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HOW TO HAVE GRAPES FROM THE BUD OR EYE THE 

 FIRST YEAR. 



Not long ago Vine growers were startled at the fact of Mr. Elphln- 

 stone having fruited pot Vines the same year in which they were struck. 

 We had supposed that to do this the second year was as early as it could 

 be done. JBut happy are they who live to learn ; and though I am not 

 aware how the feat was accomplished by Mr. Elphinstone, I can state 

 a way, if not the way how. Strike the eyes in January, grow them on 

 Vigorously, potting as required; when about two feet long stop them, 

 and when four feet or so stop them again ; the laterals from the second 

 stopping produce the bunches. The Vines should now be quickly grown, 

 and in due course the fruit will ripen. Those who have had charge of 

 vineries will recollect how that from repeated stoppings the laterals 

 often show bunches, particularly at the terminal bud. It is by applying 

 such observations that we make progress. We do not think that 

 the practice of so fruiting Vines will become general, still it is worth 

 trying, and perhaps tliis may be cited as an illustration of the theory, 

 that in a bud are the germs of a perfect tree, which the gardener may 

 develope at will. Geo. M'Ewen, Arundel. 



THE ROYAL GARDENS, FROGMORE. 



It is now more than two years since we gave an account of these noble 

 gardens, and we believe we need make no apology for again placing 

 before our readers the following memoranda of what came under our notice 

 during a recent visit. The forcing of fruit is carried on very exten- 

 sively, and forms the principal feature at this season of the year, when 

 each kind is in different stages of forwardness, as required for furnishing 

 a supply up to the period when forced fruit is succeeded by that from 

 the open air. 



We noticed eight houses, each varying from sixty to one hundred feet 

 in length, occupied by Vines in different stages of growth. The earliest 

 Grapes are growing at the back of the Pine stoves, situated in the 

 principal range of houses. The crop is a very good one, and fast 

 approaching maturity ; indeed, some of the bunches at the warmest end 

 of the house were rijie. The forcing of these Vines usually commences 

 about the end of November, and at that time the fruiting Pine plants 

 are planted in the pits occupying the front part of these houses, and 

 remain there till the fruit is ripe, which is late in the autumn ; conse- 

 quently, the Vines get but a limited season of rest, and although sub- 

 jected to this severe treatment, they remain remarkably healthy and 

 produce excellent fruit. 



The next Vinery for succession is a half-span house, eighty feet long, 

 situated at the back of the principal range ; it contains a splendid crop 

 of fruit, which is thinned and swelling fast. They are chiefly Black 

 Hamburghs together with a few fine seedlings raised here. 



The Vmes in this house have been planted four years, and it is 

 intended ultimately to use this house for forcing early Grapes. Mr. 



NEW SERIES, VOL. VI., NO. LXV. L 



