June 13, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
523 
I would remind Mr. Thomson that no amount of increiulity can possibly 
alter facts, and facts speak for themselves. 
So far the greater portion of this discussion has been conducted on 
purely theoretical lines, as there appear but few of your correspondents 
who have ventured out of the old track. If my little Vines were not 
grown in the best possible way before planting, they gave ample proof 
of their appreciation of the treatment they received after planting, I 
gave them my best attention and fed them on the best of food, and I 
was highly gratified by the result, 
I can from experience recommend those about to embark in Grape 
growing to try the newer method, which I have found so successful. I 
fancy there are but few market growers in the present day who would 
care to wait two years after planting before getting a crop of Grapes. 
The little Vines under discussion are not the first or the last I have 
planted out of 3-inch pots with equal success, and which I hope to give 
some account at a future time. 1 may add that I have found that the 
successful cultivation of the Vine depends more on unwearying labour 
and close attention to detail than to luck. 
I ought to feel deeply grateful to “ Examiner ” (p. 495) for the trouble 
he has taken in correcting my errors in reference to the crop of 2700 bunches 
of Grapes in a house 300 feet in length, referred to by '■ Market Grower,” 
page 425. I do not know where “ Examiner ” obtained his informa¬ 
tion, perhaps he may be in possession of facts which I do not possess. 
“ Market Grower ” makes no reference to the number of Vines, or the 
class of house in which the Grapes were grown. Assuming the house to 
be a lean-to. “ Examiner ” would be quite correct by stating that the 
number of Vines* at 2 feet 6 Inches apart would be 120, but with respect 
to his other calculations he appears to be slightly out; 120 Vines 
carrying the above number of bunches would average twenty-two and 
half bunches per rod, not twenty-three. The weight per rod at IJ lb, 
per bunch would be 33| lbs., and not 40 lbs., as stated by “ Examiner.” 
I assume that the house is span-roofed from the fact that it was devoted 
to Gros Colman Grapes, and grown for market, and if so I think my 
figures are not very far out. “ Examiner” estimates the crop at 2s. 
per pound, whereas “Market Grower” distinctly states the price at 
Is. Id. per pound, while he is not sure if all the crop was fit to sell, and 
that puts the matter in a very different light.— Wm. Innes, Derby. 
From Mr. J. Thomson’s note (page 495) on the straw-like Vines 
grown by Mr. Innes I conclude he cannot have visited the Sunny Hill 
Vineries or he would not continue harping on the one string (though I 
have heard the fine air of “ Auld Kobin Gray ” played on one string, 
causing a thrill never to be forgotten). Thirty years back I about 
committed to memory the late Mr. William Thomson’s book on the Vine. 
It gave me ideas then that you could do almost anything with the Vine, 
and when I look over thirty years’ notes on the cultivation of Grapes, 
seen and carried out by myself and others, I find that Mr. Innes’ culti¬ 
vation is beaten in several instances—one in Derbyshire (the able 
gardener now gone to rest), though this was only a small house of 
Alicantes. 
But Mr. Innes’ Grape growing was carried out on an extensive scale 
—fine lofty houses, well heated and well ventilated ; rods as straight and 
regular as rods could be, with bunches hanging from the border to the 
full length of the rods, principally Muscats and Gros Colman, perfectly 
finished in colour, equally sized large berries, all the shoulders taken 
from the Gros Colman bunches, and they generally hung in pairs. My 
first visit to see these Grapes was through purchasing a basket after 
Christmas. They came in such splendid condition, and were of such 
fine flavour, that my employer said by all means go and see them, and 
many visits I made afterwards to take a wrinkle. Muscats and Gros 
Colman every year I found improved, and generally some little addition 
in engineering skill for raising and warming water and heating the 
houses, 
I will quote the history of one remarkable Vine growing at one end 
of a lean-to house, raised from a straw-like plant, as Mr. Innes, generally 
from what I saw. planted these small things. The Vine in question was 
a Barbarossa (Gros Guillaume), and the third year (1892), carried 
thirteen bunches of jet black Grapes weighing 108 lbs. In 1893 it 
carried ten bunches, weighing 83 lbs., the berries being very much 
larger than the previous year, the largest bunch weighing 12J lbs,, the 
smallest 5j lbs. The most noteworthy features, however, relating to 
these crops of Grapes were the fine quality and flavour. Some of the 
houses I noted a few years back. I think in the Journal. I may add 
another fact—namely, the character of the wood. It was nothing gross, 
but the thickness of an ordinary lead pencil gives the general idea of 
the laterals that carried these good Grapes.— George Bolas, 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 11th. 
