136 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



THE BEGINNEE IN GEAPE GEOWING.— No. IV. 



BY WILLIAM COLE, 



Head Gardener, Ealing Park, Middlesex. 



[IN former communications under this heading the subject 

 has been dealt with in a general manner, so as to be of 

 assistance to grape growers of all classes, but before 

 proceeding further it is desirable that something should 

 be said about the cultivation of the grape-vine in the 

 greenhouse. Such matters as the propagation and the growth of 

 the vines during the first year of their existence, and the preparation 

 of the border, of course, apply with as much force to the green- 

 house as they do to the vinery. But a few of the minor details 

 differ, and it is well that they should be explained at once. 



It is not an unfrequent occurrence to meet with the assertion 

 that good grapes cannot be grown in a house occupied during the 

 greater part of the year with flowering and other plants, and, to 

 prevent any misapprehension, I will state at once that these asser- 

 tions are not strictly true. Where grapes of the finest quality are 

 required, and separate structures are provided for fruit and plant- 

 growing, it certainly would not be wise to crowd the vineries with 

 plants. There are periods, such as when the grapes are in flower, 

 and when the berries are colouring, when the presence of plants is 

 objectionable, because of the moisture arising from them, but with 

 due care, when the vines are allowed to grow of their own accord, 

 without the use of fire-heat, no serious harm will result therefrom. 

 Eor instance, by the time the vines are in flower, the season will be 

 sufficiently advanced to admit of the ventilators being opened to, 

 their fullest extent, and thus prevent the slightest possibility of 

 the "setting" process being interfered with through a stagnant 

 atmosphere. Also when the berries are colouring nearly all the 

 plants grown in a greenhouse may be removed to the open air, not 

 only without injury, but with decided benefit to them. Again, if it 

 is desired to keep the grapes long after the season for filling the 

 greenhouse with plants for the winter, the bunches can be cut with 

 a piece of the spur, and the end of the branch inserted in bottles of 

 water suspended in a dry and airy room. The berries will keep 

 plump and retain their full flavour for a considerable length of time. 

 I am not alluding to keeping grapes until far into the following 

 spring, because there are only a few sorts that have a skin thick 

 enough to allow of their being kept in good condition so long ;Ntjut 

 I refer to the most desirable sorts for the greenhouse, such as the 

 Black Hamburgh and Eoyal Ascot. 



The shape and size of the greenhouse vinery must, of course, be 

 regulated by the position it is to occupy, and by the taste and cir- 

 cumstances of the owner. I would, however, strongly recommend 

 a span roof rather wide and lofty. The front lights should be 

 rather high, say three feet above the brickwork, to admit the light 

 to the plants grown under the vines. The borders should be entirely 



