238 TUE FLORIST. 



HINTS ON GRAPE GROWING.— No. XII. 

 By a Country Gardener. 

 The Grapes once ripe some care must be bestowed in keeping them in 

 good condition, that is, free from damp, which would soon cause the 

 berries to turn mouldy and decay ; take means, therefore, to prevent 

 this. A low temperature at this stage will not hurt the Grapes, and 

 therefore large quantities of air can safely be admitted ; but while air 

 may thus be given freely, rain must be excluded ; and therefore, if not 

 already provided with ventilators at the back wall of the Vinery, or false 

 lights over the sliding sashes (see page 281 of last year's Florist), you 

 must adopt some such plan, as by such rain will be effectually excluded, 

 and at the same time the current of air which is continually passing 

 through the house w^ill tend most materially to preserve the atmosphere 

 dry and airy — both essential conditions for keeping Grapes ; indeed, I 

 consider this so important, both for the Vines when growing and for 

 preserving the fruit w^hen ripe, that I have again alluded to it, and 

 strongly recommend its adoption. In very damp or wet weather a little 

 fire should be put on by day, especially if the Grapes are required to 

 be kept for any time. By these ineans Hamburghs will keep fresh and 

 plump till after Christmas, and St. Peter's and Muscats till February ; 

 but these latter will require more fire heat at the period of ripening, 

 and altogether a warmer temperature to preserve them, particularly 

 the Muscats ; in other respects the same precautions of well ventilating 

 the house and excluding damp are necessary. 



As it often happens that one decayed berry will damage the whole 

 bunch, they should be looked over two or three times weekly for the 

 purpose of removing any berries which show indications of decay with 

 the thinning scissors, and as the leaves change colour remove them when 

 you find them break off easily when touched ; this will admit more light 

 in the house, and help to keep the air drier. I observed that a low 

 temperature would not injure Grapes when ripe, a temperature so low 

 as only a degree or two above the freezing point may therefore be 

 allowed without entertaining any fear about them ; but generally speaking 

 from 40° to 45° or thereabouts is the safest point, as they are much 

 more liable to damp at a very low temperature than the medium one 

 laid down, and JMuscats will certainly shrink and not keep by any means 

 well in a low temperature — I should say not less than 45° to 50°. 



The Grapes cut, pruning should take place immediately afterwards, 

 cutting each spur back to the lowest eye, wdien the same routine must 

 be followed as I have laid down for the present season's culture. 



Reader, having now brought to a close these few hints on Grape 

 growing, I can only hope that the practical deductions on Grape culture 

 I have laid before you may be the means of rendering Grape growing 

 simple and easy to such amateurs as may be induced to try and grow 

 Grapes for themselves. Should any point yet remain obscure, the pages 

 of the Florist are open for discussion and all enquiries on this subject 

 by correspondents will be most cheerfully answered by, readers, 



Your most obedient servant, 



A Gardener in the Country. 



