October 30, 1884. ] 
JOURl^AL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
403 
order to find out if there is a tap-root, which must be severed. 
Havinpj cut through all thick roots, the only remaining work to be 
done is to pare off all jagged ends and bruised roots with a sharp 
knife, and fill in with soil, treading it down as the work proceeds, 
finishing off with a mulching of half-decayed stable manure and 
a good watering to settle the soil about the roots. It seems 
almost superfluous to say that the best time for lifting and root- 
pruning is October and November; it may, however, with perfect 
safety, weather permitting, be carried on up till the end of 
December; still it must be admitted that the sooner the work is 
done after the middle of the first-named month the better.— 
Et CiETERA. 
NEW EOSES. 
Now that the catalogues are out our prospects for the season 
are pretty well before us, and still we are without any startling 
novelty. Some of the comparatively new Roses have held their 
own. Earl of Pembroke is a dark Marquise de Castellane, 
which Joseph Metral is said to be also. 
Madame Cusin, T., was shown at Croydon this year in won¬ 
derful loveliness, and Merveille de Lyon is spoken well of in 
all the catalogues; it is jierhaps an advance towards the still 
unfound white Perpetual. 
Lord F. Cavendish I am disappointed with, nor do I find it in 
much repute. 
The new Bourbon, Madame Isaac Perriih’e, is a marvel of 
robust growth. A bud inserted in the middle of July last with 
me is now a larger plant than many of last year's Briar stock 
buddings. I incline to think it is also likely to prove an exhi¬ 
bition Rose. 
This year Messrs. Paul & Sons offer a new Rose, Pride of 
Reigate, a sport from Comtesse d’Oxford, which is York-and- 
Lancaster the other way, being red striped with white. It is 
quite unique, and a Rose of good substance as well as a perfect 
novelty. 
Mr. W. Paul’s Queen of Queens would seem desirable as 
descended on one side from the dear old Maiden’s Blush. It 
could hardly inherit more perfect ancestral fragrance. 
Also Mr. Bennett as usual pots forward new Pedigree Roses. 
Grace Darling I have bloomed : it is a fairly strong Tea and of 
a most lovely colour—creamy white shaded with pinkish peach. 
His new Mary Bennett, H.P., can boast three first-class certifi¬ 
cates ; rose cerise by colour. But where is Her Majesty ! Alas ! 
Echo alone answers ; let us hope preparing fora wide circulation 
at least in 1885. 
Gloire Lyonnaise is highly spoken of as amongst the best of 
the new Teas, a seedling of Madame Falcot and Baronne de 
Rothschild ; also I have noted down Andre Schwartz, a deep rich 
scarlet Tea, attractive to those who venture to disagree with “ D., 
Deal,” in his disapproval of the red Teas. Under this heading I 
may mention an older dark Tea, May Paul, an improved Gloire de 
Bordeaux, not quite so rampant, and apparently more willing to 
fiower. One more comparatively modern Tea may be mentioned 
which has very rapidly won its way into favour for buttonholes, 
that is W. A. Richardson.—A. C. 
NOTES FROM THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 
In 1876 Mr. Pettigrew, Cardiff Ca-tle Gardens, gave some interesting 
details in the “Gardener ’’ of certain old Vines in various parts of England, 
and of two at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, one of the Scottish country seats 
of the Marquis of Bute, These Vines were all trained on the extension 
system, and were at the time referred to in the most vigorous health and 
bearing heavy crops. Being situated within a convenient distance of 
Dumfries House, I resolved to take a trip across country one day in 
August last to see the famous old Vines, which I had been so interested in 
reading and hearing about. Arriving at Old Cumnock station, a walk of 
about two and a half miles along the Ayr and Dumfries road leads to 
the entrance gate most convenient to the gardens. Passing along the 
carriage drive, some distance from which some fine old trees of huge 
dimensions are observed, the gate of the flower garden is reached. A 
long and broad walk extends from this gate through the centre of the 
flower garden to the ki'chen garden. The beds were gay with the usual 
flowering plants tastefully arranged. In one of the most prominent posi¬ 
tions I observed two bels filled with Tuberous Begonias in vigorous 
growth and flowering profusely. Judging from the satisfactory results 
which have in general followed the starting of these Begonias out of 
doors, they are likely soon to be used on a larger scale for bedding. 
Entering the kitchen garden, my attent'on was directed to a number of 
Plum trees on the walls carrying heavy crops of fine fruit, among which 
Kirks’ Seedling was notable. Worthy of looking at in one of the vegetable 
quarters was a breadth of Carrots, which from their luxuriant growth 
appeared to be in the right place. The stems of these had attained 
something like Asparagus dimensions. It would no doubt be gratifying 
to many to know the secret of Mr. M’Kinnon’s success with this often 
troublesome root. Crops of Peas were also abundant and good. Several 
long rows of Telegraph, Ne Plus Ultra, and Duke of Connaught were 
loaded with large well-filled pods of superb flavour. I have to confess 
turning my back on these rows of Peas with somewhat envious feelings, 
troubled as I had been for two seasons with mil lewed crops. A long 
bolder filled with Roses forms an interesting feature in the kitchen garden, 
but in common with many plantations of these this season there was a 
break in their usual flowering period owing to the intense heat and 
drought in August. 
