iSyi. 



LARGE BUNCHES OF GRAPES. 



265 



Sempervivum Canariense. 



able feature to add to decorative gardening, we feel anxious still fur- 

 ther to recommend them to 

 the notice of those of our 

 readers who may not yet have 

 devoted their attention to so 

 interesting a class of plants. 

 In February we gave illustra- 

 tions of some very effective 

 Sempervivums, &c. Our jQg- 

 ures in this instance are taken 

 from, photographs of two very 

 attractive and to some extent 

 representative plants. Sem- 

 pervivum canariense is a very pleasing plant. Its leaves are very 

 beautifully arranged, and are of a soft pea-^reen, covered over with 

 a very fine downy hair, and ter- 

 minating in an abrupt nipple- 

 looking point. Altogether the 

 plant has a soft and pleasing 

 appearance, and contrasts well 

 with the polished bright bronzy- 

 looking foliage of Sempervivum 

 urbicum. The leaves of the latter 

 assume a chestnut colour in sum- 

 mer when exposed to full sun, 

 and they are beautifully and very 

 finely toothed in the same way as 

 the Pine-Apple leaf, but much more finely and densely set with a 

 fringe of minute teeth. These are two plants which should be in 

 every collection. 



Fig. 



16.— Sempervivum Urbicum. 



LARGE BUNCHES OF GRAPES. 



Though we have not been able hitherto to produce monstrous bunches 

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

 as regards size, considering the variety, still we frankly confess our 

 admiration for a large bunch, when well finished in other respects. 

 Nor, though our acquaintance extends to not a few Grape-growers of 

 eminence, have we ever found any one who had a great objection to 

 large bunches, provided they could secure them. I think he would be 

 a bold judge, not to say unjust, who would dare to disqualify a bunch 

 of Grapes simply because it was big. Fancy the grimace of the unlucky 

 exhibitor who discovered that his big bunches had been disqualified 



