i88i.] THE LARGE VINE AT SPEDDOCK. 407 



from the cutting pots into pots of larger size, without breaking the 

 balls of soil about the roots of the young plants — thus there will be 

 three plants in each pot ; and if duly attended to, and not interfered 

 with in the way of nipping or cutting out their points, they will keep 

 on growing all through the winter, and each, as a rule, will produce a 

 head of flowers the following July or August. 



If the cultivator is desirous of producing specimens, he must repot 

 the plants as often as the pots become filled with their roots, remem- 

 bering not to give large shifts at any time. It is also necessary, when 

 large plants are the object, to stop or nip out the points of the shoots as 

 often as the latter have made 3 or 4 inches of growth. This stopping 

 of the shoots must be continued up to the middle of August of the 

 year previous to that in which the plants are wanted to flower. Good 

 fibry loam, to which has been added some coarse river-sand and a little 

 pounded charcoal, will be found a good compost for the roots. In 

 all stages of growth this plant should be kept as near to the glass as 

 possible, and at no season should a superabundance of water be applied 

 to it^ roots. Perfect drainage at the roots, and a judicious applica- 

 tion of water thereto, are the principal points to be attended to in the 

 culture of Kalosanthes coccinea. J. Hammond. 



THE LARGE VIN'E AT SPEDDOCK, DUMFRIESSHIRE. 



At Speddock, near Dumfries, there is a very remarkable specimen 

 of the Black Hamburg Vine. It is distinguished for its size, but 

 not more so than for the splendid Grapes it bears annually. As 

 far as we are aware, it has no equal in this country, if its size and 

 the quality of its produce are considered. The Vine at Hampton 

 Court, as well as those at Cumberland Lodge and Finchley, are all 

 larger ; but the produce of these is not so fine as the Speddock Vine. 

 This Vine is about eighty years old, and until a few years ago it 

 occupied a much smaller vinery than the one it has now nearly filled, 

 and which is something over 60 feet long and 20 feet wide, with 

 a lofty back wall, and consequently a long rafter. The Vine is 

 planted at the extreme east end of the house, so that its growth is 

 entirely to the west. Last year it bore 600 lb. of Grapes of superb 

 quality both as to size and finish. This year it has fully 700 lb., 

 every bunch from end to end and top to bottom being a model one ; 

 and while some are quite 3 lb. weight, they will average at least 

 2 lb. each. They are large in berry, conical in shape, and jet black. 

 Mr Smith, who manages all his Vines in four vineries with great care 

 and skill, wings all the bunches, so that they are all remarkably 

 uniform in shape. This grand Vine is in a most vigorous condition, 

 and if the vinery were added to 60 feet to the east, it would soon 

 fill it all ; but the nature of the ground prevents extension in that 



