November 17, 1892, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
433 
thickness spread over them. The rhizomes of Iris iberica were 
planted similarly, but only just below the surface, say a couple of 
inches indeed the sand was visible. The sand kept the rhizomes 
comparatively dry in winter and prevented their decay. They 
were not disturbed, but allowed to grow, and instead of dwindling 
away, as is often the case when they are “ stuck in ” mixed borders, 
they increased in beauty annually, and were the most admired of 
the many choice plants the garden contained. 
I. iberica can be easily multiplied by division of the rhizome in 
autumn, and I. Susiana may be increased by parting the roots at 
that time. It is said that plants raised from seed excel in flower 
those increased from the roots, and afford a more pleasing diversity 
in the disposition, form, and size of the spots. Of that, however, 
I have no experience. I. Susiana does not succeed in heavy soils 
■end cold districts as a border plant.—G. A. 
JUDGING HERBACEOUS FLOWERS. 
Replying to “ E. M.,” page 235, I think the small growers of 
hardy flowers will be able to hold their own in competition if only 
one variety of any flower is allowed. Are not these small growers 
more likely to have but one or two kinds of any flower than a 
greater number, as most persons like variety in their gardens ? 
He must be a very small grower who could not compete in a 
class for twelve bunches, distinct. Should anyone decide to increase 
his stock of hardy plants it would be good for the trade and in 
many cases for the appearance of the purchaser’s garden. I agree 
with “ E. M. that there is a wide distinction between the Liliums 
he names and, I may add, in their time of blooming. 
My reason for allowing only one variety of any flower in a 
stand is that I consider it would be easier to judge them on their 
merits. I should like to have opinions on the following : Let two 
stands of twelve bunches be staged, one containing twelve distinct 
varieties, all being good specimens and well arranged, the other 
stand to have eight bunches distinct varieties, the remaining four 
may be two kinds of Phlox and two Liliums or Delphiniums. 
&c., &c., each bunch being good of its kind and well staged ; to 
which stand should the first prize be awarded ? —Devon. 
FUNCTIONS (AND WEIGHT) OF VINE LEAVES. 
I CAN assure the correspondent who has thought fit to shelter his 
identity under the nom deplume of an ancient and honoured town that 
he has by no means succeeded in doing so. I venture to assert that 
both Mr. Iggulden and myself will be able to state our views without 
resorting to gross personal attacks ; and I make bold to express the 
belief that readers of the Journal of Horticulture generally will require 
the adverse opinion of a far greater authority on Vine culture than this 
nameless individual. The test of experience is displayed in the results 
achieved. Mr. Iggulden would, I think, be the last to accuse me of a 
want of practical knowledge in any branch of fruit culture. It so 
happens that for a period of five years, during which time I was fore¬ 
man to that prominent fruit grower, Mr. H. W. Ward, Mr. Iggulden 
and myself staged side by side in competition many collections of fruit 
and Grapes, and we have known what it is to stand together by the show 
tent awaiting with intense interest the verdict of the judges, who seldom 
had a very^easy task to determine the positions of each collection. Let 
me now inform my critic (page 391), who is so tender on the subjects of 
“ hurting other men’s feelings,” that I am looking forward with great 
pleasure to see Mr. Iggulden at Warwick Castle Gardens. It is 
now only necessary for me to add that it is not the “product of the 
brains ” of such Vine growers as my latest critic, that I should even wish 
to take credit for. If he has anything more to say in the matter let him 
come out of his retreat like a man, and I will recount some further ex¬ 
perience in which he may be interested.—H. Dunkin. 
I have been interested in all that has been said on this subject, 
but cannot agree with Mr. Iggulden. I always like plenty of growth. 
If less growth would do then I am wasting space in our vineries. 
When I came here six years ago I found four vineries, the Vines weak 
and covered with bug. They had been pruned close, the spurs being 
about 4 inches long. The Vines are between twenty and thirty years 
old. One Black Hamburgh house had ten Vines in it. I cut out six, 
spreading the remaining four over the whole roof, and allowed the 
growths to fill up the extra space. Plenty of them are 4 feet long. 
The laterals were allowed to grow wherever there was room. I did not 
prune close, but to a good bud, and continued the same course. Of 
the four Vines 1 destroyed two, thinning the remaining two alike. 
During the last five years I have grown more Grapes than were produced 
on the four Vines, and the quality is pronounced to be good by the 
owners. In short, the crops have been heavy, wood strong and well 
ripened, foliage large and leathery, and this year I have had the best 
crop, which goes to prove that the roots are at work. I have a leaf 
before me now 14 inches across, which I will forward. Mr. Iggulden 
speaks of the Gros Colman on the hard-stopped lateral. ThaTI can 
uite understand when all the rest of the rod is clothed with laterals, 
because I do not think it matters much where the extra growth is so 
long as there is a fair amount allowed until the Grapes are ripe. L 
am no writer, but am fond of growing good Grapes, also pleased to give 
my experience.—G. Ayres, Marley Hall Gardens, Staffs. 
[The leaf is a good one. Our correspondent appears to favour large 
Vines and short communications. We have some too long for inseiGon 
in the present issue.] 
PIPTANTHUS NEPALENSIS. 
The present being an excellent time for planting, we may with 
advantage call attention to that rare and little-known Indian shrub 
Piptanthus nepalensis (fig. 59), sometimes known as the Evergreen 
Laburnum. Though it bears some resemblance to one of our must 
common and beautiful flowering trees, yet it can be easily distinguished 
from it at a glance by the most casual observer. It is one of those 
numerous old inhabitants of our gardens that deserve to be rescued 
FIG. 59.— PIPTANTHUS NEPALENSIS. 
from the obscurity and neglect into which they have fallen owing to 
the continued and extended introduction of novelties. 
It is of branching habit, but not bushy, and seems to need support 
of some kind, as it has a rather straggling appearance. Trained to a 
wall it both succeeds well and is very pretty during May and early June, 
as it flowers abundantly when in good condition. But it is far from 
being common, though it is quite hardy in most parts of England. It 
needs the protection of a wall in the northern and colder districts, but 
in the south it is rarely injured, even if planted in the open. 
The name given above is the one by which it is best known, hut it 
has several synonyms, Baptisia nepalensis being one that is occasionally 
seen, and more rarely Thermopsis nepalensis and T. laburnifolia. 
NON-SYRINGING AN ANTIDOTE FOR MEALY BUG. 
I have been much interested in reading what has been written at 
various times on mealy bug in vineries, and as anxiously have I waited 
the result of an experiment I tried on an old vinery nearly four years 
ago. I now wish to make my experience known for the benefit of all 
who will give the plan a trial. 
On taking charge of a garden on the 1st November, 1888, I found an 
