There will be found, when disbudding, at the base of the shoots, small buds that are not likely to make a shoot that season; but they must be retained, as they will produce a shoot in a future year, and then bring your young wood nearer home.

Carlton, May 20.-1830.

I remain, Sir, &c.

WILLIAM SEYMOUR.

ART. XX. On a Method of training the Peach and Nectarine on low Walls. By Mr. WILLIAM SEYMOUR.

Sir,

I PERFECTLY agree with Mr. Kendall (Vol. II. p. 140.) respecting the necessity of adopting some regular method in pruning fruit trees, particularly the peach and nectarine: but I must beg leave to differ in opinion respecting our [the Seymour] method being so well adapted for horizontal training on low walls; for I am inclined to think that that method is not at all proper for the peach or nectarine on low walls, owing to the liability of these species of trees to lose large branches, which, when it happens when the tree is old, and against a low wall, renders it impossible to replace them.

The method which I here offer for training on low walls is, to take a maiden plant, and to treat it in the manner described in your Magazine (Vol. I. p. 129., and II. p. 295.), so as to produce a tree in the form of fig. 85.; and when it has

grown too large for the wall, it may very easily be changed in figure, in the manner of fig. 86. By these means the

fan, curvilinear, and horizontal style will be combined, and the gardener will be prepared, in case of an accident, because any of the branches produced from a a may be made leading I remain, Sir, &c.

ones.

Weddington, June 3. 1827.

WILLIAM SEYMOUR.

ART. XXI. Farther Notice of the Pine Plants at Castle Semple, planted in a Bed of Soil. By JOHN HAY, Esq.

Sir,

I EMBRACE this opportunity of giving you the following extract from Mr. Lauder's letter of the 18th of January: "The pines planted in a bed of soil, in one of the steam-pits, on the 18th of March, 1829, although but the previous autumn's suckers, are now the largest and finest-looking plants of any in all the houses: they are far superior to any of the same age grown in pots in the common way, and form a striking contrast when compared with them. From what I have seen of their progress this last summer, I shall not now hesitate about planting the whole of the other steam-pit in March next, with a view to fruit them in 1831; and I shall plant it next autumn with suckers immediately from the stools, without potting them, to fruit in 1832. Should the fruit be in proportion to the size of the plant, they cannot fail to be fine, one of the small early-planted suckers having, soon after it was put into the bed, started into fruit, and produced a fine pine-apple, which swelled well, and, when cut, was found to be very juicy and of excellent flavour."

I have written Mr. Lauder my views of the treatment of the plants, in order to the proving of them regularly in the ensuing spring; and, should he be as successful in this case as in growing the plants, I shall endeavour to send you a specimen of the fruit, which, I think, Major Harvey will not refuse me. I intended to have asked him before I wrote you, but, he having sent me notice to pack the fruit accompanying this, as it must be sent off to-morrow, I had not an opportunity of seeing him.

66

I give you the following extract from Mr. Lauder's letter, as a final answer to your query to Mr. Neill, about the best substance for plunging pots of pines in, in steam-pits: — " I found the thermometer, in the bed of soil, generally 2°, and sometimes 3o, higher than one plunged at the same depth among rotten leaves; and 4°, and sometimes 5°, higher than one plunged at the same depth among gravel, all in the steampit. The heat was frequently in summer as under:

"When the steam was withheld longer than usual, the thermometer among the gravel was the first that got lowest; but, on the other hand, when the steam was applied longer than usual to the pit, the gravel was soonest heated. Since my return from Edinburgh, I withheld the steam from the pit for several days, until the thermometer plunged to the same depth ranged as follows, on the morning of the 6th of Jan. :

"In the bed of soil

Among the rotten leaves
Among the gravel

80°

79

74

"On the above day, I let the steam into the pit for about four hours, and the thermometer ranged, the three following days, without any more steam, as follows:

It appears, from the last trial, that Mr. Lauder has stopped too soon from making his observations: he ought to have continued them until the heat in the bed of soil, as indicated by the thermometer, had sunk lower than 85°. This, however, is the degree of heat at 1 ft. deep in the earth, during summer, in Grenada, as a gentleman, a planter there, wrote home for my information. The thermometer in the steam-pit was plunged 9 in. deep. From the above trials, I think it evident

that stones or gravel is the best substance for heating by steam, in a close chamber; and that earth is the best substance for plunging the pots in.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Edinburgh, Jan. 22. 1830..

