December 18, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
545 
never been employed where it wa? grown. I have not, like Mr. Iggulden, 
had any difficulty m getting this Grape to set. With us it sets and swells 
freely enough in a house chiefly devoted to Black Hamburgh, and where 
no fixed temperature is maintained, this being to a great extent varied 
with the weather ; but the failing point here is in its colouring badly. 
We have had bunches weighing over 2j lbs. each with berries regular in 
size, but quite red. I once saw this Grape exhibited at a Yorkshire show 
by a Mr. Muir, I think, in faultless condition. Every berry was perfectly 
black and of the fnU size ; in fact I think the bunches are models of 
what a black Grape should be. Unfortunately I have never yet been able 
to produce anything like them. 
When I took charge here this Grape was pointed out as subject to 
shanking. The roots were then partly inside the house and partly out, and 
remained so for twelve months afterwards, when the roof of the vinery 
was extended, covering the whole width of the border, so that I have 
had a little experience with the Vine under two conditions. The one 
season which I grew it with its roots partly outside there was some 
shanking, but since the whole of the border has been under glass I have 
not observed a shanked berry. Though this Grape is not a vigorous 
grower, it is somewhat of a gross feeder, and will well repay the trouble 
of removing, every alternate year at least, all top soil down to its roots, 
and supplying good rich soil. I am now trying this variety worked on 
the Black Hamburgh, but not, as it is generally done, close to the ground 
or on the stem below the foliage, but several feet from the bottom of the 
stem ; below the union the Black Hamburgh will be allowed to bear 
leaves and fruit as before the grafting took place. I am inclined to think 
that if the stock is not allowed to carry some of its own foliage it is 
questionable whether the scion will derive much benefit from it after the 
lapse of a year or two. The growth worked on the Black Hamburgh 
last May is very much more vigorous than that on the older but healthy 
Vine on its own roots. 
Are the roots of the Vines under Mr. Iggulden’s charge outside ? In 
his writings on kitchen garden matters he speaks of having to deal with 
a cold heavy soil. If the roots are outside, and the Vine borders have 
been made of turf taken from such a soil, that may account for the bad 
setting of this Grape. Mr. Barron speaks of it as “ First-class in quality 
and appearance, but somewhat delicate.” I can endorse the first and 
last items of description, but unfortunately I have not yet been able to 
get it first-class in appearance. If there is any little secret in the 
cultivation of this Grape those possessed of it would be doing a service 
by divulging it.—T. A. B. 
ELEPHANTS AT HOME. 
The elephants of which I wish to say a few words are not those of the 
animal kingdom but of the vegetable world, and the elephants of my present 
remarks are truly noble in many instances, and are kept by Mr. James 
Cypher of the Queen’s Road Nurseries, Cheltenham. This famed collection 
of plants contains some grand specimens, and right proud is the owner of 
them. The Azaleas in their way are giants, and are good all round, not 
stiffly tied into shapes ; their growth is short, and good plump buds in the 
earliest of them speak of the waning months of the year. Huge examples 
of Brilliant, Flag of Truce, and Apollon, 4 feet in diameter, were noticeable, 
and in a lean-to house adjoining there was some grand colour left in Rhodo¬ 
dendron Duchess of Edinburgh, a specimen such as few possess. The plant 
in question has done good service among greenhouse flowering plants at 
several leading exhibitions of late, and has illustrated in a remarkable 
manner what can be accomplished when the treatment is thoroughly under¬ 
stood. To say the least, this Rhododendron is beyond doubt the finest of 
all summer-flower greenhouse plants, and as an exhibition plant for August 
and September it is unique. A fine example 2 feet 6 inches high, and as 
much in diameter, had no less than forty-five trusses of its brilliant and 
glittering orange-scarlet flowers, which are sufficiently vivid to produce a 
lasting impression on all who behold it. Then the eye rests on an assemblage 
of that useful variety known as Princess Royal, the soft delicacy of colour 
contrasting well with the dazzling brightness of the first-named. The latter 
is here largely used for bouquet work, for which it is so well adapted. 
