30 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
very large, and the berries oblong, indeed so large as to have led to the 
conjecture that the Syrian Grape is the same kind as that which the Jewish 
spies brought from Canaan, in which case the cluster was so large that “they 
bore it between two upon a staff.” However, I have grown the Syrian 
Grape many years, and never knew it fail when properly treated. The Vine 
is certainly of a very distinct kind. I will send a few “ eyes ” of it to any 
one, on the condition of the postage being paid. 
Cossey Park, Norwich. J. Wighton. 
NOTES AT THE FLORAL AND FRUIT COMMITTEES. 
January 15 th .-—With the thermometer standing at 22°, how was it 
possible there could be many, if any, subjects at this meeting of the Com¬ 
mittees ? A few r things put in an appearance in spite of the severity of the 
weather, the “Notes” on which will occupy but a small space compared 
with previous records. Mr. John Mann, of Brentwood, had a small plant 
of his cerise-scarlet Zonal Pelargonium Mimas, to show its character as 
a winter-flowering kind. From Mr. Thomas Howes came a single Chinese 
Primrose with variegated foliage, which was no advance on any of the varie¬ 
gated forms previously seen. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son had a variety 
of Soplironitis grandiflora, named Alexandrina, of a very striking shade of 
rosy-crimson ; but it appears that this and other shades of colour appear 
amongst imported plants, so that it was not regarded as a novelty. A cut 
spike of an Oncidium, which was said to be closely allied to 0. serratum, 
if not identical with it, came from Messrs. Backhouse & Son, of York, 
and a cut bloom of Brasavola cuspidata. The latter has a very rich perfume. 
There were also cut specimens of Barkeria Skinneri and a Leelia, from 
Mr. Hodges, gardener to E. Wright, Esq., Gravelly Hill, Birmingham. 
A collection of Apples came before the Fruit Committee from Mr. 
Whiting, of the Deepdene, Dorking; and several dishes of Court of Wick 
Apple were sent by Wentworth W. Buller, Esq., Strete Raleigh, Exeter. 
Messrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co., of Exeter, sent a bunch of their new black 
Grape, Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, an excellent keeping Grape. This bunch 
had been hanging for a considerable time, but the berries were quite plump ; 
it appeared, however, to have lost some of the Muscat flavour during preser¬ 
vation., -D -p. 
H. Dean. 
BACKHOUSE’S BROCCOLI AND TURNER’S LITTLE 
GEM PEA. 
I amongst many others feel very much indebted to the Messrs. Backhouse, 
of York, and to Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough—to the former for their 
distinct Broccoli, and to the latter for his Little Gem Pea. 
As regards the Broccoli, I first had a packet of the seed in 1865, and 
thus finding out its inestimable qualities I furnished myself with a good 
supply for the past year. As it succeeds the autumn Cauliflower, I find it 
doubly valuable, because I am acquainted as yet with no other sort which 
does so. On the same piece of ground I sowed on the same day Snow’s 
Winter, Osborn’s, Grange’s, and Gillispie’s. The last two, however, were of 
no service to me as Winter Broccoli, and Snow’s Winter I never found of 
any use until spring, when numerous other sorts come into use. 
As regards Little Gem Pea, it is all that I could desire, and will, I am 
