December 16, 1869. 1 



JOUBNAL OP HOBTIODLTDEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



479 



it is needless to say, that without good foliage good fruit can 

 never be produced, every particle of crude sap drawn up by the 

 roots having to be elaborated through the agency of the leaves. 



To describe minutely the occupants of all these houses, with 

 the condition of the crops, would be unnecessary ; we shall, 

 therefore, just take a general survey, and note the most salient 

 features. 



The first house, then, which we enter is devoted principally 

 to Muscat of Alexandria Viaes, and nothing could exceed the 

 general appearance of the entire crop, the average crop on 

 each Vine being about 2.3 lbs. Some of the bunches were very 

 large, probably weighing Tibs., and none under 3 lbs. The 

 berries were large and very regular, perfectly ripened, exhibit- 

 ing that beautiful amber tint which is alone the result of first- 

 class cultivation. It may be remarked here, that to colour 

 Muscats well, the berries require exposure to the fall influence 

 of the direct sun, quite the opposite to the requirements of 

 black Grapes. Mr. Johnston is so well aware of this, and so 

 much pains does he take to secure the desired finish in every 

 part, that not content with the natural position of the bunch, 

 he first exposes and finishes one side, and then turns the shoot 

 with the bunch rouad aud exposes the other. Thus a perfect 

 amber tint is secured on almost every berry. In this house 

 there is also an example of GrosGuillaume (Black Eavbarossa), 

 with some magnificent bunches and berries, sume of the 

 bunches measuring 22 inches in length. One bunch had been 

 cut which was stated to weigh over 8 lbs.; its stalk only 

 remained for us to see, and it seemed to be so exceedingly ro- 

 bust, that it was measured and found to be half an inch in 

 iameter. 



The house succeeding to this, third in the range, is called 

 the early vinery, and is principally devoted to Black Ham- 

 burgh Ymes. The crop, which had been ripe in July, was in 

 great part over, alihough some fine bunches were still hanging 

 quite plump and fresh, aud the foliage as healthy and as green 

 as grass. From five to seven bunches averaging about 3 lbs., 

 were taken from each Vine. Here, then, is an example of 

 Duchess of Buccleuch, one bunch on which measured fully 

 15 inches in length, and was very handsome, the berries of a 

 perfect golden colour. This is, perhaps, the highest-flavoured 

 Grape in cultivation, and is on that account a great favourite 

 with Lord Strathmore. Mr. Johnston obtained the first prize 

 with it in the competition for flavour at Edinburgh. It is just 

 a little difficult to cultivate, and seldom to be seen in such per- 

 fection as with Mr. Johnston. Golden Hamburgh was here 

 also doing well, with some fine fruit, and Golden Champion — ! 

 the champion of all Grapes, was growing very vigorously in 

 several places, where it bad been inarched on the Black Ham- 

 burgh. This house btiug intended for early forcing, has the 

 advantage of bottom heat, which is easily shut off or on at 

 pleasure, by turning some valves in the interior of the house. 



Eetracing our steps on the right-hand side of the gateway, 

 after passing through the stove, we enter a mixed vinery. Here 

 some examples of Muscat of Alexandria were perfectly astound- 

 ing, such bunches, such berries, such colour, as it is rarely our 

 lot to see. Here, also, Mrs. Pince was doing well, and colour- 

 ing well, which is very frequently far from the case. That 

 noble-looking Grape, Black Prince, was likewise in fine array, 

 and Muscat Hamburgh in splendid condition, without a trace 

 of shanking, its besetting sin. Lady Downe's, one of the best 

 of our late Grapes, was looking well, and some examples of the | 

 same on the back wall truly grand. 