The exhibition at the Drill Hall on Tuesday was a very fine one in 
every way. Hardy flowers were seen in great numbers and diversity, 
and the quality was excellent throughout. The display of Pmonies 
was the finest ever seen, and Roses were also conspicuous. Orchids were 
shown in the best of form, but were not so numerous as we have seen 
them at this season of the year. The Fruit Committee had not many 
exhibits before them, and they were as usual variable in quality. 
Fruit Committee. —Present: T. Francis Rivers. Esq. (in the chair) ; 
and Rev. W. Wilks, with Messrs. J. Cheal, A. H. Pearson, F. Q. Lane, 
H. Balderson, G. Wythes, G. H. Sage, W. Farr, R. Fyfe, A. Dean, 
J. Hudson, J. Wright, and Dr. Hogg. 
Before the commencement of business Mr; A. H. Pearson referred in 
appropriate terms to the great loss of the Chairman by the death of 
Mrs. Crowley, ar d it was proposed by him, and seconded by Mr. J- 
Wright, “ That the members of the Fruit Committee wish to express 
their deepest sympathy with their Chairman in the great loss and sorrow 
which has recently befallen him.” Carried unanimously. 
The Committee then proceeded to examine Melons. Strawberries, 
Tomatoes, and vegetables that were sent for examination. Mr, 
T. Spencer, The Gardens, Goodrich Court, Herefordshire, sent a very 
large scarlet-flesh Melon, Goodrich Seedling. The flesh was the reverse 
of thick for the size of the fruit, which was not fortunate in receiving 
any award. Mr. Owen Thomas sent from the Royal Gardens, Windsor, 
two new Melons. One named The Lady is a medium sized white 
Melon, without netting, and of splendid quality. The rind was thin, 
and flesh a mixture of green and red. A member proposed an award 
of merit, with an intimation that a finer fruit might be forthcoming to 
justify a first-class certificate. This was carried unanimously; A jocular 
remark passing across the table that some of the critics required another 
tasting treat. The other fruit sent was named Pine Apple, a boldly 
netted pale green flesh Melon, but the flavour was considered too strong 
and musky. 
A grand dish of the Leader Strawberry was placed on the table, also 
a dish of Laxton’s Monarch, a good-sized fruit of splendid quality, and 
the exhibitors, Messrs. Laxton Brothers, were requested to send a plant 
in order that its character could be appreciated pending the possible 
award of a certificate. Mr. J. Collis, Rollo Lane, Chiswick, sent a disb 
of Collis’s May Queen Strawberry, a medium sized pleasant fruit. The- 
variety has previously had an award of merit. 
Mr. J. Hudson sent from Gunnersbury House Gardens a box of 
splendid Lord Napier Nectarines gathered from a tree bearing 400 fruits, 
and which last year had 600. A cultural commendation was promptly 
awarded. Mr. J. Corbett, gardener to the Rev. the Marquis of Normanby, 
Mulgrave Castle, sent a dish of his Tomato Excelsior, small to medium- 
sized fruits of excellent quality, firm, and of enjoyable flavour. It has- 
been proved a free bearer at Chiswick, and an award of merit was 
granted. 
