580 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 27, 1834. 
of growth, but no flowers, and a strong inclination to decay. I 
therefore want to find out whether it is possible to get them to 
flower or not.—R. B. 
[Tn a properly constructed window case, that is one built in the 
window, with means of opening to the outside by a ventilator, and 
also to the interior of the room by the window sash, it is quite 
possible to grow and flower many kinds of Orchids during the 
summer. It is, however, rather more difficult to do so in an 
independent or Wardian case, such as we presume yours to be by 
your description, but with care and attention it may be and often is 
done. Certainly something is required besides heat and moisture, 
but you give no clue as to the kind of Orchids you wish to grow. 
Care in watering, ventilating, potting and cleaning are only a few 
of the details necessary to the successful culture of these plants 
which are often described in our columns under the heading of 
the various species. Read these notes and adopt them as far as 
may be practicable in your case. Ventilate freely and avoid 
wetting the foliage of the plants at this season. Study the natural 
habit of the species you wish to cultivate, and encourage them to 
grow or to rest according as may be necessary, and the plants will 
soon show by their healthy appearance or otherwise whether the 
treatment accorded them is right or wrong.] 
THE PROPOSED NATIONAL VEGETABLE EXHIBITION. 
Kindly grant me leave to inform the readers of the Journal of 
Horticulture interested in the above object that matters are now 
assuming a more definite shape. Unable to obtain accommodation for 
the exhibition at the Crystal Palace because of the African Exhibition 
to be held there, the Provisional Committee applied to the Directors of 
the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, where the proposal was favourably 
entertained, and subject to the sanction of the General Committee, it 
has been resolved to accept the Directors’ offer to hold the show there 
on three days of the second week in September next. Of course much 
must also depend on financial support. 
If the Royal Aquarium be not an ideal place for such a show, it is 
at once the most central and the very best that the metropolis offers. 
A schedule of classes and prizes such as will be suited to limited 
accommodation has been prepared. Ic is a capital schedule, and 
includes both for Potatoes and vegetables generally, open classes, and 
others for market growers and cottagers. Lack of space, and only at 
present a limited assurance of funds, render a larger schedule out of 
the question. 
I therefore ask from the seed trade very cordial acceptance of the 
schedule, and a ready willingness to offer prizes in the classes as 
presented. Classes that are for purely trade exhibits may be all very 
well for local shows, but in a national exhibition are far too exclusive. 
We want to find all firms or others willing to offer prizes in a broad¬ 
minded, generous mood. I may add that cards of invitation, eighty 
in number, will be sent out to all who kindly consented to become 
members of the General Committee to attend a meeting of that body at 
the Royal Aquarium, on January 15th next, at 2 30, when an executive 
committee will be appointed.— Alexander Dean, Hon. Sec. 
GRAPE GROWING IN KENT. 
I CAN assure “ W. S.” (page 548) he need have no fear of giving 
any offence in asking for information on the above subject. In replying 
to my previous note he tells your readers I mention two varieties that 
were not in the exhibit at all. What exhibit does he refer to ? I made 
no mention of any exhibit; neither did I allude to Mr. Kirk’s collection. 
I named the varieties that came from Scotland and Kent, leaving the 
others for “ W. S.” to divide between the counties he holds up as being 
noted for their good Grapes. 
“ W. S.” goes on to state I claim Tebbiano as a popular variety. It 
is as good as other white Grapes, Muscats excepted, but whether it is 
popular or not matters little for our present purpose. Further, he says 
he fails to find Kentish names in the report who staged Grapes in better 
form than other English counties. It must be evident to your readers 
they made some impression on his memory, or he would not be able 
to say in whose collection they were to be found, more especially as he 
was under the impression they were grown in Middlesex. 
In giving your correspondent further information on this 
subject I wish it to be understood I do it in no boastful spirit, 
as I know too well what it is to go home from an exhibition 
disappointed. I shall refer to the county, and not to any individual 
grower. First of all I will call your correspondent’s atten¬ 
tion to the summer show held at Sevenoaks in Kent, where three first 
prizes were offered for Grapes ; one for a collection in which Grapes 
are included. All of these were gained by the county. Now, I will 
ask “ W. S.” to follow me as far as Brighton, where six first prizes were 
given, also one for a collection in which six bunches of Grapes must 
be included. Five of these seven prizes were won by growers in the 
county of Kent. Coming back to Kent County Chrysanthemum 
Society we find both first prizes for Grapes were retained by the Kent 
growers. Now I will ask “ W. S.” to call in at the Royal Aquarium, 
where he will find many counties were represented in the Grape classes 
provided by the National Chrysanthemum Society ; two first and one 
second were won by the county in question. I think this will be sufficient 
to convince your correspondent of what I said to be right. 
