Taplow House, Cumberland Lodge Gardens. 7 



treatment was necessary than that of the common mode. It is 

 this: — At the spring season, when the common kinds begin to 

 shoot, these are all cat down nearly to the surface of the ground : 

 the consequence is, that, instead of fruit, new shoots are produced, 

 which in the autumn bring forth a crop. However, it is necessary, 

 from this mode of procedure, to keep up a constant succession of 

 young plants, as in two or three years, at most, the old ones will 

 be worn out: hence Mr. Springall, every season, plants out two 

 or three rows of young plants; which plan is, year after year, fol- 

 lowed on through the quarter, at the same time destroying the 

 old plants that have become useless. There are, doubtless, many 

 gardeners who are acquainted with the above mode of producing 

 a late crop of raspberries; but to such as are strangers to it the 

 above may be useful. Here I saw a crop of the large-veined 

 white beet, the leaves of which, I was given to understand, were 

 used as a substitute for spinach, by first separating all the small 

 veins from the leafy part, and then boiling it in the common way; 

 and that the large white rib in the centre was used as a substitute 

 for sea-kale. A friend of mine has since favoured me with a 

 root of this plant; and I am willing to allow that the leaf, when 

 separated from the veins, and well boiled, may be considered as 

 a very good substitute for spinach ; but I cannot speak so favour- 

 ably of the midrib answering instead of sea-kale, as its flavour is 

 far less delicate, and accompanied with a taste that is much less 

 agreeable. But to return, Mr, Springall's peach trees under 

 frames do him great credit: he has had an abundant crop of fine 

 fruit this year ; and the wood promises equal success for the en- 

 suing season. On bidding adieu to Mr. Springall, I considered 

 that I was parting from one who possessed that complete devo- 

 tion to his calling, upon which success, in general, depends, and 

 in which he has preeminently distinguished himself. 



Cumberland Lodge Gardens. — The object of my visit to these 

 gardens was principally to have a sight of the celebrated vine 

 growing there ; and my expectations, from what 1 had heard, 

 were more than realised. I was informed by one, but which 

 was contradicted by another, that this vine was raised from a 

 cutting of the large vine at Hampton Court. Be this as it may, 

 it is but of little consequence: it is sufficient to know that they 

 are both of the black Hamburg kind. The vine at Cumberland 

 Lodge Gardens is '2,5 years old, and is planted inside about mid- 

 way from back to front, standing at nearly equal distances from 

 each end of a liouse, which, by repeated lengthenings, is now 

 138 ft. long. The breadth of the house is 15 ft. The last ad- 

 dition to it was made at the eastern end, about a year ago ; it will 

 consequently take a year or two more before the vine will have 

 completely filled that end of the house : when it has, I was in- 

 formed, it is in contemplation to widen the house at the front, 



B 4 



