246 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
Florist and Pomologist some statements regarding the quality of one soil 
in preference to others, calculated, in my belief, to produce superior Grapes. 
The evidence is, perhaps, not sufficiently conclusive to warrant my statements 
being inserted in a catalogue of facts, still my tendency to do so is running 
strong in that direction. The question, then, which I wish to discuss is this, 
Does the geological formation from which we select soil to make our Vine- 
borders influence the size and quality of the Grapes, altogether irrespective of 
mechanical arrangement ? A point that cannot be too strictly observed, and 
in some cases more than others. The superiority that I allude to does not so 
much affect the growth of the Vine, perhaps not at all; it is seen in the pro¬ 
duction of larger bunches and berries. In the present remarks I will confine 
my observations to the magnesian and old red sandstone. To prevent some 
amount of repetition. I may as well state that all our Vine-borders, except one, 
are made of soil taken from the magnesian limestone, and that one from the old 
red sandstone, which has for nine years past produced fruit far superior to the 
others, and still maintains its character. We cannot place any item to the credit 
of manure, for in that all are treated alike—an article supplied but sparingly. 
In this exceptional border the varieties are Black Hamburgh, Buckland 
Sweetwater, and Golden Hamburgh. Averaging the Black Hamburgh bunches 
they weighed from to 3 lb. each, while many exceeded 3^ lbs.; one bunch 
of Buckland Sweetwater, over 3 lbs. 12 ozs.; two bunches of the Golden 
Hamburgh 7 lbs. 9 ozs., the berries measuring 34- inches in circumference. 
In all this there is nothing to boast about, as there are hundreds throughout 
the country who can and do grow Grapes far better than I can. The produce 
of the other houses was a good deal inferior, and has yearly continued to be 
so, although treated in every way alike. 
My object in pointing out the defect is to show the difference between the 
two kinds of soil; but in what this difference consists is the subject of a 
separate investigation, and I will therefore hand it over to chemical analysis. 
Further, in reference to the Golden Hamburgh, I have never been able to 
grow it successfully planted in limestone soil, although the experiment was 
made in two separate houses; while in the third, growing on its own roots, no 
Grape could give greater satisfaction. There is this slight difference of treat¬ 
ment between it and its black brother, the temperature should be kept a few 
degrees higher when in flower, otherwise the berries do not set so thickly. 
I did not intend to have said any more, but just at the conclusion a gentle- 
has called, who is an enthusiastic Grape-grower, and finishes them off well; 
and while conversing about Grapes in general, he said, “ That vexatious 
Golden Hamburgh ! I am determined to have it rooted out. My patience is 
exhausted; year after year it has brought disappointment!” Nor could I 
assuage his grief, as his entire locality is under the dominion of the chalk. 
Tortworth Court. Alexander Cramb. 
VARIEGATED GERANIUMS. 
Visitors to the Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, may now see what to my 
mind is a most charming sight. It is a house of well arranged variegated 
bedding Geraniums, the idea of which, I am told, is due to Mr. IT. J. Veitch. 
The house is a span-roofed one of considerable length, and well adapted for 
such a display, and the Geraniums used for the purpose are small, and with few ex¬ 
ceptions appear to have been struck this season. It would be somewhat tedious 
for me to enter into a dissertation on the style of the arrangement more than 
to say that the plants are placed in squares and diamonds, flanked by the lighter- 
