386 



JOtJKNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ Korember 17, isGa. 



Tlie bottom or site for the border should be gradually 

 sloped off from the front of the vinery to the extreme front 

 of the border, where the main drain is to be laid, and if 

 practicable give it a fall of 1 foot in 12. When it is neces- 

 sary from the bad subsoil to concrete the bottom, in a case 

 of this sort I have, for the sake of getting on quickly with 

 the work, formed a firm surface for the drainage to rest on, 

 by first putting a layer of stone of the size of the road metal 

 over the surface, and beating it into the clay, and then 

 placing another layer somewhat thicker over this, and blind- 

 ing the whole up with concrete. This at once gives a bottom 

 on which tiles and brickbats can be laid without tearing 

 up the fresh-laid concrete. The tUes and drainage being 

 aU ac^usted as already described, put a layer of thin turf 

 over the whole, with the grass downwards, if such can be had ; 

 if not, a thin layer of straw, or the roughest part of the soU. 

 "While the drainage is being completed, I would advise that 

 upright pipes be fixed close to the fi'ont wall of the vinery, 

 and connected mth the tile drains in the bottom, and a 

 similar series of funnels along the fi'ont in connection with 

 the main drain. This will in hot weather give the power of 

 admitting a circulation of air beneath the border, and the 

 pipes can be plugged up at night. In cases where the border 

 extends inside the vinery, the one set of air-holes should, of 

 course, be inside the house, when the circulation of air will 

 be more effectual from the difference of temperature. 



The new soil should be laid on in layers, and rather firmly 

 beaten down with a closely-pronged fork to prevent its sub- 

 siding much and di'agging down the roots of the Vines. 

 When filled up to withm 10 inches or a foot of the desired 

 level, the roots of the Vines should be disentangled and 

 carefully and regularly spread out over it. Immediately 

 over them place a thin layer of the finest of the soU, and then 

 fill up with it, just as it comes, to the level, which should 

 always be a little higher than is ultimately desired, to 

 allow for subsiding, but never cover the roots deeper thaji 

 10 or 12 inches. 



The depth of border should be at front of vinery 2 feet 

 9 inches, sloping oif to 2 feet at the extremity of the border. 



Vines that are thus lifted and replanted by the middle of 

 September, when they are stUl in leaf, and the temperature 

 of the soil stUl high, should have the new border snugly 

 covered up with a foot deep of some nonconducting ma- 

 terial, ^uch as fern, straw, or leaves, with a covering over 

 aJl of wooden shutters or straw, to completely protect it 

 from rain. This will prevent the radiation of heat, and 

 protect the young rootlets made in autumn from wet in 

 winter. Immediately, or even before the Vines are lifted, a 

 shading of some thin material, such as tiffany, should be 

 fixed on the roof of the vinery, to keep the leaves from being 

 exposed to the fuU sun. The house should be kept close 

 and moist, to prevent as much as possible the leaves from 

 flagging. Generally, some of the oldest leaves drop off, but 

 with attentive management in the matter of keeping the 

 atmosphere moist and rather close, root-action soon com- 

 mences, and the laterals will make fresh growth, which 

 should be encouraged for a few weeks. After the Vines have 

 recovered the shock the shading should be removed, the 

 atmospheric moisture reduced, and more air admitted. 

 Should the weather be cold, as it often is about the end of 

 September and beginning of October, fixe heat should be 

 applied, pai-ticularly during cold nights. 



Vines requiring such radical treatment as this are gene- 

 rally not well ripened; and if a crop is expected next season, 

 and for the improvement of the constitution of the Vines, 

 fire heat shoidd be applied with a regular but not violent 

 cii'culation of air throughout October, to ripen the wood, 

 which object for the present is next in importance to getting 

 the Vines to make fi-esh roots in theii' new bed of earth. 



In spring, and just as the Vines begin to swell their buds 

 without fii-e heat, a bed of warm leaves, or leaves and stable- 

 dung mixed together, should be placed over the surface of 

 the border iu place of the winter covering put on in autumn. 

 This wUl tlirow a little heat into the border and assist the 

 progress of the Vines very much. The Vines should not be 

 hurried in their progress, and only a Ught crop of fruit should 

 be taken, even should they show plenty of fruit, which must 

 not be too sanguinely looked for. 



When the operation of lifting is performed in spring 

 when the Vines are about to stai-t, the bed of hot fermenting 



material should be applied immediately the work is done. 

