1 88 1.] TOMATOES. 485 



tively low night-temperature in hothouses a good many years ago, but 

 have never yet seen cause to alter our opinion or practice in setting 

 Muscats, and are as convinced that a rather high temperature for the 

 greater part of the twenty-four hours when the Vines are in bloom 

 secures the best set, as we are of anything connected with the practice 

 of horticulture. 



All theory and practice are best tested by results ; and unless better 

 examples of Muscats are exhibited as grown on the very low tempera- 

 ture system than are produced under higher temperatures, the advocates 

 of a warmer temperature can well afford at least to wait. 



More than thirty years ago we have seen splendid Muscat Grapes 

 ripened in August, and cut from the Vines plump and fresh on the IGth 

 of March. And these Vines, in spite of some very rough treatment, 

 are fine Vines at this date. We have for years in succession started 

 Muscats in February, ripened them to an unusually high colour before 

 the end of July, and cut them without a wrinkle from the Vines in the 

 end of February. 



It is our opinion and conviction, founded on long practice and ob- 

 servation, that to make October, or even the end of September, the 

 finishing time of Grapes, and more especially Muscats, is one of the 

 greatest mistakes possible. Grapes, and especially Muscats, ripened 

 so late, cannot possibly be of such fine quality nor keep so well as when 

 ripened earlier under the influence of more sun. We once had a Lady 

 Downes Vine at the warm end of a Black Hamburg house, where the 

 fruit of the latter was ripened for using in July. The Lady Downes in 

 question ripened thoroughly in August, and the Grapes always kept 

 longer without signs of shrivelling and decay, and were better flavoured 

 than others ripened a month or six weeks later. And we appeal to suc- 

 cessful Grape-growers if Muscats do not always keep the longest in 

 good condition, and are in every point better, that ripen and colour per- 

 fectly before the middle of September. Few Grapes keep better than 

 perfectly ripened Muscats. Whoever attempts to ripen Muscats that 

 are green and unripe at the middle of September, must be in a very 

 favoured locality indeed if they accomplish their task without a con- 

 siderable expenditure of coal. Is this not so, ye Johnstons, ]\I'Kelvies, 

 Hunters, and Hammonds, and many others besides 1 



TOMATOES. 



It has been said that it pays better to grow Tomatoes and Cabbages 

 than Grapes. Whatever may be said about the Cabbages, I have a 

 strong impression that Tomatoes are at least a more certain and remu- 

 nerative crop, while they require only a tithe of the preparation and 

 care. That Tomatoes continue to grow every day in popularity and 

 in demand throughout the country, there can be no doubt, for the 



