182 THE GARDENER. [April 



was published in tlie transactions of the Society, I cannot say. The 

 two bunches were afterwards sold for £4. On another occasion, Mr 

 Batley exhibited two bunches at the Barnsley spring show in April, 

 which would probably weigh 4 lb. apiece at that time ; and the berries 

 were as plump, and the footstalks as green, as they were in October. 

 In 1870, he sent his last bunch to table on the 10th of May, in fine 

 condition even then. I cannot say how late he kept them last year, 

 but I know his spare fruit readily fetched 14s. a-pound in spring, and 

 some medium-sized bunches were disposed of at 20s. apiece. These 

 few facts will vouch for the condition of the fruit, and are sufficient 

 to show that late-ripened Grapes keep as well as can be desired. 

 And last, but not least, all horticultural readers are acquainted with 

 Mr Thomson's success in keeping the Lady Downes Grape till late in 

 spring when he was at Dalkeith. I was under him at the time, and 

 had charge of the vinery in question ; and in referring to my notes, I find 

 that the house was never started till the Vines were about breaking of 

 their own accord, nor were they ever treated to a high temperature 

 during the summer. If I recollect, Mr Thomson reckoned upon hav- 

 ing the fruit ripe about the end of September or middle of October, 

 and it invariably kept well. Such uniform experience is, I think, con- 

 clusive enough. Improved flavour is decidedly a desideratum of no 

 little importance, but if it is at the risk of having shrivelled berries a 

 month or six weeks earlier than usual, it would not pay; for when an 

 Alicant or Lady Downes Grape begins to shrivel, no matter how good 

 the sample may be otherwise, then Raisins are in every respect better 

 for dessert. As regards the late hanging of the fruit being injurious 

 to the Vines, as Mr Henderson remarks — and his opinion is entitled 

 to the highest respect — I can only say, that after seven years' heavy 

 cropping, followed by late hanging, our Vines here increase rather 

 than diminish in vigour ; and I can recollect, when foreman at Dalkeith, 

 that the late Vines there went on increasing in strength to such a 

 degree, that it was dangerous to tie the shoots off the glass in the first 

 stages of growth — they were so apt to bound off, which is always a 

 sign of vigour. J. Simpson. 



[Mr Simpson sent a bunch of his Lady Downes for our inspection on March 

 the 10th. Their condition in point of preservation was excellent, and flavour 

 good. — Ed.] 



SOMETHING NEW IN CELERY - CULTURE. 



" There is nothing new under the sun ; " but anything differing from 

 the ordinary received ideas of things is styled new. And it is in this 

 sense that I have ventured to say that it is possible that, even in 

 Celery-culture, there may be something new. 



