92 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 4, 1886. 
any further proceedings, but on further consideration he thought, it would 
not be right to others for him to do so ; therefore as an encouragement to 
others to labour for a reward, and also as his acceptance of the gifts of 
his friends might possibly enable him to better help some others who 
might be afflicted as he had been, he received with sincere thanks the 
kindness of those who had considered him worthy of their notice and 
regard. 
On the inkstand was the inscription—•“ Presented to John Rollon by 
his neighbours and friends as a token of their regard and esteem.— 
Linton, October 1st, 1876.” 
The Secretary of the fund spoke of the many flattering letters he had 
received in regard to Mr. Robson; Mr. Bradley, Preston Hall, and Mr. 
Goddard, Huoton Court, alluded to his well-proved friendship to them 
and to all gardeners to whom he could be of service ; and the representa¬ 
tive of the Journal of Horticulture acknowledged the valuable aid ren¬ 
dered by Mr. Robson to horticultural literature for a period extending 
over a quarter of a century. 
Mr. Robson had already been the recipient of a gold watch and chain 
for his services in connection with the Maidstone Gardeners’ Society, and 
he was held ii the greatest esteem by all classes in the neighbourhood in 
which he so long resided. He was born at Lamesley, Gateshead, on March 
25th, 1812, and died at Hunton, near Maidstone, February 1st, 1886. 
GROS COLMAN VINE. 
While the topic on Gros Colman Vine is yet fresh, I thought I should 
like to relate a circumstance which I witnessed two or three seasons ago. 
Thrips appeared in a vinery in which Gros Colman was planted with Lady 
Downe’s, Mrs. Pince, Alicante, and Black Hamburgh. In order to check 
the ravages of this pest the usual remedy was applied—viz., fumigating 
with tobacco paper. The house was filled with smoke in the evening as 
the sun was going down. The next morning Gros Colman presented 
symptoms of distress, the edges of the leaves were curled up, and looked 
far from being right, while the other Vines were as fresh and healthy as 
ever. As the day wore on and the sun shone on the house matters became 
worse. The leaves of the Vine of Gros Colman appeared as though they 
were scorched. Shade was put on, hut it did no good. Many of the 
leaves were cut off as useless. Perhaps some of your able correspondents 
can tell us something more of this matter. I may add this Vine border 
received large supplies of liquid manure.— Faibplay. 
I HAVE read with interest the remarks in your columns respecting the 
treatment of Gros Colman Vine, and I will briefly describe my ex¬ 
perience. Two years last spring I planted a house with Gros Colman. I 
found that when they had made shoots from 6 inches to 1 foot long they 
began to be scorched, and without exception had to make new leads. I then 
had recourse to shading by laying on linseed oil with which a very small 
portion of white lead had been mixed. The following spring they were 
affected in a similar manner, although the frosted glass afforded a certain 
amount of shade. In the autumn of the same year I had some holes made 
in the front wall to allow of the roots passing outside, as they were 
planted inside in narrow border. I then made an outside border. At one 
end was a washtub for catching roof water, which I also utilised for 
liquid manure, principally made from fowls’ manure. Last winter this 
tub frequently overflowed with heavy rains. As a consequence that 
end of the border received an extra share of moisture. The fertilising 
properties of the manure it contained had a very marked effect on the two 
nearest Vines. They grew away from the first without scorching, have 
made such^canes as are not seen every day, and have ripened splendidly ; 
the other "V ine8 all had to make second shoots as usual. My experience 
leads me to think that Gros Colman requires an extra amount of moisture, 
also plenty of liquid manure. Although I should not recommend shading 
to be dispensed with, at least till the Vines have got strong hold of the 
border, I ha,ve no doubt a little extra attention, as giving air early and 
warming the pipes, would repay the grower. Gros Colman seems to 
exude moisture more than any Vine I know. I have generally gone over 
them every morning two or three times with a stick to knock off the wet. 
I have found in my general practice that potash is a most useful 
ingredient for Vines, having used it very extensively for several years, but 
I have not used any in this instance, not being able to procure it very 
readily here. I have no doubt it would prove useful to even Gros 
Colmans.— R. Sowebby, jun. 
THE STAGES IN PLANT HOUSES. 
With the new season no doubt there are many who intend to ere 
new glass houses, so that my remarks may be worth a place in o: 
instructive Journal. Some houses have been erected here lately, one 
tLp I h a b t lag u plant house (lean-to), having a stage in front and again 
the back wall. Under the front stage four rows of 4-inch pipes run tl 
entire length of the house, the stage being an open wooden one and abo 
1 loot above the pipes. Consequently the plants are very difficult 
COmlD ? U P between the open boards dries them 
quickly that the labour in keeping them moist enough is very great. F 
wWilT’ Scrams, and many other plants such a stage is minor 
find fn h L hC i t V aS t0 TT be , mamtamed to keep out sharp frost as we ha 
* e Under such conditions plants cannot be made ve: 
f ° r t ) ley 10 t« - their 8(ren 8 th and grow weakly and sickl 
and many are useless. If instead of an open wooden stage a sta^e 
blue slate had been made, resting on an iron frame, the legs of the fran 
on the pavement edge, a3 I have seen elsewhere, the dry heat from the 
hot-water pipes would be prevented from coming direct to the plants and 
would be a great gain to them as well as to the gardener. The tempera¬ 
ture would be more equal, they would grow strongly, and give entire 
satisfaction if other points were attended to. 
