104 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 11, 1892. 
contain, in most instances, all that the Vine requires. But this practice 
cannot go on many years, as the border becomes too large and unmanage¬ 
able, in which case a fresh start must be made, and in many places this 
would be impossible. Soil is an important point, and doubtless has 
much to do with success or failure, according as the cultivator is placed. 
However, all are agreed that loam is the staple soil, which should be taken 
from an old pasture, and if possible cut and stacked when dry, and not 
from beneath trees. According to the texture, whether clayey or sandy, 
so must its after treatment be. Should it be obtained from the chalk, 
in all probability it will contain more than sufficient calcareous matter, 
when brickbats broken up fine would be the best for mixing to keep it 
open. But when the loam is obtained from soil known to be deficient 
in lime, as some clay-sands or bogs are known to be, lime should always 
be added to it, and old mortar rubbish is the best form. 
In a general way it will not be found necessary to mix animal 
manure with the soil at the time of making the borders, unless the soil 
is known to be very poor ; but there is no objection to half-inch bones, 
if not used extravagantly. Given a compact border well filled with 
roots it is possible to apply all that is necessary for the good of the 
Vines from the surface. The manure used should be of a mixed kind— 
that from stables alone, in my opinion, being too heating. Night 
soil is good where it can be obtained in a proper state, wood ashes are 
valuable on account of the potash they contain, and soot is always 
acceptable ; but probably liquid manure, when it can be obtained from 
farmyards, is as good as anything. I have no faith in digging or forking 
over the surface of the borders, and believe that such practice should be 
condemned. Neither do I believe in cropping the border with vegetables 
or flowers, as I am of opinion that much harm often accrues. If Vines 
are worth a heated house to grow in, surely they are deserving of a 
small piece of ground in the open air. 
There is much in growing Grapes for exhibition as well as for private 
use in having those that are of handsome appearance as well as of good 
quality. The highly flavoured varieties require extra good treatment to 
have them to compare with some of the poor flavoured kinds as regards 
appearance. While size of bunch and berries, with symmetrical and 
tapering form, berries of even size, colour, and bloom are the prime 
factors that make up a good bunch of Grapes, very often such varieties 
as Gros Maroc and Gros Colman will have all these points developed, 
but they would not have the remaining one—flavour. Madresfield 
Court, when seen at its best, will come up to those named, but unfortu¬ 
nately it is not often seen at its best. Good judges, as well as framers 
of schedules, should protect the summer Grapes, such as Black Ham¬ 
burgh, iladresfield Court, and Muscat Hamburgh, against Gros Maroc, 
Alicante, and Alnwick Seedling up to the end of August. 
I will give the names of a few' varieties, placing them somewhat in 
their order of merit, taking double the number of black varieties to those 
of white, as black Grapes are most in request. Madresfield Court is a 
hybrid raised by the late Mr. Cox when gardener to Earl Beauchamp at 
Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, by crossing Muscat of Alexandria 
with Black Morocco, and was sent out by Messrs. Lee of Hammersmith. 
This variety possesses all the good qualities when seen at its best, which 
is not very frequent. Owing to the trait of berries splitting their skins, 
it has not been so commonly planted as its merits entitle it to be. Give 
it the driest end of the Hamburgh house, and take care to use a little 
fire heat on all damp and muggy w'eather, and also when much water 
has bean used about the house, either when watering the border or plants 
that may be growing beneath, and no fear need be apprehended as to 
the berries splitting. Certainly no watering at the root will cause it, so 
long as the atmosphere of the house is kept dry. 
Black Hamburgh is one of the oldest varieties in cultivation, having 
been introduced into this country nearly 200 years ago. There are many 
fine specimens of it now in existence, notably the one at Hampton Court, 
w'hich is upwards of 130 years old ; the Vine at Cumberland Lodge, 
Windsor Park, is also a noble specimen of the kind, and there is also a 
very fine specimen of the same at Melchet Court, Romsey. I can speak 
from my own observation as regards these. Frankenthaler is the name 
By which this variety is known in Germany, where it is largely culti¬ 
vated. Doubtless there are slight differences in this kind, as seen at 
different places, and it is always well to propagate from a good stock. 
It is still one of the best Grapes, whether for home supply or exhibition, 
and one, when taken into consideration the extent to which it is grown, 
the least often seen in its best condition. Although this is a variety of 
good constitution and easily managed, to have it in condition for table 
it generally requires a little careful handling to finish it properly. In 
the first place it is impatient of extreme light. After the berries 
commence their second swelling, if the house is a very light one and the 
heat liable to fluctuate from that cause, partial shade may be resorted 
to with advantage. The temperature of the house at this stage should 
not range high, and abundance of air should be given by day and a little 
left on all night. 
(To be continued.) 
THE GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the above Fund was 
held last Friday in the Cannon Street Hotel, William Marshall, Esq., 
in the chair, but there was not a large attendance, between twenty and 
thirty being present. The notice calling the meeting and the minutes 
of the last annual and special general meetings having been read and 
signed, the report and cash statemeit, which follow, were taken as 
read. The Chairman then briefly reviewed the progress of the year, 
and said that the subscribers had cause to congratulate themselves on 
the good work being accomplished and the condition of the Fund as 
shown in the Report statement, the adoption of which was carried 
unanimously. 
