180 THE GARDENER. [April 



to the last in pots. Madame A. VerschafTelt, colour carmine rose, with deeper 

 carmine eye, produces immense trusses, and has a brisk lively aspect. Madame 

 Kiomph, brisk rose, deep crimson centre. Mademoiselle Christine Nilsson, 

 French-white, suffused rose, purple crimson centre. George Henderson, rose 

 shaded dull lilac, purple centre, a novelty. Miss jMelville, brilliant glowing 

 light crimson, with deeper crimson eye, fine spike of extra good flowers. E,. B. 

 Laird, peach, with bars of delicate rose traced down the petals, one of the best 

 iu all its points. A. Kerr. 



EARLY RIPENING OF LATE-KEEPING GRAPES. 



Xo one, I think, can dispute the fact that late Grapes are better 

 flavoured when ripened early in the autumn, or under a higher 

 temperature than they are generally treated to, as has been forcibly 

 argued by the Editor and Mr Henderson in last month's ' Gardener.' 

 Anybody may convince themselves of tbis by testing the fruit of the 

 Earbarossa or Trebbiana Grape when grown along with Muscats, and 

 the same kind grown in a Hamburg or Lady Downes house. The 

 difference in flavour is so great that they are not like the same Grape. 

 With regard to the Alicant and Lady Downes, however, though they 

 too would doubtless be improved in flavour if ripened in August 

 instead of September or October, is it certain that the fruit would 

 keep better and longer? Experience on this point may probably 

 differ ; but after giving both plans a favourable trial, I have come to 

 the conclusion that when these two varieties are ripened earlier than 

 the end of September, the fruit does not by any means keep so well ; 

 indeed I will go so far as to say that in this respect it is safer to 

 have them ripe by the end of October than the end of August. At 

 one time I was in favour of early ripening, holding the opinion 

 that a berry with its tissues well matured, and its footstalk hard and 

 woody, must necessarily keep best ; and in this belief I for two years 

 had our late vinery here started considerably earlier than usual, and 

 had the fruit ripe by the end of August. They were so -well up, that 

 I exhibited Alicants and Lady Downes in collections of fruit and 

 Grapes that got the first prize at Worksop show early in September. 

 I also exhibited the same varieties at Warrington and other places. 

 I state this to show that the fruit must have been pretty well finished 

 at that time. But what about keeping 1 Everything went well up 

 till Christmas — the usual precautions being taken ; no plants were 

 stored in the house, and the inside border was covered with mats to 

 prevent evaporation : but after the above date the AUcants began to 

 shrivel at the points of the berries, and later on Lady Downes did the 

 same. Damping also was worse than usual at this season, in spite of 

 increased care and watchfulness ; and, upon the whole, the fruit kept 



