258 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ Novembeb, 
I wish it to be clearly understood that what I have said on this subject does 
not apply to trees in parks, because there they are their chief ornaments; 
nor to trees in grass pastures, neither to a few trees in nooks or corners about 
farmsteads, because these afford shelter. In fact, it is considered that the de¬ 
struction of the natural forests in this country, as in other cases, has rendered our 
climate more bleak and the land more barren.—J. Wighton, Cossey Park. 
GAKDEN GOSSIP. 
WOODCUT figure of the Lambton bunch of Black Hamburgh Grapes., 
mentioned at p. 231, with various particulars of the Vine, has been pub¬ 
lished in the Gardener. The weight of the bunch was 21 lb. 12 oz., and 
our contemporary remarks thatthis is the most extraordinary production 
in the way of any fruit that has been recorded in the annals of horticulture.” The Vine 
which produced this compound cluster was struck from an eye in 1869. It bore six bunches 
the second year after planting, one of which Mr. Hunter staged in his Ist-prize collection in 
1872. It bore eight bunches in 1873, one of these being the heaviest black grape shown at 
Manchester, whicli weighed 13 lb. 4 oz., while the smallest of the other seven weighed 4 lb. 
This year it has home five bunches—that mentioned above, which is compound, and one of 
111b. 2 oz., of faultless symmetry, the remaining four weighing 131b. 13 oz. In the same 
house grew a Vine of Raisin de Calabre, or Calabrian Raisin, which bore a cluster weighing 
15 lb., and five others scarcely less ; and there were also immense Trebbianos of from 10 lb. 
to 12 lb., Gros Guillaume of from 141b. to 16 lb., very large Muscats, and Foster’s Seedling 
of immense size and splendid quality. The soil, we are told, is a strong holding soil. 
- ^HE autumn Shows of Fungi keep up with unabated interest. At 
that of the Woolhope Club, held in Hereford, which was very successful, a 
handsome presentation was made to Mr. Worthington G. Smith, “ in pleasant 
memory of fungus forays, assisted by his experience, illustrated by his pencil, and chronicled 
by his pen.” The show at South Kensington was a smaller exhibition, but excited a good deal 
of interest amongst the visitors. 
- She Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Strawberry may be especially 
recommended as a most prolific bearer, either forced or in the open ground. It 
ought to be more extensively grown, for those who have tried it report that none 
are equal to it as a general good cropper; while it remains longer in bearing than many 
other sorts, will also keep longer when ripe, and, as the flesh is Ann, is well-adapted for 
travelling. The flavour, too, is most refreshing, having a slight acidity. As a forcing 
Strawberry it cannot be too highly recommended, being a sure setter, and that in a tempera¬ 
ture which would prove fatal to Keens’ Seedling, and many others. The plants after forcing 
may be beneficially used for making fresh plantations in the open garden. 
- ®HE handsome variegated-leaved plant, known as Erythrina Parcellii., 
is said to be the E. picta of Linnaeus, a variegated variety of E. indica., of which 
there is a plate in Eumphius’ Herbarium Amhoinense (ii., t. 77). It is rare in 
Amboina, but occurs in several places in the eastern part of the Moluccas and Celebes. The 
custom of planting it near houses or temples, as mentioned by Rumphius, is general in the 
Fijian islands, according to Seemann, who says:—“The flowering of the Drala (Erythrinu 
indica), which takes place about the end of July or the beginning of Augiist, is the general 
sign for planting the yams, and one of the natural phenomena upon which the Fijian Calendar 
is based. For this reason the tree is found near almost every village, either wild or planted. 
The seeds aie used by children for toys, and by the heathen priests to cover the so-called 
oracle boxes.” This species is commonly cultivated throughout India. 
- ^The Pascalia glauca is a fine herbaceous plant, somewhat resembling 
a Sunflower, but having an elegance of character in the stem and leaves, a grace- 
