1877. ] 
PITH IN THE GRAPE VINE. 
11 
O 
O 
a good William Summers, and far more definite in its marking than that variety, having a 
perfect wire edge of bright red on the margin of each petal. Some of Mr. Simonite’s fine 
light-edged reds will, I think, when accessible, surpass it, being fuller, and therofoi’e 
better-crowned, but with mo last season the Rev. F. D. Horner was decidedly A.l. of its 
class. Robust in its habit of growth, but like its parent, apparently by no means prolific in 
increase. 
Robert Scott* (Flowdy).—Heavy-edged ; raised at Newcastle, parentage unknown. A 
fine full flower, much like John Smith in its general character, but later b^y some eight or 
nine days in its period of bloom. The best of the North-country heavy-red Picotees. 
Requires generous growth. 
Thomas Jivens* (Flowdy).—Light-edged. With me, a very large and full flower, with 
a number of small petals (though well arranged) in the centre, and these, I learn, have been 
its characteristics in the collections of Mr. Dodwell and Mr. Jonathan Booth, where also it has 
bloomed. In the North I am told it always wins the premier prize, whilst with us it is unfit 
for a stand. How is this ? Mr. Flowdy informs me that with him it blooms with a petal 
broad and continued—as in Mary, light purple picotee—to the crown. In such a condition it 
must undoubtedly be a telling flower, and it would ho interesting to learn the treatment 
required so to produce it. 
Thomas William* (Flowdy).—Light-edged. A grand variety, the best light-edged red 
in my collection, and I am almost inclined to think the best I have seen. Something in the 
way of the Rev. F. D. Horner, but fuller, and better finished in the crown. Petals large, 
beautifully smooth, with a fine white and perfect wire edge. A tall and strong grower. 
The raiser says it never has a burst pod. Will carry two to three flowers on each plant. 
Parentage unknown. 
William Summers (Simonite).—One of the earlier varieties of this celebrated raiser, grown 
from seed taken from Lauretta (Smith). A very beautiful variety in its day, sent out in 
1862. Like all Mr. Simonite’s seedlings, Wm. Summers exhibits high quality, fine substance, 
and a broad beautifully proportioned petal. The colour, a medium feather-edge, is bright 
and attractive. A full-sized, well-formed, and \vell-crowned flower. A good grower, though 
exhibiting signs of diminishing stamina with its advancing years. Being somewhat late, it 
should have the protection of a frame, or a warm corner of the garden, to bring it in with the 
general bloom. 
—E. S. Dodwell. 
PITH IN THE GRAPE VINE. 
FISH has very properly drawn attention to this important subject, 
which has been too long neglected. Much of late years has been written 
on Vine-culture, but this point has certainly not received that amount of 
attention it deserves, as the production of good grapes amounts to an 
impossibility unless we have a solid foundation to work upon. Pithy vines, when 
once fairly established, are a source of yearly disappointment. It will be readily 
admitted that every effect is brought about by some cause, however distant it 
may be, but in the present instance we have it close at hand. I do not believe 
that we shall find in any general rule a remedy against the excessive formation 
of pith, still I have, from long observation, concluded that it is mainly due to 
the over-stimulating properties of the soil, which is at the same time charged 
with an undue amount of water. There is, too, an ardent desire with most 
gardeners to prevent the introduction of red-spider, and to make sure against its 
invasion the atmosphere is kept constantly bordering on saturation. Under 
these conditions the vines grow vigorously, they are pictures of health, and to 
superficial observers are all that can be desired ; but the practised eye is more 
deeply educated, and looks upon such an accumulation of health with distrust 
and disappointment. This experience is derived from knowing that in this 
