108 THE FLORIST. 



tonian system ; they were in good health and vigour. At the back of this 

 house JMr. Foster grows his Orchids ; among those in flower was a nice 

 specimen of Dendrobium nobile. 



I was pleased with a plan Mr. Foster was going to adopt with a 

 border for Vines which he was about to make. To obviate the evil effects 

 arising from a retentive subsoil, Mr. Foster was about to cover the 

 entire surface with tiles of a peculiar form, about 14 inches wide, 26 

 inches long:, and 3 inches thick ; these tiles are hollow and fit close to 

 each other. Over these tiles he mtends laymg slates, and on these 

 materials for the border. He also purposed making a provision for the 

 air to pass through the tiles ; by these means Mr. Foster expected to 

 prevent the roots from penetrating to the subsoil, and of getting rid of 

 any excess of moisture. 



In one of the Vineries in the kitchen-garden I saw some bunches 

 of a Grape which I believe is very little known beyond this neighbourhood, 

 but which in my opinion deserves to be widely known and extensively 

 grown ; I therefore think I shall be doing the readers of the Florist a 

 favour in bringing before their notice the properties of this Grape, which 

 is called " Lady Downes' Seedling." It is a late Grape ; the bunches 

 are long and compact, the berries are rather oval and black, the flavour 

 is sweet ; but Uke all Grapes that hang long, the skin is rather thick ; it 

 is a good bearer, and sets well. 



The bunches I saw were ripe early last September, and, considering 

 that they were in a house where plants were wintered, and consequently 

 where fire heat was kept during the whole time of the severe weather, 

 the berries were, notwithstanding, very little shrivelled on the 8th March, 

 when I saw them. These facts, in my opinion, show it to be one of the 

 best, if not the very best Grape in cultivation for late purposes. I 

 believe the IMessrs. Backhouse, of York, possess the stock of this Grape ; 

 if, therefore, any person should like to try it, they will, I presume, be 

 able to procure it of them. The fruit trees in the kitchen garden promise 

 well for blossom. ]\Ir. Foster grows a quantity of Apple trees as espahers, 

 also Pears ; among the latter he finds Marie Louise, Winter Nelis, Easter 

 Beurre and Beurre Ranee bear well Everything about this place 

 reflects the greatest credit on the intelligence, skill, and scientific and 

 practical knowledge of my esteemed friend, Mr. F. 



Stourton. M. Saul. 



WHAT GARDENERS MAY DO FOR THEIR JOURNEYMEN. 



Assuming that the gardeners who read these pages are sincerely 

 anxious to promote the happiness and welfare of those under their 

 control, I propose to venture a few remarks upon the means by which 

 they may most effectually do so. The influence which the head 

 gardener of a large estH,blishment must have on the comfort, and I may 

 add on everything that affects those in his employ, can hardly be 

 overstated, and will fully justify the tone of earnestness which may be 

 adopted in speaking of the subject. To him they have committed their 

 professional education, and it must very much depend on him whether 

 they make respectable progress or turn out a set of mere dolts and 



