314 THE GARDENER. [July 



twenty-five years) by the abuse of fermenting materials. A few 

 years ago we turned up two borders which had supplied remarkably 

 fine Grapes for exhibition and market by the Vines planted in them ; 

 but being soured and ruined at the beginning, the roots either were 

 killed or never went into the soil at all, as scarcely any were found 

 in the border, they having found their way to the foundation of the 

 front walls, and there they remained, probably from twenty to thirty 

 years. But to hear the older labourers on the place tell how carefully 

 " our old master " had his manure prepared, added to periodically, 

 heat-sticks carefully pulled out and replaced, and when the covering 

 was removed a small portion left over the border, keeping " roots " 

 intact, and mixed with a little fresh surfacing of bones, lime- 

 rubbish, and loam, — believing that this was the secret of success, 

 the industrious man of mysterious knowledge spent time, talents, 

 and a deal of expense, to secure crops of fine Grapes. I counted 

 seventeen or eighteen layers of the surfacing when removing the bor- 

 der, but did not even find skeletons of roots in the soil. 



There is a better system required than the littery one for starting 

 Vine-roots, though difficult to get at. But I heard one of the greatest 

 of Grape-growers once say that he preferred glass covering to all 

 others for roots, — viz., to throw off the water — harvest sun-heat — air 

 could be admitted — the soil is not soured — the rough appearance is 

 avoided — and the glass can be applied for other purposes during 

 spring and summer. Midland Gardener. 



NOTES ON DECORATIVE GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



What a blank there would be during the dull winter months in our 

 greenhouses and conservatories, had we not this brilliant and most 

 useful flower to fall back upon during this period of the year ! 

 Not only is the Chrysanthemum useful in the decoration of green- 

 houses, but few flowers stand so well when cut ; and therefore where 

 cut flowers are in demand in quantity, the Chrysanthemum supplies 

 a want that would not be easily filled up otherwise. 



The Chrysanthemum has also the merit of being easy of cultivation, 

 and, like many other florist flowers, has undergone a vast improvement 

 during the last ten years or so, many of the Japanese varieties espe- 

 cially being very beautiful, both in regard to variety of colour and 

 size of flowers. 



There is a great diversity of opinion among gardeners as to what is 

 the best time for putting in the cuttings. Some recommend Novem- 

 ber, while others again affirm that February is the best time. We are 



