470 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  2,  1898. 
been  of  Mr.  Buchanan’s  opinion,  I  should  have  been  saved  many  a  weary 
day  at  that  back-aching  job — pot-washing. 
It  would  interest  me  to  know  what  “An  Old  Boy”  thinks  of  such 
advice  as  ilr.  Buchanan's,  because  he  has,  in  the  admirable  series  of 
articles  which  he  has  from  time  to  time  contributed  to  the  Journal^  always 
insisted  on  the  necessity  of  doing  things  thoroughly.  As  I  said  before,  I 
may  be  wrong  in  my  conclusions,  but,  with  all  due  respect  to  Mr. 
Buchanan,  there  is  nothing  very  thorough  or  workmanlike  in  potting 
plants  in  dirty  pots. 
Ilis  statement  on  this  point  reads  very  peculiar  when  compared  with 
his  advice  to  young  men  on  pages  340-41.  What  is  one  to  think  of  such 
septences  as  these  I  “  Get  your  whole  heart  into  your  work.”  “  Have  an 
ambition  to  excel.”  “  The  greater  part,  if  not  the  whole  of  success,  is 
made  up  of  strict  and  intelligent  attention  to  every  little  detail  connected 
with  the  thing  you  wish  to  accomplish.” 
All  this  is  excellent ;  but,  in  ray  humble  opinion,  its  value  is  consider- 
al)ly  discounted  when  taken  in  conjunction  with  the  advice  to  use  dirty 
pots. — A  Touxg  Boss-shire  Gardener. 
[We  have  often  heard  one  of  the  most  accomplished  growers  of 
specimen  Heaths,  and  other  hardwooded  plants  of  past  years,  aver  that 
he  would  as  soon  eat  his  dinner  off  a  dirty  plate  as  place  in  a  dirty  pot.j 
Hampton  Court. 
Having  recently  paid  a  visit  to  this  interesting  old  place,  perhaps 
others  ol  the  “  Domain  ”  would  like  to  hear  something  about  it.  On 
leaving  Hampton  Court  station  a  turn  to  the  right  brought  us  at  once  to 
the  bridge  over  the  Thames,  whence  a  good  view  of  the  Palace  is  obtained  ; 
a  stately  pile,  indeed,  for  it  covers  an  area  of  nearly  eight  acres. 
Entering  the  grounds  by  the  Trophy  Gates,  within  which,  on  the  left, 
are  the  military  barracks  facing  the  courtyard,  through  which  we  passed 
to  the  Great  Gate  House  of  Wolsey’s  Palace.  Inside  the  Great  Hall  are 
some  of  the  most  beautiful  tapestries  in  the  woidd,  illustrative  of  Scriptural 
history,  also  the  immense  coloured  glass  windows,  representing  arms, 
badges,  initials,  pedigrees,  English  history,  and  other  interesting  matter. 
Ascending  the  King's  Great  Staircase  we  reach  the  State  rooms  and  view 
the  splendid  pictures  by  renowned  artists ;  the  paintings  on  the  ceilings 
were  very  attractive,  and  displayed  great  skill.  Charming  views  of  the 
gardens,  the  Thames,  and  the  surrounding  country  are  obtained  from  the 
windows  of  these  rooms,  and  being  the  middle  of  May  the  Lilacs  were  in 
their  full  beauty,  while  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees  and  shruhs  were 
clothed  in  their  summer  garments.  The  different  shades  of  green  at  this 
season  were  very  noticeable.  The  grand  old  Yews  presented  a  pleasing 
contrast  to  the  light  green  of  deciduous  trees.  Khododendrons  and  Azalea 
mollis  were  rapidly  expanding  their  blooms.  The  herbaceous  borders 
were  gay  both  with  flowers  and  foliage.  Spring  bedding  was  at  its  best. 
The  Chestnuts — the  pride  of  Bushy  Park  adjoining — would  be  fully 
expanded  in  about  a  week  from  the  time  of  this  visit. 
Before  concluding  I  must  mention  the  great  Vine,  which  no  gardener 
ought  to  miss.  Here,  indeed,  is  a  giant  which  could  not  be  met  with 
elsewhere.  The  vinery  enclosed  an  afea  of  2200  square  feet.  The 
circumference  of  the  Vine  stem  is  3^  feet,  and  the  entire  roof  was  evenly 
covered.  The  bunches  were  fully  formed,  and  produced  at  regular 
intervals,  the  crop  averaging  1200  bunches  of  about  half  a  pound  each. 
