388 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 1873. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should be addressed to 

 the Publishers, and communications for insertion in the ' Gardener ' to David 

 Thomson, Drumlaurig Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. It will further 

 oblige if all matter intended for publication, and questions to be replied to, be 

 forwarded by the middle of the month, and written on one side of the paper 

 only. It is also requested that writers forward their name and address, not for 

 publication unless they wish it, but for the sake of that mutual confidence 

 which should exist between the Editor and those who address him. We decline 

 noticing any communication which is not accompanied with name and address 

 of writer, 



J. W. — The insect on the Vine leaf is black thrip. 



Amateur. — Many circumstances may cause Grapes not to set and swell pro- 

 perly. We suspect, however, from your Grapes colouring prematurely in a 

 small state,— the border being good, — that there is something amiss with the 

 roots. Examine them and see if there is not an insect preying on them. What 

 you describe is just what takes place in the case of Vines infested with Phil- 

 loxera. 



A. C. — Under the circumstances you describe, no doubt early Grapes will 

 prove most remunerative. If you can produce them in your climate with some- 

 thing like the same firing required to keep late Grapes, no doubt you will do 

 best to get them in early, and catch the high prices. 



Subscriber, — You can use about a bushel of the sample sent to each cart- 

 load with advantage. The materials at your command will make a good border. 

 Your soil being heavy, add lime rubbish liberally, 



A Lady, — Commence putting in your Geranium cuttings not later than the 

 middle of this month. Boxes 4 inches deep, and 2}^ feet long, by I4 feet, are 

 convenient for the purpose. FiU them firmly with compost composed of loam 

 two parts, leaf mould one part, and sand one part. Put sixty cuttings in a 

 box. See that they are well drained. When the cuttings are put in set them 

 in a warm place fully exposed to the sun, and keep them moderately moist, 



S. Y. — You are keeping your Pines far too moist. Give more air and less 

 water, and do not shade. 



E. M, — The cause of your Grapes not colouring, we consider to be too heavy 

 a crop, in combination with insufficient ventilation. It is too late to remedy 

 the evil now. Crop light and ventilate more freely another year, and all other 

 things being equal, the Grapes will colour better. 



F, S. — Y^'our Pampas Grass is starved. Give it plenty of good rich soil and 

 water, and it will grow into a fine strong specimen and flower next year. 



Subscriber, — Taking every point into consideration, Vesuvius is the best of 

 the two Geraniums you name. It is an excellent one for beds and for pot-cul- 

 ture, and it flowers all winter profusely in an intermediate house. Indeed, we 

 do not know of any other with so many good points, 



W. R. — If your Azaleas have formed their buds, place them out in the sun 

 for a few weeks, after the middle of the month, to get their wood thoroughly 

 matured. 



ViTis. — We cannot say : apply to the raiser. 



W, Burton, Kexdal. — There are a great many yellow Violas both in 

 flower and growth that are not easily distinguished. The following three are 

 distinct and most profuse bloomers, and are sure to give satisfaction, viz,. 

 Golden Perpetual, Lutea Major, and Lutea de Massipp. 



AV. Mansox, Nairn.— The following 6 light and 6 dark Phloxes are really 

 very fine, and will suit your purpose well : 6 light— Lady Napier, ISIiss Hunter, 

 ISlrs Thom, Mr G. Wilson, John Watson, and Miss Baillie. 6 dark— John 

 Gumming, Othello, The Shah, John Baillie, William Blair, and John M 'Donald. 



E, S., Morpeth. — Blue King and Blue Gem are purely bedding Pansies. 



Needham Market, Suffolk. — Will one of your numerous subscribers in- 

 form me as to the subdivision and general management of Ferns in a common 

 greenhouse ? Edward Dove. 