On returning from thi kitchen garden the old vinery comes into view, 
which was the main object of my visit. Being of somewhat anii.nt 
construction, it has little to attract in its outward aspects, but as soon as 
the interior is seen and the visi'or infmmed that the two Vines which 
occupy it. Black Hamburghs, are 160 years old, he may well be astounded 
at the heavy crop of well-finished Grapes hanging from them in handsome 
bunches. As the crop at that time had but recently attained ripeness, 
there was consequently a good opportunity of seeing these two grand old 
Vines to advantage. The description of the crop given by Mr. Pettigrew 
eight years ago was not less applicable when I saw them—viz., that the 
berries were large, well hammered, as black as sloes, and I should think 
the flavour would please the most fastidious. Since Mr. McKinnon took 
charge the border has been removed, which will doubtless prolong the 
vigour ot the Vines, as the surface of the outside border now abounds 
with healthy young rootlets, which are encouraged by top-dressings. The 
old flue has also been removed by which the house was formerly heated 
and substituted by hot-water pipes, which, it is needless to siy, imparts a 
much more genial heat. To complete the renovation of the vinery, Mr. 
M'Kinnon’s proposal is to reconstruct it on such dimensi ns as would be 
commensurate with the vigorous growth of its inmates, and which, if 
carried out, woul I, I ventu-'e to predict, ultimately acquire a fame 
approaching the great Hampton Court Vine.—D. M. 
CULTURE OE MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA GRAPES. 
I HAVE received an inquiry respecting the too common fault of this 
Grape shrivelling, and it occurs to me that a few lines may not be out of 
place, more especially as I am a sufferer to a slight degree in the same 
way. My first idea is, D > we not give it too much fire heat, particularly 
in the earlier period of their growth ? I think so, and am certain this 
Grape will keep better in a lower temperature than is usually given. 
Water, I know, plays a very important part in the well-being of this 
variety ; it takes more water at the root than the black varieties generally, 
and to be sure of clean foliage syringing can be resoried to frequently 
up to colouring time. I do not advise this if Vines are clean, but I know 
the extra fire heat is just what the red spider enjoys. Do not syringe 
Vines as a rule, unless it is done copiously, such as for cleaning bunches 
either before or after thinning, but the Muscat will not be injured by 
more frequent syringings. Shrivelling is sometimes the want of st suing ; 
then again dryness at the roots, often overcropping, and most generally, 
I expect, from the roots being either tio deep in the border or in an 
unsuitable soil. 
Shanking must not be confounded with shrivelling, as the former 
berries are sour, the latter are generally the sweetest. I am following 
up the plan of raised borders and increased drainage. This plan will, of 
course, mean more water, but finer results. The best Muscats I ever 
had were grown in a Cucumber house bed raised above the path, and I 
thoroughly believe this to be a move in the right direction. Raised 
borders mean warmer soil for the roots, and without going into the 
question of bottom heat, this is more in accordance with their natural 
condition. More than once, in conversation with those who have seen 
the Muscats growing in the East, have I been told of the shallowness of 
the soil and also the rocky nature of their surroundings, coupled with 
the genial ground heat, the rocks seeming to retain a great quantity of 
heat. I am not sure if a little bottom heat may not prove beneficial. I 
know there is always danger of dryness where fire heat is used, but this 
can be overcome. Reverting again to shrivelling, which as far as my ex¬ 
perience goes does not occur in any other Grape unless over-kept, I should 
like other growers to give a little of their ideas and experience. Lifting 
and replanting my Muscats in the spring and then overcropping caused 
shrivelling, which I remedied to a certain extent by reducing the crop. 
I have used the word overcropping more than once, and without giving 
any fixed weight a Vine should bear I can only say Muscats to finish well 
must have lighter crops than black Grapes. The weight of the crop 
must always be guided by the strength of the Vine ; then, again, if it is 
to remain hanging any length of time, allow less. Cutting the Grapes 
as soon as they are ripe helps the Vine, for as long as foliage and fruit 
hang support will be required from the roots. After the foliage is gone 
I think it makes little difference, provided heat is not employed.— 
Stephen Castle. 
ORCHIDS IN FLOWER AT WESTBROOK, SHEFFIELD. 
At a visit paid by me a few days ago since to this fine collection of 
Orchids I noted the following species and varieties in bloom, making the 
flowering house very gay and attractive. 
Odontoglossum Alexandra, twelve varieties, including some fine 
forms ; one especially, a recent acquisition, being a large and stout 
flower peculiarly and densely spotted with large and bright-coloured 
spots. This had two spikes of flowers from the one growth, numbering 
fourteen and twelve respectively. Odontoglossum I’escatorei, four 
varieties ; 0. Uro-Skinnerii ; 0. tripudians ; 0. Lindleyanum, two var e- 
