December 15, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
525 
from the main rod it may bo stopped at the bunch or at one leaf. 
Whether stopped at the bunch or whether one or two leaves 
beyond I have never noticed any perceptible difference in the 
Grapes. If I could determine which bunches I should retain at the 
time the laterals were first stopped I would certainly pinch them 
at the bunch and not allow any sub-laterals to extend beyond the 
bunches. At the time of writing I have Grapes hanging in this 
condition now, and they are slightly larger in the berry ; there is 
no difference in the colour because all are black. I was first led to 
adopt this system of stopping by noting a large bunch close to the 
main rod from which the shoot beyond was accidentally broken 
when tying down. The lateral had only three leaves on it, and the 
Grapes were as perfect as any in the house. I am inclined to think 
by stopping at the bunch the Grapes set better and receive the 
support that otherwise pass to the leaves beyond. 
I do not put particular faith in large wood and heavy leaves. 
They might be the result of over-luxuriant Vines that sooner or 
later collapse under the strain of fruit-bearing. I have seen bold 
foliage that would have been the admiration of Grape growers if 
the crop had been removed before they saw them. Very often 
Vines that “ shank ” by getting their roots in cold or unsuitable 
soil often produce large foliage, but I have not yet been curious 
enough to weigh them. What I like to see, and have, is wood that 
is firm and hard when cut, practically pithless, even if the foliage 
is moderate in size ; such wood will, all other things being right, 
usually produce good well finished Grapes. 
I am not an advocate for large bunches ; they are sensational 
in their way, and may do for particular occasions and exhibiting. 
Many of us have families to provide for, and I find a few large 
bunches useful, but the majority of moderate size are far more 
serviceable. 
I am not half so afraid as I used to be years ago of exhausting 
Vine borders. There is often far more digging out and replenishing 
than there is any occasion for. Very frequently they are poisoned 
by overfeeding, not exhausted, but I hope before long to have 
more to say on this matter.—W m. Bardney. 
ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE. 
Having read with much interest the cultural details given by 
J. C. C.,” and by Mr. Charles Payne (page 478), as the best means 
of growing this beautiful Adiantum, perhaps I may be allowed to add 
my experience in the culture of this Fern. I had a few plants in 7-inch 
pots, and in the early spring these were shifted into 12-inch pots. The 
compost used comprised equal portions of loam and peat with the fine 
shaken out, retaining only the fibrous parts ; to this were added some 
sharp sand and well-burnt cinders crushed to about the size of hazel 
nuts, care being taken to select only those which contained no gas. The 
whole is thoroughly mixed and well worked round the plant with the 
rammer. This compost is what the plants had until they were given the 
final shift, when a few pieces of charcoal and crushed oyster-shells were 
put over the drainage. When the plants became root-bound weak 
liquid manure was given once a week during the summer months. 
They were grown in the fernery, which was shaded through the 
summer months, a humid atmosphere being always maintained. I do 
not believe in syringing the plants, as it causes a rusty and glazed 
appearance on the pinnae, and, in my opinion, helps to bring scale. The 
fronds should be supported and brought into position with fine sticks, 
and all old and decayed foliage picked out. I may mention the largest 
plants grown as described measured 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches in 
diameter. Should the plants in course of time be getting weaker (as 
they generally do), they ought to be cut into parts, as many as required, 
say four or five. This is best done in the autumn ; they can then be 
readily divided in the spring, and so save a check caused by bleeding. 
—H. P., The Knoll Gardens , Wimborne. 
Mr. C. Russell, on page 456 of the Journal of Horticulture, when 
describing his treatment and success in growing this Fern, asks for the 
experience of others who may have been successful. Many do not 
succeed in growing this Fern to their satisfaction. I have for the last 
twelve years been most successful with the culture of A. farleyense, and 
have grown it in hanging baskets, also in pots, from 3 to 16 inches in 
diameter. My advice to those who wish to succeed in growing tins 
Fern is to pot it in a mixture of turfy loam, old mortar (broken), char¬ 
coal, and coarse sand, with a shovelful of burnt ashes instead of leaf 
soil. Clean pots should be used, with plenty of drainage, and the soil 
be rammed firm. Water with care until growth has well commenced. 
I find a temperature [of from 60° to 65° quite sufficient. This Fern 
should never be syringed from the end of August to April. It like^, 
however, a moist bottom. Standing the pots on a block in the middle 
or round the edge of a tank is a good practice. The fronds should be 
staked or suspended on a ring of wire, held in position by sticks placed 
at intervals round the edge of the pots. 
