162 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  16, 1895, 
done  80  well.  The  growth  made  was  puny  and  not  nearly  as  good  as  young 
Vines  ought  to  have  been  at  the  end  of  the  first  season  ;  in  fact,  the  end  of 
the  third  season  these  Vines  were  only  the  size  of  the  first  set  at  the  end 
of  the  first  season.  This  was  a  lesson  to  me  not  to  follow  this  practice 
again,  as  it  would  have  been  much  wiser  to  have  thrown  them  away  and 
secured  a  more  satisfactory  set  of  plants.  Time  would  certainly  have 
been  gained,  which  in  these  go-ahead  times  counts  for  much. 
Vines  that  are  well  rooted,  these  also  being  hard  and  wire-like,  will, 
on  being  spread  out,  throw  out  thousands  of  small  rootlets,  which  supply 
the  plants  with  the  elements  needed  for  a  satisfactory  growth.  What 
is  the  result  of  the  others,  or  badly  ripened  set  ?  Why,  they  wait  until 
a  few  quill-like  roots  push  from  the  collar,  and  which  are  not  the  kind 
needed  to  build  up  short-jointed  and  well  matured  growth. 
It  is  quite  evident  that  in  some  trade  establishments  which  make  it 
a  speciality  to  prepare  young  Vines  for  sale  that  ordinary  care  is  not 
taken.  They  should  remember  that  with  many  a  young  man  entering  on 
his  first  responsible  charge  and  planting  young  Vines,  how  these  succeed 
will  make  or  mar  a  reputation.  They  also  may  have  their  own  reputa¬ 
tion  at  stake  as  successful  and  reliable  traders.  The  fact  is,  many  are 
grown  huddled  together,  the  consequence  being  that  they  are  not  care¬ 
fully  watered  or  either  receive  sufficient  direct  light.  The  puny  foliage, 
by  being  deprived  of  that  life-giving  element,  are  unable  to  elaborate 
the  sap,  and  which  must  take  place  if  the  young  Vines  are  to  be  pro¬ 
vided  with  an  abundance  of  roots — such,  for  instance,  as  shown  lately 
by  the  illustration  (page  43)  of  a  young  Vine  as  grown  by  Mr.  D. 
Thomson.  I  do  not  think  it  is  so  much  bottom  heat  that  is  the  cause  of 
such  unsatisfactory  Vines,  as  this  is  not  provided  to  such  an  extent  as 
gardeners  often  suppose,  but  the  causes  above  stated.  In  my  younger 
days  I  have  had  the  growing  of  thousands  of  young  Vines  for  sale  ;  but 
these  were  always  grown  rationally,  not  more  than  two  rows,  and  these 
angled,  along  each  side  of  a  span-roofed  structure. 
I  think  the  majority  of  successful  growers  will  agree  that  it  is 
more  a  matter  of  management  than  anyone’s  “  special  manure  ” 
that  will  lead  to  young  ''^ines  reaching  in  the  earliest  possible  manner 
either  of  months  or  years,  to  an  early  fruiting  stage.  We  all  know 
that  the  elements  needed  for  this  successful  growth  must  be  present 
in  the  soil,  and  any  supposed  to  be  deficient  must  have  it  applied  in 
either  the  form  of  special  manures  or  separately  to  meet  local  require¬ 
ments. 
Whether  young  Vines  will  succeed  well  in  either  artificially  made 
borders,  so  often  termed  “  costly  ”  borders,  or  in  the  natural  staple  of 
the  garden,  entirely  depends  on  the  local  state  of  the  soil  in  the  matter 
of  drainage,  its  mechanical  condition,  and  fertility.  It  is  quite  evident 
that  there  are  thousands  of  Vines  in  Britain  languishing  in  prepared 
borders,  whilst  they  would  be  far  more  happy  rambling  in  the  open 
garden.  Not  that  the  prepared  border  may  have  been  wrong  in  the 
first  place,  but  the  state  it  has  been  afterwards  brought  to  by  mis¬ 
management,  either  by  too  much  water  or  the  lack  of  it,  poisoned  by 
unnatural  manures,  or  the  want  of  special  elements  needed  for  the  Vines’ 
successful  growth,  or  heavy  mulchings  of  rank  manure  applied  at 
unseasonable  times ;  in  fact,  one  might  go  on  repeating  errors  of 
culture. 
On  the  other  hand,  where  Vines  succeed  so  well  in  the  natural  soil, 
most  likely  the  whole  place  is  one  huge  border  ;  as  the  roots  travel  they 
cannot  help  but  pick  up  food  for  their  sustenance.  This  is  especially  so 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  sea.  Market  growers  can  select  places  to  suit 
them,  whilst  gardeners  have  to  take  it  as  it  comes,  and  are  in  the 
position  of  the  Israelites  of  old,  often  “  expected  to  make  bricks  without 
straw.”  No  wonder  then  they  prepare  borders. — A.  Young. 
