562 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



dias, of variety — these are cut back in July, and come into bloom in September. 

 There were also large plants of B. Huttoniana ; this blooms very freely, and 

 has the brightest scarlet flowers. Oncidium flexuosum is also largely grown for 

 button-holes, and is always in flower ; Jasminum Sambac and Sambac florepleno 

 were just being placed in a stove to throw them into flower ; Azalea narcissiflora, 

 with double-white flowers, very useful, and many other things ; there were also 

 a nice lot of Camellias planted out to yield a supply of cut flowers. In a con- 

 servatory were huge bushes of Gardenia fiorida intermedia, soon to be placed in 

 a stove, and brought into flower at Christmas. 



No one could think of visiting Ascot without making inquiries about the Royal 

 Ascot Grape. We saw a house of it, and came away from it with a deep convic- 

 tion on our mind that it is a Grape worthy of general cultivation. There was 

 a commodious span-roofed house, containing forty-four Vines, which were planted 

 out in the month of May 1868, now covered with capital bunches of full, 

 plump, fine-coloured berries, of a fine brisk rich acid flavour. The best rod had 

 ten nice bunches, and the weight of Grapes in the house averaged about 4 cwt. 

 Its great value lies in that it bears and sets freely, colours well, and is easily 

 managed. Pre-eminently does it seem to be an amateur's Grape, one that from 

 all appearance will grow and produce good fruit under some of the many disad- 

 vantages amateur Grape-cultivators have to contend with. We also saw what 

 appeared to be a fine new Grape, which had been named Dr Hogg, in compliment 

 to that well-known Pomologist. This had been obtained from Chasselas musque 

 crossed with Long Noir D'Espagne. The berries were round, finely coloured, and 

 well flavoured ; and not the least among its recommendations is this — that it is a 

 fine-hanging Grape, keeping longer than Lady Downes. Mr Standish has a high 

 opinion of the Madresfield Court black Grape, and is growing it largely. 



Coming to the open ground again, we noticed a group of plants of the pretty 

 Bouvardia triphylla, with its charming orange-scarlet flowers, blooming very 

 freely indeed. This is said to be hardy ; it is certain that it has stood out of 

 doors during the winter at Langport, in Somerset, without any protection. Some 

 seedling Zonal Pelargoniums were very fine, Mr Standish having long been 

 known for the value of the new flowers he has raised. Some recently-named 

 comprised Harry Turner, very rich fiery crimson, a splendid hue of colour ; 

 flowers large and of the finest form, and dark zonate foliage : Henry King, rich 

 deep scarlet, very fine white eye, a flower of fine quality, slightly zonate foliage : 

 and Richard Dean, very bright scarlet, with white eye ; a large and greatly-im- 

 proved Lord Derby. Jean Sisley and Lord Derby are largely grown by Mr 

 Standish for flowering during the winter. 



It seems a curious descent from Grapes and Roses to Onions, and yet there 

 were growing in one part of the nursery some splendid examples of Tripoli Onions 

 of uncommon size and high quality. The seed was sown in a little heat under 

 glass in March, the plants pricked out in a cold frame as soon as ready, and trans- 

 planted to the open ground at the end of April. 



With this notice we complete our Garden Records for the year 1870, in the 

 full belief that they have been very acceptable to the readers of the ' Gardener.' 



R. D. 



