462 
I N-vei.iker 29,1883. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAuLENLE. 
the so-called Violas of the present day are simply bedding Pansies 
selected for their floriferous character and bright telling colours. I am 
not sure but those of my friend, Mr. Grieve of Messrs. Dickson & Co., 
in these respects excel any I have ever raised as hybrids. For dwarf 
habit and continuous flowering the hybrids are difficult to treat. In the 
months of June and July, however, few plants of any kind can equal the 
grand mass of blue seen in Messrs. Dickson’s Tory, or the golden yellow 
of their Sovereign. These varieties have more of the character of the 
Pansy than the Viola, and most of their strains are of a similar character. 
Mr. Grieve and I have had many discussions on the subject, and I do not 
suppose he even maintains that there is much of the cornuta character in 
his Violas. In order to prevent my Violas becoming like Pansies I grow 
no Pansies in the same garden, and in that way have succeeded in per¬ 
petuating a true and distinct strain of dwarf, hardy, free-flowering 
bedders, which resist our harsh climate better than any plants I am 
acquainted with.— Charles Stuart, M.D., Hillside, Chirnside, N.B. 
WINTER KING GRAPE. 
I SEE in the report of the Fruit Committee held at Kensington on 
the 13th, that Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited a Grape called the Winter 
King, but that confirmatory evidence was required of the way in which 
it was obtained. I am pleased to be able to confirm the account given 
of it, as I saw the bunches on the Vine a fortnight before it was ex¬ 
hibited, and must say that a finer Grape for winter could not well be 
seen. Fancy a Grape with the colour of an Ickworth Imperatrice Plum, 
and with every quality which a winter Grape ought to possess, and we 
have that which has long been wanted. 
For bold and striking individuality Winter King Grape is the most 
handsome in cultivation ; in colour it is deep blue-black, which makes it 
stand out conspicuous from any other Grape known, and gives it a rich 
appearance hanging on the Vine. It is of robust constitution, a free 
setter, colours freely, rich, juicy, with a slight aroma similar to a well- 
finished Black Hamburgh. The way in which it was stated it was obtained 
was correct in every particular. A more striking effect of the stock 
upon the scion could not well be conceived. —J. GADD, Gardener to Sir 
T. B. Lennard, Bart., Belhus, Aueley. 
We regret to announce the death of Mr. James Gray, the well- 
known hothouse builder of Chelsea, which occurred on the 24th inst., 
at the age of 73. Mr. Gray caught a cold last Thursday week, when 
returning frcm a meeting of the Committee of the Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution, with which he had for many years been associated) 
and this turning to bronchitis resulted in his death. Mr. Gray, originally 
a gardener, was a native of East Lothian, and being a good draughtsman 
and designer he, after practising his art, entered the works of the late 
Mr. John Weeks of Chelsea, where he was engaged for some years. 
Eventually he began business on his own account, along with 
Mr. Ormson, and they for many years carried on a very successful 
business, and afterwards they parted, each of them being the heads of 
large establishments. We are glad to know that Mr. Gray’s works will 
be continued by his son, Mr. Alfred Gray, to whom we wish every 
success. Mr. Gray was grandnephew to the celebrated Johnnie Dowie, 
immortalised by the poet Burns and the Edinburgh literati of the last 
century as the keeper of that tavern which was their social haunt, and 
who was himself a man of no indifferent attainments. His funeral takes 
place this day (Thursday) at the Brompton Cemetery at 3 p.m. 
A lecture was delivered in the Parkes Museum, Margaret Street, 
Regent Street, on Thursday evening last, by Mr. Murray, on the Potato 
Disease. The lecturer treated the subject in an able and practical 
manner, giving a life history both of the Potato and the disease. The 
lecture was illustrated by eleven diagrams. No hopes were given of 
exterminating the disease, but the introduction of a new species of 
Potato was favourably spoken of. Mr. Murray seemed to give most 
favour to the unpopular system of consuming or destroying all the 
1 otatoes of one season, and obtaining seed from another locality and 
introducing them from a locality or country where they were free from 
disease. The lecture was followed by a short discussion 
- A large sale of Orchids in Flower was held in Messrs. 
