MARCH. 
81 
blood royal, none but Roses can enter, our thoughts fly off to the Field 
of the 'Cloth of Gold (that rare and beautiful Noisette!) and to other 
princely pageants. Nor need we hesitate to indulge our imaginations, 
or to let them rove, fancy free; for should this exhibition be realised, 
as there is good ground to hope, it will not disappoint our expectations. 
It will be ‘ a sight to make an old man young.’ 
“ It seems strange, on a first consideration of the matter, that the 
Rose should not have previously asserted her claim to an exclusive 
exhibition, although the Tulip, the Carnation, the Dahlia, and Chrysan¬ 
themum have each proved themselves sufficiently attractive to make an 
independent show. But, truth to tell, the Rose, with all her beauty, 
has only of late years become a * florist’s flower.’ With all her glowing 
colours and her rich perfume, she has been wofully wanting in shape ; 
and we have only to recall, in proof, a pan of Roses, as exhibited some 
ten or dozen years ago. Blooms large and beautiful (if you did not 
mind the green ‘ eye ’) were plenteous ; but blooms like Paul Ricaut, 
Madame Rivers, Louise Peyronney, and many others, which we shall 
see on the 1st of July, were indeed few and precious. 
“We may confidently anticipate from the preliminary list of sub¬ 
scribers, which appears in our impression of this day, that we shall have 
a judicious management, a satisfactory schedule, and an abundant dis¬ 
play of the best Roses grown; and we, therefore, trust that the under¬ 
taking will be so liberally supported by all lovers of the Rose, that the 
prizes may be worthy of the skill of the competitors, and that the Grand 
National Rose Show may in every sense deserve its name.” 
The Royal and National Tulip Show will be held at Shef¬ 
field, as announced in our advertising columns. A fine display is 
expected, the meeting being undertaken with spirit, under distinguished 
patronage. 
The National Carnation and Picotee Society’s Exhibi¬ 
tion takes place at Moira ; particulars not yet received. 
GRAPE GROWING. 
I AM of opinion that no fruit has called forth so many authors and so 
many varieties of treatises as the Vine, and yet its successful cultiva¬ 
tion is not general. It is true that every one having a glasshouse 
desires its cultivation, and is ready to make considerable sacrifices in 
order that Grapes may be obtained. Plain practical directions are pub¬ 
lished by experienced men, and the reader can see no difficulty—not¬ 
withstanding the warnings repeatedly given by the highest authorities, 
who tell them, and truthfully, that the trade of Grape-growing can, no 
more than any other, be learned from books alone. This question, then, 
ought to be seriously asked by every one connected with Grape-growing— 
Is it for want of attention to this important point that mildew and 
general unhealthiness are owing ? If experience is sufficient to answer 
the inquiry, evidence indicates the contrary. Let me take the case of 
VOL. XI., NO. CXXIII. G 