 The Vines should be slung down further from the glass than 

 in ordinary cases ; and instead of forcing them on allow them, 

 so to speak, to feel their way. They must be expected to break 

 more weakly than usual ; and in order to assist the young 

 growths to support themselves till the roots are brought 

 fairly into play, a moist atmosphere must be kq)t up, pai-- 

 ticularly during bright weather, and they will soon establish 

 themselves, and bear a moderate crop of fruit. The bed of 

 leaves shoulil not be removed from the border tUl mid- 

 summer, and then a slight mulching of dung should be sub- 

 stituted. Where leaves cannot be procured, as is the case 

 with many amateurs, a load or two of stable-mamire wUl 

 answer the purpose ; and wherever that is not attainable the 

 next Ijest thing to do is to cover the border with something 

 that will prevent chilling winds and rains from influencing it. 

 In all other matters in the routine of culture, our corre- 

 spondents must consult works on the subject, and it is to be 

 hoped that what has been said will be of service to them, 

 and others similarly situated, who have not had experience 

 in lifting the roots of Vines. D. Thomson. 



THE CHRYSANTHEMITM SHOW AT THE 

 AGEICULTUEAL HALL. 



This took place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 

 last, and considering that it entirely owed its existence to 

 the exertions of the growere, both amateur- and professional, 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of Islington, it must be 

 regarded as a very successftil beginning. Not only were 

 the plants fine examples of culture, but the cut blooms, both 

 as regards size and form, reflected the greatest credit on the 

 growers. Some little confusion, no doubt, existed at first, 

 though not more than could have been expected in classify- 

 ing and arranging so vast a body of materials as poured in ; 

 but through the active exertions of Mr. Jeffries, the pains- 

 taking Secretary of the Amalgamated Society, aU was soon 

 brought into order. 



Although it could have been wished that the Exhibition 

 had been spread over a less extent, still the efiect of the 

 display of specimen plants occupying the body of the 

 Hail, was excellent, especially when seen by gaslight. The 

 Pompones in particular, being studded with innumerable 

 red, white, and yellow flowers, seemed even more attractive 

 by night than by day, and when viewed from the galleries 

 had a most charming appearance, whilst in the galleries 

 themselves were long lines of cut blooms, chiefly of the 

 large-flowering kinds. 



In sis plants of the large-flowering varieties, Mr. Glover, 

 gardener to R. C. Lepage, Esq., Brixton, was first, with 

 Dr. Maclean, Trilby, a magnificent plant of Jewess (orange 

 red), Vesta, Prince Albert, and Chevalier Domage, all of 

 which were very compact. Mr. George, gardener to Miss 

 Nicholson, Stamford HiU, was second. 



In threes, Mr. Monk, of Tottenham, was first, with a fine 

 plant of Christine, Eifleman, and Defiance. Mr. Weston, 

 gardener to D. Martineau, Esq., Clapham Park, came in 

 second, having fine plants of Chevalier Domage and Golden 

 Christine. Prizes were also awarded to Mr. Glover, BIr. 

 George, and Mr. Whitbread. 



In six Pompones, Mr. Beecher, gardener to T. Chandler, 

 Esq., Shooter's HUl, was first ; Mr. Weston, second : and 

 Mr. Ward, third ; and among the plants which they exhibited 

 were beautiful examples of Salamon, Requiqui, Helena, Cedo 

 NuUi, and General Cam-obert. 



In tliree Pompones, Mr. AVhitbread had the first prize ; 

 Mr. Beecher being second ; and Mr. Ward, and Mr. Monk, 

 the third and fourth respectively. Among these exhibitions 

 were excellent examples of Golden Cedo Nulli, Bob, Cedo 

 NuUi, General Canrobert, and other well-known kinds. 



Excellent groups were exhibited by Mr. Whitbread, Mr. 

 George, and Mr. Ward, who each received prizes. 



In the Nurserymen's Classes for .specimen plants. Mi'. 

 Forsyth, and Mr. Oubridge, of Stoke Ne>vington, were respec- 

 tively first and second throughout. In that for six plants, 

 the former had Aregina, Defiance, Christine, Alma, Annie 

 Salter, and Eifleman ; and in threes. Prince Albert, ciimson, 

 very fine ; Golden Christine, and Insigne. 



In six Pompones, Mr. Forsyth contributed General Can- 



