weak guano water, alternately with common soft water ; 

 this will much improve the size of the blooms, and induce the plants to 

 break stronger when their annual growth commences. Azaleas for 

 blooming in May and June should be retarded as much as possible ; 

 bring on a succession in the forcing house by introducing a few free 