Everything  was  very  neat  and  clean.  I  watched  my  opportunity  to  ask 
a  few  questions  of  the  attendant  at  the  door,  and  learned  that  its  border 
was  entirely  outside,  and  extended  to  a  wall  60  to  70  feet  distant.  To 
reach  this  the  roots  passed  under  a  gravel  walk  and  grass  verge  from 
12  to  15  feet  wide.  The  ground  was  kept  clear  of  all  vegetation  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  bulbs  and  a  herbaceous  border  about  6  feet  wide 
next  the  wall.  The  Vine  is  fed  frequently  with  bonemeal,  and  is 
remarkably  clean  from  all  insects.  The  Yine  is  nearly  130  years  old. 
and  the  glass  structure  has  been  several  times  renewed  and  enlarged 
during  that  time.  No  artificial  heat  is  used.  I  should  have  liked  to 
learn  more,  but  other  visitors  claimed  attention.  Passing  to  the  east  and 
south  front  of  the  Palace,  through  the  “Wilderness,”  we  made  our  exit 
through  the  Lion  Gates,  having  fully  enjoyed  and  learned  much  in  the 
few  brief  hours  spent  at  Hampton  Court. — E.  L.  T.,  Burv:ood. 
Border  Polyanthuses. — The  past  winter  and  spring  have  been 
most  favourable  for  these  plants.  Never  before  have  I  seen  them 
flower  so  strongly  or  so  continuously.  Seedling  plants  raised  towards 
the  end  of  August  produced  a  wealth  of  colour  and  variety  in  the  seed 
bed — quite  an  unusual  experience.  .Judging  from  reports  which  have 
appeared  of  late,  these  have  not  been  exhibited  in  a  condition  to  satisfy 
the  florist’s  standard  ;  but  for  border  furnishing  and  for  cutting  luirposes 
the  florists’  ideal  is  not  strictly  necessary.  Eor  massing  there  are  no 
colours  more  effective  than  the  bright  orange  and  yellow  shades.  Beds 
and  borders  filled  with  these  are  conspicuous  even  at  a  long  distance, 
while  the  darker  self  and  bizarre  shades  need  to  be  examined  more 
closely.  Ail  are  well  worthy  of  a  larger  share  of  patronage.  Once  a 
strain  is  secured,  it  is  easy  to  maintain  and  improve  the  stock  by  selecting 
the  best,  and  planting  them  in  an  isolated  bed,  where  they  may  flower 
and  mature  their  seed  crop.  Seeds  sown  as  soon  as  ripe  will  give  strong 
plants  to  prick  out  iu  the  spring,  which,  with  a  summer’s  growth,  are 
in  first  rate  order  for  the  flower  garden  beds  in  winter.  For  furnishing 
the  edges  of  pleasure  ground  borders  they  are  best  put  direct  into  their 
places  in  the  spring. — B.  A. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
■Vines. — Early  House. — As  soon  as  the  Grapes  are  cleared  off  the  Vines 
give  the  inside  borders  a  thorough  supply  of  liquid  manure,  or  a  top¬ 
dressing  of  some  fertiliser  washed  in.  This,  with  adequate,  but  not 
excessive,  supplies  of  water,  will  help  to  plump  the  buds  and  encourage 
root  action,  so  essential  to  the  activity  of  the  laterals,  which,  if  alljwed 
moderate  extension,  is  the  best  preventive  of  premature  ripening  ot  the 
foliage.  Keep  the  ventilators  open  constantly,  even  in  cold  weather. 
Syringe  thoroughly,  to  cleanse  the  foliage  of  dirt  and  insects,  and  repeat 
occasionally,  or  as  found  necessary,  to  keep  the  old  or  main  leaves 
healthy.  Fresh  laterals  will  soon  be  produced,  and  cultivators  should 
maintain  an  even  growth  over  the  Vines,  pinching  the  gross  laterals  and 
encouraging  the  weak.  The  mulching  or  covering  having  been  removed 
from  the  outside  border,  with  just  enough  of  the  lighter  part  left  to 
protect  the  roots,  a  watering  with  liquid  manure  may  be  given,  but  this 
will  not  be  needed  where  rain  in  sufficient  amount  has  recently  fallen. 
Second  Early  House. — Vines  started  at  the  New  Year  have  the  Grapes- 
ripening  where  they  have  been  brought  forward  gently,  but  when 
grown  rapidly  the  crop  will  be  ripe.  Maintain  a  circulation  of  warm, 
rather  dry,  air  constantly,  increasing  the  ventilation  early.  Keep  the 
floors  damped  on  hot  days,  allowing  the  temperature  to  fall  to  60°  at 
night  when  cold,  or  65°  when  warm,  with  sufficient  heat  in  the  pipes  to 
prevent  moisture  condensing  on  the  berries.  If  there  is  likely  to  be  any 
want  of  finish  allow  the  Vines  time,  by  giving  as  long  a  rest  at  night  as 
possible.  Moderate  moisture,  even  after  the  Grapes  are  ripe,  is  essential 
to  the  health  of  the  foliage,  hence  damping  the  floors  and  stages  must 
be  resorted  to  occasionally.  Allow  a  moderate  extension  of  the  laterals, 
to  encourage  root  action,  but  keep  gross  growths  in  check,  so  as  to  cause 
an  equal  distribution  of  the  sap.  When  ripe  a  minimum  temperature  of 
60°  will  be  sufficient. 
