322 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 13, 1887. 
Cannell & Sons, Stanley, had a basket of plants of the neat double white 
Begonia Octavie with blooms of double and single Tuberous Begonia. 
A first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. G. Stevens for the Japanese 
William Cobbett, the same variety that was certificated the previous day at 
South Kensington, and is described on page 325 this week. 
Ttie majority of the Chrysanthemum growers present state that their 
plants are later than usual this year, and it is expected that some of the 
public displays like that at Finsbury Park will be fully a week later than 
last year. The prospect of good blooms and plenty of them is encouraging, 
and with favourable weather satisfactory Bbows will no doubt attract 
numbers of visitors. 
VINES AND INSEC rs. 
There are still those who cling with considerable tenacity to 
the notion that it is next to an impossibility to grow Vines under 
glass without their being subjected to an attack of red spider in 
some stage of their growth. Such conclusions may have a very 
consoling effect on the minds of those who have their old friend 
3 T ear after year to devour the foliage of their Vines and cripple 
their energies long before the work of accumulation and maturation 
has been completed. It would indeed be a comfort to us if we 
could but realise from the following year’s results that no harm 
was done by an attack of this troublesome little pest. 
To look upon red spider as practically harmless if the Grapes 
can be finished, is fostering in the minds of many young gardeners 
and amateurs a sort of indifference and carelessness about a matter 
that is of the utmost importance if Vines are to be retained in 
health and produce large crops of excellent fruit annually. I have 
seen Vines literally devoured, and considered by those in charge as 
a “ slight attack; ” in fact the matter treated with indifference by 
not attempting, after the fruit had been cleared away, to eradicate 
it. The destruction of the foliage early in the season, or months 
before it should assume an autumn appearance, too frequently 
results in badly coloured puny fruit that shanks and shrivels the 
following season instead of attaining a high state of perfection. It 
may be questioned whether a severe attack of red spider will result 
in shanking the following season. It would be difficult to disprove 
the case, much more so than to prove many of the notions to which 
shanking is attributed. To allow the foliage to be devoured and 
rendered useless, just at the time when there is most need for it to 
assist the Vine to bear the burden of the crop and finish in a 
natural manner its season’s work, is equally as bad as tearing the 
foliage from the Vines in a green state as soon as the fruit is ripe. 
What would be thought of the individual who did this ? The 
wonder is that there is fruit of any description the following 
season, for the fact cannot be overlooked that directly the foliage 
fails the whole work of the Vine is brought to a standstill. Only 
half the season’s work has been done when the fruit is ripe, for the 
Vine has to perfect its wood and buds for the following season, and 
store food from which the young growths can draw supplies before 
the roots are called into requisition. 
It may be thought that I am presenting an overdrawn picture 
of the evils that result from red spider attacks, but such is not the 
case, for I have seen Vines, and Peaches too, this season, that were 
as brown as if they had been roasted in an oven. If the destruction 
of the leaves by spider results in such baneful effects, slight attacks 
also do injury to some extent. It may not be sufficient to be per¬ 
ceptible the following season, nevertheless it is hard to say what 
superior results might be attained if no injury to the foliage had 
occurred. Many houses are cleared of Grapes and the foliage still 
fresh upon them ; in fact as the fruit is cut see that no insects exist 
upon the foliage. If ever so few they should be destroyed at once, 
although the season is advancing and they would not spread to any 
serious extent now that the sun has lost its power and the houses 
will be kept cool. It is important that they be destroyed, not only 
for the preservation of the foliage this year, but as a provision 
against an attack another season. It is not sufficient to trust to a 
thorough washing or painting of the house and the removal of the 
surface soil of the border. There are plenty of crevices in which 
insects can establish themselves ready to spring into life and attack 
the Vines at the first favourable opportunity that presents itself in 
spring or early summer. A few good syringings might displace 
them, and prove ample for the preservation of the foliage until the 
end of the season. But this would not insure thorough destruction, 
therefore more stringent measures should be adopted to do so. 
Various courses can be taken, and the Vines syringed thoroughly 
with any insecticide that will destroy spider. Many have compo¬ 
sitions which they prefer and have proved to be effectual in destroy¬ 
ing it, but there may be others who scarcely know how to proceed, 
or whether they are using a too strong or too weak solution. The 
one I prefer for red spider consists of 3 ozs. of softsoap dissolved 
in four gallons of water, with two good handfuls of sulphur stirred 
into it. This should be mixed first with a little water, and then 
stirred into each four gallon bucket as the solution is applied. If 
placed into the bucket or other vessel used it floats, and takes some 
time before it can be properly mixed ready for use. This solution 
may be freely applied, for it will do no harm. This may be allowed, 
to remain on three or four days, or even a week. The length of 
time depends upon the weather, whether it is bright or the reverse. 
