January 4,1883.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 9 
and South Kensington, but not to the annual or special general 
meetings or fetes or conversazione of the Society, and which does 
not entitle the member to vote on any matters relating to the 
affairs of the Society. The Society being incorporated by Royal 
Charter the Fellows incur no personal liability beyond the pay¬ 
ment of their annual subscriptions. Entrance fees of new Fellows 
joining are suspended for the present. 
- “W. I.” writes that “Eranthemum Andersonii, a 
native of India, and introduced, if I remember rightly, by Mr. 
Bull, is not so generally grown as it deserves to be. Why I can¬ 
not imagine, as it is easily cultivated and produces handsome 
spikes of small Orchid-like and nearly pure white flowers, the 
lower lip only being mottled with purple, in great profusion 
during the dull late autumn and early winter months. The spikes 
produce a second display sometimes superior to the first blooming ; 
and a group of well-grown plants, such, for instance, as can be 
seen at Ashton Court near Bristol, under the charge of Mr. Austin, 
cannot fail to be pleasing to the most fastidious. Nothing is re¬ 
quired to ‘ show them off,’ as well-grown plants are furnished with 
abundance of broad and smooth green foliage, and no other colour 
better agrees with white. The species is much liable to become 
infested with scale and other insect pests that are too plentiful in 
our stoves ; but this ought to be no hindrance to the widespread 
culture of such a charming flower.” 
•- “ W. B.,” writing in reference to Mushroom culture, 
says, “ It may be interesting to many readers of this Journal to 
know that the excellent practice detailed by Mr. Wright a short 
time ago is now beiDg followed by Mr. Smith, Maiden Lane, 
Clubmore, Liverpool, with marked success. A fortnight ago he 
had already cut over 300 lbs., and 47 lbs. in one week. Mr. Smith 
has made slight mistakes in spawning the beds when too warm 
in some instances, and not affording sufficient covering in others* 
Less could scarcely have been anticipated, as he had nbt the 
slightest acquaintance with the system of Mushroom-growing 
described. Mr. Smith has, however, succeeded beyond his ex¬ 
pectations, and at this early period of his practice considers 
Mushroom-growing more profitable than growing Cucumbers. He 
has Mushroom beds made up in his Cucumber houses in Orange 
boxes, flat hampers, and in almost every conceivable corner and 
manner. There can be but little doubt that in a very short time 
with experience and the guidance of the articles referred to, Mr. 
Smith will become an expert in the production of Mushrooms for 
market.” 
- At the last meeting of the Meteorological Society 
the following papers were read :—1, “ Popular Weather Prog¬ 
nostics,” by the Hon. R. Abercromby, F.M.S., and Mr. W. Marriott, 
F.M.S. The authors explain over one hundred prognostics by 
showing that they make their appearance in definite positions, 
relative to the areas of high and low atmospheric pressure shown 
in synoptic charts. The method adopted not only explains many 
which have not hitherto been accounted for, but enables the 
failure as well as the success of any prognostic to be traced by 
following the history of the weather of the day on a synoptic 
chart. The forms discussed are cyclones, anticyclones, wedge- 
shaped and straight isobars. The weather in the last two is now 
described for the first time. They also point out (1) that prog¬ 
nostics will never be superseded for use at sea and other solitary 
situations ; and (2) that prognostics can be usefully combined 
with charts in synopic forecasting, especially in certain classes of 
showers and thunderstorms which do not affect the reading of the 
barometer. 2, “ Report on the Phenological Observations for the 
year 1882,” by the Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A., F.M.S. The most 
important feature of the phenological year was the mild winter. 
The effect of this upon vegetation was decidedly favourable, and 
had it not been for the gales, especially that of April 28th, the 
foliage would have been luxuriant, and therefore free from insect 
attacks ; but the contrary effect has been produced on insect life, 
for the scarcity of insects, especially butterflies and moths, has 
been the general remark of entomologists. Mr. J. S. Dyason, 
F.R.G.S., exhibited a series of typical clouds in monochrome, and 
also a series of sketches of clouds in colour made in June, July, 
and August, 1882. 
- The large bush of the grand flowering and most deli¬ 
ciously fragrant greenhouse shrub Luculia gratissima, which 
is growing in the central portion of the cool conservatory range 
at Glasnevin, has been particularly floriferous, and the Hydrangea¬ 
like flower heads particularly large and fine this winter, from 
150 to 200 being open at a time, and still plenty to succeed them. 
It is certainly a charming shrub, which no conservatory should 
want. Now that it has been demonstrated that dwarf plants 
with fine heads of flowers can be grown in 6-inch pots its popu¬ 
larity will be largely increased, and the appearance of such 
plants as familiar at Christmastide as are those of the gorgeously 
coloured but scentless Poinsettia.—(JmA Farmer's Gazette.') 
PLANTING VINES. 
This subject has been much discussed, and various opinions 
have been expressed regarding it. Notes of the experience of 
any who have been successful in the method pursued by them 
cannot fail to carry more weight than mere opinions stated without 
facts to support them. 
My experience leads me to favour planting in March, April, and 
May. Young Vines struck from eyes, grown on turf, and root- 
pruned before being lifted for planting, have done splendidly 
with me, and grew rapidly without a symptom of a check from 
the transplanting. Compare this method with planting a Vine 
out of a pot, where the roots have to be torn and laid out in 
long strings and go rambling away in all directions. The young 
Vines planted out of the bed of turf had a mass of short fibry 
roots ready to begin and seize hold of the soil close round the 
stem, and so work their way gradually along the border. 
The Vines planted made 30 feet of growth, and this was the 
length of many of the rods that came away from them. When 
cut down the stems were found to be as hard as oak, and some of 
them half an inch in diameter 20 feet from the base. By constant 
feeding on the surface of the borders young Vines may be induced 
to produce roots mostly near the surface, and can thus be kept 
more under control. I have seen Vines planted in July make 
splendid growth and ripen their wood remarkably well, but, other 
things being equal, I would prefer planting earlier. 
Vines one year old, if they have been grown on the root-pruning 
system, plant very well out of pots, as they have plenty of short 
fibry roots ready to enter the border. I have also planted 
Vines two years old that had been grown on the old-fashioned 
system, and had only one or two long roots coiled round the 
outside of the ball. In early spring these were shaken out of the 
soil they were in and planted in some loam prepared for them, 
and which was placed in a position that enabled the Vines to have 
some bottom heat. They were kept in this situation for about a 
month, by the end of which time they had made some young fibry 
roots ; being carefully lifted and planted in their permanent 
quarters these Vines progressed well, making wonderful growths 
and countless roots. I have often observed young Vines planted 
in an early vinery after the Grapes had been cut and the house 
was being kept cool, the consequence, of course, being that the 
young Vines made little or no progress that season. 
Young Vines when planted in the way I have mentioned above 
—viz., from the turf, well repay their cultivator, and I would 
advise all who can prepare their Vines in this manner to do so. 
When Vines have to be obtained from nurserymen for planting, 
a month’s sojourn among turf and with some bottom heat to start 
them will be found a good preparation for planting, provided 
always that the house in which they are permanently planted is 
kept warm and moisture supplied in sufficient quantities both in 
the air and at the roots. When planted the Vines should have a 
good watering with tepid water, and it would be of much benefit 
to them if all subsequent waterings for the first year were with 
tepid water. 
Planting Vines in cold soil and then watering with cold water 
cannot be too severely condemned. Warming soil enough to cover 
the roots when planted is another thing that conduces to the well- 
