September 13, 1888. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
243 
firmly believe that the impression stated above has had its origin from 
this very source. In spite of the fact that fine flowers can be cut from 
maidens on this stock, it is nevertheless useless for working very 
strong growers upon. Weak and moderate growers may live upon it 
and <lo well, but strong growers are liable to collapse if they do not root 
freely from the union of the Rose and stock by deep planting. Strong 
growers will use up this stock in a very short time ; Marechal Niel, Gloire 
de Dijon, and others will kill it in about twelve months. Even the 
moderate growing Teas, if they are grown strongly and do not root freely 
from the union, will not last for any great length of time. When the 
union is buried they do not always root freely from it unless they have 
been covered with soil almost directly they leave the propagating pit. 
I can readily understand that plants grown in pots would last longer 
on this stock than if planted out. The treatment they must receive to 
keep them in good health would promote a more moderate growth, and 
thus they would last longer than those grown luxuriantly in a prepared 
border. I know perfectly well that instances can be adduced that even 
strong growers have lived for many years upon this stock, but they 
would prove the exception, not the rule. I am not writing in a con¬ 
demnatory vein of the Manetti because I have favourites to adduce. 
One stock is as good as another to me as long as it answers the 
purpose satisfactorily for which it is used. I have watched with 
peculiar interest the Manetti and its behaviour as a stock since I 
first had to make cuttings of it in the autumn of 1871, and believe 
it to be useless for several Roses, and practically worthless unless the 
Rose can be induced to root freely and become independent of it. I 
would not plant out Niphetos worked upon it if I knew it, but should 
not hesitate to plant Safrano, Isabella Sprunt, or any that I know 
would emit roots from the union as quickly and freely as those two 
kinds. I will return to the subject.— Wm. Baedney. 
MRS. PINCE’S BLACK MUSCAT GRAPE. 
When well grown this has no equal as a late Grape, although it will 
not keep so long in condition as Lady Downe’s. So this excellent variety 
should also be grown so as to prolong the season. Imperfect setting and 
want of colour are the evils which have been raised against Mrs. Pince, 
but the former is easily overcome by drawing a camel-hair brush over 
the bunches when in flower, and the latter may be averted by not 
cropping too heavily, and by allowing the light to play directly on the 
bunches. Shade by an abundance of foliage has been recommended to 
obviate the evil of defective colour, but this is a great mistake with the 
Grape in question. We have a Vine planted at the west end of a late 
vinery, and noticed last season where the light struck the bunches 
directly there the colour was the densest. I intended to write concerning 
this Grape last season, so as to confirm what was stated by a writer re¬ 
specting Mrs. Pince as grown at Longford Castle. We have some very 
fine bunches with large berries colouring beautifully. Coarse varieties 
are now becoming too largely grown, but in due time these will find 
their level. Gardeners who have tables to keep supplied with superior 
fruit know the praise which is bestowed on well finished bunches of 
this excellent Grape.—A. Young. 
ARTIFICIAL MANURES. 
The satisfaction with which Mr. M. Coombe regards the enlightened 
state that he has suddenly discovered has dawned upon my mind is 
gratifying to me, because many of the truths elucidated are entirely 
opposed to the views he formerly advanced, but which have of late been 
reduced to the point where they can be put into practice. 
I have no intention of reopening this discussion, but as my opponent 
seems somewhat puzzled to define the difference between the “judicious 
combination ” I find in his recent remarks, and the “ properly pro¬ 
portioned ones” he formerly so strongly advocated, I will try to put the 
matter in words incapable of being misconstrued. The judicious com¬ 
bination referred to is brought into action by using the knowledge we 
possess in preparing food for plants, no matter whether that knowledge 
is obtained by the aid of science, practical experience, or close observa¬ 
tion, so long as it supplies the food found to produce the best results. 
The properly proportioned combination theory is giving to plants that 
food which according to science should be perfect; but unfortunately no 
method has yet been devised by which this theory can be reduced to 
economical and successful practice, hence the gradual change of Mr. 
Coombe’s remarks. I have in' no instance opposed the application of 
science to gardening or farming, as I believe the greatest amount of 
success will be attained by those who have a good general knowledge of 
plant life, and whose perceptive faculties and daily experience enables 
them to test their science step by step, discarding those chemical niceties 
that are found unnecessary, turning to account the natural resources 
within their reach, and thereby triumphing over the difficulties which 
beset their path. Knowledge is in itself a tremendous power, but it is a 
notorious fact that those who possess the greatest amount of knowledge 
are by no means the most successful in life. Something else is needed 
viz., the ability to turn to practical use every atom of knowledge 
gained. This is the unerring passport to success in nations and in¬ 
dividuals alike. 
Before taking leave of this subject I gladly express my thanks to 
Mr. Coombe for having, by means of his candid criticisms, brought 
forward a subject of so much importance. In the future I shall deem 
it within my special province to keep watch upon his literary productions, 
and should I find his enthusiasm lead him to advance scientific theories- 
in an impractical form I may again try conclusions with him. If, while 
I am pursuing my scientific studies in peace in the hope of producing a 
perfect plant food, Mr. Coombe will diligently set about the task of 
acquiring the knowledge necessary to analyse soils and manures, he will- 
be able to inform me when I have successfully accomplished my task 
from an economic and also a scientific point of view. Our united efforts 
should then reduce to a simple, efficient, and practical system the use of 
artificial manures. 
