April 18th, 1885. 
519 
which he states to have been put in early in January. 
To all appearance, so far as my experience goes, his 
cutting was nothing over 3 ins. in length at the time 
it was taken off, and probably less. 
I remember showing a certain person some rooted 
cuttings, and the exclamation was, “ They are larger 
cuttings than mine,” but those under my treatment 
had grown to nearly or quite half as long again as 
their original length, but under Mr. Jenkins’s treat¬ 
ment it is quite certain they would not grow so much. 
For firm-wooded cuttings such as recommended by 
Mr. Jenkins, I quite agree with his plan of not subject¬ 
ing the cuttings to bottom-heat of any kind, but for 
sappy cuttings such as I choose it is almost essential. 
We inserted our first batch of cuttings about the 
middle of January, and they were fit to pot off early 
in March. Many of them now have been stopped once, 
and have broke with several shoots almost as large as 
that represented as a 2-in. cutting in the illustration 
before referred to. The sidesof 3§-in. pots are lined with 
roots, and I assure Mr. Jenkins that not a cutting was 
taken with hard wood attached, and my losses will 
compare favourably with his, viz., under 10 per cent. I 
enclose a cutting of what I consider better represents 
a 2-in. cutting. I earnestly hope that “ An Amateur ” 
will read Mr. Jenkins’s notes, for to one who is in need 
of assistance it is far better for more than one to 
express an opinion. After all, perhaps Mr. Jenkins 
may have hit the right nail on the head. My reason 
for suggesting about the cuttings having their heel 
resting on the drainage was because the only failure 
I ever had was from that cause.— C. Warden. 
MAKING A VINE BORDER. 
“ Cabactacus ” asks, at p. 494, for information 
respecting the making of Vine borders, and wishes 
to know whether manure should be mixed with the 
soil, &c. I have found Vine borders made of the 
following compost to be as good as any. Procure 
fresh cut turves, if possible, about 3 ins. thick, accord¬ 
ing to the depth of the fibre in the soil, and if the 
loam is fairly heavy, but not too adhesive, so much 
the better. If soil of this description can be obtained, 
add about one-sixth of lime rubble or broken bricks, 
and some charcoal not broken too fine, which will 
help to keep the soil open ; also add a hundredweight 
of crushed bones to every two square yards of loam. 
The latter must be chopped up, but not into mince¬ 
meat, and afterwards be well mixed together. If the 
loam should be of a clayey nature, more lime rubble 
will be necessary; on the other hand, if it is of a light 
description a less quantity than is above recommended 
should be used. Charcoal is not absolutely necessary, 
although I have thought it to be advantageous, but I 
know some good cultivators who object to its use. I 
would in no case use any manure, although I used to 
do so, in the preparation of the soil, preferring to feed 
the Vines by watering with liquid manure, and when 
they get well established, say after two or three 
years, to give an annual surface dressing of cow- 
dung. 
I would recommend “ Caractacus ” to make only 
half the border now and the other half in two years’ 
time, and not to have any fixed pathway in the house, 
but to have a battened trellis instead, which will then 
allow the border at all times to be dressed, Ac. The 
depth of soil should not be more than 3 ft., and it is 
absolutely necessary that under that there should be 
from 8 ins. to 1 ft. of drainage, broken bricks, stones, 
lime rubbish, or whatever may be at hand most readily ; 
of course putting the larger portions at the bottom, 
the smaller portions filling the interstices, and sloping 
either to the back or front, with a drain to take the 
surplus water away, unless the site happens to be on a 
naturally well-drained position, and even then it is 
far the better plan to make the drain, so as to prevent 
mishaps. 
It would be better, now that the season is so far 
advanced, to let the Vines break a few inches before 
being planted. I once planted two vineries in the 
latter part of May, when the Vines had each made 
growths varying from 18 ins. to 3 ft. We carefully 
disentangled the roots and spread them out over the 
border, before covering them with a little specially 
prepared soil, finer than the bulk of the border; and 
in all but one instance the canes reached the tops of 
the houses before the end of the season. I, however, 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
had plenty of heat at my command, and was thus 
enabled to ripen them thoroughly. 
