May 24,1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
413 
flowers. This is also the case with a number of plants of the same 
variety in the collection at St. George’s Park. 
In the cut bloom classes there were some good flowers shown in both 
incurved and Japanese, the weak point being in the reflexed. Mr. Brett 
took first for twenty-four blooms, consisting of twelve Japanese, six 
incurved, and six reflexed. This stand also obtained the National 
Society’s certificate for the best incurved bloom in the Show, which was 
a fine deep flower of Guernsey Nugget; also the certificate for the best 
Japanese bloom—viz., a very fine solid specimen of Mr. H. Cannell. 
In most of the amateur classes there was strong competition, the 
prizes being most divided between Mr. Houghton, Mr. Stroud, and Mr. 
Kemsley. The two certificates in the amateur classes were won by Mr. 
Houghton, his best incurved bloom being Miss M. A. Haggis and the 
best Japanese Viviand Morel. In the ladies’ classes for bouquets and 
similar exhibits all were well staged. 
GLASS HOUSES ON WHEELS. 
The accompanying illustration (fig. 67) represents a glass house on 
wheels, a system which has been patented by the Horticultural 
Travelling Structure Company. To many horticulturists it wdll appear 
as a reversed method of that advocated 
by the late Mr. Fountaine, and tried 
among other places at the gardens of 
the Royal Horticultural Society, Chis¬ 
wick, some years ago. In that case 
the plants were grown on a trolley on 
wheels, and moved in and out of the 
structure as was necessary, but in the 
present instance the house is on wheels 
and may be pushed over the various 
crops. 
The inventors claim that the travel¬ 
ling structures possess many advan¬ 
tages over the ordinary erections, and 
in a circular before us point out their 
utility for field and garden crops. They 
are made in various s zes, and may 
be used for Vines, Tomatoes, Chrys¬ 
anthemums, Roses, Strawberries, and 
fruit trees generally, provided the 
crops are planted in regular order 
between the rails on which the house 
runs. Some of the structures are 
heated, such as that shown in the 
engraving, the hot-water pipes being 
suspended from the woodwork. Lean- 
to houses for placing over fruit trees 
on walls are also made, and these 
will probably prove the more useful. 
For field and garden crops of Straw¬ 
berries span-roof frames are built on 
the same principle. At a recent view 
of these buildings no definite infor¬ 
mation regarding the cost of the erections could be ascertained, but 
a director of the company informed a Journal representative that it 
■“ would be well within that of the ordinary glass houses.” 
GRAPE GROS MAROC. 
Relative to the remarks of Mr. W. Iggulden, at page 378, I shall 
note very carefully what northern Grape growers have to say respecting 
the article in question. Some grand examples of Cooper’s Black were 
staged at the September shows at Edinburgh, but I failed to see the 
difference between them and Alicante. Certainly I could never see 
the least trace of Gros Maroc in those shown as Cooper’s Black. 
While admitting the value of working this variety on other stocks, 
this is not a necessity, good quality market fruit being produced on 
its own roots. 
It would be interesting to know if the famed cropping Vines of the 
true variety of Gros Maroc at Sawbridgeworth are on their own roots or 
not. Seeing these particular Vines in full bearing is always enjoyable, 
the bunches, if not large, being good in berries and well finished. 
According to my experience Gros Maroc does vary as regards shape of 
berry when grown on its own roots. I have a round and an oval 
variety, but in both cases the foliage is precisely the same. Then the 
original grafts or eyes sent out by the late Mr. T. Rivers were the same ; 
but it was supposed the stock caused the variation. The ovate berry is 
the true shape. Yet, as before remarked, I have several Vines with 
round berries, but in propagating I should give preference to the first- 
named shape. The variety is somewhat difficult to establish, taking one 
year more than Gros Col man for fruiting purposes ; but when it is at 
home it is indeed an early autumn good selling Grape. 
Compared with any other Grape up to the final swelling, Gros Maroc 
is most disappointing, the size of bunches being small. When ripe, 
however, the smallest pieces, which at one time looked more like 
tendrds, will turn the scale at 1 lb. At thinning time it would be hard 
to say where the 2 lbs. bunches are coming from. Yet we do have them 
when ripe. As regards the weight per Vine, it will never equal Gros 
Colman—at least, for two years in succession. Still the other advantages 
will always command a place for this easy growing Grape.— Stephen 
Castle, F.R.H.S. _ 
In the very interesting article by Mr. Iggulden on Gros Maroc Grape 
(page 379) of last week’s Journal of Horticulture, he there mentions 
that this variety is so difficult to establish on its own roots, that very few 
cases of it is to be found in the country. We have both Gros Maroc and 
Cooper’s Black here, and find no difficulty in establishing them on their 
own roots ; in fact Gros Maroc planted in a long house with Gros Colman 
is far ahead of the latter in vigour, which is also growing strongly. We 
have always found this variety as free a grower as any we have, and on 
its own roots. I may have a note about the difference between the two 
kinds later on.—D. B., Forth Vineyard, Kippen, 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Scientific Committee.— Present: R. McLachlan. Esq., F.R.S. 
(in the chair) ; and Messrs. G. F. Wilson, F.R.S., D. Morris, C.M.G., 
Drs. Hugo Miiller, F.R.S., Dukinfield H. Scott, and J. Reynolds Green. 
^^Alternating Generations.” —Mr. McLachlan brought before the 
Committee a book bearing the above title, lately issued by the Clarendon 
Press. It is the English translation of a work on Oak galls and gall¬ 
flies by Hermann Adler, translated by Charles R. Straton, F.R.C.S., Ed. 
It has two large plates of illustrations. 
Injuries to Leaves of Rhododendron and Gaultheria. —Dr. Hugo 
Muller exhibited leaves of R. ponticum and Gaultheria Shallon with the 
edges completely riddled, some being destroyed as far as the midrib. 
The plants from which the leaves were taken were injured regularly 
every spring. Mr. McLachlan suggested that the injury was caused by 
weevils (probably a species of Sitones). The better way to deal with 
them would be to watch at night, and shake the insects over a sheet of 
white paper or calico, and destroy them at regular intervals. 
Iris iherica. —Mr. G. F. Wilson brought plants showing considerable 
range of variations in seedlings of Iris iberica. One was a singularly 
large and finely marked specimen. The other was much lighter in 
colour, and with the spots not so distinct. 
Rhododendrons from Siltkim. —Mr. G. F. Wilson exhibited flowers 
of a hybrid Sikkim Rhododendron with large rose-coloured flowers. The 
petals were very broad and flat, measuring inches to 3 inches across. 
Probably allied to R. Nandeo. 
Crinum capense. —A specimen of this plant, forwarded by Mr. F. W. 
Moore of the Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, was interesting, as it had 
been successfully flowered in the open air near Dublin. The flowers 
were numerous, not so large as the type, but fully coloured. 
