96 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 1870. 



Lancastrian. — The change you have made in the selection of the Vines is a 

 great improvement on what they were previously. Regarding your list for the early 

 house we think it right to observe, that our experience of the Muscat Hamburg 

 does not warrant its general recommendation ; it evidently is a shy Grape, and 

 requires peculiar soil. Black Prince is an easily grown, showy, but only third-rate 

 Grape. The others are all good. On the list for late vinery we remark that Fos- 

 ter's White Seedling is not a very good keeper. Don't strike out West's St Peter's ; 

 it is a good old Grape, and comes in before Lady Downes and after the Black 

 Hamburg. Our experience of Trebbiano does not induce us to recommend it. 

 Muscat of Alexandria is far before it in quality, and keeps as well. 



Propagation of Aralia Sieboldi (William Hood). — Mr John Gibson, of 

 Battersea Park, kindly writes in reply to your inquiry : " In reference to the 

 propagation of Aralia Sieboldi, I am sorry I have no definite experience as to the 

 best mode of increasing that species except from seed ; but I should not hesitate 

 to recommend a trial of increasing it from cuttings of the roots, in the absence of 

 seed, in the same way as Aralia papyrifera is increased, cuttings of the roots of 

 which make plants freely on a gentle bottom heat. The thick roots are cut into 

 pieces of from 1 to 2 inches long, laid flat in pans or pots of light soil, well 

 drained, and covered half an inch or so with the same, and then a slight covering 

 of silver sand. Young shoots are thrown up irregularly, and as they become 

 sufficiently strong, should be removed and potted singly in pots, and kept in a 

 close warm frame until the roots appear round the inner side of the pot, and 

 then gradually hardened off until they will bear a cool frame, and be shifted on 

 as required." 



The Holy Thorn of Glastonbury. — When at Yeovil in the second week 

 in January, we saw this famed Thorn in leaf and bloom, in the garden of Hound- 

 stone House, the residence of Mr Thomas Sampson. There were several plants 

 of it, and all in alike advanced condition. Its singular property of budding and 

 blossoming in midwinter is said to have been miraculously derived, and a curious 

 and very interesting account of its legendary history is given in a pamphlet 

 recently published by Mr Sampson, and is well worth a perusal. 



Thermo - plastic Putty. — In a paper read before the Civil and Mechanical 

 Engineers' Society by Mr R. M. Bancroft on the renewal of King's-Cross station 

 roof, it was stated the glazing putty used in this roof was that known by the above 

 name, and manufactured by Sir W. A. Rose & Co., Upper Thames Street. It is 

 peculiarly adapted for fixing the glass in roofs of railway stations, greenhouses, 

 and other buildings where plate-glass and iron sash-bars are used. This putty 

 hardens in a few hours after being used, but will, when exposed to solar heat 

 sufficient to cause expansion of the glass and metal, become plastic, and on cool- 

 ing again returns to its original firmness, thus preventing the loss by fractures 

 and leakage which occurs so frequently in places where the ordinary glazier's 

 putty is employed. 



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