I would strongly recommend as a white Grape to 
be planted at the warmest end of the house Foster’s 
Seedling, a sure fruiting and free setting variety. 
Buckland Sweetwater is another kind that will succeed 
under the same conditions as Black Hamburgh, but I 
have not found it so prolific or free setting ; the 
advantage it has to some is that the bunches and 
berries are larger than the first-named, but do not keep 
in good condition so long. Neither can be recommended 
for their keeping properties ; Foster’s Seedling soon 
becomes too firm, while Buckland Sweetwater very 
soon becomes flavourless.— E. Dumper, Summerville 
Gardens, Limerick. 
- 0_-j ^_9 - 
STRAWBERRY TILE AND 
SNAIL TRAP. 
Mr. John Matthews, who, since the Boyal Pottery 
at Weston-super-Mare passed into his hands, has done 
so much to improve the standard quality of garden 
pottery ware, exhibited at South Kensington, some 
two or three years ago, and again on Tuesday last, an 
ingeniously contrived Strawberry protector and snail- 
trap combined, which, it was seen at once, superseded 
the old-fashioned blocks of burnt clay which had 
previously been used in many gardens. The new tile, 
as will be seen from the accompanying illustration, is 
a great improvement, being much higher and larger, 
and falls off from the centre at an angle whieh secures 
a comparatively dry surface for the fruit to rest upon 
in wet weather ; moreover, being supported clear of 
the soil by the inner and outer beads, it attracts sun- 
heat, which produces an underlying stratum of warm 
moisture, at all times acceptable to the roots of the 
Strawberry. Being made in two halves, the protectors 
can easily be raised from the ground whenever it is 
thought necessary to search for the depredators. 
As to the uses to which the new tile can be put, we 
cannot do better than quote the following remarks, 
which appeared in two of our contemporaries last 
week, from the pen of a very able gardener, Mr. 
Coleman, of Eastnor Castle, who has given it a fail- 
trial, and finds it to answer admirably :—• 
So much for snails and Strawberries, so frequently 
found occupying the same bed, especially in cool 
calcareous districts, for much as the silent depredator 
objects to lime in a caustic state, he evidently enjoys 
it in its primitive form. The use of the Strawberry 
tile does not, however, end here; on warm light 
soils subject to burning, and the sudden collapse of 
established plants, notably the British Queen, it is 
equally valuable in the prevention of splashing with 
gritty matter during heavy rain, and in keeping the 
surface roots moist and active during a continuance 
of hot dry weather. If in such a light and difficult 
Strawberry garden there are neither snails nor slugs 
to eat the finest fruit, the proprietor may indeed think 
himself fortunate. 
From fruit we turn to plants and flowers. Every 
one knows a snail will travel a long way for a 
Christmas Bose, a Dahlia, or the dainty point of 
a Lapageria shoot; persevering indeed must the 
attendant be who succeeds in keeping his treasure 
safe; but aided by Matthews’s tile the feat may be 
accomplished, as the enemy, foiled in his attempt, 
settles down under its shelter until the attendant can 
find time to despatch him. 
There are other uses to which this neat article can 
be turned, such as protecting newly-planted trees 
or choice plants in the flower garden or on the 
open lawn, where a ground covering of some kind is 
required, and ordinary mulching may be objectionable. 
But sufficient has been said to show that the improved 
Strawberry tile may be turned to many uses in every, 
garden beyond the purpose for which it was originally 
designed. 
GARDENING PATENTS. 
714. Glazing Greenhouses (T. W. Helliwell, 
Brighouse, Yorkshire).—The glazing is formed with 
channels on each side, the upper ones receiving the 
glass and carrying away any water that enters them. 
