210 THE GARDENER. [May 



always an abundant supply of first-rate Lettuce all tlie winter and 

 spring months from a frame of moderate dimensions ; for in spite of 

 all that has been said about the French cloche for Lettuce-growing, I 

 prefer a good light frame, which is infinitely easier to manage, more 

 convenient, will accommodate more plants, space for space, and is upon 

 the whole cheaper. Some may think that plants grown in this crowd- 

 ed fashion in the winter months would be apt to damp off, but they 

 are not. As I said before, the frame is kept dry. When the plants 

 are watered, a fine day is chosen for the job, and the lights are left off 

 till they are dry again ; but they cover the ground so thickly that very 

 little watering is required after the end of October. Our spring frame 

 has been crowded since March with fine succulent plants, though 

 continually thinned out ; and the supply will last us till the first outdoor 

 batch is well in. I therefore advise to plant thick for such crops if you 

 want quick returns and a plentiful supply. J. Simpsox. 



EARLY RIPENI]SrG OF GRAPES FOR LATE SUPPLIES. 



This important matter, though a very old story, is being ventilated, 

 and all the light which can be thrown on the subject can scarcely be 

 overdone, especially when backed by the experience of such successful 

 growers as have already expressed their opinions in the ' Gardener.' 

 I think, however, most practitioners will endorse Mr Henderson's 

 experience against Mr Simpson's ; and before casting my quota for the 

 press I would mention that position of borders, whether elevated or 

 low, inside or outside, have a good deal to do with the best time for 

 ripening the fruit for keeping. Heavy and light soils also change, in 

 a measure, circumstances. Early ripening and thorough ripening I 

 think is what one generally aims at when they have to supply Grapes 

 as late as April or May, or to keep the old till the new are fit for use ; 

 and if I were called upon to supply Grapes very late I would have 

 them coloured by the end of August and well fired with abundance 

 of air on, back and front, well into September, thus filling the berries 

 ■well with saccharine matter, expelling watery substance, making the 

 berries firm, sweet, and crackling, at same time keeping all laterals 

 closely stopped or rubbed off, thus securing foliage like leather, wood 

 as firm as whalebone and as brown as filberts. Yery strong wood never 

 was in high favour with me when high-flavoured late Grapes were to 

 be supplied in the spring months. Practice being generally more ten- 

 able then theory, how^ever Avell based, I may be pardoned for trespass- 

 ing on valuable space by giving briefly my experience. Early ripening 

 of Grapes to have fine flavour and to keep well was first impressed on 

 my mind when a foreman in AViltshire many years ago (I often saw 



