378 
JOURNAL  OF  BORTIGULTURF  AFT)  COTIAGF  GARDENER, 
OctoLcr  22,  1903 
Apple,  Golden  Spire. 
TliP  fruiting  propensities  of  Golden  Spire  are'  surely  well 
borne  out  by  the  accompanying  illustration  It  is  a  really 
useful  Apple,  and,  moreover,  is  of  large  size,  and  straw-colourecl. 
ir  is  in  use,  either  as  a  cooking  or  dessert  Apple,  uji  to 
Christmas  and  later,  being  often  employed  by  market  men 
Messrs.  Bunvard  thus  describe  it:  "  Medium,  a  tall,  coiiicaL 
Apple,  of  taking  straw-coloured  appearance,  of  first  quality  ;  tor 
market  or  home  use  :  hangs  firmly  on  the  tree,  and  from,  its 
upright  growth  valuable  for  plantations.  This  sort  is  specially 
valuable,  as  it  never  fails  to  bear  even  in  bad  Apple  seasons. 
Our  photograph  came  from  Mr.  Taylor,  Hai^teacl,  h..ssex. 
Notes  on  the  Merits  of  Grapes. 
Mrs  Pince,  started  earlv  in  March,  sets  its  berries  better 
than  when  started  later,  and  the  fruit  ripens  quite  up 
to'  the  shank,  and  when  covered  ivith  its  fine  bloom 
is  verv  taking  in  appearance.  Alicante  retains  its  colour  well, 
and  as  a  prelude  to  Gros  Colman,  is  a  very  desirable  Grape  and 
it  is  good  ill  quality,  the  vinous  flavour  being  very  refieslung, 
and  the  earthiness,  as  in  Gros  Colman  entirely  absent,  while  its 
appearance  is  unrivalled  by  any  oval  Grape,  except  Alnwick 
Seedling,  which  is  one  of  the  best  late  Grapes. 
The  magnificence  of  Gros  Colman  renders  it  popular,  as  that 
goes  a  long  way  even  with  table  Grapes,  and  is  all-iniportant  tor 
market.  Its  beautiful  appearance  whets  the  appetite,  and  the 
flavour  is  entirely  overlooked.  Beside  Mest  s  St.  Petei  s,  vhich 
is  less  presumptuous  in  bunch  and  berry,  it  is  comparatnely 
bad  -  yet  when  Gros  Colman  is  started  early,  so  as  to  allow  it 
time  to  mature,  the  berries  are  not  only  superb,  but  the  cpiality 
is  greatlv  imnroved.  .  .  ,, 
But  its  principal  value  consists  in  the  easiness  ot  its  growtli. 
The  bunches  are  always  compact,  the  berries  set  well,  they  suyell 
to  a  good  size,  and  when  the  ^  ines  are  not  overciopped  the.y 
colour  well.  It  is  far  the  be.st  quality  lyhen  grown  on  the  old 
or  new  red  sandstone  formation,  though  it  does  well  on  alluvial 
soils,  as  do  all  tlie  coarse  vinous  Grapes.  , 
For  rich  vinous  quality  no  thick-skinned  Grape  can  vie  with 
West’s  St.  Peter’s,  but  it  is  of  no  use  where  appearance  at  table 
is  the  chief  merit  in  a  Grape.  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  •  n 
Lady  Downe’s  Seedling  is  not  only  the  best  keeping  Grape 
(we  have  had  it  excellent  in  June),  but  is  unexcelled  by  any  late 
Grap6  for  uniform  oxcolloiico  iu  cjiiality,  though  only  about  half 
as  taking  in  appearance  as  Gros  Colman,  and  not  giving  iieaily 
so  much  weight  of  fruit  per  length  or  rod  ;  it  retains  its  iichness 
to  the  last,  simply  because  it  contains  more  sugar,  and  mostly 
has  a  “smack”  of  Muscat. 
In  white  Grapes  there  are  some  aspirants  to  fame,  but  none 
take  a  higher  place  than  Trebbiano  for  appearance’  sake,  while 
being  firm,  crisp,  and  sweet.  ,  .  n 
There  is  Mrs.  Pearson  standing  well  out  in  white  Grapes,  and 
having  quality,  as  well  as  other  desirable  properties;  but,  as  a 
rule,  the  black  Grapes  hold  the  sway  when  neither  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  or  Canon  Hall  Muscat  are  in  the  race.  There  must 
not  be  any  deficiency  of  moisture  in  the  border,  and  the  atmo- 
snhere  not  allowed  to  become  stagnant,  but  have  enough  warmth 
with  air  to  keep  it  in  motion,  the  temperature  not  being 
allowed  to  fall  much  below  oOdeg  until  the  leaves  are  off. — 
Exfeut. 