The bar in one piece of metal is open at the top, and 
the edges are turned over the glass to keep it in 
place. The glass is then retained by the elasticity of 
the bar, which is sprung together to admit it. It is 
further secured either by a spring cap or by T- 
headed bolts, which hold on an outer cap and press 
against the under sides and thereby spread out the 
bar. When double glazing is required, the bar is 
modified so that the flange and trough are at a lower 
level. Sheets of glass are then placed at the two 
angles of the bars. 
1502. Hose Pipes (E. Clibborn).—Consists in the 
use of Bamie fibre (also known as Ehea or China 
grass) for the manufacture of hose pipe. It is treated 
by the Fremy Urbain process and then spun with 
but little twist, and used as either warp or weft flax, 
hemp being used along with it, or it may be used 
for both warp and weft. Pipes so made are not so 
liable to be cut by stones, to sweat, or to rot through 
dampness. 
1970. Flower Pots and Seed Pans (B. G. Kirton, 
Ipswich, Suffolk).—Flower pot with notched flange 
round the bottom and having holes in the bottom to 
facilitate ventilation. Seed pan made in two parts, 
so that the sides may be lowered or the bottom raised 
for removing plants. 
7350. Securing Bain-water Pipes in Position) G. 
Potter, 3, Willow Boad, and G. W. Potter, 22, High 
Street, Hampstead, Middlesex).—The pipe sits be¬ 
tween lugs on brackets, and is supported by a band 
hinged and bolted. By slackening the bolt, the pipe 
may be turned round so as to allow of the part next 
the surface or wall being painted, or of the pipe being 
removed. The brackets and pipes may be of any 
cross section. 
LIABILITIES OF SEEDSMEN. 
The case of “Tefett v. Ingram,” which recently 
came before the Blandford (Dorset) County Court, is 
of considerable interest and importance to landed 
proprietors and agriculturists generally, as illustra¬ 
tive of the liabilities of seedsmen for supplying seeds 
different from those ordered. The plaintiff, Mr. 
William Tefett, of Nutford Farm, Blandford, gave the 
defendant an order for 12 lbs. each of Paterson’s 
Imperial and Winter Lothian Swedes. Certain seeds 
were supplied, and Mr. Tefett sowed 14-1 acres of 
land, from which he expected to derive winter and 
spring feeding for one .hundred and fifty sheep that 
he intended lambing down. Instead of Swedes, 
White Turnips made their appearance. Mr. Ingram 
was communicated with, and went over the land, but 
was unable to give any explanation of the mistake. 
Compensation was demanded, but not given; so Mr. 
Tefett sued the seedsman for £50 damages in the 
county court. Mr. Ingram put in a counter-claim for 
seeds supplied. Mr. Tefett stated that he had been 
obliged to sell his ewes, as he had no roots to give 
them, the Turnip crops being so bad that the sheep 
■would not eat them. He considered lie had lost over 
£100 through the mistake, having not only to bear 
loss of feed, but also having had to sell his sheep at 
a sacrifice, and lose the lambs. The jury came to the 
conclusion that a mistake had been made, and gave a 
verdict for Mr. Tefett with £15 damages; but they 
allowed Mr. Ingram £1 13s. 8 d. on his counter-claim 
for other seeds supplied. 
The Weather in South Wilts during the month 
of March was all that could be desired. Unlike the 
preceding month, there were but eight wet days, the 
total amount of the rainfall being 1-75 ins., the greatest 
fall being OYOonWednesday, the 4th. The temperature 
too was very low generally, the warmest night during 
the month being 35 degs., and only on five nights did 
the thermometer keep above 30 degs. Twenty-two 
nights out of the thirty-one we had frost, little or much, 
the sharpest frost registered being 10 degs. The 
ground worked splendidly, and the dust blew about as 
though it were summer.— C. Warden, Clarendon Park 
Gardens, Salisbury. 
