310 
[ October 8 1885 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
respect. Its thick rigid leaves beautifully variegated, gene¬ 
rally white or cream-coloured, though not unfrequently it 
assumes a bronzy red hue, which renders it unique. Another 
remarkable species is Yucca baccata, the leaves of which are 
short, stiff, and erect, bordered with broad filaments, and 
not narrow and wavy as in some species; flowers Tulip¬ 
shaped and borne in panicles. There are still many more 
equally distinct, and in their way equally good, such as 
longifolia, De Smetiana, filifera, stenophylla, Ghiesbreghti- 
ana, albo-spica, and others. Those noted above, however, 
will be found most serviceable of this picturesque group.— 
J. H. E. 
INTERNATIONAL POTATO EXHIBITION. 
TRIAL CULTURE OF SEEDLING POTATOES, 1885. 
By generous permission of the Royal Horticultural Society the 
seedling Potatoes entered for International Exhibition have, as in 
former years, been grown at Chiswick under the superintendence of 
a sub-committee. Mr. A. F. Barron has carried out the views of 
this sub-committee to their complete satisfaction, and they have 
made a report which will serve as the basis of action for the Judges 
at the Exhibition. 
The seedlings sent for trial numbered forty-two. They were 
planted in good time on a well-prepared plot of ground, fully ex¬ 
posed as regards light and air, but having the advantage of shelter 
sufficient to ward off light spring frosts. They suffered no check 
from frost, and throughout the season there has not been seen upon 
the shaws the slightest sign of disease. But the long-continued 
drought with a frequent low night temperature delayed growth, 
the early liftings being in many cases insufficiently matured for a 
sufficient comparison of merits. The later liftings were for the 
most part satisfactory—rain had improved the crop without causing 
injurious second growth, but a few sorts were noted as so far pro¬ 
mising as to be worth special attention next year. 
From the forty-two sorts in the trial four were selected for the 
highest award in the garden—namely, three marks for heavy crop¬ 
ping and three marks for high table quality. The names of these 
are :— 
Faith (Fenn).—Top growth neat; tubers white, round, neat, 
uniform, ripening early. One of the best in this trial. Crop three 
marks, table three marks. 
New Fluke (Ironside).—A white kidney in the style of the old 
Fluke, but with a finer skin and a bolder form, the tubers being 
mostly of exhibition standard. Crop heavy, and the quality fine. 
Crop three marks, table three marks. 
General Gordon (Fidler).— A white round in the way of School¬ 
master. Top growth strong, tubers handsome. Crop three marks, 
table three marks. 
The Colonel (Johnson).—A capital white-skinned variety in the 
style of the old Fluke, rather late, but in every way first-rate. 
Crop three marks, table three marks. 
The following were found to be productive and worthy of 
commendation for the present, but the awards made were not 
sufficiently high to bring them within range of certificates in the 
present season :— 
Salisbury (Ironside), General Gordon (Fletcher), Charity (Fenn), 
Reading Giant (Fidler), a great cropper; Bountiful (Fidler) ; 
Farmer’s Pride (Hill), Emblem (Ross), Snow Queen (Fidler) ; 
White Beauty (Ironside), extra heavy crop ; King of Russets 
(Lye), a heavy cropper of good quality in the way of Adirondack ; 
Burton Hall Favourite (Johnson) ; May Queen (Dean), likely to 
be especially useful for early produce. 
GRAPE “JOHN DOWNIE.” 
On reading the report of the Fruit Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society upon the above Grape (page 293), the ques¬ 
tion that occurred to my mind is, Can there be more than one 
variety of John Downie in the market ? 
I am desirous of asking this question, because a gentleman from 
the north called here the other day, and he assures me that there are 
two distinct forms of “John Downie” growing at Dalkeith Park. 
More, when my friend was there it so happened that the raiser of 
“ John Downie ” was at Dalkeith also, and had come purposely to 
see it as grown by Mr. Dunn. The remarkable thing is, that after 
being shown both Vines and having closely scrutinised the Grapes 
he expressed his inability to say which was the Simon Pure. Per¬ 
haps Mr. Dunn will say if I am correctly informed in this matter. 
