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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [MAY, 



remedy. And the remedy lies with the judges. If exhibitors find the arts 

 above hinted at, to tell with the judges, they will continue to practise them. 

 Perhaps no rules of any Society can be made clear or stringent enough to ensure, 

 the desired end. A Horticultural Society might justly intimate to exhibitors 

 that the judges would be instructed to recognize the skill of the horticulturist, 

 rather than the mode of the artist ; and if the judges carried out such instruc- 

 tions, this would doubtless soon work a beneficial change. P. 



IMPKOMPTU BORDERS FOR SMALL VINERIES. 



U Lj A HATEVEE may tend to increase the interest which the amateur takes 

 i^XJ in his garden, is a proper subject for the pages of the Florist and 



WPomologist. I have, therefore, no hesitation in offering the following 

 remarks for the benefit of this class of readers, as well as for those who 

 have to force early with 'but limited convenience. Many persons who take an 

 interest in their only structure — whether that be called greenhouse, stove, or pit, 

 would, there is little doubt, gladly add the luxury, call it hobby, if you will, of 

 growing a few Grapes also, if this could be done without so great an outlay as 

 is ordinarily required. This is especially the case in those frequent instances 

 wherein no better security than "' tenant-right " exists. 



I wish it to be understood at the outset that I am no advocate for mixing up 

 Vine and Plant culture in a confused and undefinable medley, and with no 

 second structure at hand in which, at certain critical and necessary periods, as the 

 seasons follow their courses, the various odds and ends of plants can be stored 

 away. It is also needless for me to say that I am not an advocate for make- 

 shift vine borders, excepting in such instances as I have already indicated. The 

 simple method to which I now draw attention is by no means new. It is, how- 

 ever, one well adapted for forcing very early grapes, in cases where the best 

 means do not exist. Besides, as opportunity or inclination may incline, it is 

 capable of extension at the will of the possessor. 



Against any ordinary lean-to or span-roofed house, — in the case of the latter 

 it may be placed on either side, — a lining, so to speak, is to be formed of good 

 yellow maiden loam, or surface pasturage, bone-dust, well-decomposed spit 

 manure, and the ordinary rich and staple materials, needful for the formation of 

 a sound vine border, as shown at a. There must be no risk of its becoming sour 

 from the presence of excessive moisture. This lining or border should be at least 

 from 4 ft. to 5 ft. deep, and if possible, not less than 3 ft. or 4 ft. in width. The 

 outer side is kept up very neatly, by using good square turves, packed up, brick- 

 like, so as to form an even surface outside. What I mean will be seen by a 

 reference to the figure. In this mass of soil the roots of the vines are to be 

 planted, the stems bsing carried through the necessary openings into the house. 

 Artificial heat, to assist in early forcing, may be readily applied by the simple 

 means of a second lining, composed of the necessary thickness of fermenting 



