July 23, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
59 
B EING a lover of home and home surroundings, it has been only- 
after long consideration that I could determine to have a tour 
■of inspection amongst those who, like myself, are engaged in, and 
who also love Grape growing. With an early start to secure the 
G.15 a.m. train at Newcastle, eight miles distant, I secured a tourist’s 
ticket for 22s. Gd., which permitted me to travel to Edinburgh 
and Glasgow via Galashiels, and also gave the privilege of stopping 
at all intermediate stations. Having had several times repeated a 
very kind invitation from Messrs. W. Thomson & Sons, of the 
world renowned Tweed Vineyards, Clovenfords, I chose that station 
of industry and rare excellence for my first call. On my arrival, 
■much to my regret, I learned that Mr. Thomson, sen., was from 
home, and thus was frustrated for the time being my long-cherished 
anticipation to have a conversation with one of our leading 
authorities, and with one who has a great claim to be termed the 
father of Grape growers. But I soon found that with the same 
confidence that I had left home Mr. Thomson had also left those 
in charge who possessed all the qualifications necessary to keep a 
horticultural establishment moving in the right groove that both 
deserves, and, as a rule, secures compensation. Enthusiasts in 
their profession, with characteristic intelligence, Mr. Thomson’s 
two sons speedily led the way to a discussion on all the knotty 
problems associated with Grape growing, and how best to secure 
■excellence in every branch of fruit culture. 
The Tweed Vineyards are surrounded by those majestic hills 
that are to be seen nearly everywhere in Scotland, so renowned for 
purity of air, and which contributes so largely to the golden colour 
of those beautiful Muscats you see so frequently staged at 
Edinburgh. My first look into a large Muscat house was certainly 
a surprise ; bunches, nearly ripe, were simply everywhere, from 
ond to end, in a very long house. The sight was that of a 
solid mass of Grapes. Situation, intelligence, and Thomson’s 
manure evidently produce great results in Grape growing. These 
lengthy spans, too, that I had so frequently read about, and also 
verbally heard of, I now, though at an early stage, beheld in all 
their magnificence with my own eyes. In addition to Muscats 
there were Dukes, Gros Colmans, and Lady Downe’s, in full health 
and vigour, and as house after house was reached I recognised 
that success had already stamped my tour. I had seen my own 
calling in all its perfection and also more extensively carried out 
than I had ever previously observed Grape growing. 
The Messrs. Thomson kindly supplying me with a rather 
lengthy list of other horticultural establishments well worth 
visiting, I next set off to Edinburgh, intending, with that magni¬ 
ficent city for a focus, and, armed with my “ Tourist,” to peram¬ 
bulate hither and thither during the few days at my disposal. 
Next morning with my son—who knows Edinburgh well, he being 
a University student—as my guide, an early start was made, and, 
before breakfast many places of much interest were visited. New- 
battle Abbey and Melville Castle being handy, and the gardeners 
cf both these places being well known in exhibition circles, it was 
thence I determined to wend my way after breakfast. The former 
place is the seat of the Marquis of Lothian, whose interests in 
horticulture are here entrusted to Mr. McHattie, a gentleman 
who more than once has victoriously crossed the border, he being 
the fortunate grower of fruit worthy to be set before either kings 
No. 578. —Vol. XXIII., Third Series. 
princes, or notable subjects, ant which has thus secured the favour¬ 
able recognition of fruit experts in open competition. The New- 
battle Abbey vineries and peacheries I found to be just such as 
might be calculated to sufficiently supply his lordship’s table, and a 
careful selection of early and late varieties seemed to be more 
depended on than a multiplicity of houses. With Hamburghs ripe, 
others were in natural rotation, they being grown under the same 
treatment. To say that the fruit, and especially the Grapes, was 
well grown, scarcely conveys an adequate idea, as size was ex¬ 
ceptional, and the berries of the Gros Colmans were, I think, larger 
than I had ever previously seen ; and colour was most promising— 
there was Lady Downe’s, as all growers like to see, jumping from 
green into black without taking that longer course of a gradual 
transformation, and with all the intervening tints. Muscats were 
very fine indeed, and I could easily imagine what they would ba 
like by the time that the International comes round. Young canes, 
but apparently in the second year, were carrying one bunch each, 
clearly evidencing that judicious treatment which will tell twenty 
years hence when, if proportionately treated, in all probability 
these same Vines will still be retaining all their youthful vigour. 
They were a little late, but the grip that the roots had evidently 
got of a good pasture was as discernible to the practised eye as 
though each stem and rootlet had been laid bare. Mr. McHattie 
having to send off the usual consignment of fruit, &c., to the 
Marquis’s London residence rather hurried away from several 
specimens over which the mind still lingers, and that, with the 
exceedingly kind reception I had received, speedily fixed the 
determination, should I ever again, with time to spare, be in 
the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, I should remember Newbattle 
Abbey, its fruit houses, vineries, and most excellent Grapes. 
It was with pleasant thoughts that I made off to one other 
notable establishment close by, the gardens of Melville Castle, the 
seat of Viscount Melville. There also I soon found in Mr. George 
McKinnon the right man in the right place. Bat I think it is due 
to the fraternity to say that kindness and courtesy is the common 
characteristic of gardeners ; I suppose it is their being so surrounded 
with the beautiful that sweetens, and hence the right good fellow¬ 
ship when stray members of the brotherhood meet. But, be that 
as it may, under the guidance and special attention of Mr. McKinnon 
I very soon found, as house after house was inspected, that I had 
been drinking to the fulness of delight by the good succeeding 
the beautiful as each section of the fiue panorama of Melville was 
being unfolded. I now rather feel the lo3S of taking no notes on 
my tour, though it needs none to bring to my remembrance one 
more example of Muscats, as they are, I think, only grown in 
Scotland, and the Madresfields, Mrs. Pince’s, and many others in 
those teeming luxuriant vineries. Being substantially remembered, 
as a stranger in a strange land, I again set out for fresh discoveries 
in this land of plenty, but a thunderclap in the park and a splash 
ruthlessly reminding that “ the schemes of mice and men gang oft 
agley,” with my compass ominously pointing stationwards, I speedily 
made tracks that way, and once more reaching the grand old rock- 
capped city, the second day of my rambling ended. 
After an early start the next morning a little after six I might 
have been met threading my way through the multiplicity of hampers, 
boxes, and bundles, and the numerous allies of the Glasgow fruit and 
vegetable market. But here I met one other misfortune—somehow 
I had got off the track, it not being market day. But, and fortu¬ 
nately, I found a substantial breakfast supplied at a handy station 
hotel. By the 8.45 a.m. train I was again a passenger, this time my 
destination being Polmont station, near by which is the seat of 
T. L. Learmouth, Esq., an Australian gentleman, I understand, who 
occupies Park Hall, and at which has been erected extensive 
vineries. Here both the manager, Mr. Murray, and Mrs. Murray, 
joined in giving me a hearty welcome. So once more my trip was 
surrounded by sunshine, and before I left Polmont I had solid 
reason for believing that the sun also did shine on Park Hall vineries. 
No. 2234.—VoL. LXXXV., OLD SERIB». 
