306 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 10, 1889: 
After all was completed some long litter was spread over the border 
to throw off the heavy rains. This was removed again in the 
spring, for I am confident that where Yine borders are allowed to 
be covered in the summer more evil is caused than good. 
The inside treatment I adopted was to give a longer period of 
rest, therefore they were not started until March, and then an 
abundance of ventilation was provided at the top both night and 
dajL This was to induce them to break strongly for another season’s 
crop, for I did not expect much this season. My aim was to grow 
them strongly and encourage as much root-action as possible ; I 
therefore let the young shoots run more freely without pinching. 
The second year I could see the beneficial results of my labours, as 
they broke more strongly and showed a crop of fruit-; but as good 
Grapes were wanted I decided to give them another year’s partial 
rest, therefore all the larger portion of the bunches were pinched 
off, and I am quite sure I am repaid tenfold for my pains. I 
omitted to mention when I took charge of the Grape Yines they 
were very subject to shanking, but now I have scarcely a shanked 
berry, and the wood has that beautiful brown and ripe appearance 
that they seem certain to carry an excellent crop another year.— 
Alfred Bishop, JVestley Hall Gardens, Bury St. Edmunds. 
PELARGONIUMS AND BEGONIAS AS 
BEDDING PLANTS. 
For many years Pelargoniums have been the reigning beauties 
of the flower garden. Other rivals have tried to displace them, but 
until now the necessary essentials have been lacking in each one. 
Yerbenas and Calceolarias have failed to rule, although they both 
possess much beauty, and even the few years that carpet bedding 
held the sway appear only to have increased our fondness for the 
old favourite. Pelargoniums possess a greater power of adapta¬ 
bility than most other plants, so that whether in groups or singly 
they are always pleasing and worthy of admiration. They have 
received a great share of the hybridiser’s attention, until the 
favourites of our early days are almost forgotten, except when in 
some old garden we happen to see a forlorn specimen of Tom Thumb, 
which recalls to our memory the names of some other varieties. 
Yes, Tom Thumb and Stella have been replaced by Vesuvius and 
Henry Jacoby, but amongst the multitudinous varieties now extant 
it is very questionable whether any will be remembered as long as 
they have been. It need occasion no wonder that Pelargoniums 
have been so long honoured when we think of their varied forms 
and colours. The trusses of bloom stand clear out from the dense 
foliage, as if eager to do its part to brighten the surroundings, and 
show the artist’s work off as much as possible, while the varieties 
which are cultivated for their foliage—whether bronze, silver, 
tricolors, or others—perform their parts in the same way. There 
is a certainty about Pelargoniums which has much to do with their 
popularity, so that when planted out they are sure in an ordinary 
season to fill the space allotted to them in the desired manner. 
Failures with them are of rare occurrence, and although grown in 
the same beds where their progenitors grew for years before, they 
have so far escaped any virulent disease. What may be termed 
their adaptability to circumstances is well known to all, for as soon 
as planted in the beds the effect intended to be produced is 
apparent, probably more so than with any other bedder. The 
effect also improves until the bed is completely filled, and the 
operation of taking cuttings has to be performed to prevent over¬ 
crowding. After the cuttings are removed, and a genial autumn 
follows, the beds of Pelargoniums are generally the most satisfac¬ 
tory in the flower garden, even if they are more sombre than some 
of the other occupants. Their dwarf compact habit of growth 
prevents the storms from committing great ravages amongst them, 
while no unsightly stakes show themselves obtrusively in their 
midst. Altogether they are most useful for furnishing the flower 
garden, and if only double varieties could be raised that would 
be as floriferous as single sorts, we might never expect to see a 
more popular plant. 
As it is, perfection ha3 not been reached. This changeful climate 
of ours plays occasionally sad havoc with the petals, and so we continue 
introducing every plant that gives promise of greater stability and 
effect. The one which has gained most popularity of late is the 
Tuberous Begonia. Steadily and deservedly ithas advanced infavour, 
and even sceptics, if there were any, must have been convinced, 
after the account rendered of it last year, that a decided acquisition 
had been secured. I can remember the first plants of B. Chelsoni 
being brought into the houses of which I had charge, and how at 
first we coddled them in the stove until they were drawn up and 
nearly useless, -when we tried and found that they liked cooler 
treatment better. Soon after, when in “Yeitch's” for another 
situation, in the department presided over by that excellent plant 
grower the late Mr. May, I learned to like them in something of 
the same degree that he did, but at that time few could have pre¬ 
dicted such a future for their descendants as they have gained. I 
think he believed they would eventually eclipse Pelargoniums, and 
at present they bid fair to do so. The yearly improvement of the- 
different strains makes us wonder what will be the next advance, as- 
those now used for bedding are much better for the purpose than 
formerly. 
