JANUARY. 
5 
Frontignans on Hamburghs this season, influenced by the effect of this stock 
on the Muscat Hamburgh, and am sanguine as to the result. 
One caution is necessary for those who may try experiments of this sort— 
they should take care that they inarch on stocks in good health and vigour. 
It sometimes happens that a particular Vine becomes, from some cause, 
unfruitful. To cut this Vine down, and graft it with another sort, and if 
success did not attend the operation to conclude that the Vine in question was 
an unsuitable stock, would not be a fair inference, when it is considered that 
the Vine was unfruitful when the experiment was begun, and might be expected 
to continue so, no matter what sort might be grafted on it, unless some radical 
change was wrought in regard to its general circumstances. 
The splendid bunches that Mr. Hill, of Keele Hall, showed at the London 
exhibitions last summer were from the Black Prince on a Hamburgh stock, as 
is well known; in fact all the data that have come under my observation point 
unmistakably to the Black Hamburgh as the best stock for tender Vines. At 
first sight I would have concluded that the Baisin de Calabre would be an 
excellent stock. The Vine is hardy, grows and ripens its fruit well in a cool 
vinery, and is a most vigorous grower; but it seems that it failed with Mr. 
Fowler, of Castle Kennedy, from excess of vigour, in as far as it sent up more, 
sap than was required by the berries and burst them. Probably this could be 
avoided by leaving a more than ordinarily heavy crop on the Vine, a very 
pleasant way of effecting a cure, if it answered. On the whole I think this 
Vine should have a fair trial, as a stock ; it has many qualities to recommend it.. 
If all who try such experiments would give the results through the press, 
the matter could soon be settled, and a great boon conferred on Grape-growers. 
The Gardens , Dalkeith Park . W. Thomson. 
CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
In offering a few remarks on the culture of the Chrysanthemum, I do so 
with all becoming diffidence, knowing that there are cultivators of this plant 
whose name and experience would carry far greater weight. Still I have no 
hesitation in offering the following, in the hope that it may prove useful and 
interesting to some who regard this flower with especial favour. 
There are men who have made the culture and study of the Chrysanthemum 
the chief, if not the sole, matter of importance in connection with their business,, 
and have grown and tested sorts and varieties the names of which would make 
a lengthy catalogue. This, however, is not the case with me. As a gardener, 
my time and attention have to be divided equally among plants of various 
genera. The Chrysanthemum takes its place among these, as a plant useful 
for its decorative properties at a time of the year which, without it, would be 
dull in a floral sense ; apart from which, it is a plant that is most extensively 
grown for exhibition, more particularly around the metropolis, where numerous 
shows are held annually—that is to say, numerous societies have sprung up of 
late years, the express object of them being to encourage the growth of the 
Chrysanthemum. Judging from the beauty and excellence of the specimens 
exhibited, no doubt whatever can exist that these societies produce the desired 
effect. The same thing is rapidly spreading over the country, and imitators 
are found in various provincial towns, but as yet they are far behind metro¬ 
politan shows. The Birmingham Show this year has been a great improve¬ 
ment on that of last year, and may be better still next. My purpose, however, 
is not to speak of shows, but, as well as I am able, to point out the manner in 
which plants and flowers may be produced in a condition fit for public exhibi- 