Next we come to what will ultimately be the late Hamburgh 

 vinery, in which arc at present some Fig trees, with only a few 

 Vines. The first plant we noticed was a Black Alicante, and 

 from this plant was cut the bunch which was considered the 

 most handsome bunch exhibited, and which obtained the prize 

 for the best bloom, at the Edinburgh Show. The two or three 

 bunches which still remained were certainly models. On the 

 back wall were fine examples of several varieties, including 

 Duchess of Buccleuch. The next house, which is also the 

 last, is termed the late vinery, being filled with examples of 

 Lady Downe's ; Black Alicante, which, for appearance, is ex- 

 celled by none, and for flavour, when well ripened, not a long 

 way behind ; Eaisin do Calabre, a coarse white sort, superseded 

 now by Thomson's White Lady Downe's ; and Black Morocco, 

 a truly handsome sort when well set and well managed, as it 

 is here, but which in ordinary circumstances is quite worthless, 

 owing to its bad setting qualities. Besides these, the permanent 

 occupants of the houses, we observed in several of them, along 

 the sides of the pathway, pillar Vines in the border bearing 

 splendid fruit. Some we observed had been cut down to the 



surface of the ground, the stump only remaining. On inquiry, 

 much to our astonishment, we were told that these were pot 

 Vines — Vines in pots plunged in the borders which had been 

 used to provide a supply of fruit for the past three years, until 

 the permanent Vines could do so. Never bava we seen Vines 

 in pots bearing so prodigiously — Muscats some 3 lbs. in weight, 

 with eight and ten bunches on a plant. &c. The roots had, of 

 course, extended beyond the pots into the soil of the border ; 

 yet so little was it the case, that they were still bonu-jide pot 

 Vines. It is a lesson worth knowing — how to provide a supply 

 of Grapes at little expense, until the work can be performed by 

 the permanent plants. 



Having now passed in general review all that relates to the 

 Vines and Vine culture at Glamis — having laid the plain facts 

 before our readers, it might be well before we close to see if 

 we cannot, from this very successful example of Grape culti- 

 vation set before us by Mr. Johnston, learn a lesson for our 

 future guidance. The idea that first-class Grapes could not be 

 cultivated thus far north, is happily proved to be erroneous. 

 To what are we to attribute Mr. Johnston's great success ^ Is it 

 to the houses themselves ? No, althoug'n they are all that can 

 be desired. Is it to the construction of the borders, their 

 drainage, aijcation, or the quality of the material? It is not to 

 the first, although that is no doubt good, nor to the second, 

 which is not used. It is, however, we believe, somewhat owing 

 to the fine quality of the soil used, its great openness and 

 freeness of texture ; and in a large measure to its great extent, 

 and the liberty which the roots have had, as well as to the cor- 

 responding scope for the development of the top — thus root 

 and branch have been in a corresponding comfortable medium ; 

 and, lastly, chiefly to the assiduous care of Mr. Johnston, in 

 providing at the proper time the requisite degree of heat, 

 moisture, &c. In short, it seems that cave and attention, with 

 very liberal treatment in every respect, are the principal wants 

 of the Vine. This is what the Vines have had at Glamis, which 

 has made them the glory of the land, and Mr. Johnston the 

 proudest, although at the same time the most unassuming of 

 Grape cultivators. 



(To be continued.) 



ROSE STOCKS. 



As the planting season extends from now to February, a few 

 remarks on stocks may be acceptable to your readers whose 

 land is similar to my own — sandy. 



For the last three years I have invariably planted below the 

 collar all my woiked Boses, either on the Manetti or Dog Eose. 

 Now, some will say those worked on the Briar would perish ; 

 granted in strong soils, but in sand I have always found during 

 the hot summer months that planting thus is much better, and 

 keeps the roots from burning. 



I have a plant (name lost) budded on the Briar, with a stock 

 18 inches long, which is quite below the surface, yet it is in a 

 flourishing condition. I have a Gloire de Dijon on the same 

 stock against a wall planted in the same manner, and it is a 

 large tree and very healthy. In our land nothing answers so 

 well as the Manetti. You have fine heads to your trees the 

 flrst year, when those on the Briar make but little wood and 

 require years to form a tree of any considerable size. 



I have one old tree of Jules Margottin, budded on the Ma- 

 netti stock, which I have had occasion to remove for alterations ; 

 its stock measured 3J inches in diameter, and the roots mea- 

 sured as many feet in length. Talk of the stock wearing out, 

 I do not think it ever wears out, but improves as it becomes 

 older. If Eoses are budded low, I find after a few years some 

 part of the tree has made roots for itself, and, if the itock do 

 wear itself out, your tree does not perish. 



If amateur growers follow my plan, say for one year, I think 

 if they have many Eoses on the Briar they will lower their 

 stocks for ever afterwards. Of course these remarks are only 

 intended for dwarfs. I have a Marechal Niel and Monplaisir 

 on a new stock, the name of which I have lost and forgotten. 

 Perhaps you can help me. — Auatede. 



[We can but guess that the stock of which you have lost the 

 name is Gloire de Dijon. — Eds.] 



Ahehican Peach Oechaeds— How they aee Eaised. — The 

 stones of the fruit are planted in the fall, come forth as young 

 trees the following spring, and are budded the first year, sb 

 soon as the season will admit. By good cultivation the trees 



