602 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 23, 1891. 
THE PESTS OF ROCKERIES. 
A weed is a plant of any kind which is out of place. 
The botanist in the open field has few, if any weeds, for 
they do not trouble him in any way, except they 
monopolise the ground to the exclusion of rarer and 
more valuable plants which he may expect to find in 
any given locality, or except they increase at such a 
rate as to threaten the extermination of some choice 
and rare species. Everything in the eyes of a horti¬ 
culturist is a weed whose flowers are too small to be of 
any decorative value in the garden. Even many which 
he admits into the garden on account of the showiness 
of their flowers or foliage, or both, he finds to be weeds 
of the most determined and annoying kind. 
Weeds in the herbaceous border are troublesome 
enough, but certain kinds on the rockery are something 
more, and the term “pest” is a mild name for them. 
Eockwork is really a stronghold for those kinds with 
long underground rhizomes, and more especially in 
those cases where the rockery consists of stones more 
or less cemented together. The rhizomes creep 
underneath the stones that separate the different 
compartments or pockets, and come up anywhere, it 
may be in the centre of a small morsel of some choice 
and rare specimen which must not be disturbed in 
order to eradicate the enemy. It is inconvenient to 
move either the stones or the plant, and matters 
become greatly complicated when the ground is covered 
with Veronicas, Thymus, Aubrietias, Arenarias, Sedums, 
Campanulas, Sempervivums, Phloxes, Cerastium, Saxi¬ 
frages, or a host of even more choice subjects which 
could be named. 
The amount of annoyance caused by weeds is one of 
degree, so that, as amongst other arafts of nature, there 
are amongst weeds, misdemeanants of a first, second, and 
third class. Those with creeping rhizomes, and a few 
others, may be placed in the first class, because it is so 
difficult to exterminate them when they get entrenched 
upon a rockery. If the gardener is much pressed for 
time, and allows them to ramble at will for a time, 
they kill everything in their way by excluding the 
light from them ; and a rockery, if planted with many 
hundreds of plants, would in the course of a few years 
be monopolised by a few, thus furnishing a very apt 
example of the battle for life amongst plants. 
The autumn and spring cleaning may leave the 
rockery clean and tidy, and the gardener may indulge 
in the idea that he has got the upper hand of the weeds, 
and that spring showers will only bring the usual crop 
of annual visitants. On the other hand such things as 
Epilobium angustifolium, Polygonum cuspidatum and 
P. sachalinense may not only be not dead, but not even 
dormant during the winter, and in spring the suckers 
shoot up everywhere over the ground, through the 
heart of the choicest plants, out from every crevice 
amongst the stones, and even in the adjoining walks. 
When Campanula rapunculoides, Saponaria officinalis, 
Aster Novi-Belgi, A. Eestivus and numerous others of 
the weedy class with long rambling rhizomes are kept 
down with determination, where they appear in open 
spaces, they take refuge in the heart of other plants, 
from which it is impossible to eradicate them without 
pulling their protectors all to pieces, which may not 
be done with any degree of safety when the plants are 
in full growth. Plants of dwarfer habit, such as 
Hieracium aurantiaeum, Potentilla reptans, Nepeta 
Glechoma, and Physalis Alkekengi, are also determined 
pests amongst choice subjects. The Hawkweed is well 
adapted for dry banks where scarcely anything elso 
will grow, and should be kept there. The Potentilla 
has a tap-root which if not extricated will simply 
throw up fresh leaves and send out runners as bad as 
ever a little later on. The ground Ivy we have known 
to be planted on a rockery, because it was variegated, 
and in a few years the variegated and original portion 
disappeared while the typical green form appeared at 
every crevice amongst the stones at long distances from 
its original habitat. 
Who has not experienced the troublesome nature of 
the Bindweeds (Convolvulus sepium and C. arvensis), 
but especially the former 1 The whole of the ground has 
to be forked up, and even then pieces of the rhizomes 
will be left behind to ramify again before they show 
themselves. The Bindweed of the hedges is hardly 
more annoying than the Vetch of the hedges (Vicia 
sepium) sometimes proves to be when it gets established 
in the centre of a plant. Its cousin, V. sylvatica, in 
spite of its ornamental character, is a terrible rambler ; 
and the Flame Flower (TropEeolum speciosum) is no 
better in localities where the humidity of the soil and 
atmosphere favours its growth. We have known it to 
prove a veritable pest on a Fern rockery. A certain 
Fern lover took a considerable amount of pains to 
establish the Common Bracken in a hardy fernery, in 
order to represent it amongst other British kinds, and 
had much difficulty in exterminating it afterwards. 