JOHN HAY.

ART. XXII. Some Account of a large Vine at Sellwood Park, the Seat of Michie Forbes, Esq., Sunning Hill, Berkshire. By Mr. H. CUMMING, Gardener to Mr. Forbes.

Sir,

THE large Black Hamburgh vine at this place was brought from Sion Hill gardens, then the Duke of Marlborough's, in 1810. It was then a small plant, which had been struck that season from an eye, and it was planted in Sellwood Park garden in 1811. For the first year or two nothing very remarkable was noticed in its growth, more than that it had a very healthy appearance. About the fourth or fifth year after planting, it had nearly filled the small house it was in. The house was then lengthened 20 ft., and in about two years afterwards it had nearly supplied it with strong healthy bearing wood. The house was then again, and has been since, lengthened. The present length of the house is about 90 ft., breadth 13 ft.; number of bunches on the vine 1100; and it is in• tended to have the house lengthened 36 ft. more next autumn. To show the vigour of this remarkable young vine, I may mention that, when three years ago the house was lengthened an additional 35 ft., the second year afterwards the shoots reached to the end of it. It is a remarkably good bearer, producing a fine large dark berry of an excellent flavour. Many of the bunches weigh upwards of 2 lbs.; some cut last year almost 2 lbs. It stands nearly in the centre of the house. It has a beautiful straight stem, upwards of 6 ft. in height; and then branches off each way horizontally, with nine principal leading shoots.

The mode of training, and fine healthy strong appearance of the vine, together with the excellent crop of grapes which it produces every year, excite the admiration of every gentleman and gardener who comes here; and the vine, on the whole, is allowed by them to surpass that at Hampton Court, or any other vine in the country. Its roots may be said to be both in and out of the house; as it is planted inside, but, the front wall being on arches, many of the roots are in the old asparagus beds in front. We have already begun to

remove these beds, and shall continue to do so yearly, till our young beds, which have been lately planted, come into bearing; as we purpose to devote that piece of ground entirely to the nourishment of the vine.

With the permission of Mr. Forbes, I have sent you a small sample of grapes, and I can assure you that the bunches were not picked, but cut from one part of the vine and not 2 ft. from each other. I remain, Sir, &c.

Sellwood Park, October 21. 1829.

H. CUMMINGS.

THE berries were large, dark, of excellent flavour, and the bunches weighing from half a pound to a pound and a half. — Cond.

ART. XXIII. On a Method of obtaining new Kinds of Potatoes. By SOLANUM tubero'sum.

Sir,

HAVING noticed in your useful publication several communications relative to that useful and now almost indispensable vegetable, the potato, I beg to offer a method of obtaining new kinds, which is as follows, viz.:

Macartney's Method of obtaining new Kinds of Potatoes from Seed." Sow the seed in a hot-bed, about the middle of February, in lines 6 in. apart, a quarter of an inch deep, and very thin. When water is necessary, sprinkle it between the lines, but avoid wetting the plants, as that would injure them. A little air raust be given before they are watered.

"As the plants rise, rich earth, carefully put between the lines, will add fresh vigour to them; but the tops of the plants must not be covered by these mouldings, which should be occasionally repeated until they are fit for transplanting. To prepare them for this, about the end of April they must be plentifully refreshed with air; and, two hours before removing them, they must be plentifully watered all over, and the glasses covered with bass mats, to prevent the sun, if shining at the time, from scorching the plants. Take each plant up carefully, with a ball of earth attached to it, and plant them in trenches, as you would celery, only with this difference, the distance from plant to plant in the lines must be 18 in.; and if the sun should be shining out strong at the time of planting, a flower-pot should be placed over each, to prevent flagging; for, with all your care in taking up, a good many of the fibres will be broken. After the plants have