890 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 5, 1904. 
noted good samples of Northern. Star, Warrior and EvergoodL 
Tire two last-named are slightly flattened, round white 
Potatos;. Evergood was clearly separable by its very pro¬ 
nounced and scaly surface to the skin. 
A Fertile Mule. 
Paradoxical as this heading certainly seems, it is particularly 
interesting to notice how that hybrids, which we are inclined 
to speak of as being sterile, may in reality hei fertile. 
The example I have under notice is that of Primula 
kewensis, which is now becoming so generally cultivated, and 
invariably spoken of as a, “ mule ” Primula, that is, unable 
to produce fertile seed. It will be remembered that this 
hybrid appeared accidentally, as it were, in, the Kew Gardens. 
Two species, P. verticillata, and P. ftoribunda,, were cultivated 
side by side and crossed; the resultant seedlings proved to 
be P. kewensis. 
In my articles on “ The Primrose and Darwinism,” I made 
special mention of this hybrid ; see “ G. W.,” August 27th 
last. It was pointed out. that only the “ pin-eyed ” form was 
to be found, and suggested that this might be the cause of its 
sterility. When writing my articles on “ The Primrose and 
Darwinism ” I saw no solution, to the problem. How, then, 
would this hybrid havei fared had it been produced in the 
wild state in nature, since it is unable to reproduce itself 
sexually, and propagation by vegetative growths is a, very slow 
process ? It, is the unforeseen that happens: in, this case', and 
a most remarkable phenomenon, has been observed, for from 
the pin-eyed form has sported a, thrum-eyed variety, but 
what is, even, morei remark able is, that the thrum-eyed variety 
ha,si produced fertile seed. This, variation which occurred in. 
a solitary plant among a, very Large batch, was observed by 
Mr. Moss, of Messrs. J. Yeitoh and Sons, at, the Feltham 
Nursery. 
Mr. Moss took special care of this particular plant, and 
from it, he has obtained a, little batch of seedlings, which are 
now to be seen at Feltham. 
This interesting phenomenon tends to, support, Darwin's 
viewsi on the fertilisation of the genus, Primula,, that is that 
the flowers are rendered heterostyled in order to encourage 
cross-fertilisation, and that to obtain a, full yield of fertile 
seed pollen from the long stamen, must he taken to the long 
style, and from short- stamen to short style. 
This condition which exists, in the Primula, of two forms of 
flowers found) on separate plants of the same species is 
known as “ dimorphism ” a, subject which ha,si been, fully 
described in the articles already referred to. 
To horticulturists and scientists this 1 variation, which leads 
to the sexual reproduction should prove of great value. It, 
is indeed a great advantage to have the prospect of being 
able toi propagate by means of seed one of the most useful 
of cool greenhousei plants instead of continually propagating 
by means of cuttings or division, which it appears in time 
leads to deterioration. 
Had it not been for the careful observation on the part, of 
the horticulturist, this instance, like many others, must have 
been overlooked, and probably allowed to die a natural death. 
Herbert Cowley. 
Potato Northern Star at Kelso. —Last spring Mr. Yule, of 
Mellerstain, planted 21b. of Potatos of the variety known as 
Northern Star. He has now lifted his crop, and the total yield 
Weighs 13st. 31b. 
* * * 
A Difference of Treatment. —At a recent flower show in a 
village in West Perthshire an amateur gardener had large 
exhibits of fruit and vegetables which had never been, grown 
in his own garden. An Irish amateur passing the tables and 
noticing the number of prizes his rival had secured remarked : 
“ In the pari of Oireland where I come from, shure they get the 
jail for stealing, but here, begorra, they get prizes for doing it.” 
—Perth Courier.” . . 
Vines and their Culture. 
IX.—Ripening, Keeping, and Storing. 
(|Continued from, page 850.) 
The first sign of colour in the berry will raise the grower’s 
enthusiasm, and if as a, Consequence his interest and careful 
attention be, likewise expanded, it will indeed be well. The 
keynote of the advice given now is to ventilate freely, both by 
the top and lower ventilators. Avoid a- draught, but be not 
alarmed at, a. refreshing, breezy atmosphere. We are told 
that the foliage plays an important part in preparing and dis¬ 
tilling, a.s it were, the juices of the berry, and observation, will 
furnish the truth that the ripening process progresses mom- 
quickly and more freely when thei Vines are clothed with dark, 
substantial leatheiy leaves. 
Keep the- border somewhat drier by dispensing with water, 
if possible, and be less profuse in damping, for overmuch 
moisture causes torn rapid a swelling, and the berries may crack. 
This danger 1 is more real when the ripening is nearly com¬ 
pleted, and some varieties are more susceptible to it than 
others. 
A brisk heat should still be maintained, but a, smell of 
acidity is: injurious and should be sedulously avoided. During 
dull weather especially a. nice heat should be kept. At, the 
outset all superfluous growth will be removed to admit all 
possible light, but in, no way should the primary leaves be cut. 
Just before putting on the “ finish,” some help may be given to 
old-established "Vines by sprinkling some well-proved artificial 
over the border, according to the instructions. 
Now that mention) lias been made of ripening of berry, it 
will not, be out of place to expend a, few remarks on that all- 
important process of wood ripening. No effort, beyond an, 
occasional shake of the rod, should be made to get off the 
foliage, itsi premature fall depriving the wood of much all- 
needed substance. One year of negligent wood-ripening will 
have an effect on the crop of the; ensuing season which will 
ever bei remembered with mortification. A dark colour in the 
wood, with a, firmness suggestive of plenty of sun and air and 
an easy departure of the leaves, are all tokens of correct , 
culture:. 
When possible the Grapes not immediately required should 
be left hanging on the rods, it being necessary in such a case 1 
to war against wasps, over-much moisture and the creation of I 
dust,. Whatever watering is necessary should bei done in the 
morning and ventilation more freely indulged in, to clear the : 
house before nightfall. If there exists an open tank in, the , 
house, cover it- over. Bunches keep 1 better on the Vine than 
in fruit rooms, but should not remain on after the end of the ■ 
year, or pruning will he dangerously delayed. Look over the 
bunches periodically for the removal of shanked or rotten 
benies. 
Another way of keeping Grapes, and a better one as far as J 
the Vines themselves arei concerned, is to> cut them with 6 in. I 
or 8 in. of stem and insert, in, bottles of water, which latter 
are kept, in. a, dark or semi-dark fruit room. Several methods 
of arranging thei bottles are favoured by different growers, but 
the details are immaterial if the essential conditions are not 
violated. Briefly, these are a sufficiently dry atmosphere, with 
thei temperature somewhere in the neighbourhood of 45 deg., 
freedom from vermin, and prevention of the possibility of the 
bunches getting wet from drip, etc., whilst their stem is all 
the while immersed in water. 
The bottles should be periodically refilled, and the occasion 
taken to carefully examine the bunches, and cut out at once 
all decaying berries, thus, preventing a, spread of the evil. If 
thoroughly ripened, Grapes can be kept, for a, long time in 
this way, but badly finished berries will quickly shrivel. In 
a room possessed of a dry floor and a tight roof it will be 
necessary only during frosty or wet- weather to have recourse to 
the heating apparatus; for if too freely used, besides being 
contrary to good economy, will only lessen the duration of 
Grape-keeping by ca,using shrivelling and loss of flavour. 
W. E. 
