December 10, 1885.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
518 
so that the house can be kept closed as long as possible.—E. G., Derby¬ 
shire. 
[The following method of storing ice was adopted by Mr. Perkins at 
Th ornham Hall:— 
We always, if sufficient ice can be secured, make a large stack inde¬ 
pendently of the ice-house. 
To insure a stack of ice lasting a considerable time, we put on two 
layers of thatch, the first on the ice, and the other on a rough framework 
made of fir poles and slabs, as in the accompanying engraving. It takes 
about thirteen poles for the inside and a like number on the outside. On 
the latter thin slabs are placed in a horizontal direction, on which the 
outer thatch is placed. To keep the outside poles a sufficient distance 
from the inner ones, short pieces of wood, about 9 inches or a foot long, 
are fastened between them. The body of air between the two coats of 
thatch contributes greatly towards the safe keeping of the ice. 
We generally have to put new ice on the top of the old in the ice¬ 
house, al' of which is snugly covered with straw. Now, it is an old saying 
that we should let well alone—that is, in this case, if sufficient ice is pre¬ 
served for the family, why trouble about any fresh plan ? and we feel 
afraid to try any other method, fearing success might not attend our 
efforts ; hut I must confess I am not particularly fond of straw, and if it 
is not indispensable, a much greater quantity of ice could be stored in any 
house, and the ice would be saved from the pernicious effects arising from 
its being surrounded with wet straw, which could be saved for a more 
appropriate use. If some of the great ice-preservers in this country would 
state their opinions as to whether ice can be preserved without straw 
it would be a great boon to many.] 
SHOWING LATE GRAPES-MIXED VINERIES. 
Before taking final leave of the subject of Grape showing and Grape 
judging, I purposely waited to note the result of the competitions for the 
prizes in the Grape classes provided at various Chrysanthemum shows, 
and also the success of one very frequent exhibitor at the August shows 
held in this district. If the latter had repeated any of his former successes 
this season I should have had to modify some of my opinions which have 
found their way into the Journal of Horticulture, as well as others I 
have not been backward in giving expression to whenever the opportunity 
offered. It will be remembered that one of my objections to the growing 
practice of exhibiting late Grapes at early shows, is the fact that by 
encouraging it we really indirectly injure both the exhibitor and the 
exhibitions we all profess to have such a regard for. Several practical 
gardeners commented on my remarks, and for once I had a following, 
gaining the support even of one young exhibitor, who out of all my 
numerous articles found he could only agree with my opinions in this one 
matter. For this I am naturally grateful and somewhat elated, as it may 
be the turning point in my career But seriously, and at the same time I 
am bound to admit that my opponents made out a strong case against me, 
and all will agree that there is much to be said for and against early 
exhibitions of late Grapes. 
I am still of opinion, however, that August is too early for these 
easily coloured showy Grapes to take precedence over well-grown if less 
showy examples of better flavoured and fully ripe sorts; neither should 
they be given first honours early in September if unripe, unless indeed 
nothing is said in the schedule about all fruit shown being fit for the 
table. Where the latter condition is insisted on, those who do not 
comply with them ought not to be encouraged at the expense of those 
who do, any more than they are when they happen, unfortunately, to 
include an unripe dish of Peaches or other choice fruit in a collection. 
Would “ S.,” or any other good judge of fruit, give a first prize to an 
unripe Pine Apple or Melon, especially if there were fairly good ripe fruit 
in competition ? I venture to think they would not, and why should not 
this rule apply to unripe Grapes ? This brings me to the second portion 
of my heading—viz,, mixed vineries. A gardener, whom my remarks will 
not affect, has as his main object, and with the full approval of his em¬ 
ployer, gaining as many prizes for fruit as possible. Most probably he 
competes at six or more shows held in his neighbourhood from the 
middle to the end of August, and on the whole with marked success. 
All his Grapes for collections of fruit and single dishes are grown in two 
large well-built vineries, and in each house there are an extraordinary 
mixture of sorts, these including Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, 
Black Alicante, Gros Colman, Mrs. Pince, Muscat of Alexandria, Buckland 
Sweetwater, Waltham Cross, and others on trial. The early sorts are 
turned out of the houses, and not reintroduced till the late sorts are showing 
bunches, and even more advanced in some cases. In this manner he is 
able to start forcing early in the year, and yet have the early-ripening 
sorts not too far gone in August. As maybe expected, the Black Ham¬ 
burgh are never very good, but he is able to take prizes with his Alicantes 
especially by the middle of August, and it may be the result is perfectly 
satisfactory to all concerned. But now comes the other side of the question. 
