AugoBt 5, 1876. ] 



JOUBNAL OF HOBTICULTDRB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB, 



109 



if firm woo3 is selected and the work quickly done ; if 5 inches 

 of the cutting are put iirmly in the ground and 1 inch left out ; 

 if shade is afforded and water given occasionally, not one 

 catting in twenty will fail to grow. — A Sdrrey Gardeneb. 



ROYAL ASCOT GRAPE. 



SM-U.L BUNCHES VERSUS LARQE. 



This Grape is doing very well with me this year — so well, in 

 fact, that I am desirous of saying a word or two in its favour. 

 It is a very distinct variety ; the berries are large, elongated 

 like a Muscat, invariably colouring well, of a deep glossy 

 black, the singular lustre being visible through the bloom, im- 

 parting a brilliancy to the appearance of the ripe fruit that is 

 very attractive. The bunches have none of the tapering 

 symmetry peculiar to most other black Grapes, but consist of 

 two parts, which may be compared to the shoulders of a large 

 bunch of Black Hamburgh minus the remainder of the bunch, 

 the berries being disposed in the form of clusters rather than 

 of bunches. Although these clusters are hardly large enough 

 to entitle them to be placed singly upon the exhibition table, 

 yet they are sufficiently so for all practical purposes, the fruit 

 itself being very large and of a rich, crisp, piquant flavour. 

 Its free-bearing and equally excellent setting properties are too 

 well known to need any commendation at my hands. The 

 rage for big bunches has probably caused it to fall somewhat 

 into neglect ; but to those who only require a first-class Grape 

 for table I strongly recommend it as a robust and sterling sort, 

 which under fair treatment may always be depended upon for 

 affording a supply of fine fruit as rich in appearance as in 

 quality. 



From the great utility of this Grape arises the thought. Are 

 we right in regarding as best those kinds which produce the 

 largest bunches ? The experience gained in supplying the re- 

 quirements of a large establishment induces me to reply, 

 Decidedly not. It is true enough that large bunches of Grapes 

 may obtain an extra meed of admiration when first cut as well 

 as when suspended on the Vines, but it must never be forgotten 

 that all Grapes are grown to be eaten, and it is upon the 

 berries that a final and critical judgment is passed. Large 

 bunches are therefore most suitable for exhibition and for 

 grand occasions, such as large parties, but for everyday use 

 nice little "lumpy" bunches of from 1 to 2 lbs. weight are 

 much more useful. Being small the bunches are sooner used, 

 a fresh supply is required daily, and the neat trim appearance 

 of the Grape dish is certainly a pleasanter sight than when it 

 contains the wreck of a huge bunch or two battered, bloomlesg, 

 and absolutely greasy-looking. I am aware that this state- 

 ment may appear antagonistic to my advocacy of a house of 

 GroB Guillaume a short time ago, but in reality it is not so, 

 such " fancy " houses being only suitable for extensive gardens 

 containing several vineries, each of which ought, as a general 

 rule, to contain only one kind of Grape, an early house or two 

 forming the exception. 



It is a fact well known to most Grape-growers that many 

 sorts of Grapes may be made to produce either large or small 

 bunches at will, and yet a decided preference is usually shown 

 for the production of bunches of medium size. Small bunches 

 result almost invariably from a rigid adherence to close prun- 

 ing, and, other things being equal, there is an increase in size 

 of bunch up to a certain point that is very much in proportion 

 to the length of young wood retained upon the spurs. In 

 pruning for large bunches attention is given to the selection 

 of a full plump bud, especial care being taken that it is not a 

 double bud, as it is most vexatious to see the supposed fine 

 bud putting forth a couple of weakly shoots instead of the 

 expected strong one. Another point of importance is to avoid 

 overciowding; a just balance must be maintained. Large 

 bunches are borne on stout branches clothed with huge dark 

 green leaves requiring ample space for their full and healthy 

 development, while smaller bunches are produced on wood of 

 less vigour, and consequently requiring less space. — Edwabd 



LUCKHDESI. 



It is quite a fortnight earlier than Moorpark, which on the 

 same wall is only beginning to show a little pale colour. The 

 fruit is of medium size and highly coloured. We consider it 

 an acquisition.— J. C. Lee, Hammersmith. 



EARLY BEATRICE PEACH— ANGOUMOIS 

 APRICOT. 



We have gathered Early Beatrice Peach from a south wall 

 on July 22Qd, and kept it till the 26th, and we found the 

 keeping to improve the flavour. We gathered Angoumois 

 native Apricot from a west wall on July 2Cth quite ripe. 

