106 THE GARDENER. [April 



to keep the fruit for a few weeks, the air of the house should be kept 

 dry, even although fire-heat should require to be used. Any berries 

 that show the least signs of decay should be removed immediately they 

 are seen, or they will very soon contaminate the whole bunch. As to 

 temperature, air-giving, and care of the Vine's health generally, the 

 treatment should just be as before advised. By the time the Vines are 

 bearing to the top of the house, the border will be pretty well filled 

 with roots, and greater care will need to be taken that they do not be- 

 come dry. Liquid manure may then be given with great advantage 

 when the fruit is fairly set. Cow-urine, house-sewage, or manure-drain- 

 ings of any kind may be given, but always well diluted. When none 

 of these are to be had, a sprinkling of guano may be put over the bor- 

 ders and watered in, which will serve the same purpose. 



Pruning will have again to be done after the leaves are shed, and 

 this is the last Wesson in pruning the Vine which we will require to give 

 you. The main stem will need to be cut back again to within 3^ or 4 

 feet from where it was cut the year before. Three pairs of spurs, in 

 addition to last year's ones, will be all that you will be able to start 

 satisfactorily, and more should not be attempted. Last season's shoots 

 should be cut back to one eye, unless the one nearest the old wood is 

 very small ; in that case the second bud should be chosen. In all 

 other necessary particulars, the operations are just the same as stated 

 before. Should difficulties arise, you must just apply to some practical 

 man, who will, we doubt not, enlighten you ; but we think a careful 

 study of the foregoing, coupled with your own intelligence, will render 

 you independent of anybody. Without any direction of ours you might 

 have produced good Grapes ; but we feel convinced that you will grow 

 them better, and more of them, and have greater confidence in your 

 proceedings, than without such help. The person before referred to 

 attributes his success to the instructions herein contained, and we hope 

 many others may derive similar benefit therefrom. J. H. 



{To he continued.) 



ITOTES ON DECORATIVE GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



THE BALSAM. 



Among plants raised annually from seed, for greenhouse or conserva- 

 tory decoration, the Balsam takes a prominent place as being one of 

 the showiest grown for that purpose. True, it is not a plant very well 

 suited for supplying cut-flowers, neither is it very well adapted for 

 dinner -table work, but it suits very well for mixing among foliage 

 and other plants for general house decoration ; and during the time 

 it is in flower, is one of the most effective plants for decorating the 

 conservatory. Few plants will stand a greater degree of hard usage 

 with impunity than the Balsam ; or, on the other hand, better repay 