Mr. T. B. Haywood was re-elected Treasurer, Messrs. J. Fraser and 
W. Sharp as Auditors, and Mr. A. F. Barron as Hon. Secretary, votes 
of thanks being accorded to each for his services during the past year, 
and special reference was made to Mr. Barron’s valuable work. Messrs. 
Assbee, Cannell, Cummins, Gordon, Lane, Roupell, Sharman, and Wynne 
were re-elected as members of the Committee, and before adjourning for 
the ballot Messrs. Dean and Wynne were appointed scrutineers. The 
result of the election subsequently declared was as follows, the names of 
the successful candidate being preceded by an asterisk :—A.da Beddoes, 
49 ; *James Alfred Bolton, 122 ; *Edward William Butcher, 163 ; 
Winnifred Helen Doherty, 34; Nellie Ede, 86 : *Thomas James 
Francis, 259; *Mary Esther Green, 272; *01ive Hall, 90; Robert 
Houston, 58 ; * Janet Hood Ireland, 99 ; John Keates, 20 ; * Agnes Jane 
McIntosh, 137 ; Alice Maud Milne, 33 ; *Edmund Norgate, 129 ; *Annie 
Parker, 216 ; Minnie Rapley, 31 ; John Titley, 70 ; *John Ernest Vine, 
141 ; Rosa Emily King Ward, 63 ; *Charles Newrey Wasley, 244. 
Repoet op Committee. 
The Executive Committee in presenting their fourth Report have 
again the pleasure of congratulating the subscribers to the (iardeners’ 
Orphan Fund on its growing importance to the gardening community, 
as testified by the generous support it continues to receive from all 
classes. 
The Committee deem it necessary for the information of new sub¬ 
scribers to state that eighteen months have elapsed since the last Report 
and statement of accounts was issued, owing to the alterations made in 
the rules twelve months ago, which provided for the commencement of 
the financial year being altered from July 1st to January 1st, the former 
date having been found to cause much trouble and confusion in the 
management. The Committee are glad to report that although the 
accounts (which are herewith submitted) include the working expenses 
of eighteen months, and the subscriptions practically only for the twelve 
months, there has been no diminution of revenue, but on the contrary a 
considerable increase. 
The munificent proposal made by Mr. N. N. Sherwood and Mr. 
H. J. Veitch at the last general meeting : that if the subscribers would 
contribute a minimum sum of £250 they would jointly provide any 
further sum that might be required to allow the Committee to place on 
the Fund the seven children who had that day been unsuccessful, as a 
memorial to the late Chairman, Mr. George Deal, was readily accepted 
by the Committee. The sum of £555 163. 6d. was speedily raised, 
enabling the Committee to grant the benefits of the Fund to seven 
orphans. The Committee, recognising the great value of the services 
rendered by Mr. Deal to the Fund, most gratefully thank all those who 
so generously helped in promoting such an appropriate tribute to his 
memorv. 
The' lamented death of Mr. B. S. Williams, a warm supporter of the 
Fund, called forth a very general desire that his honoured name should 
also be associated with the Fund in a similar manner, and on receipt of 
£250 from the B. S. Williams Memorial Trustees, two more children, on 
the nomination of Mr. H, Williams, were elected. 
The Committee deplore the loss of Mr. William Richards, one of their 
most zealous and active colleagues, who was never weary of promoting 
the best interests of the Fund. His name will be long held in grateful 
remembrance. 
The Committee greatly regret that they were unable to arrange for 
a Floral Fete in Covent Garden Market as in former years, owing to 
practical difficulties in carrying them out. The loss thus sustained 
was in a great measure compensated for by a generous subscription 
raisid by the standholders in the market, and by the profits arising from 
the Rose Fair and Floral Fete held at the Crystal Palace. The desirability 
of establishing this FSte at the Crystal Palace as an annual event is 
under the consideration of the Committee. 
The National Card Collection, which was instituted in the summer 
of last year, resulted in adding the handsome sum of £250 to the 
resources of the Fund. This collection, it is proposed, shall be con¬ 
tinued annually. The fact that of the amount collected last year the 
greater part came from non-subscribers to the Fund, and mostly in 
small sums, was considered extremely gratifying. 
The Committee find it impossible to acknowledge in detail the 
great obligations they are under to so many kind friends for efficient 
help rendered in many ways during the past eighteen months, and 
embrace this opportunity of tendering to them collectively very hearty 
thanks. 
At the present time thirty-nine children are receiving the benefits of 
the Fund, and the Committee recommend that eleven be elected this 
day, thus raising the number of heneficiares to fifty, who will be sup¬ 
ported by the Fund at a cost of £650 a year. Most gratifying_ as the 
Committee regard this, as the result of the work of the Fund during the 
comparatively short time (four and a half years) it has been established, 
they cannot ignore the fact that they are still unable to meet the claims 
of many necessitous cases that come before them, and take this oppor¬ 
tunity of again urging the claims of the Fund upon gardeners in particular 
and a generous-hearted public for assistance. 
The Committee were fortunate in securing Mr. William Marshall of 
