Ixiv 



PROCEEDINGS. 



stance to which the extraordinary luxuriance of the vines is 

 no doubt in a great measure due. The heating is effected 

 by hot water in six rows of 4-inch pipes, which traverse a 

 hollow chamber, closed in with flags, which form the bottom 

 of the border. Drain-tiles are laid thickly on the flags, and 

 the interstices between the tiles are filled with rough mate- 

 rial, over which are placed turves so as to secure perfect 

 drainage. On this is laid the soil, about 18 inches deep, 

 consisting of light loam, liberally mixed with broken bones 

 and leaf-mould, and kept very loose and porous— an excel- 

 lent condition in a vine border. Small pipes communi- 

 cating with the drainage are passed through the soil, by 

 means of which the bottom of the border can be kept damp 

 when desirable ; and when surface heat is wanted, it can be 

 obtained 1 through pipes of a larger bore communicating 

 between the chamber and the surface. As to the glass 

 covering, it is a span -roofed house 9 feet high in the centre 

 and filled with vines, which are ripening a succession crop. 

 The partition between the glass erection over the border 

 and the vinery is so constructed that every alternate vine in 

 the vinery can be taken out into the cool house over the 

 border, to be afterwards introduced for succession, or a vine 

 in fruit can be moved without injury to the outside of the 

 vinery if desirable. 

 Miscellaneous Subjects of Exhibition : Two specimens of Ser- 

 pent Cucumber from Syon House — a description of fruit 

 cultivated only for ornament : they are not eatable when 

 ripe. When young they have been boiled and used as 

 pickles and in curries ; but the propriety of using them 

 even then is questionable, for they are in reality poisonous, 

 a quality indicated indeed by their unpleasant smell. From 

 Mr. Jackson, of Kingston, an Achimenes introduced from 

 Central America by Mr. Skinner, which, though different, 

 had much general resemblance to A. coccinea or rather 

 rosea ; but with deeper coloured flowers than those of the 

 latter ; and finally from J. Luscombe, Esq., of Combe Royal, 

 Kingsbridge, was a cut specimen of Bignonia Cherere, a 

 magnificent conservatory climber, not grown as extensively 

 as it deserves ; for it produces its long gay-coloured trumpet- 

 shaped flowers in abundance during the whole summer, and, 

 if allowed, will cover a large amount of surface. Along 

 with it were also cut specimens of the following half-hardy 

 shrubs, which have for several years been growing in the 

 open air in the pleasure-grounds at Combe Royal, viz. : — 

 Poinciana Gilliesii ; Veronica speciosa and decussata ; 

 Statice Dicksoni; Acacia dealbata, verticillata (broad- 



