January 17, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
53 
the chapters upon Stocks (and in this connection the illustration showing 
the differing styles of roots upon Briar cutting, seedling Briar, and 
Manetti is a feature as useful as it is novel), Propagation, Exhibiting, 
and other matters will be found full of useful information, not merely 
to the beginner but to the more experienced grower, and all bear the 
impress of the hand of one who, before sitting in the study to write the 
book, has gone into the field and the garden and done the work. The 
only hindrance to the widespread popularity of the book is the peculiar 
price. However, all Rose growers must read the book.—J. B. 
master. He came south, and took charge of the gardens at Wrotham 
Park, Barnet, more than fifty years ago, and displayed consummate 
ability in the conduct of all the departments. Flowers, fruit, and 
vegetables were alike grown well, but he achieved the greatest fame in 
Grape-growing, especially perhaps in the renovation of old Vines, lin 
which work he was a pioneer. 
Mr. Thomson eventually took charge of the Duke of Buccleuch’s 
gardens at Dalkeith, and while there he wrote his admirable treatise 
on Vine culture. This proved the foundation of the success of many^a 
DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM THOMSON. 
It is our sorrowful duty to announce the death of one of the greatest 
practical horticulturists of the century, Mr. W illiam Thomson of Cloven¬ 
fords, in his eighty-first year. Mr. Thomson was in his usual health, 
mentally and physically vigorous till the 2nd inst., when he slipped on 
a piece of ice and fell heavily, receiving a severe shaking. A chill 
followed, pneumonia supervened, and he expired on Saturday morning 
last, the 12th inst. 
We have no details of Mr. Thomson’s early life, but think he 
received part of his training as a gardener at Bothwell Castle, and lived 
to become one of the foremost exponents of the art of which he was a 
gardener in the production of the princely fruit, and the name of Mr. 
William Thomson became an honoured one throughout the country. 
In 1890 we referred to Mr. Thomson and his work as follows in 
referring to the last edition of his treatise :— 
“ The veteran cultivator and effective teacher, Mr. William Thomson 
of Clovenfords, has been growing Grapes such as have seldoip, if ever, 
been surpassed, between fifty and sixty years, and twenty-eight years 
have elapsed since the first edition appeared of his ‘ Practical Treatise 
on the Grape Vine ’ (Blackwood). Practical it undoubtedly is, as it is 
a record plainly and clearly told of his actual practice and its excellent 
results. It is impossible to estimate the amount of good that has 
been done in the Grape-growing world by the publicat’.on of this work. 
