Noven.bir 3, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
391 
Leaves bring to mind a visit I had from some gardeners re¬ 
cently. When going through the vineries they asked if they were 
Cabbage or Rhubarb leaves we grew, and if we tied the bunches on 
to the bottom of the rod3. I confess I felt a little flattered. My 
conceit, however, was soon taken out when comparison was made 
with my neighbour’s, Mr. Osman, then gardener at Wroxhall Abbey; 
while ours measured 15 inches and over, his surpassed them in every 
way ; and for bunches, well, fit companions for Mr. Dunkin’s 61b. one. 
I am glad to learn Mr. Iggulden is to have no part in hurting 
other men’s feelings with this discussion, and all will be at one 
with him in being sorry that any should have been annoyed before 
he gave the assurance that he will “ stick to his own experience.” 
This is as it ought to be in a discussion of this sort, and not many 
have had such varied practical experience as Mr. Iggulden, and 
fewer still can impart it with such interesting and instructive 
effect. Anyone reading Mr. Iggulden’s article at page 345, and 
scanning between the lines, must conclude he has little faith in 
his opponents’ statements or belief in his authority and informa¬ 
tion, granting Mr. Dunkin a roving commission, at the same time 
accusing him of “ drawing wrong conclusions—beating about the 
bush—not competent to give an opinion until he has put into 
practice what he preaches.” This is nothing less than charging 
Mr. Dunkin with plagiarism in its worst form—viz., taking credit 
for the product of other men’s brains. Castle Gardens are not in 
a corner, and Mr. Dunkin will expect Mr. Iggulden to call next 
month when he is passing and see his Yines, “ so vastly improved 
during the last few seasons.”— Warwick. 
I am not surprised to see that “ J. J. C.” is anxious to know 
something more about the Yines in the gardens here, which are 
now carrying such heavy crops of well-coloured Grapes. The 
weight of crop given on page 346 is now hanging on single rods. 
True, these rods are somewhat longer than is usually the case, 
being 25 feet. Still, there is no gainsaying the fact that the crop 
is enormous. I must also point out that the varieties bearing this 
weight are Gros Colman, Black Alicante, and Gros Guillaume, 
which are growing in the same range as the Black Hamburghs, 
from which the leaves sent to Fleet Street were cut. Every rod 
of this variety have also carried a heavy crop this year, but as the 
greater part of the bunches were cut when I gathered the leaves, 
there was no means of judging, with anything like accuracy, the 
weight of crop they carried. No fear need be entertained about 
the Yines “ not lasting ” under the treatment they are receiving, 
so long as they continue to produce leaves and wood such as they 
now possess. The whole question of their treatment I will deal 
with in due time. I only refrain from doing so now in order to 
prevent the principal points in the discussion on “ The Functions 
(and Weight) of Yine Leaves ” from being obscured by side 
issues. In the meantime I am pleased to have the support of 
both “ J. J. C.” and Mr. G. Garner, who believe in the benefits 
to be derived from a moderate extension of lateral growth. The 
latter, I know—from the high quality of the produce he stages at 
southern shows—to be an excellent grower ; the former I can only 
identify in connection with his views on “ Setting Peaches,” which 
appeared in the Journal some time ago, and whose recent expe¬ 
rience in that matter might at some future time prove interesting. 
—H. Dunkin. 
MARGARET CARNATIONS AND PINKS. 
Your correspondent, Mr. S. Arnott, in the Journal of Horti¬ 
culture (page 351) of the 20th ult., has conferred a favour by the 
information he has given as to their introduction from Italy and 
in reference to the various sorts, and for the future I shall adopt 
Mr. Arnott’s suggestion, and call them “ Margaret varieties.” 
A letter from Dr. Hogg gives farther information as to this 
new race of the Dianthus family, and writes me that “ These 
Marguerite Pinks (they are not Carnations) are very pretty, and 
appear to me to be a cross with the Indian Pink, D. Heddewigi, and 
garden Pink, but they are in no sense a Carnation.” I notice also 
that in Mr. Robert Sydenham’s seed list for this year, under the 
heading of Carnation Margarita, says, “ This is a very lovely new 
strain, but should more properly be called Margarita Pinks ; ” and on 
looking over a bed of them since I feel that Dr. Hogg is correct 
in his opinion. But in the Sparkhill hybrids from these Margarets, 
and a fine exhibition bizarre Carnation, we have the Carnation 
in habit, foliage, growth, and flowers, losing the Margaret 
character excepting in freedom of blooming and their being got 
into strong flowering plants from seed in eight months. I have 
again seen the Sparkhill plants a few days ago still in good bloom, 
with more buds to open, symmetrical in growth, in 5-inch pots, and 
flowers as large and well formed as a good Carnation, but still 
retaining the serrated edge of the Margarets ; but in the hands of 
our florists this defect in the eyes of an old florist will soon be lost. 
This new type is a l> coming ” flower, with a great future before it. 
—W. Dean. 
[It would appear from the foregoing that we shall soon have wfcat 
may be termed (as distinguishing them from florists’ varieties) both 
Margaret Carnations and Margaret Pinks that may be raised from 
seed and flowered the same season in a similar manner to Indian 
Pinks; and for decorative purposes we are not so emphatic as Mr. 
Dean is that the serrated edge is a defect. Our correspondent is a 
true florist and looks forward fcr a “ florists’” type of the Margaret 
Carnations, and it is not improbable that his hope will be realised. 
The point we have in view is this—namely, that the plants we have 
grown this year, and seen grown by others, from seed sold as 
Marguerite Carnations are not Carnations, but Pinks both in habit, 
foliage, flowers, and perfume, and the term Carnation as applied to 
them is a misnomer. We shall hope to grow the Sparkhill hybrids 
in due time, which, according to Mr. Dean, are English Margaret 
Carnations.] 
CIMICIFUGA SPICATA. 
This plant (fig. 53) is similar to C. racemosa in general form, the 
flower stems being several feet in height, and bearing the small white 
FIG. 53.— CIMICIFUGA SPICATA. 
flowers closely packed on lateral and terminal branches. Being late in 
flowering, these Cimicifugas form conspicuous objects in the borders 
during August and early in September, and might advantageously 
receive the attention of hardy flower lovers. Ordinary garden soils suit 
them very well, and where large clumps have been formed the plants 
are really valuable additions to the list of effective hardy plants. 
EDUCATION IN GARDENING. 
(Silver Medal Essay, continued from page 372.) 
Books to Consult. 
There is at all times an element of difficulty in making a selec¬ 
tion of books generally applicable to all cases. It would be to the 
mutual advantage of both gardeners and employers if the latter 
