April 24, 1984. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
335 
the ordinary practice inasmuch as the Vines are repotted when starting into 
growth. On this subject Mr. Bardney observes :—“ It is by no means a com¬ 
mon practice to remove Vines intended for fruiting from the pots in which 
they have been grown the previous year into those of a larger size. The 
system may not be new or original, but I have never seen it carried out until 
I practised it here in 1879 as an experiment, and was then ridiculed by more 
than one, who said if the Vines had been plunged in pots of a larger size, 
and the bottoms knocked out of those in which they were growing, there 
would have been some sense in the plan. This considerably daunted my 
courage for a time, and I entertained grave doubts about the success of 
transferring Vines into larger pots. However, they succeeded so well that 
I was tempted to try it again last year, which I did with marked success, 
and can now recommend the system as a safe and satisfactory one. This 
operation must be carried out with care both in potting and supplying the 
Vines with water afterwards for some time, or the result may not be very 
satisfactory. Grapes can be grown finer in pots both as regards bunch, 
berry, and flavour—in fact, in all respects when subject to repotting if care¬ 
fully done—than could be the case if the Vines remained in the pots in which 
they were grown. After the Vines become established in their new pots they 
are not so uncertain as when fruited in the pots in which they were grown. 
They are not so liable to become dry at the roots, or to suffer from too large 
a supply of water, as is sometimes the case on the other system. Not un- 
frequently, for fear of erring on the wrong side, they receive too much water, 
and at a time when they are being supplied liberally with liquid manure. 
When repotted they have abundance of substantial food in all stages which 
would otherwise have to be supplied by means of the watering pot. If 
liquid manure is applied long after colouring commences the flavour of the 
Grapes is invariably deficient, and, if not supplied with stimulants, what 
have the Vines to feed upon in the pots in which they were grown the year 
previous ? When repotted they do not require much feeding. A little can 
be given according to the richness of the compost and the size of the pots ; 
it can be discontinued at any time, so as not to be any detriment to the 
flavour of the Grapes. I must here condemn the system of starting Vines 
in bottom heat, and having their roots in advance of the top growth, if they 
are intended to be repotted afterwards. I have tried it, but cannot recom¬ 
mend it : the fresh roots are broken in carrying out the operation, and do 
more harm than good, and the system is dangerous and uncertain. Before 
potting the soil should be in readiness, and laid for a few days before being 
used in the house in which the Vines are growing, to be well warmed, so that 
no check will be occasioned by the use of cold soil. The soil should be rich, 
and consist of good fibry loam, manure, and small bone dust, and a little 
coarse sand if needed, or any other ingredients Vine-growers prefer, but the 
compost given will answer the purpose well. The pots should be well drained 
and covered with the roughest of the compost or a few horse droppings, and 
then potting should be proceeded with, the crocks and any loose soil from the 
surface of the old ball only being removed, disturbing the roots as little as 
possible. The soil must be pressed firmly into the pots, gradually sloping 
to the Vine in the centre, and, if convenient, space should be left for further 
top-dressing. I have tried reducing the old ball, or, at least, disentangling 
some of the roots to lay into the new soil, but this is scarcely a safe plan. 
Before potting, the old balls should be in a thoroughly moist state, so that 
water will not be necessary for a few days or a week. After potting the 
Vines can be tied up where they are intended to fruit, and if bottom heat 
is to be applied after the Grapes are set they can be so arranged in tying that 
the pots can be drawn forward to the bottom heat without untying. If 
plunged the watering must not be left to a careless hand, but to one who will 
use the water pot judiciously, and apply the water with care and caution. 
Careful watering is needed in all stages, but especially until the pots are 
well filled with roots.” We know of no means of preventing some of the 
eyes of layered Vines rooting more quickly than others, nor do we see what 
would be gained by preventing their growth. 
Names of Plants (Somerset). —Acer Pseudo-Piatanus. (Pen and Ink). — 
1, Lunaria biennis (Honesty); 2, Stachys lanata; 3, Chrysanthemum 
maritimum compactum ; 4, Pulmonaria officinalis. (L. A. M.). —1, Sorbus 
aucuparia (Mountain Ash); 2, Acer Pseudo-Platanus ; 3, Carpinus Betulus 
(the Hornbeam); 4, Kerria japonica flore-pleno. (Polly). —The truss you 
have sent is one of the many seedling forms of the Primrose, apparently 
intermediate between the Primrose and Polyanthus. We have some exactly 
like it, but do not consider the variety worthy of naming. We simply call 
it the White Primrose Polyanthus. (J. T. S.). — Sparmannia at'ricana. 
(L. W.). —Amelanchier Botryapium. (J. S. Y.). —It is a variegated form of 
Plantago major. You would find Notcutt’s “ Handbook of British Plants,” 
published at this office, useful, price 3«. 6d., post free, 3s. 8d. (C. J. S .).— 
Dielytra eximia. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— April 23rd. 
Business at a standstill, indoor fruits and vegetables meeting no demand. 
FRUIT. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Apples . 
J sieve 
l 
6 
to 5 
0 
Oranges . 
