EDITOR'S TABLE. 



Grapes, haedy — should now be pruned, where it has been neglected at the proper season 

 in November. The bleeding that follows late pruning may not be permanently injurious, 

 still it cannot benefit the plant, and may as well be avoided. There are few dwellings with- 

 out a grape arbor oi> trellis, of tasteful construction frequently, forming a striking contrast 

 to the miserable appearance of the vines trained on them. Luxuriant and fruitful grajje- 

 vines are the exception everywhere. Much of this depends upon the neglect of proper 

 pruning, but more frequently it results from the state of the roots. On clayey subsoils, 

 which are cold and wet during winter, the young roots die at the points. They are late in 

 budding, and a sickly shoot is produced which never ripens, and the winter kills it down 

 to the main stem. The grape, above all other plants, requires a dry, or at least, a well- 

 drained soil. A simple expedient in such cases consists in spreading a good dressing of 

 enriched soil on the surface, and bending down the branches so as to cover a part of them 

 six or eight inches in the soil. These will soon produce roots, which may be kept near the 

 surface by annual topdressings. These bent branches should be severed from the main 

 stem after they are well rooted, and, by repeating this operation, healthy vines may always 

 be secured. 



Grapeet. — No subject in fruit culture has called forth so much discussion as the forma- 

 tion of grape borders ; volumes have been produced on the subject ; the essence of the whole 

 may be comprehended in a single sentence, viz : That ordinary soil, heavily treated with 

 good stable manure, well trenched, aerated, and drained, will produce better crops, and 

 maintain the vines in a healthy, fruitful condition for a longer series of years, than any 

 other composition that has ever been ai3plied for this pui-pose. The border should be made 

 on the surface, thus saving the expense of excavation, and facilitating the escape of water 

 and drainage. There is plenty of room above, a circumstance that does not seem to have 

 suggested itself to those who spend more in digging out pits, and then getting them laid 

 dry, than all the fruit they will ever produce, will repay. 



The border should be made on a porous bottom at least six inches deep, of broken stone, 

 brickbats, charcoal, or any other article that will remain as permanent. It shoiild be sur- 

 rounded on all sides by a drain ; cross-drains should be made every ten feet ; at one end of 

 each of these drains an upright shaft should be constructed for the admission of air ; simi- 

 lar uprights should be attached to each where it crosses inside the house, so that a perfect 

 system of ventilation may be completely under control of the cultivator. This is the great 

 secret in grape growing ; the chemical constitution of the soil is a minor consideration. 



FoECiNG Houses. — Peaches, nectarines, figs, cherries, and plums are successfully forced in 

 pots, or tubs, and, when properly managed, are comj)aratively more productive than trees 

 in the open ground. The plants are more under control, and the roots being confined, favors 

 the production of fruit buds. It is not requisite to have a separate house for each kind of 

 plant. A house devoted to this puii^ose may be so arranged as to carry a croj) of grajjes, 

 introducing the vines at a late period. Strawberries could also be produced on shelves 

 near the glass. The temperature of such a house should range from 50° to 85^, or higher, 

 with sunheat and sufiicieut humidity. Do not overwater the plants ; syringe them lightly 

 every day. Use no more fire-heat than is absolutely necessary, and see that a suflicient 

 amount of moisture is produced, to counteract the aridity of the heating apparatus. 



Greenhouse. — A'S the days lengthen, and the sun increases in power, the iitmost vigilance 

 will be necessary in this department. Most of the winter flowering plants will have com- 

 menced growth. Camellias and Azaleas that have bloomed should now be repotted if they 

 require it. Use plenty of porous matters in the soil, especially for the latter. To have 

 these plants in flower early next winter, forcing must be commenced now ; encourage an 

 early growth, that the wood may be matured, and flower-buds formed early in summer. 

 Epacrises should be pruned down after flowering ; they are easily managed and beautiful 

 flowering plants. The same may be said of Heaths. All New Holland plants — such as 

 boronias, hoveas, correas, polygalas, acacias, beaufortias, chorozemas, daviesias, croweas, 

 dillwynias, diosmas, prostrantheras, pimelias, eutaxias, aphelexes, helichrysums, erioste- 

 mons, and leschenaultias, require the same general treatment. They should be reiJotted 

 this month, that they may have a good supply of roots before next winter ; when growing, 

 they like a moist temperature, frecjuent syringing, and to be kept rather close than otherwise. 

 All newly potted plants should lie sparingly watered, they will require less than before the 

 operation, because the additional soil will longer retain moisture. 



Leschenaultia formosa is frequently in collections, but generally sickly. It requires a 

 waiTu, moist, tlose atmosphere while growing, and constant attention to picking ofl' flower- 

 buds when young. It needs a light fibry soil, and the drainage must be thorough 