It docs its work quickly and effectually during bright fine weather, 
and is considerably longer and less effectual during dull sunless 
weather. It may here be mentioned that if red spider attacks the 
foliage during the growing season this is our sole remedy. The 
under side of the leaves are sponged when it is first seen ; not only 
the leaves attacked, but for some conuderable distance round. It 
may take a little longer than sulphuring the pipes, which is practi¬ 
cally useless unless they are rendered hot, for it will not destroy 
the red spider, and if the fumes are strong enough to do this they 
are certain to prove injurious to the Vines. The plan advised I 
have never known to fail. After the Vines have been syringed and 
the sulphur has been allowed to remain until the spider is destroyed, 
then thoroughly wash the Vines with clean water. 
Next to this plan a solution of petroleum and water is preferred. 
Three ounces of the former to four gallons of the latter will prove 
effectual. The oil must be well broken up by returning one 
syringeful in the bucket with force, and then distribute the next 
quickly upon the Vines. The action of the sun and oil is apt to 
turn the foliage rather yellow, but this can be prevented by a light 
shade over the roof for a day or two until the oil has evaporated. 
As soon as the foliage is dry the shading may with safety be 
removed. Fir tree oil, lemon oil, Fowler’s insecticide, and Gis- 
hurst compound, mixed as recommended by each vendor, will also 
destroy red spider without injury to Vines. 
Thrips are no less harmful on Vines than red spider if they are 
allowed to commit their ravages unmolested. It is indeed question¬ 
able if they would not do greater harm than the red spider in less 
time, for they are not content with devouring the foliage, but prey 
upon the wood as well as the fruit. They are, however, much less 
to be feared, for their ravages can be checked by fumigating the 
house with tobacco smoke, and two or three applications at intervals 
of a few days will destroy them. Perhaps thrips do most injury if 
they make an attack about the time the fruit is approaching 
maturity or is hanging ripe on the Vines. This arises principally 
from a common idea that the smoke will interfere with the flavour 
of the fruit, and in consequence they are left until the fruit has 
been cut. Smoking when the fruit is ripe, or approaching that 
stage, will not injure it in the least. All that is needed is to cut 
the supply for a few days before the house is fumigated, for the 
fruit will smell of the smoke for a few days only. 
It has been said that mealy bug amongst Vines is “ worse than 
phylloxera,” and that it is “ impossible ” to eradicate it. I would 
rather have the former than the latter to deal with, and differ 
widely from those who think its destruction an impossibility. 
How to accomplish this desirable end will take up too much space 
on this occasion, and must therefore form the subject of another 
communication.— Wm. Bardney. 
ABERAMAN HOUSE. 
Aberaman House, the South Wales residence of Sir George 
Elliott, Bart., M.P., is situated midway between Abenlareand Mountain 
Ash. The house is a modern structure, and attached to it is a fine 
balcony supported by fifteen columns, which gives it a grand architec¬ 
tural appearance. Adjoining the mansion is a span-roof conservatory, 
which at the time of my visit was occupied with Fuchsias and collection of 
Palms and other choice plants, some of the Palms being grand specimens, 
particularly Phoenix dactylifera, Phoenix reclinata, and Seaforthia 
elegans 10 feet high, with fine foliage down to the base. This house 
also contains a fine specimen of Latania borbonica, about 12 feet in 
diameter. The lawn in front of the house was looking very effective 
with bedding plants intermixed with Conifers, Yuccas, &c. The. 
pleasure grounds in general with the huge clumps of Rhododendrons, 
Ghent Azaleas, choice Conifers, herbaceous borders, &c., are all one could 
wish to see in a nobleman’s establishment. 
Aberaman has been nott-d for many years for the cultivation of the 
Pine Apple, and at the time of my visit I came to the conclusion thae 
they are still well grown. I noticed some fine Queens, which when 
ripe would weigh over 5 lbs., and Smooth Cayenne would no doubt 
reach 8 lbs. ; they are all fruited in 12-inch pots. The Vines are also, 
looking well, bearing large bunches of the varieties Black Hamburgh, 
Black Prince, Alicante, Golden Champion, Mrs. Pince, Venn’s Muscat, 
Trebbiano, Gios Guillaume, West's St. Peter’s,!Muscat Hamburgh, Bowood 
Muscat, Lady Downe’s, and Muscat of Alexandria. The whole of them; 
are in good condition, carrying a fine crop of Grapes, the bunches 
weighing from 2 lbs. up to 7 and 8 lbs. each. The black Grapes are 
superb in colour, berries, bunch and general finish, the Black Hamburgh 
having been awarded the first prize for three years in succession at the 
Aberdare Horticultural Show in strong competition ; this is sufficient 
proof that the Grapes are well grown in these vineries. The stove 
plants are in good condition, amongst them being some fine specimens. 
Eucharises are well grown, the plants measuring 5 feet in diameter; 
