488 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  IJ,  189!>. 
desire  greater  praise  than  that  for  bis  products,  and  so  long  as  our 
need  is  not  in  the  direction  of  the  exhibition  tent  and  our  crops  kee() 
clean,  as  they  have  hitherto  done,  so  long  Avill  such  results  from  the 
foregoing  methods  and  the  old  ‘HJhampion  ”  satisfy — J.  SiiAM-oni>. 
SOME  EUPiOPEAN  VINEYARDS. 
lx  a  recent  tour  which  took  me  through  many  A'ino  growing 
countries,  I  had  the  opportunit3'  of  noting  tliC  different  methods  of 
cultivation.  As  it  was  in  the  spring  and  before  any  growth  had 
begun,  the  Vines  were  of  course  in  their  least  interesting  condition. 
Still  this  enabled  me  to  see  all  the  better  the  system  of  pruning  and 
training  whigh  had  been  pursued.  I  make  no  mention  in  this  article 
of  the  Vine  in  Southern  latitudes.  1  have  seen  it  on  other  occasions 
in  Spain,  Italy,  the  liiviera,  Algeria,  Egypt,  and  Palestine,  but  not 
being  at  the  time  so  much  interested  in  the  culture  of  the  drape  as 
subsequently,  I  did  not  regard  it  with  the  same  appreciative  eye. 
To  begin  with  Prance  then,  which  wa-^  where  on  this  occasion  I 
entered  upon  my  travels.  I  Avill  instance  the  country  round  Aix  les 
Bains  as  a  fair  sample  ot  the  vineyards  of  Savoy.  This  interesting 
old  bath  town,  the  Roman  Aqum  dratiante,  can  be  extremely  hot 
even  at  the  end  rf  March,  for  it  was  not  yet  April  when,  after  an  hour 
in  the  hot  sulphur  baths,  I  sallied  forth  for  a  good  square  constitutional 
to  see  something  of  the  countrj'  round  about.  Whether  it  was  the 
enervating  influence  of  the  hath,  or  really  a  burst  of  extreme  heat 
(the  sky  was  absolutely  cloudless  with  an  entire  absence  of  wind),  or 
both  combined  I  cannot  Avith  certainty  say,  but  this  I  knoAv,  1  have 
neA’er  felt  it  hotter  or  my  own  good  shanks’  pony  less  incline  !  to  do 
work.  No,  not  even  in  India. 
Hence  it  came  about  I  found  myself  in  a  doJcefar  niente  condition, 
and  instead  of  doing  a  good  climb  up  the  mountains  which  hang  over 
the  fertile  valley,  and  pretty  Avell  hem  it  in  on  every  side,  as  part  of 
my  day’s  proceedings,  it  resolved  itself  into  a  kind  of  lazy  loaf  in  and 
out  of  the  vineyards  and  cultivated  plots  Avithin  a  mile  or  Iavo  of  Aix 
itself.  After  resisting  the  alluring  suggestions,  therefore,  ot  an 
enthusiastic  boatman  to  entice  me  for  a  roAv  on  Lake  Bourget  (a 
really  fascinating  piece  of  Avater),  I  set  myself  Avith  Avhat  earnest 
I  could  summon  in  my  fhappilv)  unwont-  d  torpid  condition  to  inspect 
the  Vines,  revolving  in  my  mind  the  Avhile  ideas  of  a  visit  to  La 
Hrande  Chartreuse,  AA'hich  is  within  measurable  distance  of  this  part 
of  Savoy.  Trained  almost  entirely  trellis-wise,  and  all  last  year’s 
shoots  forming  this  season’s  bearing  Avood,  generally  about  2  feet  in 
length,  they  are  tied  perpendicularly  straight  doAvn.  Besides  the 
ordinary  trellis  put  up  for  the  purpose,  pollarded  Poplars  and 
IMulberry  trees,  pruned  quite  close,  are  much  used  for  twining  the 
Vines  round. 
In  addition  to  the  ATne  I  saw  many  other  things  here.  I 
particularly  noted  in  one  little  plot  a  man,  a  Avoman,  and  a  child, 
all  Potato  planting.  While  one  made  the  hole,  another  put  in  the 
tuber,  and  the  third  covered  it  up.  All  the  peasants  seemed  so 
happy  and  gay,  I  could  not  help  my  thoughts  turning  homewards 
and  thinking  how  little  we  have  of  this  method  and  this  spirit  in 
our  island  home  ;  how  each  year  our  so-called  peasant  seems  less 
and  less  a  peasant,  even  where  he  is  not  already  almost  an  extinct 
species,  such  a  rara  avis  in  many  parts  has  he  become.  Here  the 
whole  family  were  Avrapt  up  in  their  little  holding.  There  Avas 
tretite  culture  of  other  kinds  too,  a  nice  amount  of  Peach,  Pear,  and 
Plum  trees  being  in  evidence  on  most  of  these  plots.  I  also  noticed 
patches  of  Indian  Corn,  Avbich,  judging  by  the  old  haulm  Avhich  I 
saw  about,  does  remarkably  Avell. 
