188 THE GARDENER. [April 



a moderately high temperature suits it best to bring it to perfection ; while at 

 the same time it does exceedingly well under a cooler treatment, by the side 

 of our more general varieties, as I have several Vines of it planted in a 

 late vinery wuth inside border. 1 have not as yet seen in either cases any sign 

 or trace of the spotty gangrene spoken of by ]\Ir Cramb and others. Since the 

 first time I saw the account of the spot taking it, as described in the 'Gardener,' 

 I have been on the alert for it, but am pleased to state that I have not seen 

 anything of the kind. Should it visit me during the forthcoming season, I will 

 at once inform the readers of the 'Gardener.' 



I find it to be a very free and vigorous grower, bearing large and well-shaped 

 bunches, setting as free as the Black Hamburg, with fine berry and colour, 

 being of good flavour when fully ripe. This I believe Mr Cramb can testify, 

 from the specimens exhibited by me at the Cardiff exhibition in August last, 

 and which he had the opportunity of judging, the three bunches in question 

 weighing 12 lb. 7oz., cut from a Vine bearing ten bunches, averaging 3 lb. per 

 bunch. Not that I wish in making this statement to speak in laudatory tones 

 of the specimens exhibited, or either to have the merits of the Grape belauded 

 or based upon it— decidedly otherwise, — but simply refer to them as show- 

 ing how the Grape has behaved with me. As a late-keeping Grape I 

 would not recommend it, but as an intermediate or midsummer Grape it is with 

 me all that can be desired. I quote the following notes taken of its keeping 

 qualities, — on the 18th of October I cut it in good condition, and the remainder 

 I cut on the 14th of November, somewhat shrivelled. Its not being a late- 

 keeping grape does not affect its character as a good useful Grape of fine 

 appearance and flavour for its time. May not the evil experienced by Mr 

 Cramb and others arise from untimely ventilation ? There are cases " not a 

 few," I believe, when congratulating ourselves upon careful and tender nursing 

 in the way of a well-heated heavily-moistened atmosphere, that we are at the 

 same time fostering the enemy, assisting it in its lurking depredations till too 

 late for any practical remedy ; but as Mr Cramb has wisely stated, time may 

 solve the present difficulty, and which I think ought to be solved in the case of 

 our new Grapes before they are sent out to the public. 



I would just remark by way of explanation regarding the two stands of 

 Grapes exhibited by me at the Cardiff exhibition referred to by Mr Cramb, p. 

 39, for January, could I have had my own way, the two stands would not 

 have been exhibited ; but being to some extent obligated by the desires of 

 my employers, and having written to the committee as to its being in accordance 

 with their rules, i)ermission was granted : hence the result. 



I fully concur with Mr Cramb that such proceedings press heavily upon 

 brother gardeners having perhaps less means; but still I would inform Mr 

 Cramb, with all our means we have no particular choice in the matter, as the 

 Grapes Mr Cramb sees every year at Cardiff are cut from the same Vines year 

 after year, and from the one vinery, the other vineries being started very early 

 and very late. Hy. Berteam. 



Cyfarthfa Castle. 



KEEPING CUCUMBERS. 



The Editor gave us such good practical hints as to the cultivation of the 

 Cucumber last year, that I can only add — be guided by him, and you are almost 

 sure to meet with success. 



