522 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 30,1887. 
capital varieties, enjoyed a large share of popularity 
thirty years ago, hut there are many of the type now 
which have been so intermixed with others by crossing 
that it is difficult to determine their proper position. 
The semi-double forms are very graceful, their delicate 
petals having a shell-like transparency. 
The climbing or tall-growing straggling Roses suitable 
for covering walls, pillars, or arches include a great number 
of varieties of different types that in old gardens may be 
found scrambling about in grand luxuriance and pro¬ 
ducing their flowers by thousands. I have two of these 
covering a porch and intermingl ng their innumerable 
flowers in the most delightful confusion. They are old 
plants, their names having long since been lost, but they are 
just as much appreciated as if they boasted some long pre¬ 
tentious title. One has dark rough foliage and neat white 
blooms, occasionally slightly tinged with pink in the 
centre, but the majority came pure white, and the branches 
are crowded with flowers as closely as they can be pro¬ 
duced. One beautiful branch arching across the porch is 
a natural wreath of pure flowers; they are, however, of 
little use for cutting except in the bud stage. An eminent 
rosarian has determined this to be a variety of Rosa alba, 
known as Blanche Belgique, and evidently of continental 
origin. The companion to this is very different in 
character; the flowers are a very pale pink, with delicate 
petals forming a compact oval bud, which does not open 
as full as the other, but is better adapted for cutting. 
This is regarded as the Blush Boursault, of which type 
there are some grand richly coloured climbing Roses, all 
distinguished by their free habit and marvellous 
floriferousness. 
The Ayrshire Roses constitute another series of 
climbers or stragglers, of which Dundee Rambler, with 
semi-double white flowers, is one of the best marked 
varieties. The Evergreen and Polyantha Roses are others 
suited for similar purposes, and are charming when trained 
to pillars 10 feet or more apart, and then festooned from 
one to another. I am familiar with an old collection of 
these Roses near London where this method is adopted 
with delightful effect, both the pillars and the connecting 
chains being covered with flowers at the present time. 
Perhaps these hurried notes may induce some of your 
numerous rosarian readers to favour us with a few obser¬ 
vations on other old Roses, for there must be many like 
myself who still admire them.— Amateur. 
LATE GRAPES. 
Remembering last autumn that a few complaints were made in 
the Journal respecting the shrivelling of late Muscats has induced me 
to offer a few remarks concerning the probable cause. It was con¬ 
sidered by some that the sudden reduction of moisture both at the 
ro n ts and in the atmosphere was the chief cause, and I have no 
doubt that in a great measure has something to do with it; but I do 
not consider that is the sole cause, although at the same time changes 
should be brought about gradually, so that the Vines may not feel 
the effect too suddenly. But the condition the Vines are in, and 
the way they have been previously managed, have a great deal to do 
with their being able to withstand any sudden alteration in their 
management. Late Grapes as a rule are allowed a long season of 
growth, and that growth to bring about the best results should (from 
the first signs of starting into leaf) be built up in a robust solid way, 
••md the four things necessary—that is, light, heat, air, and moisture, 
must be brought to bear upon them in due proportion ; one of the 
chief things, and one of which in our climate we cannot very well 
have too much light. 
Before one begins to advance any particular information it is 
necessary to consider what state Vines are in, for to treat Vines with 
a weak constitution the same as those that are strong and in good 
condition, would be simply .courting failure. Unfortunately (or 
perhaps I might mor§ appropriately say fortunately, for 1 was 
enabled to gain good experience by it), during my practice I have 
on one or two occasions had to take to Vines in a very bad state. 
Without in any way interfering with the roots, beyond giving a good 
mulching with manure, I have put very weak Vices into strong 
robust health in a couple of seasons, without entirely sacrificing the 
crop. 
