MAY. 
113 
NEW VERSUS OLD HAMBURGH GRAPES. 
In tlie Floeist and Pomologist for March is the following paragraph respecting 
new and old Hamburgh Grapes :—“ The appreciation in which they are held is 
marked by the fact that, whilst late-kept Graj)es are bringing, in Covent Garden, 
15s. to 20s. per lb., the new Hamburghs, which first appeared in the market about 
three weeks ago, are sold from 20s. to 30s. per lb.” How, this possibly may be 
true ; and if the public likes to pay the highest price for them, so well and good; 
but what becomes of the producers, and the expenses they are at in getting their 
fine “grapy” vinous bunches ripe for the market? I have seen some of the 
crops of these new Hamburghs this season before they were cut, and, if they had 
brought 60s. per lb. in the market, it would have been a poor return for the 
expenses of forcing and labour. It is all very well where the expense of forcing 
is not thought of, and where a vinery for growing new Grapes is not missed in the 
rotation, and where another can be got ready to take its place ; for the unnatural 
process of forcing Grapes in winter, without bottom heat, renders this necessary 
every two or three years. Far better to have a pit or vinery with bottom heat, and 
to commence forcing so as to have new Grapes ripe in March or April. This can 
best be done by having a lot of young Yines in pots or tubs brought forward for 
early work in rotation, by raising some from eyes every year from the earliest- 
forced Yines. Depend upon it, the greatest and most profitable feat in Grape¬ 
growing is to have a nice crop of Grapes in March, April, and May, so as to keep 
up a succession all the year round. 
Welbeck. ' William Tilleey. 
THE DAHLIAS OF 1864. 
It must be acknowledged on all hands that the Dahlias of 1863 were the worst 
lot sent out in any one season for years past. Of course, they were mostly superior 
to the varieties we were accustomed to purchase in bygone years ; but what I wish 
to convey is, that the improvement, if any, over existing varieties, either in form 
or colour, was so slight as to be scarcely perceptible. It is my opinion that the 
new varieties to be sent out this year will most favourably contrast with those of 
last year. Hot only shall we have many new shades of colour, but I feel con¬ 
vinced that at least a score kinds will be distributed, superior in several points to 
any we have in cultivation. Wine-makers say that it is very unusual to have two 
good /years in succession; we know from experience in this country that it is 
rare to have two good consecutive fruit seasons ; and from what I have noticed, I 
find it is the same with seedling flowers. Having repeatedly seen the majority 
of the new flowers offered this spring exhibited at the various shows, and having 
had opportunities of inspecting many of them while growing, I, therefore, will 
select about a score that cannot fail to please the most fastidious. It is a difficult 
matter to place them in rotation as to merit; soil, locality, and the capability of 
the grower, making such a marked difference in the way seedling blooms of any 
flower are brought to the exhibitions. I will therefore content myself in selecting 
only those I feel convinced are acquisitions—viz. :— 
Alexandra. —A very chaste and beautiful variety of excellent form; colour 
pure white, with an edging of mauve. Distinct. 
Anna Keynes. —Another pleasing edged variety, with white ground. Hot so 
delicate in the markings as the foregoing, but fuller of petals. A most constant 
and useful variety. 
Angelina. —An excellent Fancy kind, buff, striped with crimson, good in form. 
Will be an acquisition in any stand. 
Blacic Doctor. —A singularly dark-coloured kind, of good form, and has the 
appearance of constancy. 
Chelsea Hero. —A very deep-built flower, but of a colour we are rich in—fawn. 
Of excellent shape. 
Enchantress. —Hovelty in colouring (sulphur, tipped with cherry), combined with 
