October IS, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
323 
with healthy foliage, anil numerous handsome spikes of bloom. Straw¬ 
berries for forcing look well and promise to produce a good crop of fruit. 
The kitchen garden being well stocked with vegetables, very creditable 
for this climate ; in fact, the whole garden is kept in excellent order by 
the gardener, Mr. Mitchell.— Visitor. 
VIOLAS. 
Mr. Steel’s interesting communication on page 275 has prompted 
me to oner the following remarks, though I trust your correspondent 
may alter his mind as regards his closing words, and let us know what 
he has to say of Violas generally, even if his questions are not answered 
hisdiking. Why should not Mr. Steel as a grower of these flowers 
contribute his quota towards solving the problem ? Fi'om a botanical 
standpoint the characteristics of a Viola are as follows :—“ Calyx with 
unequal sepals, all drawn out at the base more or less into ear-lilce 
appendages, lower petals drawn out at the base into a hollow spur, 
stamens approximate, the two anterior anthers furnished with awl- 
shaped appendages ; capsule trigonal ; valves opening with elasticity.” 
As 1 understand the Viola distinct from the Pansy, so-called, but which 
is, I suppose, a hybrid Viola really itself, exhibiting the marked improve¬ 
ments of many years, the line of distinction should be drawn in the 
first sentence of the above quotation—viz., “ Calyx with unequal sepals,” 
a character not allowed in the florists’ Pansy. But if we rigidly pursue 
this course we shall exclude the best Violas, such as Countess of Hope- 
toun, Lady Polwarth, Archie Grant, and all those whose flowers have the 
same rounded tendency ; these, then, would go to the bedding Pansies, 
while such as Mrs ; Gray, Elegans, Grievei, lutea grandiflora, and such 
1 i T' r< -”U, °e retained as Violas. But how are we to establish such a 
rule 1 We ask some of the veteran florists what the Pansy was fifty 
years ago, and is there no chance of our present race of Violas being 
improved also 7 I have before me a copy of the “ Floricultural Cabinet ” 
tor May 1st, 1835, which contains a plate of Carnations and Pansies, two 
of each ; the two former, which are rather a Picotee and Carnation, are 
equal to the best flowers of the day, while the Pansies, which are named 
Iver Beauty and Royal Crimson, could not well be equalled for their 
inferiority ; but in successive volumes of the “ Cabinet ” the improve- 
ment in these is marked, until the unequal sepals of fifty years ago have 
reached the standard of our present florists. From the Violas of years 
ago we have great improvements, which, if continued, will end in well- 
rounded flowers. But Mr. Steel's remarks seem to refer to the exhibition 
board, upon which I stand neutral, though I hope to hear the opinions of 
some of the grey-haired veterans on the subject. Cannot our friend, 
Mr. W. Dean, help us ?—E. Jenkins. 
KEEPING PLANTS CLEAN. 
This important matter to all horticulturists is so well handled by 
your correspondent “B.” in last week’s Journal, that we would advise 
your readers to re-peruse the article. “ B.” sensibly bases his remarks 
on the principle that “ Prevention is better than cure.” After mention¬ 
ing the fact that neglect in taking precautionary measures is the prime 
cause of the amount of injury wrought by insect pests, “ B.” puts a 
proposition with which all will cordially agree—viz., that “An insecticide 
that is at once cheap and quickly efficient is a desideratum that many 
hard-worked gardeners want.” “ B.,” however, errs in the conclusion he 
comes to, in the next sentence. He also infers wrongly “ that it is to 
P' m ®f lca ”— as he states in another paragraph—“ that we are indebted 
for the first public intimation of the only safe and effective method of 
employing petroleum.” In the interests of British trade and enterprise 
in horticulture we may be allowed to assert that two methods of pre- 
paring petroleum as an insecticide have for some time been before the 
public in this country. One of these—an “ emulsion of paraffin,”—is 
K P T ?t, rc i ntly (' ve wr ' te without prejudice) very similar to the emulsion 
B. describes, and we have heard it highly spoken of. The other, our 
own preparation, combines a preparation of petroleum by means of 
-ftening potash and other elements taken up with tobacco powder. 
We have by these means an insecticide strongly impregnated with 
petroleum, and which has the advantage of being applied in powder as 
it is put up, or by means of water for dipping or syringing. In using 
this insecticide in liquid we could not give more fitting directions than 
those given by “ B.” in his two latter paragraphs, and only add that 
the temperature at which the water may be applied is immaterial with 
us. We will readily place this insecticide at “B.’s” service, if he will 
investigate it for himself, and, if disposed, inform you of the results.— 
W. Wood & Son, Wood Green. 
TWEED VINEYARD, CLOVENFORDS. 
Through the kindness of Mr. W. Thomson I was lately enabled to 
pay a visit to this far-famed Grape-growing establishment, and I was 
utterly astonished at the wonderful crops of Grapes. For the produc¬ 
tion of late-keeping Grapes Mr. Thomson erected four span-roofed houses, 
each 200 feet long and 24 feet wide, each having a sharp pitched roof. Two 
of the four large houses are devoted to Lady Downe’s exclusively, and 
the Vines have an enormous crop of fruit, for there are 5000 bunches in 
the two houses of this variety alone. They are grand bunches, too, 
quite symmetrical, the berries closely set, and a badly set bunch or scalded 
berries are almost unknown here. Many shoots have two bunches which 
weigh from 2 lbs. to 2 J lbs. each, and the colour is sloe like. The Vines 
have three and sometimes four branches to each—a kind of modified exten¬ 
sion, allowing enough foliage without crowding. The young wood made 
annually is not very large, but short-join ted, ripe, and solid. The houses 
are heated with twelve rows of pipes, six rows being placed on each 
side, thus abundance of heat is obtained without heating the pipes 
unduly. Simple ventilating gear is supplied to the top and bottom front 
lights. 
