158 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [July, 



in each following spring, down to the buds which had formed prominently, as a 

 preliminary to making a strong " start ;" and the result, as to progress afterwards 

 made, both in regard to the growth and the profusion of bloom, has surpassed 

 anything I could have wished for. The buds, grew so as literally to exceed the 

 stock in size, and the base of each bud has so enlarged as to overlap the wood 

 upon which it was inserted. The young shoots made thereon last season 

 exceeded in some instances 10 ft. or 12 ft. in length. 



One thing I have particularly noticed in connection with the Gloire de Dijon 

 as a stock, which is, that if an old branch, or branchlet, be worked, and after- 

 wards cut in to the bud as is customary, the bud of the Marechal so placed seems 

 to lose its capability of growing large, and produces wonderfully shortened growth 

 in regard to its branches, while it yields blossoms much more profusely. I there- 

 fore advise all who have a large plant of the Gloire, to try its effects, either way, 

 upon Marechal Niel. I have not yet tried the former as a stock treated in the 

 ordinary way, but hope to do so in the ensuing autumn, as I have a small supply 

 of cuttings well rooted, in preparation, upon which I intend to experiment. 



Digswell. William Eaelet. 



ONE VINE TO A HOUSE. 



JOOKLNG back to a former page of the Flohist, I chanced to observe the 

 question, " Shall we Plant One Vine to a House ?" Now, although much 

 has been said for and against the extension system, it occurred to me that 

 some good might result if those who had practised the system would give 

 us, not only their opinion thereupon, but also some information as to the extent to 

 which they had carried it out, and the advantages and disadvantages which had 

 been noted during the whole time the plan had been under trial. This information 

 might enable others to judge for themselves as to the propriety of adopting it*. 

 I should imagine that some, if not all, of those who have been discussing the 

 subject from the commencement, have had ample experience to enable them to 

 state the facts so clearly, that those of us who are only in a small way may not be 

 led astray, or be induced without good grounds to turn out of the good old paths. 

 From the commencement of the discussion I have turned my attention to the 

 subject ; and, with permission, I will state in my simple way what I have done. 

 The Vine upon which I have been working was planted some years ago, and 

 is trained along the top or ridge of two span-roofed pits, or small houses, one 

 used as a stove-house, the other as a greenhouse. It was planted without any 

 preparation, except, perhaps, a bushel of soil to start it in, all the top soil being 

 taken away, and nothing left but rock, fossils, and sand. Its extraordinary 

 progress has frequently been laid before the public, and has no doubt been noted 

 by many readers of the Florist. After the last account appeared, some evil 

 befell it, so that the eyes did not break as I could wish, and I cut it back to the 

 starting-point. It grew rapidly that year, and at pruning-time I left 30 ft. 



