APPENDIX. 709 



nary state of the plant. It will be found, however, more easy in practice to gorge 

 a stinted plant than to luxuriate the ordinary state of one ; and hence the most 

 successful cultivators of double stocks are those who grow them first in a starved 

 condition, and then luxuriate them in a very rich soil ; or stint the plant by keep- 

 ing the seed for some years, provided it is only strong enough to grow. I^have 

 seen seed kept till it was thought to be too old for growing, produce almost every 

 plant with double flowers ; while the very same seed, a few years before, had 

 rarely a double flower among the lot. This will be found a more easy method 

 than to produce the same effect by extra-vigorous seeds, and is that most adopted 

 in practice. 



869, in p. 408. In beds of ranunculus flowers, it is easy to pick out the varie- 

 ties recently raised from seed, from the older varieties, by the greater vigour of the 

 plant. The older varieties of the dahlia, whether from neglect or decay, are not 

 so vigorous as they were at coming out. It is the case with newly raised seedling 

 carnations, and flowers in general. The Lancashire gooseberries are never found 

 to maintain the weights they had originally, when a few years from seed and the 

 plant at maturity. Seedling potatoes have the leaves much more pulpy and vigorous 

 than the old varieties. It is evident that circumstances will affect these, and 

 that sometimes, from better soil, shelter, manure, &c., the case may be changed, 

 and the older varieties may sometimes be most vigorous ; but in general it will 

 be found the rule holds good, that the newest raised seedlings possess most 

 vigour. 



911, in p. 433. Whatever mode of stirring the surface be adopted, every 

 facility should be given to the admission of atmospheric air, heat, and moisture, 

 and the bottom made as dry as possible by draining. The great quantities of 

 manure given to border crops of vegetables furnish perhaps the most fruitful source 

 of sponginess in the wood. 



914, in p. 434. The land in gardens is generally too rich for potatoes to be well 

 ripened and dry ; more tubers are produced of a large size, than the leaves and 

 light are able to ripen and fill with starch. 



954, in p. 452. I believe the assumption is correct that the vine when forced is 

 not calculated to sustain uninjured a temperature much below 40. I have had 

 vines under my care greatly injured by being exposed to the rigours of winter, and 

 I have known several instances of its happening to others. H. C. O. 



958, in p. 454. It is most vexatious to find a fruit tree has been planted untrue to 

 name, but in the case of the vine it is easily remedied, by grafting the sort re- 

 quired upon it ; this will save several years, as a vine, if grafted on a good strong 

 stock, should be in full bearing the third year. H. C. O. 



959, in p. 454, and 1283, in p. 585. I cannot subscribe to the practice of de- 

 priving a vine of a portion of its leaves when the fruit is ripening ; if the roots are 

 not at fault a deficiency of colour hi the grape more frequently arises from a 

 deficiency of air, or by the plant being too heavily cropped, than by being shaded. 

 I have seen grapes attain the darkest colour densely shaded by leaves ; and, on 

 the contrary, I have seen them attain only a grisly red colour when light and the 

 sun's rays were admitted to the utmost extent possible. H. C. O. 



990, in p. 473. It is there said" The roots should be well supplied with water 

 before the fruit begins to ripen off." I think both the peach and cherry tree 

 oftentimes lose their fruit by injudicious watering ; both at the time of the setting 

 and stoning of the fruit, water should be administered very sparingly ; this I con- 

 sider a very material point to be attended to. H. C. O. 