With respect to keeping A. farleyense dry in winter, I do not keep it 
drier in winter than at any other time, but apply water when required, 
using diluted manure and soot water at intervals during the winter 
months. At one time I used to grow it largely in 5-inch pots for table 
decoration, as my employers were particularly fond of it f >r a change. 
We generally used to place six 5-inch pots at equal distances on a round 
table and a large plant on a raised stand in the middle. The effect was 
charming, although rather heavy.— John Chinnery. 
Events of the Week. —The ensuing week will be comparatively 
quiet one in horticultural circles. As announced in our last issue the 
general meeting of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution will 
beheld on Tuesday, December 20th, at Simpsons’, 101, Strand. The 
customary auction sales will also take place, for particulars of which see 
advertisement. 
- The Weather in London.—T he weather in the metropolis 
continues to be variable. Sunday opened fine and rather mild, with a 
slight fall of rain in the evening. Frost was apparent on Monday 
morning and again on Tuesday, freezing hard at night. A change to 
rain occurred, however, early on Wednesday morning, and at the time 
of going to press it is fine but cloudy. 
- Weather in the North. —The week beginning the 6th inst. 
has been marked, by less intense frost than the preceding; 14° were 
registered on the 6th, and 15° on the 8th. On the latter evening and 
during the night snow fell heavily. A thaw set in on the 10th, and 
continued for two days ; but frost (7^) has again recurred, rendering 
the roads almost impassable with ice.—B. D., S. Perthshire. 
_ Gardening Appointments —We learn that Mr. Herbert R. 
Richards, recently foreman in the glass department Longford Castle 
Gardens, Salisbury, as head gardener to Major Trafford, Bawns, Roche 
Court, West Dean, near Salisbury. Mr. J. Gib3on Fielden, late foreman 
at The Gardens, Dalton Hall, Hull, has also been appointed head gar¬ 
dener to S. Hubbard, Esq , Ilkley Wells House, Ilkley, Yorkshire. 
- Royal Horticultural Society’s Meetings in 1893 — 
The meetings of this Society for the ensuing year will be held as 
follows:—January 14th ; February 14th ; March 14th and 28th; 
April 11th and 25th; May 9th, 25th and 26th (Temple Show); 
June 6th and 20th ; July 11th (Chiswick Show), and 25th ; 
August 8th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and September 1st (Agricultural Hall 
Show) ; September 12th and 26th ; October 10th and 24th ; 
November 14th, 28th, and December 12th. 
_ Blue Titmice and Fruit Buds— Regarding the article on 
the above heading on page 459 of the “ Journal, let me say blue titmice 
receive but little sympathy in Clydeside. I, for one, suffered by them last 
year, having a border of young Gooseberry bushes well-nigh stripped of 
their buds ; and as for them attacking bees, I remember twenty years ago 
having seen them do considerable damage to a hive of bees by killing 
great "numbers at the mouth of the hive. They were in turn caught 
themselves, and summarily dealt with.—J. W. 
- A Lucky Showman. — The Editor’s remarks on page 512 
respecting “ A Lucky Showman,” places the subject in its proper light. 
A great many of our best gardeners lay the foundation of a place, 
when by some unforeseen circumstance they have to leave their situa¬ 
tion. Other men then enter, take charge, and commence at once to 
reap the benefit from the previous man’s labour and skill. Such 
instances are, I think, best not referred to in the public papers, as every 
gardener ought to understand that he cannot help such things occurring. 
Good men’s work live after they have left the place, and is s.en by 
results.— John Chinnery. 
_ Royal Meteorological Society.—A t the ordinary meeting 
of the Society, to be held at 25, Great George Street, Westminster, on 
Wednesday, the 21st inst, at 7 p.m., the following papers will be read :— 
“Moving Anticyclones in the Southern Hemisphere,” by H. C. 
Russell, B.A., F.R.S., F.R.Met.Soc. “The Tracks of Ocean Wind 
Systems in Transit over Australasia,” by Captain M.W. C. Hepworth, 
F.R.Met. Soc. “ A New Instrument for Cloud Measurements,” by Dr. 
Nils Ekholm, Hon. Mem. R.Met.Soc. “Rainfall of Nottinghamshire, 
1861-90,” by Henry Mellisb, F.R.Met.Scc. 
