THE GARDENER. [April 



KEEPING GRAPES, AND STATE OF THE VINE ROOTS. 



The system of filling Vine-borders with healthy fibrous roots (as promul- 

 gated by Mr Thomson), instead of encouraging them to cross rapidly 

 through the porous soil, will prove beneficial to growers in many ways 

 not generally recognised. One important fact is, that where fibre is 

 abundant the quality of the fruit is of the highest order, and its keep- 

 ing properties are greatly improved. This is not only applicable to the 

 Grape, but also to the Apple and Pear; and we could give many instances 

 of certain kinds which have entirely changed their character, both in 

 appearance and taste, since they have been lifted, and stones packed 

 tightly in the soil round the extremities of the roots, which have pro- 

 duced abundance of fibre. A number of Vines here have been lifted 

 at various times, and stones, &c., been made tight in front of the roots, 

 to prevent them from getting quickly in among the fruit-tree roots in 

 front of the borders, and have given much satisfaction. The Golden 

 Hamburg keeps almost equal to the Black Hamburg, while others of the 

 golden kind, which have made roots in the usual vigorous way (long, 

 white, and spongy), are discarded as failures. The only difference that 

 can be observed between the " failures and successes " is fibry roots 

 matted in the prepared border, and vice versa. We have tried some 

 experiments with Grapes, by testing their keeping qualities ; and those 

 which have been treated so that they produced abundance of fibry 

 roots, are easily kept in good condition. Among the sorts are Black 

 Hamburg, Muscat Hamburg, White Muscat, Marchioness of Hastings, 

 Trebbiano, West St Peter's, Burchardt's Prince, and Black Lady 

 Downes. These have all been examined and tasted on the 4th of 

 March, and were nearly equal in appearance and sweeter to taste than 

 in September. The Muscats, though quite plump, began to fall off the 

 stalks when shaken. The Hamburgs were a little shrivelled, but 

 sugary. Burchardt's Prince is a capital Grape, and is not known as 

 it deserves. The Marchioness of Hastings and Trebbiano are still bright 

 yellow, and the foot-stalks quite green. The Lady Downes improves 

 daily. Late-kept Grapes, with nothing more than the novelty to re- 

 commend them, are not worth house-room ! What we expect in late 

 Grapes is freshness, good flavour, and colour, which, we think, can be 

 secured with early and thorough ripening. Abundance of fibre (in- 

 stead of large white roots) does much to secure this. Brown Grapes, 

 nicknamed Blacks, and Whites changed to Browns, as if they had 

 been carried about in a schoolboy's pocket, are offensive, either on a 

 public or private table. M. Temple. 



Balbiknie. 



