174 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
and fringed, so as very much to resemble some of the Ferns. The bed 
should be a little shaded from the hot sun, which robs the flowers of their 
rich mauve colour. The flower-stems should also be tied, otherwise the 
wet will break down the heavy heads of bloom.” 
M. 
THE PRODUCTION OF ROOTS FROM VINE STEMS. 
The late Dr. Lindley endeavoured to prove in his “ Theory of Horticulture ” 
that the production of roots from the stem of the Grape Vine is owing to 
the coldness of the border, coupled with a warm damp atmosphere. This 
opinion has been endorsed by many gardeners, either upon the supposition 
that a doctor cannot err, or, what is more probable, that there has not 
occurred an opportunity whereby they could test the validity of the 
assertion. 
With me it has so happened that I have been able to detect the fallacy, 
and to prove satisfactorily that the coldness of the border exercises no in¬ 
fluence whatever, but rather that the presence of such roots is attributable 
to warm humidity alone. We have here an early vinery where the roots 
are confined entirely to the inside of the house. The soils rests upon a 
layer of large stones 15 inches deep, through which are carried two three- 
inch hot-water pipes, sufficient to maintain a ground temperature of 80°, 
were that required. 
Now the question may he asked, If the emission of roots from the stem 
he caused by an undue depression of heat in the soil, how does it come to 
pass that in this house they show themselves in such an abundance, many 
measuring 9 inches long, while the bottom heat is never allowed to sink 
below 70° ? Forcing usually begins about the middle of November, and 
hence is carried on through the murky days of winter, when there is little or 
no sunshine to carry off an excess of moisture. Surely, then, the hare fact 
stares us broadly in the face, that a hot damp atmosphere is the sole and 
only cause by which stem roots are produced. 
In a second vinery where the Vines are planted in an outside border, 
scarcely or ever do the stems emit roots, owing to a decrease of internal 
humidity. In the present case the soil is slightly warmed by the application 
of fermenting material to the surface of the border, but the amount of heat 
is not so great, nor its action so regular, as that supplied by hot water. 
I may just add, that by reasoning theoretically we are unavoidably 
drawn to the conclusion, that the roots of the Grape Vine should, to keep 
the vegetable machinery in good working order, he surrounded by the same 
temperature as that of the branches, or even a little advance of it. But 
for such a course I have never observed any practical necessity. 
The Gardens , Tortworth Court. A. Cramb. 
[Surely the production of roots from Vine stems arises mainly from the imperfect action 
of the proper roots; and this may sometimes he occasioned by coldness of the border, but 
in the case above referred to might have arisen from drought.—E ds.] 
THE NEW HYACINTHS OF 1867 . 
These have been very sparingly produced this year as compared with 
previous years, the only exhibitor of them during the past spring having 
been Mr. William Paul. As is usually the case now, the new varieties 