I join with my late opponent in the expression of hearty thanks to* 
the Editor for the freedom allowed in this debate, and I trust that those 
readers who have been wearied by its length will be satisfied with its 
termination.—H. Dunkin. 
[We again congratulate our correspondents, both on the ability they 
have displayed, and the admirable tone maintained in the discussion 
that at present terminates, and which cannot fail to have been both, 
interesting and instructive to many readers.] 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Septembee 11th. 
The Exhibition hall was well furnished with plants and flowers, 
several being new and rare, and good collections of fruit were staged, 
the orchard house specimens, grown in pots by Rev. W. Wilks, being 
remarkable for their size, and attracted much attention. 
Feuit Committee.— Present: R. D. Blackmore, Esq., in the chair, 
and A. H. Pearson, J. Cheal, P. Crowley, J. Bennett, J. Willard, 
W. Warren, W. Marshall, G. T. Miles, and J. Wright. 
Yiolette de Bordeaux, a medium-sized purplish Fig, sent from the 
Society’s gardens at Chiswick, was approved by the Committee as of 
good quality, but a certificate was not awarded. Tomato Ascough’s 
Champion, sent by Messrs. Hurst & Son, Houndsditch, was recommended, 
to be tried at Chiswick. It is a rather small fruit, and may possibly not 
prove to be very dissimilar from the Chiswick Red. Devonshire Quarrenden 
and Irish Peach Apples, the former fine and well coloured, the latter of 
excellent quality, were sent by Mr. W. Roupell, Roupell Lodge, S.W., 
and having regard to the fact that they were grown within five 
miles of Charing Cross, a cultural commendation was recorded. Mr. 
Roupell also sent a seedling Tomato, very much like Perfection. Pride 
of Lincolnshire Pea, very large and fine pods, sent by Mr. J. Marriott, 
Boston, was referred to be grown at Chiswick for trial with other 
varieties. Mr. Williams, Blenheim Palace Gardens, sent a good looking 
and well netted Melon, but not of high flavour, but the variety appears 
to be worth trying during a brighter season. Mr. A. Dean sent a dish 
of the Early Harvest Apple, a good early variety, but the fruits were not 
quite ripe. 
Rev. W. Wilks sent a seedling Apple, the Vicar, said to be a free 
cropper and good grower in poor soil. The specimens were very good, 
and thought to resemble the Domino. They were gathered from the 
seedling tree, and more will perhaps be heard of this variety, which is 
of promising usefulness. Several other dishes of fruit were sent by 
Mr. Wilks, and a cultural commendation awarded. They were grown 
in pots in an orchard house. Cox’s Orange Pippin Apples were Hi inches 
in diameter, eleven grown on a tree in a 12-inch pot, and Hormead 
Pearmain 4 inches wide, 3^ inches deep, fourteen being borne on a tree 
in a 10-inch pot. The above were splendid examples of culture, as 
were several Pears, and a cultural commendation was unanimousely 
awarded. Mr. D. Tallerman sent fruit of Strawberries, Gooseberries, 
Rhubarb, and Potatoes dried by the Blackman Ventilator Company, 
Fore Street, London, and the Committee desired that examples be pre¬ 
pared, cooked, and reported upon by the Committee in charge of the cool 
storage trials of fruit. 
An excellent representative collection of fruit, also cordon Plums 
bearing fine crops in pots, were exhibited by Messrs. James Veitch and 
Sons, and a vote of thanks was awarded. 
Floeal Committee. —Present: G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair, 
and Messrs. W. Wilks, J. Walker, W. Goldring, W. Bates, J. W. Lowe, 
R. Dean, T. Baines, C. Pilcher, J. Dominy, H. M. Pollett, J. O’Brien, 
E. Hill, Shirley Hibberd, W. Holmes, J. Fraser, and G. Nicholson. 
Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset, contributed a large collec¬ 
tion of Gladioli spikes wonderfully bright and fine, representing a large 
number of varieties, including several new ones (silver Banksian medal). 
Mr. W. Gordon, Twickenham, sent a handsome group of Lilium lanci- 
folium and L. auratum varieties associated with Japanese Maples and 
Adiantums (bronze Banksian medal). From the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Chiswick Gardens came a collection of Asters, very bright and 
varied in colours ; large heads of Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora also 
came from the same gardens. Mr. G. S. P. Harris, Orpington, Kent,, 
showed a stand of Dahlias, for which a vote of thanks was awarded. 
Mr. Cook, Kingston Hill, sent two plants of Ladia elegans, one having a 
spike of ten fine flowers of good colour. Mr. T. Butcher, Croydon, 
sent plants of Carnation Blushing Bride, very soft delicate pink, free 
and of good habit. _ _ 
F. G. Tautz, Esq., Hammersmith (gardener, Mr. Cowley), was 
awarded a cultural commendation for a well grown plant of Oncidium 
macranthum var. Williamsi, having a very long raceme of flowers. W. 
Soper, Esq., 307, Clapham Road, sent a cream and crimson coloured 
Coleus (vote of thanks). Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, sent 
several Orchids, comprising a fine Miltonia Candida, Mesospimdium 
vulcanicum superbum, and Lselia monophylla. Mr. R. Allum, lam- 
