Febrnary 23, ISSS.'J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
147 
laetter spikes of bloom. In some other species this takes an elongated 
•course, eycntually forming a rhizome. In each instance the bulbs do not 
perish, but annually increase in size. This is the case with plants not 
bulbous, the rootstock or crowns composing them annually increase in 
number and in strength. 1 certainly think that the admission of 
bulbous plants would be within the meaning of the term herbaceous; 
■at any rate, before such plants as Antirrhinums, hybrid Pentstemons, 
German Wallflowers, and Stocks, which frequently do service for hardy 
herbaceous flowers, and are awarded prizes too. I have frequently seen 
this in provincial shows, and can only suggest as a remedy that the 
framers of schedules omit the word herbaceous, and in its stead use the 
words “ hardy border plants,” or “ hardy border perennials,” with a 
brief explanation of the plants intended to figure in this particular 
class. Hard-and-fast lines are, however, by no means advisable, still 
the matter should be made as clear as possible for the guidance of 
exhibitors and judges alike. Disqualification upon this score should 
■only be resorted to when the merits in other respects are equal.— 
J. H. E. 
IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
I AM asked if after reading the articles that have aj'jpeared on 
I’otatoes, especially that of Mr. W. J. Murphy on page 39, 1 think the 
I’otato disease is stamped out, or if it is conquered by the improved 
Tarieties. There have been disease-free years before 1887, and the 
murrain followed, and it will probably appear again when the con- 
<litions are favourable for the growth of the destructive fungus in the 
tissues of the plants. 
A YEAK or two of immunity from the Potato murrain counts for 
little, since the existence of resting spores of the fungus (Peronospora) 
has been demonstrated by Mr. W. G. Smith, and I suspect no one knows 
how long they rest.” With a continuance of wet weather and a warm 
moist atmosphere for several weeks, the disease may be expected to 
recur, as in past times, and it is wise to expect it. It is well also to 
remember that in years when it was most virulent those varieties of 
upright growth with woody stems and thick-textured leaves were the 
least injured. It will be the same again when the disease appears ; and 
those of prostrate habit, arresting evaporation from the sodden soil, 
and with flimsy leaves, will be the first to succumb. 
Whex fungus spores are present and fall on the leaves, the spores 
■grow, and the mycelial threads penetrate the plant, and its destruction 
follows. It is possible that the cuticle of the leaves may be so stout as 
to have material resisting power, and I believe this is so. Even red 
spider first attacks the young soft leaves of Vine laterals, and mildew 
certainly does, making little or no impression on maturecl leaves, even 
though a vinery may be full of spores. The enemy also takes possession 
of the fruit in its early stage, seldom when advanced and the cuticle 
hardened. When mildew attacks Roses it makes the least impression on 
the matured leaves, the spores must fall on them, as on the young and 
more tender, else more vulnerable, and these are devoured by the 
enemy. Why, then, should not the stout leaves of Potatoes have the 
■same mildew-resisting power? I am convinced they have, as the 
result of experiments, and everybody knows, or ought ti.i know, 
that the leaves cannot be perfect in the absence of full exposure 
to light and air, and this they cannot have when the stems fall over, one 
-overlapping the other, till what ought to be the best leaves are spoiled, 
only the younger and inferior remaining—precisely those that are most 
■open to the inroads of the fungus when the spores are prevalent. 
I HAVE known two seasons to elapse without seeing or hearing of 
.anyone else seeing a diseased Potato in a great 1‘otato-growing district ; 
yet subsequently the murrain has appeared and become virulent. We 
must not be lulled in a feeling of false security because of one or two 
<lry summei’s, and consequently clean Potato crops ; but the same care 
should be e.xercised in the selection of varieties, and seed tubers with 
all their vitality intact, and in the preparation of the soil for inducing 
the best possible growth, as if an unfavourable season were expected ; 
and especially as this is equally sound policy, let the weather be ever 
so good for the crops. Subjects cannot be exhaustively treated in these 
scratch notes, and now the theme must be left to others who may have 
something to say thereon, and I shall not in the least object to my 
upright-wocxly-stem-and-stout-foliage theory being opposed as of disease- 
resisting tendency, because 1 think it cannot be overturned without 
teaching me something that may be even more serviceable to others. 
By the way, is there not a mistake in 1843 being the “famine and total 
blight year ] 1845 was the year of the terrible outbreak of the Potato 
scourge. That is well within my recollection, though it is possible it 
may have visited Ireland a year or two sooner Let Irish cultivators 
trust to nothing but their intelligence and persevering labour in the 
jiroduction of this, to them, vital crop, and they have a good guide and 
friend, as I know from more than one souree, in Mr. AV. J. Murphy. 
“What do you think about Mr. Goodacrc’s grc.at sensation?” asks 
a correspondent who estimates himself as “ A Humble Grower.” That 
was in reference to the bunch of Gros Colman Grapc.s reprcscnt&l on 
page 07. It is the best bunch of Grapes I have seen figureil, but not 
the best I have seen in the flesh. Mr. Goodacre has grown and shown 
both larger bunches and berries ; so has Mr. A\'m. Thomson at Cloven¬ 
fords, and I bedieve I have seen Urumlanrig berries quite equal to the 
Elvaston “ Sensation still there is no mistaking its high merit, and 
Mr. Goodacre deserves a mark of high commendation for the excellence 
of his work. 
