AUGUST. 241 



nature because it happens to be growing inside of a Vinery, and there- 

 fore partly excluded from their influence. Not at all. The winds of 

 Heaven are ever grateful to the Vine, as they are to other trees ; and 

 they who wish to succeed with the Vine, when confined to artificial 

 treatment, must take care to furnish, by day and by night, a continuous 

 supply of fresh air, varying its application (under conditions which will 

 be noticed hereafter) from the gentlest current to a force sufficient to 

 keep every leaf in motion. Air in motion strengthens the delicate fibres 

 found in the soft newly formed parts of plants, rendering them firmer 

 and morie elastic, and thereby producing stiff short footstalks to the 

 leaves, and short spaces between the leaves or joints. When freely 

 expos ed to the action of air the young wood strengthens itself as it 

 proceeds ; and although it grows less in length in a given time, it com- 

 pensates for this by doing its work better ; that is, a given amount of 

 material is packed into a closer space, and as a result there is produced 

 LEAVES thick and fleshy, with short stout footstalks, wood, stout and 

 firm, with a comparatively short space between the joints, denoting a 

 fruitful habit induced by the powerful secreting action of healthy leaves, 

 placed under favourable — because natural — conditions for exercising their 

 peculiar functions. 



Having thus explained somewhat at length the conditions requisite 

 to aid the Grape cultivator, and the results implied by bringing them 

 into action, I will next endeavour to point out a simple form of struc- 

 ture calculated for growing Vines mthout more trouble than the habit 

 of the Vine demands. 



{To be continued.) 



ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 

 This Society had, unfortunately, a wet day for its last fete this season, 

 which took place on the 5th ult. The exhibition was a remarkably 

 good one for July ; the large area, under the new arrangement of the 

 tents, being well filled with a most brilliant assemblage of rich floral 

 beauty. Stove and greenhouse plants were abundant, admirably 

 grown, and most beautifully flowered, the various Kalosanths making a 

 grand display, and going far to fill the place occupied by the brilliant 

 Azaleas of May. The sweet- smelling, ivory white flowered Stephan- 

 otis — the glorious rosy-pink Dipladenia — and the yellow Allamandas, 

 were produced on this the third occasion here this year as fine as at the 

 opening meeting ; and of other plants, such as Ixoras, Rondeletias, 

 Polygalas, Vincas, and Aphelexis, there was no want of specimens, such 

 as are only to be found in quantity at the great metropolitan flower 

 shows. The various exhibitions of Orchids, with their singular forms 

 and splendid colours, proved as attractive as ever ; and even Cape 

 Heaths, which of late it seems to be the fashion to run down, had their 

 admirers Roses in pots were greatly missed by many, who longed 

 for their familiar faces even in July. Of cut blooms there were plenty ; 

 but being arranged on the low side shelves of the conservatory, they 



NEW SERIES, VOL. IV. NO. XLIY. R 