When “John Downie” was sent out the gentleman in whose 
honour it was named sent me a Vine with a request that I would 
give it a trial in a late vinery. This sapling was duly inarched on 
to a Lady Downe’s Seedling, and at the present time carries four 
good-sized bunches. In the same house is growing Alnwick Seed¬ 
ling got direct from Mr. P. Bell of Alnwick. On comparing the 
two together, fruit, leaves, and wood, I can come to no other con¬ 
clusion than that they are not distinct varieties. 
While on this subject I would also like to ask if any Grape 
growers have ever noticed the similarity that exists between Alnwick 
Seedling and Trentham Black—the peculiar marbling in the bark 
when the young shoots are running out, and also the red blotching 
on the leaves when dying off are very similar. I am of opinion 
that if these two sorts and “John Downie” were grown side by 
side they would be found much akin if not identical. 
For your inspection I beg herewith to send you samples of all 
three. Your opinion upon them will be valued by more than 
J. McIndoe. 
P.S.—I ought to add that Trentham Black is taken from a 
Vine started in January, and was ripe in July ; the other two are 
from Vines started in March. I have grown the Trentham Black 
for nearly twenty years. 
[We cannot see any difference between the bunches and foliage 
of Alnwick Seedling and those of John Downie which have been 
sent us by Mr. McIndoe, and they both confirm the judgment of the 
Fruit Committee that the two are identical. We cannot form so 
decided an opinion of Trentham Black, the berries of which being 
highly ripened and shrivelled had lost their normal form. The 
true Trentham Black which we had from Mr. Fleming when he 
was at Trentham was a distinct Grape from Alnwick Seedling, the 
bunch being longer and more tapering and very much earlier ; in 
fact it came in about the same time or soon after Black Hamburgh, 
and about the same time as Black Prince. We should like to be 
informed where and by whom the Grape John Downie was raised.] 
HINTS ON PREPARING FOR WINTER. 
The shortening days and cold nights remind us that before 
October is out preparations for winter must be completed. There 
are requirements in all departments which should have attention, 
and it is much better to be a little too early than too late in having 
half-tender plants under cover, storing crops which are liable to be 
injured by frost, and providing protection. When the season gets 
advanced the weather cannot be trusted, and a wet evening may 
lead to a sharp frosty morning. Greenhouse and conservatory 
plants of a half-tender character which may have been placed in 
the open air for the summer will be amongst the first to suffer, and 
they should be moved in without delay. Where there is no danger 
from frost the wind must be considered, as the gales we experience 
now will cut the foliage and do more harm than a few degrees of 
frost. A plant which is much blown about in the autumn will 
never prove satisfactory in winter. Place Cinerarias and Primulas 
in a frame or house where fire heat can be applied, and Orange trees 
in the greenhouse. The pots or boxes in which the plants are 
growing should be washed outside before they are placed in their 
winter quarters. Plants which have been exposed to the autumn 
rains will not have many insects, but where any do exist sponge or 
syringe them off. , 
All greenhouse plants which have been put out in borders 
during the summer may be lifted and potted at once. Pot the 
bulbs desired to flower from the end of November until March. 
Stake Chrysanthemums firmly and neatly, and take them into an 
unheated house. Where the plants are trained the final tying must 
be done. If abundance of flowers are wanted do not thin off any 
of the buds. Where specimen blooms are desired only allow one 
bud to remain on the top of each shoot, but we prefer the clusters 
of flowers in winter. Autumn-rooted cuttings of Pelargoniums 
can be put into frames. Heaths, which are always benefited by a 
sojourn in the open air in autumn, should be left out no longer. 
A general cleaning of plant houses must take place. Weakly 
plants, which may dwindle on all winter and die in spring, had 
better be thrown away at once. We have many old Pelargonium 
plants which have been blooming profusely since May, but they are 
almost over now. We also have spring-rooted cuttings of all of 
them just coming into flower, so instead of keeping the old ones 
for the sake of the few flowers we might obtain from them we 
shall throw them away and give up the space to the young ones. 
Tuberous Begonias, Gloxinias, and Caladiums need not be kept in 
the best quarters now. They must not, however, be placed in a 
cold place, as this would cause them to decay. A warm corner will 
suit them, and they may be stood close together, as plenty of room 
can be given to the plants which are developing. As soon as the 
leaves have decayed shake out the plants and store them in leaf soil 
or sand in boxes or casks, and keep them in a dry place during the 
winter. Clear off all dead leaves from plants at this time. Clean¬ 
liness of the foliage and sweetness of the atmosphere are important 
