614 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 30, 1904. 
Vine Culture. 
IV. 
('Continued from page 424.) 
Propagation. 
Although there are several methods of propagating the 
Grape Vine, none lends itself more kindly to the requirements 
of private growers than by “ eyes.” They are out from 
thoroughly ripened wood in, January or February, and inserted 
singly in 60-size pots, or in pieces of turf. In, order to ensure 
a, clean stem from the bottom, wholly cover the eye, water 
well, plunge in a propagating pit, apply a brisk bottom heat, 
and keep a sharp look-out to prevent damping when the leaflets 
are apparent. When an inch above the surface, remove from 
the close atmosphere, shade slightly if a. disposition to flag its 
displayed, and syringe frequently overhead. Not until they 
are well rooted should they receive the first shift into a 5-in. 
pot. By this tune they will be sufficiently robust to find 
quarter ini an early vinery, where all the light and syringing 
possible should be allowed them and a free, sturdy growth 
encouraged. 
Secure to the wires, but let the point drop, somewhat to effect 
a circumferential increase in the cane by retarding the upward 
flow of sap. 
The ultimate shift for the season will be into an 8-in. pot, 
the compost consisting of tworthirds, loam, freshly out, but 
from which the grass,! has been, burned, and the remaining one- 
third made up 1 of mortar rubble, wood ashes, charcoal, and 
semi-decayed leaf-soil. No nitrogenous: stimulant should be 
needed if the: loam is of a strong fibrous: character, for at this 
stage the aim should be to lay a foundation! rather than, rear 
a, rapid, unstable superstructure, to effect, a robust constitu¬ 
tion rather than abundance of leafage. They may receive 
similar cultural details to the permanent rods until the ripen¬ 
ing period, when, they should be removed to a cooler structure 
and allowed all the light possible, or, if the weather is: con¬ 
sidered sufficiently favourable, they would be better outside 
altogether. Let it be ever remembered that, as in, the per¬ 
manent, so in the young Vines, the thorough ripening of the 
wood has a far-reaching and insufficiently appreciated effect cwi! 
the future of the plant. 
Remove inside on approach of frost,, but keep free from 
much artificial heat. Cut back to- 2^ ft. or 3 ft., and keep* just 
sufficiently moist at the root to preserve the plumpness of the 
buds until spring brings with it, the planting period. 
The border had better 1 be prepared the previous autumn, its 
width at this: time being not more than 4 ft. There is some 
difference of opinion as: to the distance apart at which to plant 
Vines, but 4 ft. is, a space sufficient for all practical purposes, 
and admitting of the introduction: of much leafage, which is 
recognised to be the laboratory of the fruit. 
Planting. 
When turned out of the pot, remove all the soil and 
thoroughly wash the roots. Disentangle these latter and 
spread them out at their respective levels, remembering that 
the idea should be to have a perfect network of fine, fibrous 
feeding roots near to the surface, where they can receive the 
best of manorial attention. Long roots: devoid of fibre should 
be shortened, as well as any others which extend to: an, un¬ 
necessary length. Make the soil fairly firm, and water well 
the following day. 
Jealously guard the nethermost bud from attacks of vermin 
and carelessness of human beings:, as this is the unit from 
which the future rod is to be evolved. Especially will it be the 
-subject of verminous attack when: it breaks into leaf, and de¬ 
fensive- measures which will readily suggest themselves should 
be early adopted. The buds above this selected one should be 
gradually rubbed off until the whole is disbudded. When, the 
lowest growth has got well into: vigour, the portion, of the 
previous year’s: canei may be wholly cut away. Careful stak¬ 
ing, frequent syringing, an ever-humid atmosphere, a, plenitude 
of air, but, freedom from draught—these briefly are the 
conditions most favourable to- the growth of Vines: in: a young 
state. To rear them for permanent work in, a strong heat is 
unfavourable to healthy growth. Even if intended to be ( 
eventually used as early Vines, it is far better to inure them 
gradually to the unnatural process. W. R, 
Sweet Peas Recently Certificated by the 
National Sweet Pea Society. 
July 20th and 21st. 
Dora Breadmore, 
Tire flowers of this variety are of good average size, with 
blush standards and pale yellow wings. It is quite distinct 
in itsi way, but the standard is somewhat reflexed at the 
■sildesi, which may have been largely due to the hot weather. 
First-class Certificate to- Mr. W. C. Breadmore, 120, Hirt, 
Street, Winchester, Hants-. 
Henry Eckford. 
The flowers of this very striking variety are almost of 
uniform brilliant ora-nge, the shade of which is difficult to! 
describe -exactly in words. First-class Certificate to Mr. 
Henry Eckford, Wem, Salop. It also received the Silvei 
Medal of the society a® the best new Sweet Pea exhibited. 
John Ingram. 
Tire flowers of this: variety are of -an intense rose and very 
showy. The variety is: said to be a cross: between Countess! 
S-p-enoer and Salopian. The- blooms are as large as- those o; 
Countess Sp-eueer, with wavy standard and wings. If it keep- 
true to colour, it will be -an acquisition to- itsi class. First- 
class: Certificate- to Mr. Silas Co-le, The: Gardens, Altliorj 
Park, Northampton. 
Janet Scott. 
The flowers- in this instance are of good average size, anc 
nearly of a uniform clear bright pink. First-class Certificah 
to: Messrs. Isaac House -and Son, Weistbury-on-TYym, Bristol 
Several varieties were highly commended, including 
Do-ugl-as, Breadmore, a, striking variety consisting of tw< 
shades of p-urple -striped with white. There is nothing lit. 
this- colour amongst striped varieties. Lady Aberdare ha. 
nearly uniformly pink flowers. The above two- were exhibits 
by Mr. W. C. Breadmore. A striped variety, named Unique 
was very distinct in this class on -account of the clearly 
defined character of the light blue and white striping. Thi 
was- exhibited by Messrs-. G. Stia-rk and Son, Great, Ryburgb 
Norfolk. Gladys Unwin- has pink flowers of large size, witi 
wavy petals, and- was evidently a sport from Countess Spen-cei 
It also- received highly commended when -shown by Mr. Unwir 
Histon, Cambs. 
Several of the varieties shown were asked to be seen agai 
by the committee. Amongst these was Flora Norton, a ligb 
blue variety shown under the name -of Memento- by Messr: 
Isaac House and Son. Reggie Breadmore, a striped variety 
was also asked for again, being -shown by Mr. W. C. Breac 
more. Gladys Deal was supposed to be the same, or rathe, 
too c-lo-se to Mrs. George Higginsion. It is a, lavender variety 
and was -shown, by Messrs. W. W. Johnson and Son, Bostoi 
Lines. Helen Le-wis, another sport, from Countess Spence, 
was shown by Mr. J. Watson,, Ham Common, Surrey, and th 
committee wished to s-ee it again to know its constancy. 
Sterilising Strawberries.-— Some are under the impressioi 
that preservatives are employed for the purpose of sterilisin 
Strawberries, but this is not the case. The sterilising is don 
by heating the fruit, closely packed in jars, to the boilin 
point. These jars are then removed from the apparatus i 
which they have been heated, and the lids fastened dow: 
tightly and securely while the contents are still hot. Th 
boiling has the effect of killing all germs in the Strawberries' 
and the sealing down of the lids then prevents other germs fror 
gaining access to the fruits. 