The variegated Gout-weed (CEgopodium Podagraria 
variegata) should not be planted on a rockery, unless 
grown in a pot and plunged. Most of the above it 
will be noticed are highly ornamental subjects, and 
often get planted intentionally upon rockeries, but the 
planter often has cause to rue his doings. 
The above only constitute a tithe of the first-class 
“ misdemeanants,” and instances might be multiplied. 
A number of the grasses might be cited, such as the 
Eeed Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and its variegated 
form, especially in damp situations, also Couch Grass 
(Triticum repens and Holcus mollis), and the Meadow 
Fescue (Poa pratensis), which come unbidden. We 
have noted the rhizomes of Convolvulus sepium and 
Phalaris arundinacea raising and bursting the asphalt 
on walks which in some instances were so constructed 
for the purpose of keeping the intruders down. The 
Bitter Cress (Cardamine hirsuta) must not be omitted 
from this class of weeds, for it scatters its seeds in a 
most determined manner when an attempt is made to 
gather it in fruit. The moral here is, pull it early, or 
at least not later than the flowering stage. 
Docks, Dandelions and similar tap-rooted weeds may 
be relegated to the second class, because they may 
generally be extricated without much injury to other 
plants. The common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) 
proves a nuisance by scattering its seeds about, and by 
the seedlings establishing themselves in the midst of 
everything. Most of the Ivies are very troublesome, 
by overgrowing and killing everything with which they 
come into contact, and with the exception of tree forms 
should not be planted on rockeries. Poa annua is most 
objectionable on account of its numbers, and requires a 
deal of attention to keep it down. A third class of 
weeds might be mentioned, such as Impatiens Eoylei, 
I. parviflora, Senecio vulgaris, Geranium Eobertianum, 
Poppies, &c., but they are easily uprooted or killed, 
and the more ornamental of them may be tolerated 
with propriety where the space can be afforded them. 
-- 
QUALITY IN GRAPES. 
Of late years there has been a marked tendency to 
study size and appearance rather than the eating 
qualities of Grapes, this remark applying quite as 
forcibly to what are grown for private use as to any 
produced specially for the markets. Much of this is 
probably due—most probably I think—to the important 
part which fruit generally plays in the decoration of 
the dining-table, the end dish of Grapes being par¬ 
ticularly conspicuous. Now, if this happens to be of a 
variety that cannot possibly be grown to a great size, 
it will either be completely ignored, or, what is more 
likely, be actually found fault with, no matter what the 
quality may be ; whereas if the bunches are massive 
and the berries of an imposing size, the comments are 
complimentary, both the owner and grower sharing in 
the honour gained. All this is very well as far as it 
goes, but the effect is bound to be more or less 
pernicious, as varieties of a showy appearance must 
inevitably oust those superior in quality, but inferior 
as regards great size o<f bunch or berry. Already this 
result is apparent enough in the markets, trade growers 
naturally producing what sells best and private 
gardeners are rapidly following in their footsteps. Nor 
are the latter, as I have already shown, altogether to 
blame in the matter ; but sooner or later the reaction 
must come, and growers will do well, therefore, to be 
on their guard—that is to say, be not in too great a 
hurry to discard old favourites in favour of others that 
will not be long all the rage. At present everything 
points to the likelihood of such showy, yet coarse, 
poorly-flavoured varieties of Gros Maroc, Gros Colmar, 
Alnwick Seedling, and Alicante superseding Black 
Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, West’s St. Peter’s, 
Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, and Lady Downe’s ; but, as 
I shall attempt to prove, not one of the last five 
mentioned ought to be discarded. Fewer Vines of 
them might, for a time at any rate, be grown, but if cut 
entirely out the time may come, and that even sooner 
than anticipated, when they will be wanted again. 