I  HAVE  been  greatly  interested  in  the  articles  which  have  appeared 
in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  during  the  last  few  weeks  on  this 
subject.  If  the  discussion  under  the  title  of  “  Express  Grape  Growing  ” 
had  served  no  better  a  purpose  than  that  of  the  reproduction  of  Mr, 
David  Thomson’s  letter,  page  43 — it  has  served  a  good  end.  Such  a 
letter,  coming  from  the  pen  of  so  gifted  and  experienced  a  gardener, 
ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  pass  unnoticed.  Mr.  Thomson  is  not  the 
man  to  sit  on  the  style  and  disparage  the  work  of  others,  who  have  bad 
the  courage  to  venture  out  of  the  beaten  track,  and  whose  labours  have 
been  crowned  with  success.  He  writes  from  practical  experience,  and 
has  tried  and  proved  both  the  old  and  newer  methods  of  preparing 
Vines  for  planting.  . 
This  is  a  subject  of  considerable  importance  to  all  interested  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  Vine,  and  I  think  one  that  might  have  been  discussed 
with  unbiassed  minds,  to  the  advantage  of  all  concerned.  Even  if  we 
differ  in  our  views  and  methods  of  procedure,  we  ought  at  least  to  treat 
our  opponents  with  courtesy,  and  give  credit  to  whom  credit  is  due. 
No  amount  of  argument  or  incredulity  can  possibly  upset  accomplished 
and  established  facts. 
Let  us  again  see  what  Mr.  D.  Thomson  says  on  this  subject. 
“Having  very  recently  superintended  the  planting  of  some  Vines 
prepared  by  two  different  methods,  I  am  led  to  send  you  (the  Journal 
of  Horticulture')  a  few  words  on  this  subject.  Probably  there  is  not  a 
system  or  method  in  the  whole  round  of  horticultural  practice  so 
obstinately  stereotyped  as  that  of  preparing  young  Vines  for  planting 
as  practised  by  the  trade  and  the  majority  of  private  growers,  nor  is 
there  anything  in  which  there  is  more  room  for  a  change  that  would  be 
advantageous  in  all  respects.  As  long  as  I  can  remember,  and  probably 
before  that  time,  the  practice  has  been  to  shift  Vines  intended  for 
‘planters’  into  10-inch  pots,  and  sometimes  into  larger  sizes,  growing 
and  trying  to  ripen  them  to  the  length  of  7  feet  or  more  than  that. 
Such  pots  are  much  larger  than  necessary  to  produce  the  best  possible 
description  of  planting  Vines.” 
Again,  Mr.  Thomson  states,  “  Am  I  wrong  in  saying  that  all  this  is 
irrational  practice  and  not  in  keeping  with  this  age  of  advanced  horti¬ 
culture  ?  The  method  that  my  own  experience  and  observation  lead  me 
to  recommend  as  a  departure  from  this  stereotyped  one  is  not  to  shift 
the  plants  into  pots  larger  than  6,  or  at  the  very  utmost  7-inch 
sizes.”  Again,  Mr.  Thomson  says,  “After  they  have  established 
themselves  in  the  pots  feed  them  at  the  surface  with  some 
approved  manure,  now  so  easily  obtainable.  These  conditions, 
in  conjunction  with  efficiently  drained  pots,  will  not  be  pro¬ 
ductive  of  long  and  strong  fibreless  roots,  but,  instead,  a  pot 
full  of  roots  of  a  very  different  sort  ;  ”  and  again  he  goes  on  to  say, 
“  I  am  not  more  thoroughly  persuaded  of  anything  after  a  lengthened 
experience  than  that  such  Vines  as  I  am  recommending  are  much 
superior  for  planting  to  those  reared  in  the  old  fashion.  In  recommend¬ 
ing  this  departure  from  the  old  stereotyped  practice  of  preparing  Vines 
in  large  pots  with  rich  soil  and  useless  lengths  of  growth  for  planting, 
I  am  doing  so  because  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  of  its  being  more 
convenient,  less  laborious,  and  productive  of  far  finer  Vines  for  the 
purpose  they  are  intended. 
“  I  send  you  with  this  (letter)  a  sample  of  a  Vine  washed  out  of  a 
6-inch  pot.  and  leave  you  to  judge  of  the  correctness  of  what  I  am 
recommending  from  the  sample  which,  as  compared  to  a  number  of 
Vines  I  saw  turned  out  of  ll-inch  pots  last  week,  has  six  times  as  many 
r..'o  lets.  There  is  no  greater  mistake  nor  delusion  than  the  big  pot  and 
long  rod  system  for  planting  Vines.  What  we  should  seek  for  are  a 
multitude  of  roots  and  concentrated  growth.” 