Now I turn my attention to some of those veteran prizewinners which 
suggested ths heading of these notes. I mean the Heaths, the collection of 
which is doubtless the finest in Europe, a collection which has conquered in 
the past, and which it is only fair to presume will with the same skilful 
management and care add in the future many more victories. Erica Par- 
mentierii rosea, a grand example, some 6 feet through, had done its work, 
as had some smaller specimens of the same variety, all very healthy. Then 
came E. depressa, a remarkably vigorous plant, which is claimed to be the 
finest extant; it is 3 feet through and 3 feet 6 inches from the pot, and cer¬ 
tainly the most compact all-round plant I have seen. There is a flowering 
giant of E. Austiniana, 5 feet through and 4 feet high, which was en masse 
with its flowers, and was at the time of my visit, September 9th, in its 
prime, which sufficiently illustrates the long-continued season of flowering 
to which these plants are prone. Then in turn came E. Marnockiana, E. 
asmula, well furnished, and E. obbata. Another fine specimen of the genus 
was found in E. MacNabiana, which was covered] with flowers; next it was a 
grand piece of B. ampullacea Barnesii, which had ceased flowering, and 
which is some 5 feet through. Just imagine this monster, 4 feet high, so 
densely covered in pure white flowers that its foliage is almost hid from 
view, still this is exactly what thousands of people witness yearly in many 
parts of England. Among others I may mention E. Candolleana, E. tricolor 
dumosa, and E. Lindleyana, all good plants of enormous proportions. I 
may in passing briefly state the system which is here adopted. In the first 
place each plant has its work marked out, and from long-continued practical 
experience in these matters Mr. Cypher is duly qualified in marking out the 
course for each ■ these would seem to fit themselves to their requirements 
with remarkable precision. When they have completed their allotted task 
they are not aUowed to distress themselves by flowering to their utmost 
extent, but at the earliest opportunity their flowers are carefully removed, 
and the strength which would otherwise have been sacrificed is thus retained. 
In cases where these specimens are in the open the pots are well matted 
round to prevent the sun scorching the tiny fibres around the sides. 
The Crotons in their way are alike remarkable both for size and colour¬ 
ing. These Crotons evidently thoroughly enjoy plenty of heat, abundance 
of moisture, and full sun. These are the great essentials to the production 
of fine, vigorous, and well coloured plants. Here were specimens of 
C. majesticus and C. Queen Victoria G feet high in each case, and richly 
coloured. Then came C. angustifolius, 6 feet high and the same in diameter, 
one which holds its own still in many an array of foliage plants. This is 
simply perfection. It is large and old age, but does not lack vigour, for it 
seems as though it might appear in as many a competitive group as it has 
done hitherto ; but one thing is certain—it is destined to become no larger 
than it now is, for it is no slight undertaking to carry it conveniently from 
place to place. This, with the others, receives annual pruning, which is 
done by a skilful and yet a heavy hand. It seems hardly credible that these 
grand specimens, which as I write these remarks are clad with splendour, 
should, ere this appears in type, be devoid of a leaf ; indeed, s ome were 
already pruned— e.g., Disraeli and Queen Victoria—though some excellent 
men do not approve of it to the extent it is here carried out; but the proof 
is in the results, and these are well known. The last two of these fine 
plants I shall name are C. interruptus aureus, a distinct plant, and 
0. Sunset; the latter, I was informed, requires careful culture, but withoiit 
doubt surpasses all the rest for colour when seen in perfection. The habit 
is erect, the leaves somewhat lanceolate and from 12 to 15 inches long and 
1 to 2 inches broad, the upper surface is of a deep bronzy green, the margins 
and midrib of a vivid crimson scarlet, with occasional blotches of golden 
yellow. It is certainly a Croton of great promise, and it has a constitution 
which but few possess. These Crotons are all pruned annually when they 
have finished their round of exhibitions, and potted if necessary, breaking 
almost immediately; they make abundance of free vigorous shoots by the 
end of the year ; and being at all times near the glass, exposed to all pos¬ 
sible sun and light, they commence colouring early in the year, and are 
ready for use when required, the richness of their markings being much 
improved by the newly made growths, which have necessarily a clean fresh 
appearance. 
