CRITIQUE ON THE JULY HORTICULTURIST. 



supplied with miserable vegetables, raised by the neighboring " niggers," and who 

 " trucked" their commodities to market in the oddest and most incongruous ways possi- 

 ble. A mule harnessed by the side of a broken down horse, or one of them " spiked" 

 before a pair of the wretchedest " steers" on a miserable cart, or a worse Avaggon, and 

 driven by an equally well conditioned " plantation hand," was the usual mode of trans- 

 portation to the " city;" and these vehicles, with their appendages — that is, the jackasses 

 and the " nigger"— standing in theopen streets, were the " market houses" of the day. 

 Starvelling poultry, and poor meats, were the companions of the meagre vegetables, and 

 as for fruits, paw-paws wouldn't grow there, and persimmons were only in eating "after 

 frost." 



It is better now, somewhat, but Washington, in all these things, is a full century behind 

 any other well conditioned town in America. It is a disgrace to somebody, that there is not 

 higher and more abundant cultivation of fruits and vegetables in and about the place. The 

 climate is delightful ; bland as Italy, and inviting a world of vegetable wealth to its embrace. 

 Prices are good, the demand for all edibles is steady and increasing, and why should not 

 the country within sight of the capitol be a continuous and a perfect garden.' I might 

 guess, but that my solution might be offensive in some quarters; so I'll drop the subject. 

 It is a good indication, however, that Dr. Bayne has so spiritedly gone into fruit culture, 

 and I hope that he will not only persevere, but that others will join him in such an im- 

 portant enterprise. 



Memoranda on the Culture of Grapevines. — It appears, after all, to be a simple pro- 

 cess to grow the best of grapes in a " cold grapery," to those who understand it. Some 

 two years ago, I suggested in one of my critiques, the plan ofgetting up these establishments 

 by contract, and on proper principles. Since then. I am gratified to learn, by his advertise- 

 ment in your paper, that Mr. Ludlow, of Yonkers, has undertaken the business, in 

 which, I trust he has abundant patronage. I also suggested that a competent vigneron 

 should plant the houses thus constructed, with suitable vines. Now, let me add a 

 third requirement — which is, that in neighborhoods were these grape houses are built, 

 competent vine dressers should establish themselves to prune and dress vines for those 

 Avho need their services, in which occupation they would soon find abundant employ. 

 Many people are deterred from building a grapery, from the fact that they cannot spare 

 the time, and do not possess the knowledge of themselves to dress their vines, and cannot 

 afford the expense of keeping a gardener for that purpose alone. The}' require only a 

 small house and but a few vines for their family supply, and for the want of some such 

 economical way of management, forego the luxuary these would give th«m. Why should 

 not vine dressing become a profession in America, as well as in France, Germany, or 

 Italy? 



Seedling Foreign Grape. — A most welcome subject — an j^merican seedling grape from 

 foreign varieties, as I understand it. As Mr. Allen was kind enough to send me, 

 through your hand, a specimen of this beautiful production, for which he has my thanks, 

 I can full}' confirm the good opinion you express of it. The muscat flavor, to my own 

 taste, is altogether to its credit, and I cannot but hope Mr. A.'s success in its cultivation, 

 will meet his wishes. 



The seedling grape of Dr. Valk, of Long-Island, described in the June Horticulturist, 



if he be not quite mistaken in its qualities, is an achievement in the hardy grape cuthire of the 



United States. Aside from the Isabella and Catawba, we have scarcely a good out-of-door 



rape for the northern states. These, when thej' rijien well, are delicious, an 



satisfactory grapes — and that is praise enough. But we do want a good table 



