416 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



I may be wrong in my opinion, but I have the courage to entertain 

 it, that the Grapes from moderate growth of wood and leaf will always 

 carry the sway in point of quality ; while the notable characteristics of 

 J. S. W.'s cultivation will be, generally speaking, big loose bunches, 

 behind the day in everything except weight. I understand tliat the 

 grand exhibition of Grapes made by Mr Hunter of Lambton, at Man- 

 chester, in 1873, as well as on other occasions, was the produce of Vines 

 with exceptionally small foliage compared to the bunches. 



W. Hinds. 



A NOTE ON PELARGONIUMS. 



The day of the Pelargonium is again coming round. Though it has 

 always obtained a place in gardens, yet full justice has been done 

 to its requirements only in rare instances ; but during these last 

 few years the London market-growers have taken the plant in 

 hand to some purpose, have produced a new break or strain quite 

 distinct from either the " show " or " fancy " sections, and to which 

 the distinctive appellation of " decorative " has been given. I have 

 not been so much taken with anything in the way of " novelties " 

 for some time as I was this season with plants of these. These 

 consisted of specimens between 4 and 5 feet in circumference, natu- 

 rally grown bushy, and one mass of developed trusses and trusses 

 yet to open. The pots were between 4 and 5 inches in diameter. 

 The best of the sorts were Duchess of Bedford, Maid of Kent, and 

 Mermerus. The raiser of these has other kinds, of which stock 

 is being propagated, said to be improvements on these. It is not 

 difficult to foresee in a few years that this class of Pelargoniums will 

 hold one of the highest places as summer decorative plants. But 

 meanwhile the older and universally known " show " kinds have 

 undergone great improvements of late years — the better form, size, 

 and colour of flower in these having the advantage of this newer 

 section. These can be successfully cultivated in small pots also — 

 in fact it is the way to grow them, year-old plants in 5-inch pots, 

 properly grown, making flowering specimens from 12 to 18 inches 

 across. A few of the best of these are Lord of the Isles, Duke of 

 Connaught, Sappho, Ambassador, Gipsy, Blue Boy, Victor, Christabel, 

 Falcon, Warrior. 



As a guide to those who may wish to grow these in the way 

 above pointed out, we will add a few directions. Side growths are 

 taken off through the summer, say in July, at which period of 

 the year there is not the slightest difficulty in striking plants. 

 Where a good number is grown, a frame might with advantage be 



