Large Vine at Sellwood Park. 439 



that stones or gravel is the best substance for heating by 

 steam, in a close chamber ; and that earth is the best sub- 

 stance for plunging the pots in. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Edinburgh, Jan. 22. 1830. John Hay. 



Art. XXII. Some Account of a large Vine at Sellwood Park, the 

 Seat of Michie Forbes, Esq., Sunning Mill, Berkshire. By Mr. 

 H. Gumming, Gardener to Mr. Forbes. 



- . Sir, 



The large Black Hamburgh vine at this place was brought 

 from Sion Hill gardens, then the Duke of Marlborough's, in 

 1 810. It was then a small plant, which had been struck that 

 season from an eye, and it was planted in Sellwood Park 

 garden in 1811. For the first year or two nothing very 

 remarkable was noticed in its growth, more than that it had 

 a very healthy appearance. About the fourth or fifth year 

 after planting, it had nearly filled the small house it was in. 

 The house was then lengthened 20 ft., and in about two years 

 afterwards it had nearly supplied it with strong healthy bearing 

 wood. The house was then again, and has been since, length- 

 ened. The present length of the house is about 90 ft., breadth 

 1 3 ft. ; number of bunches on the vine 1 1 00 : and it is in- 

 tended to have the house lengthened 36 ft. more next autumn. 

 To show the vigour of this remarkable young vine, I may men- 

 tion that, when three years ago the house was lengthened an 

 additional 35 ft., the second year afterwards the shoots reached 

 to the end of it. It is a remarkably good bearer, producing 

 a fine large dark berry of an excellent flavour. Many of the 

 bunches weigh upwards of 2 lbs. ; some cut last year almost 

 2\ lbs. It stands nearly hi the centre of the house. It has a 

 beautiful straight stem, upwards of 6 ft. in height ; and then 

 branches off each way horizontally, with nine principal lead- 

 ing shoots. 



The mode of training, and fine healthy strong appearance 

 of the vine, together with the excellent crop of grapes which 

 it produces every year, excite the admiration of every gentle- 

 man and gardener who comes here; and the vine, on the 

 whole, is allowed by them to surpass that at Hampton Court, 

 or any other vine in the country. Its roots may be said to 

 be both in and out of the house ; as it is planted inside, but # 

 the front wall being on arches, many of the roots are in the 

 ©Id asparagus beds in front. We have already begun to 



F F 4< 