Renovating  Vine  Borders. 
Where  the  soil  is  of  a  suitable  nature,  and  the  cultural  treat¬ 
ment  proper.  Vines  flourish  for  an  indefinite  period ;  but  they 
are  mostly  planted  in  artificial  borders,  and  the  roots  confined 
to  limited  areas.  These  conditions  result  in  the  soil  becoming 
defective  in  nutrition,  and  sometimes  unfavourable  as  a  root¬ 
ing  medium. 
Thorough  renovation  in  ordinary  cases  is  desirable,  but  a 
partial  removal  of  the  soil,  or  such  portion  of  it  as  will  secure 
active  feeders,  is  generally  attended  with  satisfactory  results. 
Wliere  Vines,  therefore,  are  not  in  a  satisfactory  condition,  no 
time  .should  be  lost  in  removing  the  soil  down  to  the  roots  and 
picking  it  from  amongst  them,  so  as  to  displace  as  much  of  the 
old  stuff  as  possible  Avith  fresh  compost,  and  it  is  best  effected 
AA-hikst  the  leaves  are  upon  the  stems,  biit  not  before  they  have 
performed  their  functions  to  the  extent  of  perfecting  the  buds 
and  Avood. 
In  case  the  border  is  found  very  unsatisfactory,  and  the  roots 
foAV  and  deep,  it  Avill  be  necessary  to  reiiAOA'e  all  the  soil  and 
reneAv  the  Avhole  border,  commencing  Avith  the  drainage,  Avhich 
should  be  clear,  and  9in  to  12in  deep,  Avith  a  3in  layer  of  fine 
material  on  the  top,  old  mortar  rubbish,  freed  of  pieces  of  Avood, 
ansAvering  perfecth'.  There  must  be  a  drain  under  the  drainage 
to  carry  off  superfluous  AAater. 
The  soil  should  co7isist  of  the  top  2in  or  Sin  of  a  .pasture, 
Avhere  the  soil  is  a  good  yelloAV  or  hazel  loam  AA'ith  a  sixth  of  old 
mortar  rubbisli,  one-t\A  elfth  of  charred  refuse  or  Avood  ashes,  and 
one-hundredth  of  crushed  quarter-inch  Vines,  all  Avell  incorpo¬ 
rated.  Tavo  feet  depth  of  compost  is  ample,  alloAving  about  Gin 
more  for  settling,  and  the  roots  shoidd  be  laid  in  the  top  foot, 
and  in  layers,  according  to  their  inclination,  encouraging  those  from 
near,  and  at,  the  collar,  by  bringing  them  just  beneath  the 
surface,  making  the  Avhole  compact,  and  having  the  soil 
moderatel.A'  dry. 
If  the  roots  are  inside  and  outside,  one  part  may  be  done  one 
year  and  another  the  next,  AA'ithout  any  danger  of  loss  of  crop. 
Take  care  to  preserve  all  the  roots  practicable,  merely  cutting 
off  broken,  and  paring  bruised  ends,  smooth  ;  and  to  keep  them 
as  much  as  possible  from  the  di';ATng  influences  of  the  atmosphere 
Avhil.st  the  operation  is  in  progress. 
Afford  a  good  Avatering  to  settle  the  soil  about  the  roots, 
then  sprinkle  on  each  square  yard  4cz  of  some  approved  fertiliser, 
mulch  AA'ith  an  inch  thickne.ss  of  short  SAveetened  manure,  and 
cover  outside  borders  Avith  a  feAV  inches  thickness  of  leaves  Avith 
a  little  litter  over  them. — G.  A. 
Thoughts  and  Things  Abont  Vegetables. 