No better opportunity could have been afforded us for judging 
how far they are suited for bedding out purposes than the extremes-- 
of this season and last year, and it is well that this test has been 
applied to them thus early in their history, as those who are called 
enthusiasts are apt to form hasty opinions from favourable appear¬ 
ances. Last year most satisfactory reports appeared from all 
quarters, and many who had not grown them were tempted to do- 
so, and those who had them before in many instances increased 
their numbers. It may be safely stated that in no instance has 
disappointment been the result, although the cases are many in 
which the effect they produced was beneath the expectations. 
Two causes are partly to blame for this result. The -weather of 
last year was favourable for their well doing and unfavourable for 
Pelargoniums, so that the poor appearance of the one heightened 
the effect of the other. This season the same result was noticeable,, 
but in a manner directly opposite, the Pelargoniums this time being- 
the favoured ones. Nothing could have been better than their 
glowing colours during the heat of July. 
Besides being deficient in decided effect, which even the upright- 
forms cannot altogether remedy, their lateness in blooming is-- 
against their being too extensively planted where earliness is 
desired. They are essentially autumn flowers, and most charming,, 
but it is doubtful if ever the most careful hybridising will produce 
a strain with stems sufficiently strong to show the colours so- 
effectively as Pelargoniums. Large-flowered varieties should not- 
be employed so much as some advise, as they are more easily 
damaged than medium-sized varieties. One strong point in their 
favour is the easiness with which they can be housed during winter,, 
but in gardens where this has not to be studied so much it would 
be -well to give Pelargoniums still the first place in the flower 
garden, and rank Begonias with Calceolarias and Yerbenas.—M. D_ 
HOW TO PROCURE RIPE GRAPES IN MARCH. 
To accomplish this would appear to many almost an impossibility^ 
with Vines planted in inside and outside borders ; but having been 
fortunate enough to secure a cultural commendation from the Royal 
Horticultural Society for some Grapes shown at their meeting on- 
March 26th this year, I thought that a few practical notes on the 
cultivation here may be of service. Since receiving the abov& 
reward I have been asked by a brother gardener for such notes,, 
and I am granting his request by placing them in the Journal, SO' 
valuable to many readers. 
The Yines, all Black Hamburgh, were planted in a lean-to- 
house fourteen or fifteen years ago, but were, I believe, not forced 
so early until I took charge of these gardens four years since. The- 
Yines had been up to that period treated as late, the Grapes- 
generally ripening about the end of June. The Yines being in¬ 
good condition stood the extra forcing well. The house was started! 
by the middle of November, the Grapes were ripe by the third 
week in April, and were forced a little earlier each season, this year¬ 
being ripe at the time above stated. 
The practice here is at about the end of July to shorten all the 
lateral growths back to where they were first stopped, following; 
with a further pruning back to four or five eyes at the end of 
August, which we consider is a great help to the ripening of the 
wood. The final pruning back to the last two eyes is performed atr- 
the end of September ; the Yines are then cleaned, great care being 
taken in doing this, as often through carelessness many young buds 
in the old rods and at the base of the laterals are rubbed off r 
though they are often essential to the early forcing of Grapes. As- 
will be shown later on, the Yines are not barked more than cam 
be avoided, as luckily we are not troubled by mealy bug, that- 
detestable pest on Yines, the only insects being red spider and 
scale. We wash the reds with a strong solution of Gishurst- 
compound, brushing it well into the wood, especially round the 
base of the laterals. The woodwork of the house is then washed 
with strong soapy water, the walls being whitewashed with fresh 
slaked lime. 
Attention is next turned to the inside border, clearing all the 
refuse and loose soil off the surface, and loosening the top with a 
fork, taking great care not to break any of the roots, as those on the 
surface are most valuable and ought to be encouraged. We then 
give the border a good sprinkling of bone dust or half-inch hones. 
