312 THE GARDENER. [July 



injure the roots, giving a top-dressing and watering, placing them in the 

 Mushroom-house, where they come quicker and finer than any other 

 place when early forcing is required. 



THE CINERARIA 



Cannot be dispensed with; there is such a diversity of colour 

 amongst them, that they have long held a high position, and will 

 continue to do so. For their cultivation, I would refer those who are 

 going to try for the first time to the able article of J. H. in May 

 number. As we can fully endorse all he says of them, we do little or 

 nothing with named sorts. From carefully-selected seed we get them 

 sufficiently good for all purposes, unless for exhibition. A. H. 



Thoresby Park. 



LARGE BUNCHES OF GRAPES. 



It is always pleasing to a writer on any subject to know that his pro- 

 ductions are taken notice of, and I feel somewhat flattered that a 

 gentleman possessed of the horticultural knowledge of your corre- 

 spondent, Mr J. Simpson, should have thought my paper on Vine- 

 borders in the May number of the ' Gardener ' worthy of his notice. 

 Friendly criticism, when moderately administered, is very encouraging. 

 In the present instance, however, I am almost disposed to find fault 

 with him for his generosity. 



Just glance at his bill of fare ; here it is : succulent steak from a staU- 

 fed ox, chop from a prime Southdown, big Potatoes, big Turnips, abor- 

 tive Cauliflower, Carrots and Drumhead Cabbage, with big Pines, big 

 Peaches, Keswick Codlins, and Crabs for dessert. Truly your corre- 

 spondent's admiration is for big things in general, and it is much to be 

 regretted that he has " not been able hitherto to produce monstrous 

 bunches of Grapes, nor yet what could justly be called very extraordi- 

 nary bunches as regards size." But no doubt he will do so, and the 

 horticultural world may reasonably expect ere long a surprise in the 

 shape of enormous bunches of Grapes. I admit he would be an un- 

 just judge who would disqualify a big well-finished bunch; but it is 

 only sometimes we see well-finished big bunches ; and I maintain, size 

 of bunch receives from many judges an undue share of consideration. 

 Then Grapes are not grown principally for the exhibition-table, and 

 your correspondent is aware when they are grown for that purpose, the 

 smaller bunches are in most instances sacrificed in order that their big 

 brethren may have a better chance of perfecting themselves. If I was 

 wrong in condemning, as an infringement of the laws of nature, any pro- 