.. 100 
6 
0 to 10 
0 
Chestnuts .. 
bushel 
10 
0 
0 
0 
Rears, kitchen .. 
dozen 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Figs . 
dozen 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,, dessert 
dozen 
1 
0 
5 
0 
Filberts . 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Pine Apples English., lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cobs . 
per lb. 
1 
3 
I 
Plums and Damsons .. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Grapes . 
.. Ib. 
S 
0 
10 
0 
Strawberries.. 
.. lb. 
2 
0 
6 
0 
Lemon . 
,. case 
IS 
0 
21 
0 
St. Michael Pines 
..each 
2 
0 
8 
0 
vegetables 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Artichokes .. .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
to 4 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
9 
to 1 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Onions . 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
0 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunohes 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts . 
4 sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage . 
dozen 
0 
s 
1 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
Capsicums .. . 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
„ Kidney .. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
e 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
4 
„ New .. 
.. lb. 
0 
4 
0 
G 
Cauliflowers .. 
dozen 
2 
0 
i 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy. 
bun die 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
6 
Cucumbers .. .. 
each 
0 
3 
0 
8 
Seakale. 
basket 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Shallots. 
.. lb. 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
bunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
6 
3 
6 
Leeks . 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Tomatoes .. .. 
.. lb. 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
S 
0 
0 
IMPROVING AND REGULATING THE SUPPLY 
OF FRESH BUTTER. 
( Continued, from page 316.) 
Having alluded to the breed of cows best adapted for buttef- 
making we must next refer to the means of regulating the supply. 
There is no doubt that it is a good plan for dairy farmers to breed 
their own cattle, in order that they may be assured of the qualities 
of the animals when mated ; in fact, we never ought to breed from 
a cow with a small record of milk, even if the cream is rich. On 
the other hand, it is not advisable to retain in the dairy any cow 
with a large record of milk of poor quality with but little cream. 
There is another way to view this matter which is not favourable to 
the raising of butter-making cows by the dairy farmer himself, for 
only a comparative few of such men, although they may attempt 
to rear their own stock for furnishing full records of butter, possess 
that knowledge of selection and discrimination of animals having 
all the required points and qualities which can alone secure those 
required in the progeny. As this is a well-known state of things we 
will not attempt to enfore the breeding and rearing of the farmer’s 
own stock, but advise him to select in the markets such animals only 
as are not only great milk-producers, but will also furnish a record 
of the most cream. We must not be too positive as regar s the 
position and situation of the dairy farmer to be able, except at great 
inconvenience and expense, to obtain the best butter-yielding cows, 
for in many of the western and north-midland counties, where the 
making of cheese prevails to a great extent, cows as great milkers 
may frequently be obtained. It is not, however, easy to obtain the 
Channel Island cattle without being prepared to purchase animals 
bought on commission, in which case the farmer is entrusting his 
business in the hands of men who may or may not be able and 
willing to furnish him with such cows as are specially suitable for 
butter-making. Thus it will be seen there are difficulties to contend 
with in each direction. The farmer must not, however, be dis¬ 
couraged by the prospect when entering upon his business ; but we 
will endeavour to direct him in the right course. 
First make it a rule, which may always be considered a safe one, 
that “like begets like,” and in the endeavour to carry out this object, 
if we breed only from those animals on either side which possess, 
or in the case of male animals have descended, from stock possessing 
the double capacity of large records of milk and cream, the farmer 
will then be moving in the right track ; but breeding is not really 
so simple a matter as many suppose. Everything depends upon 
judicious selection of animals for mating, not only in the first instance 
but ever after, so that selection, and that almost entirely, is the only 
security for successful operations in breeding our own stock. It 
often requires the utmost resolution and determination to discard 
some animals which have not a record of produce such as can yield 
full profits. This selection can only be obtained by adopting what 
we will call the American system of keeping a daily record of the 
milk given by every cow, so that by careful selection and breeding 
only from the heaviest milkers of the highest cream record, by sires 
also selected from the heavy milking dams, this will most surely 
produce results which may seem all but impossible. We have one 
more point to consider, which is the result of our own experience, 
for in the event of cross-bred cows being chosen for a butter-jdelding 
dairy, that the cross should be obtained from the Shorthorn cow 
being mated with the Channel Island bull, the Guernsey, however, 
being the best ; and Guernsey blood will furnish the greatest record 
of the richest cream. 
Let us now try to ascertain the quantity of milk which should be 
considered as a full record from each cow per annum, for although 
some cows of a good breed or cross may furnish a good weight of 
milk per week for a period of five or even six months, still we do 
not consider the milking period is sufficient when limited to any 
such period, but should really be regulated by the time when the 
cow again springs for calving the next time. As a cow yielding a 
large quantity of rich milk requires much more care and attention 
than a poor milker, it becomes a more difficult question, especially if 
we consider improving our supply to consist of several operations in 
care-taking, because in neglecting either it is at variance with those 
systems upon which our profits are based. Feeding is an important 
point to which we have sufficiently referred ; but health, especially 
during pregnancy, is of the highest importance, and as abortion 
amongst cows is a most serious derangement of any mode or system 
