AUGUST. 



115 



throw out young after-growths in August and September, and with what 

 difficulty they can be induced to take a period of rest so essential to all deci- 

 duous plants like Vines before they are started into growth, to produce early 

 Grapes in March. 



I am very glad to observe that Mr. Henderson understands why Grapes 

 ripened under the influence of a moderate December sun are thinner skinned 

 than those ripened under an autumn sun ; and that he can account for their 

 colouring well " with comparatively little sun where there is abundance of 

 light." I am quite sure he will oblige many of your readers besides myself 

 if he wiil explain these matters ; for he may remember that in a previous 

 communication I expressed the hope that some one would. 



With regard to what Mr. Henderson says about the inarch of certain Vines 

 to the rubbish-heap, brought about by their being forced as those here have 

 been, all I can say is that I never heard of any such cases, though my know- 

 ledge of such matters is not very limited either as to time or space. Certain 

 it is that the facility with which ours started into growth in August as com- 

 pared with October saved them from the rubbish-heap, and that, though very 

 unsightly old Vines, they are far more vigorous than when they used to be 

 started in October. 



In conclusion, let me say that I hope Mr. Henderson will not forget his 

 promise to give us his remarks on the thinning of Grapes, for his great success 

 as a Grape-grower gives importance to any communication he may make on 

 the subject. 



Dalkeith Pari:. W. Thomson. 



ROSES FOR BUDDING. 



Constitution is the basis of Rose success. It is useless in our climate to 

 buy or propagate Roses that are bad growers or bad in constitution. In order 

 to find out this previous to propagation, I planted out February the 1st, 165 pot 

 plants (May is the best time for their welfare), but nothing could be learnt of 

 their constitutions and powers of endurance. The only protection these infants 

 had was a hurdle to keep off the furious W. and S.W. wind. In such a wet, 

 cold, windy spring and summer the severity of the test will be admitted by all. 

 Some of these I am about to speak of were here last year and wintered well . I 

 have formed my judgment, not by one plant of a sort but by many. 



The first five are the nearest perfection of any Roses that have been out for 

 years— Comtesse Cecile de Chabrillant, Senateur Vaisse, Madame Furtado, and 

 Empereur de Maroc. These are the types of shape, and are good in every 

 respect. The next three are also eclectic and grand Roses, of the highest order 

 of merit— viz., Victor Verdier, Madame Boll, and General Washington. These 

 are also strong-constitutioned Roses of free growth. 



I Mall now speak of dark Roses. Maroc is the best of all, except perhaps a 

 first-rate bloom of La Quintinie. To it may now be added Prairie de Terre 

 Noire, the fullest and good upon both stocks ; Due de Gazes, strong grower 

 upon both stocks ; Princesse Mathilde, and Madame Melanie. These have all 

 good constitutions ; the two last have not been full, nor in such a season could 

 we expect it of them on weak stocks. The colour of Mathilde is like Patrizzi, 

 and very fine, The next lot are good Roses and hardy — Triomphe d'Amiens] 

 Madame Charles Crapelet, l'Elegante, (not Nouvelie), nearly white and of fine 

 foliage and growth. I have fourteen plants of the first Rose", and several are in 

 bloom ; its oftenest colour is rich red lustrous crimson, with a beautiful super- 

 induction of velvety lake in broad stripes and splotches. Last year at the fall 