I cannot agree with your correspondent that soil and situation are 
the important factors in the cultivation of Grapes. Provided the 
necessary (accommodation is provided, management forms the very 
post on which the door of success swings. It was said a few years ago, 
by a very noted Grape grower, the Vine could be made to grow in 
anything between a heap of stones and a manure heap. As Kent 
is composed of neither of these, “ \V. S.” may take it that as good Grapes 
can be grown therein as any other county in England.—A Kentish 
Gardener. 
The Journal of Horticulture. —As was announced last week, 
the present issue of the Journal of Horticulture is a day beyond 
the usual time in consequence of the Christmas holidays. We desire 
also to say that the Index to the half-year’s volume has necessitated the 
abridgement of some articles and the postponement of others of consi¬ 
derable interest. We wish for writers who favour us with communi¬ 
cations to distinctly understand that they are not the less appreciated 
if their publication is somewhat delayed. Articles that will “ keep ” 
without losing their value are particularly convenient in the making up 
of our pages; and, besides, we always like to have a store of “ good 
things ” in hand. We rejoice in their possession, and thank all who 
have aided in filling our pages so creditably to themselves and satis¬ 
factorily to us during the year now drawing to its close, leaving us with 
a good surplus for the commencement of 1895. 
- The Weather in London. —Since publishing our last issue 
a severe gale has occurred in the metropolis. Early on Saturday morn¬ 
ing rain fell heavily, and the storm raged furiously. It was also very 
windy throughout the day. Sunday opened more calm, and slightly 
frosty, a fine day following, though it rained at night. On Monday, 
while preparing for press, a drizzling rain was falling. 
- Death of Mr. J. Witherspoon. — Many readers of the 
Journal of Horticulture will regret to hear of the death of Mr. J. 
Witherspoon of Chester-le-Street. He had only taken to his bed a 
few days before he died on the 15th inst. As a Grape grower for 
market Mr. Witherspoon was equalled by few, and I think excelled 
by none, as the fine crops of Gros Colman now hanging in the vineries 
amply testify. Many have been the predictions that such a weight of 
crop could not be borne year after year by the same Vines, but it has 
been done, and at present there seems no reason to doubt that the same 
Vines will go on bearing similar crops for many years to come if the good 
management is continued. Mr. Witherspoon was sixty-four years of 
age.—W. A. Jenkins. 
-- Grape Mrs. Pearson. —Mr. H. W. Ward writes :—“ This 
very excellent late white Grape deserves to be grown more extensively 
than it would appear to be at present. The Vine is a good grower and 
free fruiter, producing long, tapering, well-shouldered bunches, consist¬ 
ing of roundish berries, which, when properly thinned and ripened, 
measure about 3 inches in circumference, and takes on a beautiful 
golden colour, and flavour is very little inferior to that of the Muscat 
of Alexandria ; in short, I consider M rs. Pearson the best late white 
Grape that I am acquainted with next to the Muscat of Alexandria 
growing in the same house.” [We have not seen any Mrs. Pearson 
Grapes to excel those grown by Mr. Ward, and few to equal them. In 
size of berry, clearness, and quality they are excellent.] 
- The same correspondent observes:—“Another late white 
Grape that I have formed a high opinion of is Lady Downshire. 
This was raised by Mr. Thomas Bradshaw, head gardener to the Marquis 
of Downshire, Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland. 
The Vine is very robust growing, producing good sized bunches, consist¬ 
ing of berries measuring over 3 inches round, and 3f inches in circum¬ 
ference longwise, the colour when at its best being of a slightly golden 
amber, the flesh being very juicy and of pleasant flavour, I have a 
fine young rod of this Vine, which, all being well, I shall crop next 
year, and give it a fair trial, so as to be in a position to express a more 
decided opinion upon its merits. This Grape, I may add, is not yet in 
commerce.” 