There is a hint in the notes of the cultivator worth bringing out a 
little more prominently relative to the importance of early thinning. 
It is not all persons who dare “ commence thinning almost before the 
flowers expand,” and there arc instances where it would not be safe to 
do so, but it is certain that thousands of bunches of Grapes are left 
too long unthinned to the prejuilice of the crops. Let anyone try, as 
I have tried, an experiment with a few bunches of Grapes, thinning 
one side at the first moment it is safe to do so, leaving the berries on 
the other side to press against each other before thinning, and the 
danger of needless delay in the work will be apparent before the season 
is half over. 
It is painful to me to see Grapes crushing against each other before 
the scissors are applied. “ No time,” says the six o’clock man. It is 
true other work may press and command attention between these magic 
hours ; but then I have never seen a hard-and-fast six o’clock man 
excel in the culture of Grapes, and not as a rule in many other things. 
I have thinned Grapes from four o’clock in the morning till six, and 
from six at night till nine, times out of number. “ Paid for overtime ” 
does someone suggest 1 No, pay was not even thought about, good 
Grapes on the Vines being the coveted reward. Overtime pay is not 
allowed in many gardens. Shall, then, the Grapes spoil / No young 
man devoted to his calling would allow that if in his power to prevent-, 
it, but would rather rejoice in the opportunity of becoming an expert 
in the important work, that is so often slovenly ilone, of thinning them ; 
but at the same time, when a little encouragement can be given it has 
a stimulating effect. I remember winning a prize for thinning Grapes 
before I was thirteen years old—the first and most cherished of my few 
gardening honours. Ten bunches each were to be thinned by three 
workers before 6 A.M., and though the prize was only a shilling the 
striving to excel was as great amongst all as if it h.ad been a pound. I 
wonder if the hint will be taken by anyone interested in the gentle 
employment in question. 
Those cogitations appear to lead to a few further observations on 
the “ under gardener question,” that has evidently been of interest to 
many readers; On the whole it must be ailmitte.l that the young 
writers of the several letters have acquitted themselves well. Though it 
is evident that some of them consuler that much work is done for 
nothing, yet the general idea is that a kind wonl or act of recognition 
for honest effort and nightly labour is valued more highly than a small 
amount of money that might be given for the extra services rendered. 
Ladies and gentlemen of the highest rank frequently, if not commonly, 
thank their servants for many acts that are essentially duties, and 
grace is not lost in the giving on the one hand, while the reci[)ients are 
made happier by the marks of approval thus considerately bestowed. 
Every servant worthy of the name who is thus kindly treated will 
strive to the utmost to increase the value of his services, head and under 
gardeners being no exception to the rule. Both in tone and style 
the letters referred to are creditable productions. Let the writers of 
them work with a will, cultivating the art of agreeable demeanour 
and expression, and the future of gardening will be safe in their keeping. 
By the way, I am not able to entirely agree with an observation of 
Mr. Goodacre to the effect that learning and laziness go hand in hand, 
and if that is what he means by his remark on page 112 I will cite 
himself against the accuracy of the dictum advanced. He may disclaim 
being a “ learned ” man ; but even so, is he prepared to admit that if 
he were more ignorant he would be more industrious ? I do not believe 
he would, and the best educated gardeners of my acquaintance have 
worked as hard with their hands as with their heads in making them¬ 
selves what they are ; and those who strive the most assiduously in both 
manual and mental exercise usually attain to the best positions in the 
gardening world when these are open to applicants in fair competition. 
Just as my pen was flowing smoothly and about to glide into 
another paragraph on a subject in mind, another letter comes. AVith a 
“bother the letters ” it is torn open, and I soon see it is a case of 
“ Goodacre again.” It is not to the big Grape question, nor even to the 
brolxlignagian Melon, that my attention is directed ; but to the 1(1 oz. 
Royal George Reaches, mentioned on page 82. And what, kind 
readers, do you think I am requested to do ? I am actually asked if I 
cannot “give him a wipe?” If my appellant will look in the 
dictionary I think he will fiml a variety of interpretations attached to 
the word “wipe,” and if he will further suggest which of those he 
would prefer me to adopt the matter shall be considered. In the mean¬ 
time I have not yet hail the pleasure of seeing a Royal George Reach 
either 15 ozs. or 1(! ozs. in weight, and if Mr. Goodacre or anyone else 
can send me one during the season I shall be glad to wipe my mouth 
with it, only stipulating there must be no mistake in the variety ; 
and if Elruge Nectarines weighing 10 ozs. or 12 ozs. are also plentiful, 
perhaps one or two might bo spared at the same time. If they should 
happen to be heavier they will not be objected to, but I do not expect 
to receive many. Now then, ye great growers, press on to the goal— 
Royal George i’eaches 1(1 ozs. and Elruge Nectarines 12 ozs. in weight, 
and those who accomplish the feat, and afford mo ocular demonstra- 