Has  a  iieAv  dispensation  begun  for  the  culinary  vegetable 
The  passing  of  the  ChisAvick  ShoAv,  I  belieAm,  marks  the  beginning 
of  an  era  of  greater  specialisation  in  the  products  of  the  kitchen 
garden,  in  the  varied  cultures  of  the  same,  and  in  dres.sing, 
preparing,  and  exhibiting.  Numbers  of  vegetables  are  left, 
neglected  and  uncultivated,  even  Avhile  the  er'er-recurring  cry 
is  for  greater  variety.  While  neAv  fruits  are  gradually  being 
added  to  the  available  selections,  ncAv  vegetables  are  not  to  be 
found.  I  mean  entirelj'  neAV  products,  as,  for  instance,  the  Yam. 
if  that  Avere  brought  into  use — and  not  merely  fresh  A'arieties  of 
Cabbages,  Turnips,  Potatoes,  and  Onions,  or  any  other  existing 
types.  _ 
With  the  idea  instilled  that  there  are  numerous  product.s — 
as,  for  example.  Corn  Salad,  Egg  Plant,  Indian  Corn,  the  Morels 
and  Truffles,  Chinese  Artichokes,  Cardoons,  Leaf  Beet,  Hambury 
Parsley,  Orach,  Liquorice — that  could  be  more  liberally  and  more 
generally  attempted,  the  department  of  vegetable  culture  Avill 
no  longer  be  neglected  to  anything  like  the  extent  it  has  been 
almost  till  the  present.  Ancl  the  late  Vegetable  Conference — 
the  second  AA'ithin  our  ken — should  have  shoAvn  hoAv  useful,  and 
necessary  Ave  .should  say,  it  avouIcI  be  to  have  an  annual  shoAV  of 
culinary  produce  on  a  large  and  representative  .scale.  If  joined 
AA'ith  the  yearly  fruit  exhibition,  Avell  and  good ;  but,  jn  any  case, 
the  Amgetables  ought  to  receive  due  consideration,  that  classes 
be  prepared  for  all  comers,  and  space  sufficient  to  do  exhibitors 
full  justice. 
But  these  notes  Avere  not  intended  at  the  opening  to  run 
along  this  course.  I  Avould  Avrite  of  “  thoughts  and  things  ” — 
parcels  of  information — gleaned  from  Mr.  A.  Ireland,  manager 
on  Dobbie  and  Co.’s  seed  farm  at  Orpington,  in  Kent.  It  has 
been  the  Avriter’s  privilege  to  Ausit  Orpington  at  the  seed  harvest¬ 
ing  season  for  some  j-ears  past,  and  though  this  year’s  journey 
Avas  made  late,  there  is  still  a  great  deal  to  be  seen  and  noted 
on  a  floAver  and  vegetable  seed  ground.  But  this  AA'as  the  last 
of  these  Orpington  visits,  for  Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co.  are  remov¬ 
ing  at  once  to  their  neAvly-purcha.sed  land  not  far  from  Colchester, 
in  Essex.  This  ground  extends  to  some  60  acres,  the  tilth  being 
of  grand  quality,  and  the  A'illage  near  it  is  Mark’s  Tey.  In  the 
spring,  possibly,  and  certainly  next  autumn,  there  Avill  be  much 
to  interest  the  horticulturist.  By-the-bye,  the  firm’s  shoAA-ing 
poAvers  Avill  be  taxed  for  next  season  at  least,  oAving  to  the  produce 
having  all  to  come  from  Rothesajq  in  Scotland  ;  but  things  Avill 
be  bridged  over  by  1905. 
Giving  the  vegetables  the  place  of  honour,  what  has  to  be 
said  Avill  be  as  briefly  put  as  possible.  Turning  to  the  Red 
Cabbages  for  a  start,  Messrs.  Dobbie  are  able  to  shoAv  a  small¬ 
headed  A^ariety,  named  the  Small  Blood-red,  a.  neat,  firm  Cabbage, 
which  is  a  selection  from  the  Large  Red.  Its  advantage  is  that 
it  is  dAvarf,  and  many  more  plants  can  be  planted  on  a  giA'en 
piece  of  ground  than  could  the  Large  Red.  It  is  curioits  to  notice 
that  Red  Cabbages  can  neA’er  be  groAvn  on  the  same  seed  farm 
AA'ith  any  other  variety  of  the  species  Avithout  fear  of  almost 
certain  interpollination  ;  and  while  the  Reds  affect  the  ordinary 
Cabbages,  the  latter  neA'er  can  shoAv  their  influence  on  the  Reds 
to  any  extent.  _ 
Some  attention  has  been  draAA  n  to  Dobbie’s  Large  Red  Shallots, 
through  their  having  been  taken  exception  to  at  a  Kent  shoAv, 
the  judges  stating  them  to  be  Ru.ssian  Onions.  This  has  authori¬ 
tatively  been  proved  incorrect ;  they  are  a  large  form  of  Shallot, 
