278 General Notices. 



they grew was good ; the wood was strong, and well matured ; and he judged, 

 therefore, that he might allow them to produce the above quantity. Yes, 

 but says the critic, what will they do the next year? Will they not be 

 totally exhausted ? In answer to these questions, I reply that the vines are 

 this season showing well nearly to the top of the house, and are breaking 

 strong down to the bottom of each rafter, and showing fruit at nearly every 

 eye The Hamburghs were commenced in December last, and are now in a 

 forward state, quite as strong as any one need wish. The Muscats are also 

 now breaking well, and showing abundance of fruit. Many persons that 

 saw them last year prophesied that, this year, they would be a complete 

 failure ; such, however, happily is not the case, and such persons would do 

 well to visit Cooper's Hill, to be perfectly convinced they were mistaken in 

 their judgment. I conceive the great cause of the success is the sound 

 border — not too rich, and well drained, which caused the vines to make 

 wood well matured, and full of fruit-bearing sap. I have dwelt upon this 

 part of my subject somewhat long, but I was anxious to do justice to Mr. 

 Gerrie's good management of the vines. — {Gard. Journ., 1848, p. 182.) 



Cullivaiion of Chinese Azaleas. — Your correspondent, "A New Sub- 

 scriber," should procure a lot of Azalea phosnicea for stocks. Small plants 

 struck laie last year, that are now in small 60-sized pots, if shifted into 

 large 60"s, and put into a hot frame now, will make most excellent plants 

 to work about the first week in June. I prefer phcenicea, for stocks, to any 

 other sort, for I find it will bear more rough treatment without injury than 

 any other, and may be grown as strong as any one can wish. A brisk, 

 moist heat, is necessary, and, if no better provision is made, a common 

 handglass in a hot frame will do exceedingly well to put the plants under 

 as soon as they are grafted. Take young shoots of the current year's 

 growth, about three or four joints long ; if the top of the shoot is used, pinch 

 out the heart. Side-grafting is best, and more readily done ; let the cut be 

 about half an inch long ; do not cut the stock deeper than the scion will fill 

 up ; tie with very soft bass, cotton, or worsted. If very large plants are 

 wanted in very little time, put three or four grafts on a plant. Set them 

 under the handglass as soon as they are done ; after which they only want 

 looking to, to mind they do not flag or get too damp. In two or three weeks, 

 they will begin to grow, when they will require a little air. I never have 

 a failure, and many of my plants flower the following year. The follow- 

 ing twelve are the best I am acquainted with : — 1. Formosum — fiery 

 red, fine shape, thick, firm corolla ; 2. Perryana — salmonish pink, fine 

 shape, thick, firm corolla; 3. Murrayana — bright deep rosy carmine, large, 

 good shape, and fair substance; 4. Ignescens — fiery crimson, large, very 

 showy, good substance, shape not first rate ; 5. Exquisite — French white, 

 or lilac, tinted with deep pink, bad shape, but so distinct in color as to he 

 generally grown and admired ; 6. Optima — fiery deep red, fine shape, thick, 

 firm corolla; 7. Grandis — fine purple, large, good substance, very showy ; 



8. Variegata — French white and reddish pink, fine shape, thick, firm corolla ; 



9. Gladstanesii — paper white, striped, and spotted with bright red, fine 

 shape, thick, firm corolla ; 10. Laieritia — brick red, fine shape, thick, firm 