Mr. R. Filkins, Oakhurst Gardens, Chislehurst, sent a basket of 
Potato Queen of the Earlies, clean and excellent tubers, resembling 
Early Laxton. The tubers were planted outside on March 13tb, and 
digging commenced last Saturday. Referred to Chiswick for trial. 
Samples of Spinach were sent from Chiswick, one variety named “The 
Carter ” was remarkable for its large thick leaves, and as it is evidently 
the last to run to seed, was granted an award of merit under what 
was considered undoubtedly its proper name, Longstander. The seed, 
an excellent stock, was supplied by Messrs. Carter & Co., and the 
variety is worth growing everywhere. T. H. Stables, Esq., Belmont, 
Salisbury, sent a bundle of large blanched Asparagus, for which a 
cultural commendation was awarded. 
Mr. H. W. Ward sent three dishes of Peas—Lightning, William 
Hurst, and Telegraph, transplanted from pots. Good gatherings were 
made on 20th May ; samples excellent, and a cultural commendation 
was granted unanimously. Mr. J. Crook, Forde Abbey, Chard, sent 
bearing plants of Chelsea Gem Pea, grown without protection, and 
was accorded a vote of thanks. 
A silver medal was recommended for twenty-four beautiful dishes of 
Tomatoes and boxes of The Marvel Cucumber, exhibited by Mr. Mortimer, 
Rowledge; also bronze medals to Mr. G. Wythes and Mr. A. Pentney, 
The Gardens, Worton Hall, Isleworth, for collections of vegetables, a 
similar award being granted to Messrs. Laxton Brothers for Strawberries. 
Floral Committfe. —Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair); 
and the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain, with Messrs. H. B. May, J. Fraser, 
O. Thomas, J. Laing. C. T. Druery, H. Herbst, R. Dean. R. Owen, 
W. Bain, C. Blick, E. Beckett, H. Cannell, J. D. Pawle. J. E. Shea, 
J. Walker, G. H. Engleheart, G. Paul, J. T, Bennett-Poe, H. Turner, 
H. Selfe Leonard, H. J. J'->nes, E. Mawley, and G. Gordon. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, exhibited a large and varied 
collection of hardy flowers, all of which were fine and in an excellent 
condition of freshness. Amongst numbers of others were noticed 
Pmonies in good variety. Phlox ovata. Geum chiliense, Centaureas 
montana alba and montana rubra, Gaillardia grandiflora. Campanulas 
persicifolia alba and persicifolia grandiflora. Erigerons glaucum and 
philadelphicum, Achillea macrophylla, Epilobium *angustifolium, 
Betonica grandiflora, Veronica carnea, Doronicum austriacum, Stenactis 
sneciosa, Anchusa italica. Polygonum affine, Heuchera sanguines, 
Papaver nudicaule, together with Lupins and Irises in variety (silver 
Banksian medal). 
A bright collection of old-fashioned and garden Roses was staged 
by Messrs. Geo. Cooling & Sons. Bath. The exhibit included numerous 
varieties of these charming flowers, and amongst many others were 
noticed Persian Yellow, Charles Lawson, Polyantha grandiflora, Rosa 
polyantha, Rosa Mundi, Sweet Briar, Janet’s Pride, Copper Austrian 
Briar, Miniature, Yellow Austrian Briar, Harrisoni, W. A. Richardson, 
White Scotch Briar, Rosa viridiflora. Moss Rose Little Gem, Rosa 
rugosa alba, Laurette, and Sweet Briar Lord Penzance. The firm also 
staged a stand of the beautiful new Hybrid Perpetual Lawrence- 
Alien (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. Kelway & Son. Langpori, 
staged a huge collection of Paeonies, Delphiniums, and Pyrethrums, 
The exhibit occupied a large expanse of staging, and produced a very 
showy effect. Conspicuous amongst the former were Pansies Torque- 
mada. Donald Grant. Langport Queen, Olivia, Tory Leader, Lady 
Beresfcrd, Duke of Devonshire, Peach Blossom, Duke of Cambridge, 