 The flesh is tender and juicy, with a rich piquant flavour. 



ROSES FOR A LIMITED COLLECTION. 



I SEND you a list of Roses, not for palatial residences, but for 

 those who with limited incomes admire the queen of flowers. 



Hybrid Perpetiials. — Fisher Holmes, La France, Sfiuateur 

 Vaisse, Madame Victor Verdier, Exposition de Brie, Charles 

 Lefebvre, Maurice Bernardin, Madame la Baronne de Roth- 

 schild, Monsieur Noman, Camille Bernardin, Souvenir de la 

 Malmaiaon, Bessie Johnson, John Hopper, Annie Laxton, 

 Marquise de Castellane, Madame Parrion, Alfred Colomb, 

 Etienne Levet, Louise Van Houtte, Princess Mary of Cam- 

 bridge, Prince Camille de Rohan. Madame Clemence Joigneanx 

 as a pot Rose is superb, but shy out of doors. 



Tea. — Gloire de Dijon, Madame de St. Joseph, Catherine 

 Mermet, Madame Willermoz, Belle Lyonnaise (wall). 



Noisettes. — Triomphe de Rennes, Ruve d'Or (wall), Lamarque, 

 Cfiline Forestier, Maruchal Niel (ahy). The above have bloomed 

 well and are hardy. Any humble cottager can grow the above. 

 — Eds, Heading. 



FRUIT TREES FOR NORTH "WALLS. 



It is generally considered that few kinds of fruit trees are 

 suited for walls having a north aspect. The Morello Cherry 

 is in most instances considered the best, and there is no 

 gainsaying its free growth and bearing in such a position ; 

 but the chief value of the fruit is for culinary purposes, 

 though some esteem them for dessert after hanging a time. 

 There are those, however, who would be glad to put a north- 

 aspeeted wall to a better use, or what to them i^ a more 

 desirable one, than a glut of Morello Cherries. The May Duke, 

 which I have in three examples on a north wall, bear quite 

 as abundantly as the ten trees of the Morello on the same 

 aspect. The May Duke upon the north aspect succeeds those 

 on a warmer aspect, and they keep in good condition a long 

 time. Elton bears but sparingly, and the White Heart ia 

 rather more prolific, but neither bear so freely as the Dukes 

 and Morello. A Jargonelle Pear bears as well upon this as 

 upon a more favourable aspect ; and Pond's Seedling Plum, 

 though it grows freely, cannot be said to be profitably prolific. 

 Red Currants, also Black and White, do remarkably well on 

 a north aspect, and if well netted they keep sound until late in 

 the season. 



There are no doubt other kinds of fruit that would do 

 satisfactorily against a north wall, especially many kinds of 

 Pears, as I have seen several kinds trained over the top of a 

 wall, and down its north side, bearing as large, though not 

 so highly coloured, fruit upon the branches on the northern 

 as the sunny side of the wall, and keeping longer, ripening-oft 

 very juicy and melting, with flavour surpassing that produced 

 on the southern side, the fruit of whicb being sometimes hard 

 and woody, with a very poor aroma, being devoid of juice, and 

 anything but melting. Apples I have no experience of, and 

 of Piums have only seen the Winesour producing satisfac- 

 torily. Gooseberries, of course, answer well, and keep very late. 



The subject appears to me a suggestive one. Many Pears 

 in the south are hard and do not ripen which in the north 

 are excellent, and it is likely the kinds found to be woody, 

 mealy, or insipid, would, if grown against a north wall, be 

 melting and good. One thing is certain, a north wall is the 

 best retarder and prolonger of fruits which in a sunny posi- 

 tion do not endure long in season from over-ripeness, and 

 the fact we want to know is what kinds of fruit a north aspect 

 is adapted for other than the Morello Cherry ? — G. Abbey. 



POTATO CULTURE. 



After perusing works on the above published from the 

 office of this Journal, I have been induced, amongst other 

 points, to try the effect of earthing and non-earthing-up 

 during growth. Growing a small quantity of Kidneys on a 

 sandy loam manured in the autumn, I must say, so far as I 

 have tried them, quantity is in favour of the non-earthing ; 

 but the question naturally arises. Why should this be so ? 



I conclude all rain falling is more liable to find its way 

 into the trench caused by earthing-up, and thus the roots do 

 not, taking the season through, receive a regular supply of 