Houses are sometimes erected without the gardener being consulted 
in the matter, which I think is a mistake, for as a rule gardeners are 
intelligent men and their opinions are often valuable. I would commend 
those intending to build plant houses to form stages, if of open wood¬ 
work, well elevated above the pipes. In doing this it will be necessary to 
carry up the wal’ to the proper height.—C. J. 
GARDENERS’ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
In the many articles which appear on Chrysanthemums, their merits 
for exhibition either for prizes at a show or for home display in the 
greenhouse are almost always strictly kept in view. For many country 
gardens exhibition culture is a delusion and does not pay, and many of 
the sorts which are necessary to the producers of large flowers are worth¬ 
less to those who want and must have a good supply of flowers. We 
like to have a good supply of Chrysanthemums from October to February. 
About the middle of the former month they, as a rule, begin to be very 
useful, and up to the beginning of February we can always find good use 
for them. We have had them as late as May, but they were grown more 
in the way of showing what can be done than for any particular use. 
Large blooms are by no means despised, as for some purposes they are 
valuable, just as large double Dahlias and Richardias are appreciated, but 
as a rule medium-sized flowers are best. Varieties of the Mrs. Rundle 
class are simply invaluable when compared with those of which Queen of 
England is the type. The culture of the Chrysanthemum is in all 
respects so simple that it is of no importance to enlarge on it here. The 
main points to be observed are these : To choose short strong root 
cuttings, to grow them cool in all cases, to pot firmly, and rather under¬ 
pot than err on the side of having too large pots ; abundance of water is 
also necessary, and good feeding is of much importance. In June the 
taller varieties are cut down to the moderately hardened wood. Dwarf 
sorts are not cut down. The grower for usefulness does not require to 
disbud his plants in the orthodox manner. Should he do so he will reap 
a harvest of disappointment. A beautiful shaded old variety, General 
Bainbridge, gave me the first lesson as to how Chrysanthemums should 
be grown to yield abundant flowers. This variety had been disbudded 
and produced its three flowers to each stem, but while these were passing 
through their several stages of development and final decay, several 
growths were made down the main stems, each of which produced a neat 
little flower. After that we did not trouble much about disbudding 
varieties which were inclined to be prolific of stem flowers. 
Of course the varieties grown are of the greatest importance in 
securing the end in view—plenty of flowers, and a long-continued period 
of usefulness. The number of sorts grown must be strictly limited, and 
a larger or smaller number of each sort cultivated in order to meet the 
demand. The varieties we grow in greatest number are Madame 
Desgrange, the plants of which are so managed as to yield a supply for 
the first five or six weeks of the season. G. Wermig and La Yierge will 
in future be grown to come in with this kind. Of Mrs. Cullingford we 
shall also grow a few plants. The best of the main group are Mrs. G. 
Rundle, Mrs. Dixon, and Mr. G. Glenny. When left to grow naturally 
the main centre flower on each shoot has two smaller buds close to it, 
which open at the same time, while we have often had a dozen good side 
blooms from each upper growth. The plants require very good treatment 
in order to bring these to a fair size. James Salter and Lady Selborne 
are also favourites, the latter coming in quite as early as the Rundles, and 
lasting till Christmas or later. Each stem of these produces four good 
blooms, or twelve to one main growth, besides smaller blooms, which are 
produced later. Others of the main group is the variety just named— 
General Bainbridge. This is not only a free-blooming variety, but th 
colour of the flower is very taking with ladies, and, indeed, for home use 
it is most valuable. Jardin des Plantes, though n «t floriferous, is of such 
a beautiful yellow tint that it is indispensable. Beaute du Nord is very 
good, as also are La Nymphe, Hiver Fleuri, Tokio, Insigne, Elaine (the 
best in cultivation). Gluck is a fine yellow Anemone, Princess Louise 
very taking, Say Mayant (?) a good late form. Of Anemone Pompons, 
Autonius, Madame Montels, Cedo Nulli and its yellow variety, and 
Calliope are all useful. Ordinaly Pompons are not of any value. Good 
late varieties include the old Julie Lagraviere, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Rex 
Rubrorura, a very good sort, Madame C. Carey. With exception of the 
last named these are flowering freely just now ; the other is later. We 
have also Mons. Astorg very good at present. Peter the Great is some¬ 
times fine, but not always. Fulgore, Diamond, and J. Delaux are grown 
for colour of flower. Cullingfordii has been disappointing, and so has 
Salteri, but belter things may follow another season. 
A little heat works wonders in bringing on a batch of Chrysanthemums 
up to time ; indeed we find fire heat of great value in the case of late 
varieties, increasing as it does the number of flowers which open. It may 
be added that we have no dislike to other Chrysanthemums, and, in fact, 
grow a large collection, but the above named we grow in quantities to 
meet a demand, just as we do Miss Jolliffe Carnation and certain 
Geraniums for this season. 
Since penning the above an opportunity has occurred of inspecting a 
market growers’ collection, and the results of a simple and cheap method 
of culture were so patent and satisfactory that an extra paragraph may 
be devoted to describing the treatment. The structure is an extremely 