With weak Vines I like to encourage'as much growth as is possible 
to be had under the glass without crowding it, and until this is 
obtained I stop but little. If plenty of growth can be had from the 
main laterals I keep the sub-laterals in check, if not I allow them 
their liberty until all the space is filled up. To get Vines strong, 
freedom from insects is absolutely necessary, for with healthy growth 
strength will soon be obtained, and the reverse if otherwise. Strong 
Vines in good condition I treat differently, but even these require 
special treatment, according to whether small or large bunches are 
required; if the former, the laterals may be closer on the rods than for 
the latter, for large bunches plenty of space must be allowed between 
the laterals. I generally stop at the second leaf beyond the bunch, 
and when the sub-laterals make their appearance (which they com¬ 
mence to do at the end of the shoot generally, directly after stopping 
takes place) I gradually rub them off except one, which I leave 
between the bunch and the base of the shoot, to act as a kind of 
safety valve, to prevent the base buds bursting. By so doing the base 
buds are more fully developed, and the risk of their being not pro¬ 
perly ripened is reduced to a minimum, and the close pruning 
system may with a certainty be brought into practice wi.hout any 
risk of failure. When the latent buds burst they are allowed a little 
freedom to enable the available space for the foliage to be filled up ; 
but a thick canopy of foliage is not to be recommended, but sufficient 
light should be admitted to solidify the growth as it is made, thereby 
gradually building up good sound growth, which cannot fail to be 
strong and fruitful. 
Some good Grape growers differ in opinion as to admitting light 
to the bunches in the earlier stages of their growth, but, in my opinion, 
it is a mistake to grow the bunches under a dense shade, and then 
later on to subject them to full light, as some do with Muscats. I am 
aware that early black Grapes soon lose their colour if exposed to 
too much light, but I am inclined to thii k a great many are grown 
under too much shade; the colouring matter, not being substantial, soon 
flies. Late Grapes, I consider, require light, and those grown with 
a fair proportion will have better flavour and keep be ter than 
those grown under a dense shale, and it is my opinion that 
exposing the bunches after being previously in the shade is one of 
the causes that make them prematurely shrivel. As to the colouring 
of black Grapes, I am strengthened in my opinion in the observation 
I made here last year in an Alicante house. One of the rods was so weak 
that it did not make sufficient foliage to shade the few bunches that 
it had on it, and some of the bunches were exposed to full sunshine 
from the time of setting until they were cut, and yet they wire 
coloured as well as any in the house, and had the appearance of 
keeping well had they been required. 
Good ventilation on all favourable occasions must not be neglected, 
and as late Vines make most of their growth during the most favour¬ 
able time of the year, no opportunity should be lost in giving abun¬ 
dance of air in hot weather, and care should be taken to begin giving 
air as soon as the temperature begins to rise in bright weather, which 
I believe is generally admitted to be a oreventive of scalding. I 
once had some Black Hamburghs badly scalded through neglect in 
early ventilation, the house being a lean-to with an east aspect 
necessitated very early ventilation.—W. Bimpson, Knowsley. 
HORTICULTURAL PROGRESS. 
I read with great interest your admirable leader in last wee ids 
Journal, and with many of the facts there stated I was familiar, for 1 
well remember the majority of the nurserymen and leading market 
growers in the west and south of London fifty years ago. During the 
period that has elapsed since there has been much progress in horticul¬ 
ture, and during the life of the Queen’s illustrious Consort horticul¬ 
turists had a noble and generous patron in that estimable Prince. In¬ 
fluential men do not seem to take so much interest in this delightful 
subject now as their position demands ; they support much more freely 
objects less conducive to the national interests. In the progress of 
the last fifty years much has been done by private practical workers, 
who have introduced an immense number of new plants from various 
parts of the world which have been of great benefit commercially as well 
as ornamentally, and nurserymen have done much to provide plants 
that suit the tastes of the ever varying and changeable fashion of the 
times. Those that have been in general favour at one time have given 
place to others. Dahlias had their run and declined, but are now re¬ 
viving in another form. Pelargoniums have changed from one class (o 
another. Carnations are thought old-fashioned. Auriculas, the pets of 
dames of old. The Chrysanthemum has passed through many changes 
of form, but it is in a higher and more beautiful state than we ba\e 
ever had it before, and although an old favourite the admiration for t 