The Black Hamburgh, if properly grown—the 
bunches being fairly large, the berries nearly 1 in. in 
diameter, well coloured, and thoroughly ripened—is 
really a noble Grape and of superior quality. It is the 
inferior samples, produced by over-cropped Vines, that 
bring the variety into bad repute ; and if private 
gardeners attempt to rival the market growers in pro¬ 
ducing a great weight of fruit from a given length of 
rod they must, as a rule, fail signally in finishing the 
berries properly. In Madresfield Court we have a 
variety that will force quite as readily as the Black 
Hamburgh, and in some growers’ hands it is really the 
better Grape of the two. If over-cropping is avoided, 
and a good circulation of air is maintained both during 
the ripening period and at all times subsequently, it 
will not be possible to find fault with the size and 
colour of the berries, cracking (a great failing of the 
variety) will be prevented, while the substance and 
quality will be first-rate, a pleasant Muscat flavour 
being discernible. Madresfield Court travels better 
than the Black Hamburgh, and that is another point 
in its favour. The only possible rival of these two 
popular varieties, and that a somewhat formidable one. 
is to be found in Gros Maroc. This variety forces fairly 
well, is very productive and free setting, the bunches 
being of good form, and the berries extra large, also 
colouring very surely. Of the quality of this attractive 
black Grape the less said the better, and as far as keep¬ 
ing properties are concerned, it is but little superior to 
the Black Hamburgh. Alnwick Seedling is somewhat 
later and a rather shy setter, but with the aid of arti¬ 
ficial impregnation it is by no means difficult to produce 
large bunches, the berries being of a great size, as black 
as Sloes, but of poor flavour. It does not keep well. 
It is a somewhat strange, yet undeniable fact that 
earlv white Grapes are seldom seen in the markets, and 
are not extensively grown in private gardens, this pro¬ 
bably being owing to there being no reliable large- 
berried varieties available for forcing. Buckland 
Sweetwater at its best is of noble, attractive appearance, 
the berries being large, of a rich clear amber colour, 
and the quality fairly good. More often than not, 
however, the bunches are loose, the berries either green 
in colour or badly spotted, and little better than bags 
of sugar and water. Fosters’ Seedling is far more pro¬ 
ductive, and a very easily grown variety, but not till 
it is fully ripe is it presentable, and although the colour 
improves by hanging, the berries decrease in size con¬ 
siderably, hence its unpopularity in the markets, and 
in all cases where showy Grapes are desired. The 
Frontignans, of whatever colour, are excellent, but 
owing to their smallness of berry and unattractive 
appearance generally, they will never be much culti¬ 
vated by other than enthusiasts. Very different are 
the Golden Champion and Duke of Buccleuch, and if 
only lovers of showy Grapes could have these in per¬ 
fection they would be happy. Very rarely, however, 
are they to be seen in a presentable condition, many 
more failing than succeeding with them ; but if Mr. 
W. Thomson had continued his labours in a similar 
direction, he might ere this have given us a large- 
berried yellow Grape to accompany the Black Ham¬ 
burgh. He might have further benefited himself, and 
many more, by raising a golden or “ white ” companion 
for Gros Colmar, or such, for instance, as the new 
Lady Hutt is said to be for Lady Downe’s. 
The Muscat of Alexandria, being the best of all 
Grapes, merits a separate paragraph. No other variety 
combines in itself so many good qualities or gives such 
general satisfaction. It possesses an excellent consti¬ 
tution, is very productive, and, if treated liberally— 
starvation treatment being one of the principal causes 
of failures that occur—no difficulty is experienced in 
setting the berries nearly as regularly as any other 
variety sets. The bunches and berries are often very 
large, colour beautifully if not either unduly shaded or 
too much exposed, while the quality is unimpeachable. 
It can be had ripe fairly early, or in June, is plentiful 
enough in August, and keeps well till mid-winter and 
after. No wonder houses are devoted entirely to this, 
the most valuable Grape in cultivation. 
Mrs. Pearson is by far the best of the other late 
white varieties, this being of productive habit, the 
bunches of medium size, and the berries fairly large 
and colouring well. The quality is good and it will 
keep in the fruit room till March. Trebbiano, Ca¬ 
labrian Eaisin and White Tokay are all coarse, and 
Golden Queen is but little grown, owing to the 
muddy appearance of the berries, but the quality is 
good. Of late black Grapes, the most valuable, 
from a market grower’s point of view, is the Gros 
Colmar. It certainly is a noble Grape, and as far as 
appearance goes, particularly popular ; but, unless well 
grown, the quality is not good, it being a difficult 
matter to get rid of its Ivy-like taste. Alicante is 
also a decidedly showy variety, and occasionally the 
quality is really good. As a rule, however, it is 
second rate; but the sort will always be largely 
grown, owing to its free-bearing habit, and the ease 
with which the berries can be coloured. Gros Guil¬ 
laume is of a very different character, this being shy¬ 
bearing, while the bunches frequently attain a large 
size. If not over-cropped it colours well, and the 
