448 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



ripen during the most favourable part of the season. Those who have 

 facilities I would recommend to try what the result would be if allowed 

 to come away naturally about April or May, keeping the ventilators 

 always open, except in wet weather, and in fact giving it little more 

 than the protection of glass, using fire-heat chiefly to dispel damp. 

 This plan has at least cheapness to recommend it ; and no one will 

 deny that it is a Grape well worth making an effort to grow success- 

 fully. Could it be presented at dessert in good form, it would put 

 Muscats to one side for the time, not on account of its appearance 

 only, but its flavour, which is so excellent and refreshing. 



I have an impression that it would do better out-doors in the south, 

 in a warm situation, than inside a vinery ; and I hope those who have 

 opportunities will try it on the hardy system. 



^0 doubt the ''spotting" is due to the very tender skin of the 

 berries. The least thing injures it, and leaves a lasting blemish ; and 

 it is reasonable to suppose that a high and moist temperature will have 

 the same efl'ect upon the berries as upon the leaves of Vines — i. e., to 

 make them still more tender and susceptible of injury. Thinning the 

 berries should also be very carefully performed : it should be done 

 twice; and great care is necessary not to injure the berries that are left 

 with the scissors, which should be clean and smooth. 



The Golden Champion, like some others of its class, does not bear 

 so well when pruned on the close spur system. It is a good plan to 

 leave a bit of young wood, and a better show of fruit will be the result, 

 which will give a choice of bunches, for they vary much in the setting, 

 some having a greater proportion of small berries than others. 



J. Simpson. 



[If those who grow this noble Grape will ventilate freely, and keep it dry 

 whenever it approaches the ripening point, they will not be troubled with 

 spot. — Ed.] 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— OCTOBER. 



Fruit-gathering must now be carried on expeditiously, handling 

 Pears with great care, otherwise they will show bruises and decay 

 quickly. The store-room should be perfectly dry, well aired for some 

 time after the fruit has been gathered in, and then kept close and dark. 

 Fruit-tree planting may be commenced as early as the trees are in con- 

 dition, and that is when the leaves are about to fall : pure loam is 

 necessary when a permanent tree is wanted, and the roots should be 

 spread out 6 inches under the surface, covering them, up with good 

 soil and a quantity of litter to keep out frost. Though fruit-trees are 

 often planted as late as April, they, as a rule, do best when planted in 



