54 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [MARCH, 
acteristic figures. They both belong to the series with broadish oblong-lanceolate 
leaves, and in both cases the variegation consists of stripes of paler and brighter 
hues, distinct from the ground-colour, and abundantly different from the white 
and rosy tints which break out in the young growth of many other kinds, when 
well cultivated, the colours being here distributed in narrow lines or streaks. Both 
varieties are said to come from the Soutli-Sea Islands; they are probably, like 
most of the other recently-introduced sorts, the result of cultivation there. 
j Draccenci Baptistii was introduced from the nursery of the Messrs. Baptist, of 
Sydney. Its leaves are of a purplish-bronze colour, 1^- ft. to 2 ft. long, tapering 
at the base, and acuminate at the apex ; they are bold in character, and margined 
and irregularly and obliquely marked with narrow stripes or flakes of creamy- 
yellow, which pass through pale pink to deep rose as the leaf acquires age. 
While growing the plant shows all these graduations of colour, and is then 
extremely interesting ; but at the end of the season, the rosy tint predominates 
in the markings. The stalks of the leaves are striped in a manner similar to the 
leaves themselves, the markings of which appear in the youngest stages of growth. 
This plant has gained certificates both from the Royal Horticultural and Royal 
Botanic Societies. 
Draccenci Ilenclersoni resembles the preceding in that it has narrowly striped 
leaves, but yet the plants are thoroughly distinct. The leaves in the present 
form are equally bold in character, being from 1^ ft. to 2 ft. long, and 4 in. to 
5 in. broad, of elegant and graceful habit; but the surface is more thickly 
marked, so as to acquire a mottled appearance, with short irregular and unequal 
white and rosy-pink streaks. It was certificated last season by the Royal Botanic 
Society.—T. Moore. 
HARDY GRAPES RIPENING IN 1874. 
COLLECTION of Hardy Grapes planted on a glass-covered wall here 
ripened during the last fine summer and autumn the best crop I have ever 
grown on it. Perhaps the names of the varieties may be interesting to some 
of the readers of the Florist and Pomologist who may want to plant 
hardy Grapes in houses without fire-heat, or on the open walls. Although such 
warm favourable summers as that of 1874 only come at intervals, still there are 
some kinds of hardy Grapes that, with a little attention in protecting them in the 
cold spring months, when budding or in flower, will produce ripe grapes in our 
ordinary summers. The glass-covered w T all here, where the hardy Grapes are 
planted, has only artificial heat applied when the Peaches and Nectarines are in 
flower, so that the Grapes have not the same advantage at their blooming time. 
I will commence with the White Grapes, as they were the earliest in ripening. 
The Early White Malvasici , or Early Kienzheim of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, ripened perfectly in the middle of August; this sort seems to me to be 
synonymous with the Grove-End Sweetwater. Royal Muscadine , or the Chcisselas 
de Fontainebleau of the French, ripened in the end of August, and is one of the very 
