332 THE GARDENER. [July 



retained ; it is rather a function of biology than of chemistry ; a dead 

 leaf has not this power. It may be here stated that it has been said, 

 and probably correctly, that the hydrogen present in plant-life is more 

 probably derived from the water in the cells containing chlorophyll 

 than from ammonia. 



THE GRAPES AT ERNESPIE, NEAR CASTLE DOUGLAS. 



Many of your readers will remember that Mr Kirk, gardener, Ernes- 

 pie, carried away first honours for the best eight varieties of Grapes 

 at the September show of the Royal Caledonian Society's meeting 

 last September. His Grapes are equally, if not more, promising this 

 year. This refers to nearly the whole of the varieties Mr Kirk grows ; 

 but the most remarkably promising specimens are the Duke of Buc- 

 cleuch. Both the wood and bunches of this variety are remarkable for 

 their vigour. Several of the bunches of this variety are expected, if 

 they finish as they did last year, to weigh from 5 to 6 lb. Mr Kirk 

 uses much less moisture in his vineries than many Grape-growers, and 

 it is his opinion that not only does this account for the splendid con- 

 dition of the Duke, but of the other varieties as well. Whatever is 

 the cause of it, the Duke does not succeed in very many gardens, and 

 it certainly is to be regretted, for it is a very fine Grape. 



A Visitor. 



CHAM.EDOREA HARTWEGII. 



It is the elegant or the majestic habit of Palms, and the conspicuous 

 character and freshness of their leaves, which distinguish them as 

 decorative plants. Some Palms also possess floral charms, in which 

 respect none are more beautiful than Chamcedorea Hartwegii, which 

 develops its branched spadices, studded with numerous orange- 

 coloured petals, during winter and spring. The male plants are more 

 showy than the female, but when the former have shed their bloom, 

 the latter become ornamental by the production of fruit, which 

 remains till the close of autumn. The Chamredorea is a native of 

 Caraccas, an elevated region near the coast of Venezuela, 10° north 

 latitude, consequently it thrives best in a stove or an intermediate 

 house. Plants 2 feet high and upwards make good flowering speci- 

 mens ; but in order to secure an effective display, three conditions 

 are essential — namely, liberal supplies of water and of liquid manure 

 during the time of active growth ; exposure to air and sunlight, so 

 far as this can be done without scorching ; and lastly, the destruction 

 of scale and bug, which often lodge unobserved in the axils of the 

 leaves. Standard plants will succeed for several years in a 10-inch 

 pat, but to prevent its becoming too dry in the heat of summer, I 



