1S69. ] SEASONABLE HINTS FOE AMATEURS. JULY. 159 



This shoot was allowed to bear 50 bunches, and to grow 23 ft. more, which, 

 together with the former growth, was only allowed to bear the same number 

 (50) of bunches, and to form 5 ft. only of ripened wood, as it appeared to be 

 somewhat weakened. This was last year, and that wood has only produced two 

 bunches of grapes this season. 



The wood for the present season has already attained the length of 11 ft. 

 (with about 14 ft. of laterals, which are allowed to grow wild), and is growing at 

 the rate of 2 in. per day. I have only left 34 bunches on the whole length for 

 this year. Those at the warm end are black and nearly ripe ; while those in 

 the cool house are only about the size of small sweet peas, but looking well. 

 The largest leaves on this year's leader measure but 1 foot each way ; I have had 

 them measure 18 in. 



I ought to add that these pits were never intended for vines, only for plants, 

 so that the vine has to submit to whatever treatment is necessary for the plants. 

 The leader has now returned through the cool house or pit, and is about half- 

 way through the warm one, the end of which I have no doubt it will reach this 

 summer. Being quite satisfied about ripening a late and early crop in two 

 houses from the same vine, I intend, should I be spared another year, to try 

 what will be the. effect of exciting both ends of the vine in the warm end, and 

 leaving the middle, about 50 ft. of stem, without any excitement beyond what is 

 necessary to preserve the greenhouse plants. Should the experiment result in 

 anything useful, it mav afford materials for a future communication. 



Jasper Standstill. 



SEASONABLE HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— JULY. 



[S a well-kept garden is a constant delight, I would strongly advise 

 amateurs to pay particular attention to proper keeping at all seasons, and 

 W5; particularly now that everything is advancing rapidly to perfection. 



o There cannot be a greater mistake than to attempt to do too much, and 

 then doing it indifferently, leaving the place always in an untidy state. It is 

 much better to do little, but do it well, and thus to keep the place always 

 neat. One of the many recommendations of gardening is the facility with 

 which every one can accommodate his gardening to his means, and excel so far 

 as he goes. 



Eoses will now be objects of great attraction, and should have much attention 

 paid to them. Those who provided stocks last winter, may now begin budding 

 as soon as the bark rises freely from the wood. In general, bedded-out plants 

 do not require much watering after this ; but much attention should be paid to 

 the regulating, training, and pegging-down of the shoots as they advance in 

 growth. Hollyhocks, Dahlias, Salvias, Pentstemons, tall-growing perennials, and 

 other plants should be staked, and neatly tied up, as they advance in growth. 

 Pipings of Pinks should now be put in ; and Carnations and Picotees may be 