Protheroe & Morris s Auction Rooms, Cheapside, and a number of 
Orchid growers were present. Quite a bright display was produced by 
the number of flowers, OJontoglossum Alexandra; being especially 
notable, one splendid variety of which was sold for nine guineas, and a 
small plant in a 60-size pot of a dark-coloured form of 0. punctatum was 
purchased for fifteen guineas. Some fine Oncidiums and Phalasnopses 
were included, together with a large number of the distinct Eucharis 
Sanderi, which was flowering very freely. 
- In the pleasure grounds at Kew the common Strawberry Tree, 
Arbutus Unedo, and its varieties, notably A. Unedo Croomii, are well 
worth notice at this dull season. When grown in sheltered positions, 
which is almost essential to the production of fruit in quantity in this 
country, the contrast between the creamy white flowers and the rich 
scarlet fruits is very attractive. 
- The lakes in the same establishment, which are always a 
source of much enjoyment to visitors, have within the past few weeks 
undergone a much-needed alteration. The end nearest the Palm house, 
which was hitherto inconveniently narrow, has been considerably 
widened and the edges made more irregular. The bed, too, has been 
cleared of the Potamogetons, Myriophyllums, &c., with which it was 
infested, with, we believe, a view to introducing Water Lilies and other 
aquatics of a'more ornamental character. 
■- The Ealing and District Chrysanthemum Show, held on 
the 21st inst., was a great success in the number and quality of the 
exhibits ; plants, blooms, fruit, and vegetables being well represented. 
An interesting class was provided for cooked Potatoes, and the competi¬ 
tion was very keen, about two dozen dishes being staged. An excellent 
collection of Apples and Potatoes w r as exhibited by Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, 
and Messrs. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, contributed a large and beautiful 
group of Chrysanthemums. 
- Mr. Robt. D. Long, Cranbourne Court, Winkfield, Windsor, 
writes respecting Chou de Burghley as follows:—“As much has 
been written from time to time in favour of the above, we were induced 
to give it a trial. We commenced cutting it a month ago, and after 
repeated trials in cooking do not find it in any way superior to the 
ordinary Cabbage. We shall leave a portion of the plants to stand 
through the winter, for if they will form heads of Broccoli later on, will 
be most useful in that way.” 
- A correspondent writes—“ In your report of the Llwes 
Chrysanthemum Show in last week’s Journal a slight error has 
occurred owing to a transposition of names. In the open class for twenty- 
four cut blooms you state that Mr. Barchard, gardener to C. Cornwell, Esq., 
was third. It should read—Mr. C. Cornwell, gardever to F. Barchard, 
Esq. I know the latter gentleman, who is locally famed for his skill in 
Chrysanthemum culture.” 
- The second number of the “ Science Monthly ” contains several 
interesting and instructive articles, and if this periodical is continued as 
well as it has been commenced it will undoubtedly become very popular. 
The principal subjects are“ The Aurora,” Disease Germs, “ Some Account 
of New Guinea,” a paper read before the British Association this year 
by Mr. Coutts Trotter ; ” “ The Transmission of Energy,” “ Lessons from 
Common Plants,” and the Biography of Sir John Lubbock, Bart., with 
a portrait. 
- Relative to the Lincoln Chrysanthemum Show, reported 
in our last issue, Mr. Wipf informs us that the first prize for six incurved 
blooms was awarded to him, also the second prize for twelve blooms, and 
not to Mr. Coulling. The errors occurred through some of the prize cards 
being accidentally placed on the wrong stands, but afterwards rectified. 
The collection of blooms shown at this Exhibition, and stated in our 
report, page 451, to be from the Inner Temple Gardens, London, were, 
we are informed, shown by Mr. Wright, gardener at the Middle Temple. 
Mr. J. J. Lowry writes :—In your report of the Borough of Hackney 
Chrysanthemum Exhibition, James Macanderson, Esq., and J. Lewry, 
gardener, should be read James Macandrew, Esq., and J. J. Lowry, 
gardener. 
- “Yorkshire” writes—“I notice there has been some corre¬ 
spondence in the Journal lately respecting fuel for heating boilers. 
I have the last month been usiDg breeze coke, which I procured from 
a colliery through a friend of mine, and which cost me 11s. 6d. per ton, 
carriage paid to any station in the East Riding of Yorkshire. As gas 
coke with me is very dear, I find this breeze coke comes in at about the 
same price, while the pieces are about the right size for use, thus saving 
the labour of breaking, and occupying less room. It is also harder and 
