August 3, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
91 
A lthough the great work that has been conducted for fifty 
years on the Rothamsted Park estate of Sir John Bennett 
Lawes and his talented and energetic coadjutor, Dr. J. H. Gilbert, 
is of agricultural interest mainly, we make no apology for inserting 
a report of the proceedings on another page in honour of those 
workers in science in its direct bearings on the cultivation of the 
soil ; nor do we hesitate to make this prominent reference to their 
services, and the recognition of them that has been won so well. 
No one interested in the art of cultivation, whether on farms or in 
gardens, can visit Rothamsted without being impressed with the 
magnitude of the operations there to be seen, both on the land and 
in the laboratory. Experiments on almost all kinds of crops with 
various manures, and no manures, over a long series of years teach 
valuable lessons. The results of soil starvation and soil enrichment 
are side by side. The effects of the chief chemical manures, both 
alone and in combination, are displayed, and it is impossible to 
ignore the lessons the crops teach. The laboratory work is almost 
bewildering in its magnitude, and the exhaustive nature and 
complete records of the experiments evoke surprise and admi¬ 
ration . 
Few greater treats can be imagined to the gardener or farmer 
with an inquiring mind, and a desire to trace results to their causes, 
than that afforded by an inspection of Rothamsted in company 
with those who have made it famous all over the civilized world— 
Sir John Lawes and Dr. Gilbert. The untiring zeal of the former 
in the work which he instituted, and the remarkable energy of the 
latter, are not likely to be forgotten by the visitor. Those who 
appreciate the picturesque, as well as scientific and practical experi¬ 
ments, will find the former in the fine old Elizabethan mansion and 
its surroundings. Particularly noteworthy is an ancient avenue of 
stately Limes producing in a natural way an avenue of successors. 
The arms of the old trees have bent over and reached the ground 
on each side, and at about equal distances from the parent trunks, 
taken root, thrown up luxuriant suckers that are developing into 
straight and stately trees parallel with the originals. It is an 
interesting example of continuity in tree life and orderly arrange¬ 
ment unaided by the art of man, and is in bold contrast to the art 
and science which in other directions pervade the establishment. 
We wish, as will all our readers who have seen the work of 
Rothamsted, still a long period and usefulness to the distinguished 
veterans who were honoured last week. Rich in knowledge and 
experience they are still almost physically young. Dr. Gilbert will 
shortly start for Chicago to deliver a course of lectures, and he 
will not meet there many men possessing greater mental and 
physical activity than himself. His friends bid him hon voyage, 
and will be glad to see him home again. 
COLOURING LATE GRAPES. 
The art of perfectly colouring Grapes of all varieties has long 
been regarded as one of the most difficult points in connection 
with fruit growing, and the cultivator who accomplishes the feat 
is accredited with having performed a highly meritorious achieve¬ 
ment. As far as my experience goes it is, however, rare indeed 
that any cultivator succeeds in bringing a dozen varieties to this 
No. 684. — VoL. XXVII., Third Series. 
desirable state during any one season, unless the bunches are con¬ 
spicuously small, in which case the performance would not be a 
remarkable one, for to come up to the high standard of the present 
day size of bunch and berry, as well as good form and colour, must 
be combined. 
The peculiarities of each season doubtless render uniformity of 
quality in Grapes difficult of attainment, because during bright 
hot seasons black varieties seldom finish so well or retain their 
colour so long as white ones, while in dull seasons the chief 
obstacle lies in producing the rich amber tint which denotes per¬ 
fection in the latter. This difficulty is often largely increased 
by growing too many varieties in one house, under which con¬ 
ditions it is impossible to give each kind the treatment required 
Much has, however, been done in recent years to lessen this 
obstruction by planting in mixed houses only those varieties which 
ripen about the same time, or require similar temperatures. This, 
together with the special attention which has been given to Grape 
culture during the last two decades, has resulted in the production 
of a largely increased per-centage of well-coloured Grapes. Let 
those who are inclined to doubt this statement carry their memory 
back ten or fifteen years, and picture to themselves the com¬ 
paratively few really well-finished Grapes to be met with at 
exhibitions and in high-class fruiterers’ shops at that time, and then 
compare their mental retrospect with what they may see in similar 
places to-day ; the result I think will be convincing. There is, 
however, still room for the good work already begun to be still 
further extended, till badly coloured Grapes, which were once the 
rule, become the exception. Given clean healthy Vines, not over¬ 
cropped, it ought not to be a difficult matter to colour every berry 
which does not shank in a house in which suitable varieties are 
planted together, and I believe by paying due attention to the 
following details of culture, any intelligent gardener may succeed 
in doing it. 
The first thing to be done is to ascertain the condition of the 
soil about the roots in regard to moisture immediately the berries 
show signs of colouring. If the soil be in the least dry, a 
thorough soaking of liquid manure should be given, or one of 
the many approved chemical manures sprinkled upon the surface 
of the border and watered in. On subsequent occasions, when¬ 
ever the soil becomes slightly dry, water ought to be applied till 
the Grapes are ripe. If liquid manure is given just as colouring 
begins I prefer to use clear water at later waterings, except in 
the case of Vines growing in narrow borders crammed with roots. 
Ventilation is a matter which plays an important part in effecting 
good colour. There is, I think, too great a tendency to suddenly 
increase the amount as soon as colouring commences, with the 
result that a check is given to the Vines at a critical stage, and the 
prospect of securing coloured Grapes greatly lessened. It is not 
so much the amount of air given which requires alteration as 
the time of admitting and manner of reducing it. The practice 
of allowing the thermometer to reach a given point before ventila¬ 
tion is increased is not a good one. When this is done condensed 
moisture on the berries frequently follows, loss of bloom being 
the result. No matter what the temperature may be early in the 
morning, more air should be admitted before it begins rising, 
and afterwards increased sufficiently to prevent a rapid rise 
or decreased to avert a sudden change in the opposite direction- 
During the afternoon of bright days ventilation should be reduced 
so as to maintain the temperature between 75° and 85°, allowing 
a little air to be admitted through the top lights continually, 
and as colouring advances at the front of the house as well. 
These tactics should be continued throughout the finishing period, 
with the slight exception that as the berries ripen the air 
admitted may be increased in volume, which will, of course, keep 
the temperature throughout the day slightly lower. 
It is a rare occurrence to find well coloured Grapes on Vines 
badly infested with red spider or other insects, yet the treatment 
No. 2340.— VoL. LXXXIX., Old Series. 
