174 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



THE SETTING OE MUSCAT GRAPES. 



HE setting of Muscat grapes, and indeed of all other kinds 

 of grapes that are reputed to be "shy," or that fail to 

 fruit freely unless skilfully treated, affords a subject 

 worthy of special consideration at any time amongst 

 English cultivators, because even doctors do occasionally 

 differ, and some of the most successful practitioners in the vinery 

 hold diverse views as to the best mode of procedure for insuring a 

 crop. In our " Garden Guide," this subject has always received 

 considerable attention, aud we have frequently remarked on the 

 necessity of obtaining and maintaining in the house during the time 

 the vines are in flower, conditions favourable to the development aud 

 diffusion of the pollen, such as sufficient fire-heat, a moderate degree 

 of humidity, and a moving atmosphere. "VVe have seen in so many 

 instances varieties of grapes reputed to be shy, made to bear abun- 

 dant crops through attention being paid to the three main conditions 

 of success, that we can scarcely hesitate to attribute failures to bad 

 management in at least niue-teutbs of the complaints that reach us 

 of the refusal of Muscats to compensate their owners with the much- 

 coveted bunches. It is rather commonly believed — though, strange 

 to say, not so commonly acted on — that excessive heat and a per- 

 fectly dry atmosphere are essential conditions for success in the 

 setting of Muscats ; and the man who has a " Muscat house," and is 

 not compelled to crowd it with pot-plants requiring somewhat diffe- 

 rent treatment, may actually roast his vines, if he believe in roast- 

 ing, and judge of the value of his doctrine by the result simply. It 

 is as well that all who have to deal with Muscats should clearly 

 understand that the roasting system is a delusion, and must be 

 abandoned by all who would truly succeed in the cultivation of 

 Muscats. 



The conditions requisite to the well-doing of Muscats in flower 

 may be stated thus : Temperature to range from 70° at night to 75° 

 by day, allowing a rise to 85° with sun-heat. The floor of the house 

 to be moistened about half-past seven in the morning and about 

 four in the afternoon ; the air kept moving always ; when the 

 flowers are expanded, each bunch to have a slight shake once a day. 



S. H. 



EAISING BEGONIAS FROM LEAVES. 



jARIEGATED Begonias are usually propagated from 

 leaves. To treat them in this way, select of this sea- 

 son's leaves such as are gi-own nearly or quite to 

 their full size, and consequently are firm and not likely 

 to damp off. Take the leaves off with about one or 

 two inches of leaf-stalk, and if you require as many plants from a 

 leaf as you can obtain, take an ordinary shallow seed-pan, and after 

 preparing it in the usual way, insert the stalk portion of the leaf 