The other two houses of the same size as those devoted to the Lady 
Downe’s are planted with Gros Colman principally, and present a 
most remarkable sight. There are over 4000 bunches hanging, and 
many of them weigh 4 lbs. each, the berries measuring 1 £ inch in diameter. 
The berries and bunches from the tep to the bottom of the Vines are 
wonderfully even, and were promising at the time of my visit (Sept. 8th) 
to finish grandly in colour. Some of the Vines are upon their own 
roots, while others are grafted upon different stocks, no difference being 
discernible except in the case of one Vine which is worked on Burchardt’s 
Prince; the bunches here assume a tapering appearance resembling the 
Prince, the berries are very large and even. One Vine has as many as 
ten branches growing from one stem ; another Vine, which has some of 
its branches through the partition into the adjoining compartment, has 
no less than 253 bunches, or a total weight of more than 5 cwt. of 
Grapes. At the end, on one side of one of the large houses, is growing 
a Vine of Alicante, which has thirty-nine bunches, everyone fit to place 
upon an exhibition table. 
A corridor from which three of the large houses named branch ia 
120 feet long by 24 feet wide ; in this some very fine bunches of Duke 
of Buccleuch were hanging, being the remains of the crop, the berries 
large, free from the objectionable spot so often seen upon this variety, 
while the flavour was first class. Along with these were growing a few 
rods of Black Hamburgh, but this variety is giving way to later keeping 
varieties. Several other houses, principally lean-to in shape, are now 
devoted to Grapes. Pine Apples and plants for market used to be grown, 
largely ; these have all given way to Grapes. One low house previously 
used for Pelargoniums is now filled with a grand crop of Gros Colman. 
A former Pine stove is planted with Muscat of Alexandria ; the crop was 
at the time of my visit nearly cleared, sufficient remaining to show the 
quality. The soil from its appearance does not appear to be particularly 
well adapted to Grape growing. Mr. Thomson defends almost entirely 
upon his Vine and plant manure, which he applies in the form of a 
surface dressing three times a year, and no manure of any other kind is 
now used. As showing the appreciation of his prepared manure generally 
it may be stated that as much as 94 tons were sold during the month of 
January last. Mr. Thomson considers that by increasing the application, 
this year to his Vine borders he has added considerably to his crop of 
Grapes, which are estimated at 10 tons weight. 
Orchids, too, are largely grown in this establishment. Special 
varieties are cultivated more than a collection of kinds, such as Delia 
purpurata, Dendrobium Leiechianum, Coeloeyne cristata (a fine stock), 
and C. Massangeana, of which large stocks are kept, all in splendid 
condition, reflecting much credit on Mr. W. Thomson, jun., who paysr 
special attention to this branch of their trade, much of the manage¬ 
ment of the vineries devolving upon Mr. Thomson’s second son, John, 
who may well be proud of his achievements in that branch. Any 
gardener having the opportunity to pay Clovenfords a visit should not 
fail to do so, for he is sure tc receive a cordial welcome.—E. MolyNEUX 
THE UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT AND 
PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
After an unobtrusive exi-tence of twenty-one years the Committee of 
this excellent and well conducted Society determined to celebrate the 
attainment of its majority by a dinner at the “ Caledonian Hotel,” Adelphi, 
Strand, which was held on Tuesday evening, October 11th. That the idea 
of such a reunion was well received may be judged from the fact that nearly 
eighty members and visitors were present, including a number of the lead¬ 
ing metropolitan horticulturists, nurserymen, and seedsmen, to many of 
whom the Society was only obscurely known until quite recently. The- 
rtsult of a more intimate acquaintance with the objects and admirable 
method of management has been a considerable increase in the number of 
members, while at the meeting in question substantial additions were made 
to the list of honorary members. It is quite clear that all the Society need? 
is a greater pub’icity, and then, as the Treasurer, Mr. J. Hudson, remarked, 
the number of its members would rapidly advance beyond tbe present 200, 
although this is a total far exceeding what had been previously obtained. 
The principles of the Society are so good, and it is conducted upon such an- 
unusually economical basis, that it would admit of an almost indefinite 
development with a proportionate increase of advantages to tbe members. 
The chair was tak- n at S P.M., by Harry J. Veitcb, Esq., w *' was 
supported by F. A. Pcilbrick, Esq., Q.C., and W. Roupell, Esq., with Messrs. 
Weeks, G. Deal, Sherwood, J. Laing, Manning, G. Stevens, and W. Collins- 
(Secretary). Mr. R. Dean was in the vice chair, the Treasurer (Mr. J. 
Hudson) and other officers of the Society al-o being present. Aft r dispos¬ 
ing of an exceBent repast, the special business of the evening was com¬ 
menced by the Chairman proposing the usual loyal toast, which was intro¬ 
duced in appropriate terms, with particular reference to the social and in¬ 
tellectual progress that has been made in the Queen’s fifty years’ reign. 
Following that on the list was the toast of ‘ Continued Success to the- 
United Horticu'tural and Benefit Society,” coupled with the name of Mr. J. 
Hudson. Mr. H. J. Veitch, in a concise and excellent speech, reviewed the- 
obj cts and position <f the Society as follows— 
As in all matters connected with the benefit of the human race no effort 
can be too great, we cannot do better at this, the twenty-first anniversary 
of the e tablishment of the Unit'd Hort'CuBural Provident and B j nefit 
Society, while look-ngback to see what has already be.-n done, look forward 1 
