April 19, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
297 
embellishment that has added so largely to the expenses of gardens 
during recent years. It would be no great hardship to somewhat 
curtail the use of these when there is so much that is beautiful and 
refreshing without. Few owners of gardens have thought the matter 
over in this way, but have only followed the dictates of fashion—that 
goddess which leads us often into winding paths. If perchance these 
lines should be read by some thoughtful and generous employers, 
who through the exigencies of present times are compelled to study 
some means of keeping the expenditure of their gardens at a still 
lower point, let them consider well the facts stated, and I think 
they will then see where the shoe of many a struggling gardener 
“ pinches the most,” and where, in their own interests, they may 
perhaps lighten it.— Blait Bowkail. 
SETTING MUSCAT GRAPES. 
In no other Grape so largely grown is a bad set ” so notice' 
able as in the Alexandrian Muscat. Badly set bunches, where the 
conveniences are available for providing a sufficient amount of heat, 
show a want of cultural skill. Not only are imperfectly fertilised 
bunches objectionable to the eye, but represent a distinct loss of crops, 
and from an exhibitor’s point of view are totally useless. Now that 
Muscat of Alexandria Vines are passing through the flowering stage, 
a note on setting the fruit may be of service to some readers. 
Although many fine bunches of Muscat of Alexandria are pro¬ 
duced in “ mixed ” vineries, the best crops are found in houses 
solely devoted to this fine Grape. There are instances of perfectly 
“ set ” bunches having been obtained in low temperatures ; but in 
my opinion the high temperature system has been the most satis¬ 
factory. In the first place, the Vines must be in the best of health, 
then with a perfect command of heat there is no reason why there 
should be any failure in the crop. 
From the time the bunches are drawing out until the first 
flowers expand I maintain a night temperature of about 70°, rais¬ 
ing it to 75° if possible when the Vines are in full bloom. I admit 
air through the top ventilators when the thermometer rises to 75°, 
to dissipate some of the moisture in the house before the heat 
becomes too great. The sun shining on the house, when there is 
much moisture in the atmosphere, is liable to result in scorching, 
the foliage of this Muscat being more tender than any other Grape 
in cultivation. The temperature during the day may rise to 90° 
with air, gradually reducing the ventilation as the heat declines, 
until the house is closed at 83°. 
I never admit air to any vinery through the front ventilators 
until the berries are taking their second swelling after the stoning 
process. The vineries are not so well protected from easterly 
winds as I should like, and admitting air through the front venti¬ 
lators invites mildew. Vineries differently situated may be 
managed on more simple lines perhips, but in the case of this 
Muscat I cannot recommend front air while the Vines are in flower. 
I have seen it tried and failed, and from such experience we may 
take'lessons. In dull weather, when no aid is obtained from the 
sun, fire heat is employed to make up the loss to 80° for a few days 
until fertilisation is thoroughly effected. The temperature is then 
gradually lowered to 70° by night, with a corresponding decline by day, 
as a continuation of the greater heat has a tendency to weaken the 
Vines in their growth and favour red spider. The air is kept rather 
dry, and it suffices to moisten the surface of the border, walla and 
paths once a day during bright weather to prevent an attack of the 
enemy. The evaporating troughs are not filled with water while 
the Vines are in flower. Care is exercised when moistening the 
border that the water does not fall on the heated pipes, especially 
if the bunches hang near to them, as the steam arising often rusts 
the tender skin of the berries. Rust is a defect in culture. It not 
only spoils the appearance of the berries but prevents their swelling, 
and leads to the rupture of the skin. 
When the Vines are in bloom each bunch is sharply tapped 
daily to disperse the pollen, this greatly assisting fertilisation. 
About midday is the best time for doing this, as the pollen is then 
dry. Each bunch is also passed over daily with a hare or rabbit’s 
tail fastened to a stick, gently drawing it over the folly expanded 
flowers. Where several vineries are built in one range it is a 
mistake to allow the doors to remain open for any length of time 
while the Vines are in flower to cause a draught. What is 
required in setting Muscats is an equable temperature—a minimum 
of fluctuations.—E. Molyneux. 
THE BLACK CURRANT MITE. 
It would be very interesting, and useful also, if we could get 
information from various parts of the country as to the state of 
Currant bushes this spring ; whether the attack of this pest is 
becoming more general, and what means are being employed to 
eradicate it. I am under the impression it is more prevalent than 
we anticipate, for it is no uncommon thing to ask a person whether 
his bushes are attacked to be told they do not know. On examining 
the trees after receiving such an answer it has been found in no 
mistakeable manner. I think I am correct in saying Kent is 
suffering most from its ravages at the present time, doubtless 
owing to the enormous quantity of Currants grown in that county. 