The collection of Ixoras in themselves are indispensable in a collection 
of stove flowering plants. With these are associated various kinds of 
Dipladenias, which in their time have puzzled not a few growers of stove 
flowering plants. Many fine examples are contained in their respective 
groups. Among the former were the white-flowered Colei coccinea in. 
flower and Williamsii. To give the reader some clear conception as to the 
extent of pruning here practised, I may state that one of the specimens of 
Ixora Williamsii which has figured at vai ious shows during the present 
year, when its dimensions were 6 feet high and through, is now a mere 
skeleton, and is not more than 2 feet high and as much through,^ so that 
4 feet of growth have been pruned away, for which Mr. Cypher claims that 
he gets stronger shoots, better foliage, and, above all, more massive and 
prominent trusses. More than this we cannot desire, and I am sure the 
results are highly gratifying. Ixora Westii and I. salicifolia are so widely 
distinct from all the rest as to call forth special notice, the former from its 
pale salmon pink trusses and dark thick coriaceous leaves, and the latter 
from its long linear accuminate willow-like leaves. 
The next house inspected was filled with a variety of useful plants, 
among which were abundance of Impatiens Sultani and many Dendrobiums. 
Though an ardent believer in the free use of the pruning knife, Mr. Cypher 
is strongly opposed to pruning Dendrobiums. Some pieces of D. Ains- 
worthi, Wardianum, and others were shown me which had been experi¬ 
mented with, and pitiable objects they were too. I was next shown into a 
cool house—a reserve, so to speak, for flowering exhibition plants. _ Here 
the plants are hardened, especially those which continue some time in 
perfection, before going their respective jornmeys. The first to meet the 
eye was Ixora Williamsii in fine condition and carrying fully one hundred 
massive trusses, and beside it was I. Pilgrimii, a hybrid from the first- 
named and raised by the late Mr. Pilgrim of Cheltenham. The trusses are 
well-formed and compact, and it is in all respects a first-class Ixora. Next 
to these came a series of different forms of Anthuriums, the champion 
being Anthurium Cypheri. This is no exaggeration, for we have before 
us the typical Schertzerianum; then Veitchii, then densifolium. Next in 
order of merit we will place Wardii, and at the head of the list comes the 
unique specimen bearing Mr. Cypher’s name. The colour and size of the 
spathe are enormous. This variety has produced spathes this year 8inches 
in length and 5 inches in breadth, the colom’ being of the most intense 
crimson-scarlet. This has been deservedly awarded a first-class certificate. 
Passing hurriedly over specimen and half-specimen Heaths in abundance^ 
among which were good plants of the E. ventricosa section, we came to a 
fine lot of Cypripedium villosum and insigne in cold frames, healthy and 
vigorous and exhibiting numerous flower scapes, and then we came upon 
that far-famed and noble example of Erica Cavendishiana G feet high, 
which in its old age continues to flower with remarkable freedom. Further 
on were Azaleas, Genetyllis, Erica affinis, and a nice little batch of Acro- 
phyllum venustum. _ • , i • 
Among Palms and Cycads Pritchardia pacifica, Latania borbonica, 
Cycas circinalis, and Encephalartos villosus were growing over a tank of 
water, the three last-named each having a spread of leaves 16 feet across. 
Some four species of Kentias and one or two Dasylirions were among the 
occupants of the conservatory, where Lilium speciosum was flowering 
abundantly in pots. Allamandas were well represented, and were in good- 
sized well-flowered plants. . /-> u-a 
Another department of considerable importance contains the Orchids. 
These are in numbers and generally well done. First to be seen in flower 
was Mormodes laxatum eberneum, flowers creamy white with purple lip, 
and slightly fragrant. Cypripediums were in excellent condition, especially 
such as 0. Lawrencianum C. niveum C. liirsutissimum, C. Spiceria,num, and 
C. punctatum violaceum. Aerides Rohanianum, a rare plant which as yet 
has not flowered, is showing a good spike ; many spikes were to be sten on 
plants of Saccolabium Blumei. Aerides Leonii, a rare species, js also here, 
and Dendrobium barbatulum was remarkable for its vigour, having growths 
fully 13 inches long. This seems a fastidious species, and one which 