In his immediate neighbourhood he has recently had an opportunity of 
distinguishing himself in fruit classes provided at the Chrysanthemum 
shows, but he was simply nowhere, and probably by Christmas will not 
have a plump Grape on the place. This is certainly an exceptional case, 
but what is to prevent others following the bad example, and that, too, 
without the approval of their employers ? I maintain that the addition 
of numerous Grape classes, and especially those that encourage the early 
ripening of late sorts, to the prize lists of summer shows will eventually 
re-act to the prejudice rather than the benefit of those societies in the 
habit of doing so, and this 1 assert, not as an enemy, but as a well-wisher 
of all. The Grape classes are very attractive at all times, but there is 
always plenty of variety at these summer shows, and some of the Grapes 
could well be spared. 
As a rule the Chrysanthemum shows are arranged by the same com¬ 
mittees as manage the summer shows, and in this case what is to prevent 
the reduction of Grape classes in the latter and insert them in the former ? 
In any case something of the sort will have to be done, as there is a great 
sameness in Chrysanthemum shows, and those not deeply interested in 
the latter popular flower must have additional attractions provided, or the 
“ gate money ” will most probably soon show a decided falling off. By 
devoting rather more money for Grapes, and rather less, if need be, for 
Chrysanthemums, an attractive feature is at once added to the show, this 
also affording an undeniably healthy stimulus to the culture of late Grapes. 
Now is the time for this idea to be acted upon, and those committeemen 
who agree with me in the matter should bring the subject to the front at 
the next general meeting. 
It has been hinted more than once that it is necessary to offer high 
prizes to attract a good show of late Grapes, and it may be there is some 
truth in it; but this does not apply to the exhibitions held in this 
neighbourhood, neither will it long do so at those of other and more re¬ 
cently started societies. At Bath, Bristol, and Yeovil the show of Grapes 
was good, the competition being close and good in nearly every class, 
though it must be added that at the first and last places the quality was- 
not quite so high-class as might have been expected, the best bunches very 
probably having found their way to the summer shows. At Bristol there 
were about eight classes for Grapes, and a very fine lot of bunches were 
staged, the sorts including Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, Back- 
land Sweetwater, Alicante, Lady Downe’e, Gros Colman, and Mrs. 
Pearson. The prizes are not high, but they have been long annually 
offered, and the gardeners in the neighbourhood “ lay themselves out ” to 
win them. The same thing would happen in other places with only very 
slight encouragement and much good be done. Late Grapes cut for 
summer and early September shows do not keep well, but those taken to 
the Chrysanthemum shows may be either sold at a fairly good price or 
taken home again and bottled. Alicantes that we exhibited in a collection 
of fruit at Bath are now as fresh and plump as others left at home, and I 
believe will keep quite as long. 
I have yet another grievance. Why do so many societies insist upon 
the rule that a dish of Grapes should consist of three bunches, or why ask 
for three bunches in the “ single dish ” classes ? Two bunches are 
ample at all times, and if this number cnly were asked for much go ,d 
would follow, and many a gardener in a small place would have a better 
chance of competing with their more fortunate contemporaries in larger 
places without appearing to strip a house for one show. The fact is, the 
“ gate money ” is unfortunately the all-important factor in the business, 
and the framers of schedules too often totally disregard all remonstrances 
from those who well know that the producing an imposing effect in a 
tent does act prejudicially on those whose lot it is to do it. The Royal 
Horticultural Society has set a good example in not asking for more than 
two bunches, and I am glad to see they have followed it at Bristol. All 
societies should stipulate for a limited number ofanykind of fruit, or only 
sufficient to form a small dish, and it would be fairer and better for all 
concerned. A wise choice of judges would then complete the reform, and. 
frequent just causes for grumbling be removed.—W. Iggulden. 
HELLEBORES NIGER MAXIMUS. 
Although we have a number of herbaceous plants there is none that 
may now be termed gay ; indeed, the only exception is that of the Giant 
Christmas Rose, which I had under the name of Helleborus niger msximus, 
and which, I think, is not different from that sent out as H. niger altifolius. 
It is certainly a most desirable plant, being the first with us to flower, 