But  Avith  these  exceptions  I'practically  ever^'  inch  of  available 
ground  w'as  cultivated  A\'ith  the  Vine.  It  was  all  very  well  in  the 
lertile  alluA'ial  plain,  but  one  marvelled  how  Grapes  could  be  pro¬ 
duced  on  the  hill  slopes  in  spots  that  appeared  stony  and  barren  of 
soil,  with  scorching  sun  and  long  periods  of  rainless  drought  to 
contend  Avith.  What  a  contrast  to  our  style  ot  cultivation,  with 
Nature’s  copious  draughts  and  the  rich  aid  of  frequent  doses  of 
liquid  manure. 
The  Vines  in  Switzerland,  of  Avhich  I  Avill  take  those  round  the 
Lake  of  Geneva  as  a  type,  are  very  different  from  the  French  culti- 
A'ation  just  described.  They  weie,  at  the  time  I  saw  them,  the 
most  unattractive-looking  objicts,  mere  stumps  pruned  quite  close 
to  the  ground.  Even  in  niid-Apiil  I  saw  no  signs  of  their  breaking. 
They  are  cut  year  after  year  very  close  to  the  old  root  of  about 
half  a  foot  in  height,  and  two  or  three  little  rods  of  another  6  inches 
or  so  in  length.  I  noticed  a  considerable  area  of  Vines  travelling 
through  Hungary,  and  a  certain  amount  in  Servia. 
TllH  wine  of  the  latter  country  I  thought  particularly  good.  At 
table  d’h'te  in  Belgr.rl  a  clear  decanter  of  either  red  or  Avbite  wine 
is  put  before  each  place.  Slightly  head}',  perhaps,  and  rather  strong 
tor  a  vin  ordinaire,  it  struck  me,  nevertheless,  as  being  both  pure  and 
invigorating. 
As  regards  itulgaria  the  culture  appeared  very  rough.  Here  they 
fcernetl  pruned  harder  back  than  CA’cr  ;  one  had  to  look  verv  closely 
in  the  roughly  p'oughed  fi'dds  to  distinguish  the  little  black  stump 
among  the  clods  of  eanh  and  almost  level  Avith  the  ground. 
Travelling  into  Turkey,  especially  around  Constantinople,  the- 
Vine  Avas  still  to  be  seen,  but  to  a  great  extent  seemed  to  baA’e 
given  place  to  the  Fig,  Avhich  was  at  the  time  I  saw  it  br^'aking 
into  luxuriant  foliage,  Avhile  in  Constantinople  itself,  another  kind  of 
N  ine,  the  beautiful  Wistaria,  Avas  in  full  bloom,  huge  groAvths^ 
trailing  up  anti  down  houses,  or  making  a  shady  boAver  or  roof  over 
some  little  Eastern  gardens. — J.  A.  Carxegie-Chealks. 
NOTES  ON  TYD.EAS. 
Tyd.t:as,  in  my  opinion,  must  be  classed  amongst  the  most  beautiful 
plants  that  adorn  a  warm  houfe.  Even  in  summer  they  are  deliphtiul, 
and  quite  distinct  from  Achimenes.  In  autumn  and  winter  tiny  are 
invaluable,  and  the  plants  will  flower  profusely  throughout  the  dreariest 
and  darkest  months  of  the  year.  They  are  easily  grown,  and  when  well 
cultivated  they  will  produce  their  beautifully  -spotted  flowers  in  succession 
over  a  great  space  of  lime. 
In  commencing  the  cultivation  of  these  plants  it  is  Aviso  to  obtain  them 
while  in  a  resting  state,  and  by  judicious  care  in  starling  some  at  internals 
of  a  month  a  supply  can  be  obtained  through  the  whole  year.  It  is 
difficult  when  first  obtaining  the  small  tubers  to  adapt  them  lo  A»inter 
growl ii.  This  difficulty  can  soon  be  overcome  by  keeping  those  required' 
tor  lato  flowering  at  rest  as  long  as  possible,  and  in  a  season  or  two  the 
whole  stock  can  be  started  at  any  time.  It  is  wise  to  keep  'he  successions 
separate,  either  by  labelling  or  otherwise,  or  some  of  those  required  first 
may  he  left,  while  those  for  late  woik  may  by  mistake  bo  poited  earlier 
than  intended. 