In Essex, too, it appears to be widespread, for I have found 
numerous cases. 
I am afraid the pest is not of such modern origin as many 
people suppose, for one large grower in Mid-Kent told me he had 
known it for ten years, but that it had caused little damage until 
within the last four or five years. I am also acquainted with a 
case in Essex where it has just been discovered on many bushes. 
In this particular case it is very evident it has not been imported 
recently, for no fresh bushes have been introduced to the garden 
for more than ten years. Where has it come from ? I should like 
to ask the readers of the Journal if they notice its attacks to be 
more prevalent on one variety than another, for the evidence I get 
is somewhat conflicting. One large grower informs me the Black 
Naples is most susceptible to its ravages, and I have found a similar 
case myself. On looking through a farm plantation I found the 
Baldwin quite clean, while the few trees of Naples present were 
attacked. The variety attacked in the E^sex garden is Black 
Champion, the other kinds appearing free from its ravages. Its 
attack is not general throughout the county of Kent, for I have 
been in several places where the bushes are quite clear and itw 
ravages unknown. I have been examining a few buds recently 
under the microscope, and found mites and eggs, probably more 
than a hundred in each bud, for I counted as many as fitteen in the 
smallest section I could cut with a razor. 
Hive any readers tried the remedies advanced by the Board 
of Agriculture—viz., to syringe the trees well with a solution of 
1 oz. of Paris green in 11 to 12 gallons of water, with 2 ozs. of 
softsoap to make the mixture adhere, or an emulsion of 6 lbs. 
softsoap, 3 quarts of carbolic acid to 100 gallons of water, the 
bushes to be syringed in the early spring, and again in the autumn 
after the leaves have fallen ? Any information based on such 
experience would be most valuable, for many practical growers at- 
the present time are under the impression the only effectual 
remedy is to take out the bushes, and wait a few years before 
planting again. 
Many of the Kentish growers employed women to pick 
off the swollen buds, but it was found to be of little use. Others 
tried cutting the trees down, expecting the young growth to be 
quite free, but the buds were soon attacked again, and at the 
present time the Black Currant mite appears master of the situa¬ 
tion. It certainly behoves all growers to be careful when they 
obtain fresh stock, for if the garden is clear at the present time 
every effort must be made to keep it so. The young plants should 
be carefully watched, and if a swollen bud is found it should be 
burned and the trees should be dressed at once.— Jas. B. Riding. 
[Our correspondent thinks the Currant bud mite is not new 
We have been acquainted with it for more than a quarter of a 
century, and a correspondent has stated (page 221) that he has 
known it for sixty years.] 
“MUSHROOMS FOR THE MILLION.” 
After a sale of upwards of 30,000 copies, another large edition of 
this manual was called for, and is produced. In an addendum to the 
seventh edition, the author says : — 
" Though there has been an enormously increased supply of home 
grown Mushrooms during recent years, consumers appear to increase 
in much the same ratio : otherwise there must have been a much greater 
reduction in prices than has been recorded. Taking the Covent Garden 
prices in 1886, the quotations the first week in January were 6d. to Is. 
a punnet, and in the corresponding month of the present year (1894) 
they were 9J. to Is. Last year they were 6d. to Is. Mushrooms were 
what may be termed dear in the first week of January, 1890-2, and cheap 
during the three preceding years at corresponding dates. The suppliei 
fluctuate according to the weather. Even at the low current price of 
last year, many market gardeners who are expert Mushroom growers 
found this the most profitable of all their outdoor crops. Half crops 
will not pay any more than will half crops of anything else ; nor will 
cultivated Mushrooms defray the cost of production in the months of 
June to September inclusive. 
As a profitable combination, attention is called to the practice of 
growing Tomatoes under glass in the summer, followed by Mushrooms 
in the winter, one grower often finding the Mushrooms pay him as well 
as the Tomatoes do, though he gives 6s. a load for manure. Notes are 
added on growing Mushrooms in houses, pncompanied by a photograph 
of a bed as produced by Mr. T. Wiikms, Inwood House Gardens. The 
edition is dedicated to Mr. Owen Thomas (with photograph), as the 
originator of the work. It has grown to 140 pages, the price remaining 
the same—1?., or Is. 3d. po;t free from this office. 
