1873.] MADRESriELD COURT GRAPE. 141 



corner if possible, so that they may be in readiness when repotting 

 time comes. For the large-flowered kinds three parts fibry loam and one 

 part old cow-manure, with a dash of ground-bones and coarse sand. For 

 the fancy varieties, equal parts fibry loam and leaf -mould, with sufficient 

 sand and ground bones to keep the mass porous. These composts will 

 suit at all future repottings. Their subsequent management will be 

 given next month. J. Hammond. 



BllAYTON. 



MADRESFIELD COURT GRAPE. 



In reply to Mr Cramb, p. 39, for January, I may state that it was respecting 

 the dry spot on Grapes when undergoing the stoning process, that I advocated 

 less water to be given, which I still hold to be good advice. As to the gan- 

 grene that Mr Cramb talks of as having injured his Grapes, never having seen 

 it, of course I know nothing of its effects. 



Mr Cramb need have no misgivings of himself, as I never had any idea of 

 attributing unworthy motives to him regarding the Madrestield Grape. I be- 

 lieve what he says in describing how the Grape behaved with him. All I con- 

 tend for is that it has succeeded well with others. 



As Mr Cramb wants facts, I request him to turn to page 275 of ' The Gar- 

 dener ' for June 1871. He will there see an account written by Mr Temple 

 regarding the Madresfield Court and Golden Champion Grapes as grown at Pit- 

 carlie. Mr Temple states that the bunches when ripe would \veigh from 4 lb. 

 to 6 lb. each. This is more than the belauded Grapes grown at Cyrfartha. Mr 

 Cramb will also see what I consider a true description of the Grape at page 411 

 for September 1871. 



Another fact is that Mr Barron of Chiswick grows the Madresfield Grape very 

 successfully in a cold house. I do not, however, think that the proper place for 

 it. A writer in the ' Chronicle ' last year, in giving an account of Chiswick, 

 stated that he was amazed on entering the house where the iSIadresiield Grape 

 was grown to see such a crop. 



Kow^, as the jMadresfield Court Grape has been grown in great perfection in 

 England, Ireland, and Scotland, I think I may be permitted to anticipate that 

 it may still be so grown. 



The IMuscat Hamburg, when it first came out, met with much oj^position, 

 as Mr Cramb knows. I remember seeing it shown in Oxfordshire grown on its 

 Own roots, in beautiful condition, weighing 4 lb. a bunch. I have also seen it 

 do very badly. Grafted on the Black Hamburg it does well. Some stock 

 may yet be found to suit the Madresfield Court, and probably prevent failures. 



At page 39 for January, Mr Hunter gives an account of his failure with the 

 Madresfield Court. I merely allude to this, as Mr Hunter states that he 

 watered his Vines sparingly, on purpose to ripen the wood. I consider that bad 

 advice. Vines require more water than many imagine. Last year we had 

 nearly GO inches of rain. Vines growing in an outside border of course had it 

 all. Well, I can measure canes 3 inches round, ripened as hard, comparatively 

 as oak. Out of fifty Vines I had not one red-spider that I could see. Leaves 

 measuring 16 inches by 14 inches. Peaches in pots grown in the Vine- 

 houses, ripened in May. W. Hutchison. 

 Llwyndu Court. 