In  .starting  them  into  growth  the  small  tubers  can  be  placed  cither  in 
the  pots  the  plants  are  intended  to  bloom  in,  or  they  may  be  put  m 
small  pot.s,  afterwards  transferring  them  to  others  5  or  (!  inches  in 
diameter,  which  are  large  enough  for  single  plants  The  p'ants  do  well 
on  either  system,  but  the  latter  is  preferable,  as  the  soil  is  not  so  liable  to 
become  tour  before  the  pots  are  filled  with  roots.  If  tho  pots  can  lie 
plunged  in  bottom  heat  so  much  the  belter,  and  the  quicker  Avill  the 
tubers  commence  growth,  although  bottom  heat  can  eo.sily  be  dispensed 
with,  and  when  growth  is  a  little  advanced  they  do  as  well  without  it.  A 
temperature  of  00°  to  G.")°,  regulated  according  to  the  outside  temperature, 
is  ample  if  increased  as  the  season  advances.  During  summer  slight 
shade  is  beneficial  on  hot  bright  days,  but  excessive  shading  will  eau.se 
them  to  grow  weakly  and  flower  unsatisfactoril}-. 
As  before  stated,  a  few  started  every  month  will  maintain  an  unbroken 
supply.  Tubers  potted  at  the  commencement  of  the  now  year  will  produce 
flowering  plants  by  the  end  of  May  and  through  June,  and  plants  started 
at  the  beginning  ol  May  will  bloom  by  the  end  of  September  and  througli 
the  following  month.  In  autumn  and  winter  'hey  are  most  iisetul,  and  to 
have  a  good  supply  tubers  should  be  potted  from  Ma}'  until  August  ; 
and  as  the  growth  is  not  so  rapid  during  the  declining  days  of  the  year, 
those  started  in  August  will  maintain  a  supply  until  late  in  the  spring. 
When  plants  have  to  grow  through  the  winter  it  is  necessary  that  they 
should  have  a  light  position  close  to  the  glass,  and  care  must  be  taken 
not  to  cause  a  check  to  their  growth. 
O  ^ 
The  pots  used  should  be  clean  and  well  drained,  a  layer  of  mo’s  being 
placed  over  itie  drainage,  then  nearly  filled  with  the  compost,  placing  a 
little  sand  in  the  centie,  in  which  to  embed  tho  tubers,  care  being  taken 
to  have  their  growing  ends  near  tbo  centre,  and  covered  with  the 
compost.  This  should  consist  of  a  good  fibrous  loam,  a  liberal  adinixtiiri* 
of  leaf  soil,  a  seventh  of  manure,  and  sufficient  coarse  sanil  lo  keep  tho 
Avhole  porous.  Peat  may  be  used  as  a  substitute  for  the  leaf  soil  if  inon- 
conven  enf,  but  the  soil  must  be  light  and  rich.  A  number  can  be  placed 
together  in  the  same  pot  if  large  specimens  are  required,  but  tor  all 
ordinary  decor  itivo  purposes  6-inch  pots  are  large  enough.  Tydmas,  if 
properly  attended  to  when  resting,  make  strong  growth  from  very  small, 
tubers.  When  placed  in  the  small  pots  and  the  roots  reaeh  tho  sides  they.' 
should  bo  transferred  to  the  larger  size,  only  removing  tho  drainage,  and/ 
injuring  the  roots  as  little  as  possible  in  carrying  out  the  ojieration. 
While  in  active  growth  the  plants  require  liberal  applicati  ns  of  water  at 
the  roots,  except  immediately  after  they  are  repotted,  when  svater  shonhl 
be  applied  with  care  and  judgment  until  the  roots  have  permeated  tho 
new  soil.  When  the  pots  are  full  of  roots  liquid  manure  may  be  supplied 
wdth  advantage.  Syringing  the  foliage  is  not  needed,  and  indeed  this 
leaves  when  wet  are  often  injured  by  txposure  to  tf  e  sun. 
The  resting  period  is  by  no  means  the  least  important,  and  success  to. 
a  large  ex  lent  depends  upon  the  treatment  then  followed.  Tuberous-- 
rooted  plants  of  this  nature  are  olten  neglected  by  allowing  them  to- 
remain  in  cold  potting  sheds,  or  by  storing  them  away  under  the  stages.. 
Neglect  in  this  respect  brings  Tydtnas  into  an  unsatisfactory  state,  and  i 
instead  oi  increasing  in  numbers  and  gaining  strength  year  bv  year  they, 
become  Aveaker,  and  in  a  feAA'  seasons  are  almost  useless.  If,  feoweveiA . 
after  flowering  they  are  liberally  supplied  Avith  liquid  manure,  it  wdli; 
assist  considerably  in  increasing  the  size  of  the  tubers,  which  must  Iish 
plump  and  matured  before  resting.  The  plants  must  have  attention  untfk 
the  foliage  commences  dying,  when  they  can  be  kept  someAvhat  drier,  and 
allovAod  a  similar  temperature  to  that  in  which  they  were  growing. 
IVhen  finally  at  rest  they  can  be  stored  in  any  cool  place  where  a 
temperature  ranging  between  35°  and  40°  can  bo  maintained.  Ty  dseas 
will  not  endure  being  kept  quite  so  dry  while  resting  as  Achimcnes, 
— G.  W.  ■ 