Early  Muscat  J/omscs.  — The  fruit  ripening  will  need  a  drier  condition  of 
the  atmosphere,  but  avoid  great  aridity,  or  the  foliage  will  fall  a  prey  to 
red  spider.  Do  not  allow  any  deficiency  of  moisture  in  the  borders,  for 
Muscats  are  gross  feeders.  The  supply  of  water  to  the  roots  will  in  some 
measure  compensate  for  the  drier  condition  of  the  atmosphere.  Provide 
a  circulation  of  air  constantly,  preventing  the  moisture  condensing  on  the 
berries  by  sufficient  warmth  in  the  pipes  to  insure  a  changing  atmosphere. 
Lateral  extension  is  the  best  safeguard  against  shanking  at  this  stage, 
along  with  a  steady  temperature.  Keep  the  night  temperature  at  65°  to 
70°.  80°  to  85°  by  day  with  a  little  sun,  and  90°  to  95°  with  it  in  full  force. 
Ventilate  early,  and  regulate  by  the  sun's  increase,  and  so  with  its 
decline.  The  old  leaves  of  Muscats  are  liable  to  be  scorched  under 
powerful  sun  after  a  period  of  dull  weather.  In  very  bright  weather 
draw  a  single  thickness  of  tanned  netting  over  the  roof-lights,  which, 
without  impeding  too  much  light,  will  prevent  the  scorching. 
Midseason  Houses.— Yinea  in  these  wid  be  in  various  stages  of  develop¬ 
ment,  according  to  the  time  of  starting.  Those  that  have  stoned  will  be 
swelling  the  berries  fast,  and  the  borders  should  have  a  top-dressing 
washed  in,  or  a  supply  of  liquid  manure,  repeating  with  pure  water  or 
stronger  food  as  necessary.  Admit  a  little  air  constantly  at  the  top  of 
the  house,  and  ventilate  freely  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  closing  early 
with  sun  heat  and  a  genial  condition  of  the  atmosphere.  Fire  heat  will 
only  be  necessary  to  secure  60°  to  65°  at  night,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day, 
keeping  through  the  day  at  80°  to  85°,  and  closing  sufficiently  early  to 
run  up  to  90°  or  95°. 
Grapes  Stoning. — During  this  process  the  Vines  should  have  a  regular 
temperature  of  about  65°  at  night,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day  from  artificial 
heat  if  the  Grapes  are  wanted  by  a  given  time.  Admit  air  in  good  time, 
always  a  little  at  70°,  and  dissipate  moisture  before  the  sun  acts  power¬ 
fully  upon  the  foliage.  Allow  a  moderate  lateral  extension,  but  avoid 
overcropping,  and  supply  a  top-dressing  (washing-inj  or  liquid  manure. 
Grapes  Scalding. — Muscats  and  Lady  Downe’s,  with  other  varieties,  are 
liable  to  scald  in  the  later  stages  of  stoning,  therefore  must  be  watched  in 
hot  bright  weather,  and  air  admitted  more  freely  for  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks,  until  colouring  commences.  Muscats  are  sometimes  scorched 
when  exposed  to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  even  after  colouring  has 
commenced,  which  must  be  provided  against  by  a  little  extra  ventilation, 
especially  early  ;  and  in  bright  weather  a  slight  shading.  Black  Ham- 
burghs  also  occasionally  are  scorched  when  the  berries  are  exposed 
whilst  damp  to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  which  can  mostly  be  avoided 
by  a  good  spread  of  foliage,  or  by  a  bountiful  supply  of  air  by  day  and  a 
little  ventilation  constantly  at  the  upper  part  of  the  house,  with  a  genial 
warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes,  being  very  particular  as  regards  early 
ventilation. 
Late  Houses. — Late  varieties  of  Grapes  in  flower  must  have  a  circulation 
of  rather  dry,  warm  air,  and  a  temperature  of  70"  to  75°  at  night,  rising 
to  85°  or  90°  from  sun  heat,  as  without  this  the  thick-skinned  varieties  do 
not  set  well.  Thin  the  berries  freely  as  soon  as  they'  are  set,  but  this,  m 
the  case  of  shy-setting  varieties,  must  be  confined  to  the  removal  of  the 
smallest  and  imperfectly  set  berries  in  the  first  instance,  deferring  the 
general  thinning  until  the  properly  fertilised  berries  can  be  determined  by 
their  free  swelling.  There  must  be  no  deficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots. 