This  is  a  sweeping  condemnation  of  the  system  so  highly  approved 
of  by  Mr.  John  Thomson  in  his  letter  on  page  111.  I  apologise  if  such 
is  necessary  for  again  reproducing  so  much  of  Mr.  D.  Thomson’s  letter, 
but  it  is  too  important  a  document  to  pass  by  in  silence. — Wm.  Innes-, 
Deriy. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
LEICESTER.— July  6th. 
The  tentli  annual  show  was  held  at  the  Abbey  Park  on  the  above 
date.  The  weather  was  very  showery,  but  the  people  flocked  in 
thousands  to  this  beautiful  resort,  for  nowhere  in  Great  Britain  is  there 
a  more  beautiful  and  better  kept  park  than  this  one.  The  Park  was 
opened  thirteen  years  ago  by  the  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales,  and  it  is 
gratifying  to  see  what  progress  the  trees  planted  by  Royalty  have  made. 
Mr.  John  Besons,  the  Superintendent,  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
many  practical  improvements  that  have  been  made.  The  bedding 
is  grand  this  season,  and  gives  the  public  a  rare  treat  in  the  various 
styles. 
The  show  under  his  management  is  growing  into  one  of  the  largest 
in  Great  Britain,  six  enormous  tents  being  now  required  for  the  exhibits, 
and  to  him  and  his  able  assistants  great  credit  is  due  for  the  admirable 
arrangements.  Plants,  cut  flowers,  fruits,  and  vegetables  were  well 
shown,  the  latter  particularly  so.  The  various  exhibits  by  the  cottagers 
and  amateurs  reflect  the  highest  credit  upon  those  who  took  part  in  the 
exhibits. 
A  tent  devoted  to  groups  is  one  of  the  great  features.  There  were 
seven  entries  arranged  down  the  centre  of  one  of  the  tents,  and  presented 
a  very  imposing  sight.  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee  secured  the  highest  position, 
Messrs.  H.  Rogers  and  H.  Blakeney  following  as  named.  Stove  and 
greenhouse  plants.  Ferns,  and  others  are  better  shown  every  year. 
Amongst  the  most  successful  competitors  were  Messrs.  W,  S.  Bolton, 
J.  Wright,  H.  Rogers,  C.  J.  Mee,  W.  Whait,  and  G.  Brown.  Cut  flowers 
are  always  well  shown,  especially  Roses  and  hardy  herbaceous.  Pinks, 
Picotees,  and  bouquets  we  have  seen  better,  but  the  epergnes  and 
baskets  of  cut  flowers  were  about  as  usual — well  done.  In  the  class 
for  a  collection  of  eight  dishes  of  fruit  good  examples  were  exhibited, 
the  competition  being  keen,  the  principal  prizes  being  well  contested 
for  by  Messrs.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  W.  Messenger,  and  J.  Read.  Vegetables 
were  also  staged  in  splendid  form,  and  the  competition  was  very  keen, 
Messrs.  J.  Read,  Scotchbrook,  Bradshaw,  H.  Rogers,  Faulkner,  J.  Green, 
Macvinish,  and  A.  Martin  were  noticed  as  being  prizetakers. 
Amateurs  and  cottagers  showed  most  creditably.  Amongst  the 
miscellaneous  exhibitors  noticed  were  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware  of  Tottenham  with 
a  grand  group  of  double  and  single  Begonias  ;  Messrs.  John  Peed  and 
Son,  a  beautiful  collection  of  Caladiums,  which  were  greatly  admired  ; 
Mr.  B.  R.  Davis,  Yeovil,  Begonia  flowers  ;  and  Mr.  John  Forbes,  Hawick, 
cnt  flowers. 
We  are  informed  that  nearly  20,000  people  braved  the  risk  of  a 
drenching  and  paid  for  admission,  being  about  8000  less  than  last  year. 
This  Society  under  such  able  management  is  sure  to  be  appreciated  by 
exhibitors  and  the  public,  and  we  wish  it  the  success  it  so  richly 
deserves.  Everything  passed  off  most  satisfactorily,  which  speaks 
volumes  to  the  management  of  this  gigantic  and  popular  fete. 
9 
ACOCK’S  GREEN.— August  7th. 
The  fifth  annual  exhibition  of  the  Acock’s  Green,  Olton,  and  District 
Horticultural  Society  was  held  at  Acock’s  Green  under  favourable 
climatic  conditions,  and  was,  as  usual,  attended  by  a  large  contingent  of 
visitors  from  Birmingham.  The  advance  of  years  has  brought  a  growing 
popularity  for  the  show,  which  has  increased  both  as  regards  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  the  exhibits,  and  this  year  the  Society  may 
congratulate  itself  on  a  continuation  of  the  improvement.  The  enter- 
