3(M THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



vines in a lon^ range of vineries, with the intention, as he explained 

 at the time, of inarching the two together ; but whether he did so or 

 not, we do not knoW." It must be understood that there is nothing 

 new in the idea of extending a vine far beyond the limits of a single 

 rafter. If there be anything novel in the case before us, it is in the 

 excess to which the restrictive system has been carried ; and this pro- 

 bably is the result of the participation of grape-growers in the spirit 

 of hurry with which everything is done in modern times. Sooner than 

 wait for one good healthy vine, they prefer a number giving fruit 

 at once, but unable (in many cases) to stand on their legs for a few 

 years together. To sum up this brief paper, we may enumerate the 

 advantages of extension to be — 1. Improved health and vigour of the 

 vine. 2. Increased production. 3. Berries constantly improving in 

 flavour, the best-flavoured grapes being the product of old vines. 

 4. Better colour. 5. Less watchfulness required as to stopping, 

 pruning, and training ; for if a large vine goes a little wild, there is 

 no harm done, but on the vine-to-a-rafter system there must be inces- 

 sant and almost painful attention. 6. Less care required as to the 

 border, as the roots can go where they like, and are almost sure to 

 go where it is best for them. 7. Insect pests become almost un- 

 known ; for, as in the case of plants of all kinds, //'ee growth is 

 antagonistic to disease and the lodgment of parasites. 8. Earlier 

 ripening. 9. The building of a large house for a vine may be accom- 

 plished by instalments, as the vine will not want the whole at once ; 

 therefore the plan may be determined on, and the vine may be 

 planted, and a half or a third (or less) of the ultimate length of the 

 house may be completed as required. 



In conclusion, it seems only proper to remark that the arguments 

 for extension of grape vines may be applied to all other fruit trees, 

 and especially peaches, nectarines, apricots, pears, and cherries, which 

 are usually grown on walls, and too frequently cruelly restricted in 

 dimensions. S. H. 



THE BEST STEAWBEERIES. 



iO classify a list now, we should look more to the pro- 

 longing of the season, the quality and size of berry, to 

 the habit and hardiness of the plant, to its flowering 

 properties, and how they would be aff*ected by sudden 

 vicissitudes, than to the mere colour of the berry. In 

 endeavouring to cater towards that end, cross-breeders have sunk 

 that little bit of technical colour distinction, and if black, and red, 

 and white get mixed together by natural interfusion, like so many 

 colours on tbe palette of an artist, no matter. It is no advantage to 

 an amateur grower, and very little indeed, to our great gardeners, to 

 grow a numerous family. Numbers of varieties are often tantalizing, 

 being of little practical use to most growers, and only admissible 

 where a thorough system of testing is organized. To test straw- 



