THE GRAPE IN COLD HOUSES. 



a few suggestions, and fondly hope, at the same time, that they will elicit from others, 

 additional information. Not to give an account of my management in full detail, I ob- 

 serve that I have endeavored to follow the best examples. And now at this date, (Aug. 

 10,) in a cold house, the Royal Muscadine is transparent, of an amber-like color, and 

 almost ripe; the Black Ilamburgs also are rapidly coloring. The growth has been all 

 that I could expect; the vine and fruit free from mildew, or any disease whatever. I have 

 expended but little money, but have given much personal attention to the vines. 



The writer has been much gratified by often inspecting the grapery of Mr. H. L. Sut- 

 DAM of this village, who obtained the second premium at the agricultural fair last Septem- 

 ber. His house, though not large, is 30 feet long, of which the side of his barn makes the 

 back wall. He has 12 vines in front, and eight or nine in the rear. This experiment is, 

 on the whole, pronounced to be very successful. He enjoys the advantage of an open 

 exposure, and has never been troubled with mildew. The older vines in front, are now 

 laden with beautiful fruit, of luxuriant growth, and which in this vicinity, is the grand 

 point of attraction for amateurs in grape cultivation. 



Having occasion to go to New-York, two weeks ago, I availed myself of the opportuni- 

 t)', to go over to New Brighton and look into the vinery of J. C. Green, of which Mr. 

 CnoRLTON has the management. The vines appeared healthy and flourishing, and were 

 well laden with fruit; it occurred to me, however, that the number of clusters was too 

 great for the aliment which had been furnished to the border. There is much danger of 

 over-cropping. It is to be remembered, that these vines were put out two years ago in 

 April last, in a very rich border, — 60 barrels of bone dust, and 40 tons of stable manure, 

 having been used in its construction. The first summer's growth was astonishing; per- 

 haps unparalleled in this country. It is in vain to expect a similar growth the following 

 season, or this present season, with ordinary rates of manuring. If one half the quanti- 

 ty of bone dust and stable manure had been used, and a suitable lot of whole bones, or 

 cattle's feet, or slaughter house offal, had been added, the fertility of the border would 

 have been more permanent at less cost; and the gardener on the Island would have been, 

 probably, quite as well satisfied at the present moment. A good layer of compost, in 

 early spring, and a semi-monthly treatment of soap suds, will be of great importance to 

 the vines next year. The vine is truly " a gross feeder." 



One word about our friend's mode of pruning. Is there not danger that the spurs or 

 branches, as they put forth horizontally, will meet and interlock with each other? and 

 in such a case, will not the house become too much shaded? It is the habit of some vari- 

 eties to push their horizontals many inches, before the fruit is located, as in the White 

 Muscat of Alexandria. It must, therefore, be stopped at the first bud beyond the cluster, 

 or the allotted space will be all used up. The operator may, perhaps, flatter himself that 

 he shall keep the fruits " at home" in future, because he has a bud on the lateral, near 

 the main stock, for fruiting next year. But never fear a want of buds, where the vine is 

 strong and ripe, and has laid in a good supply of organizable matter. Germs will show 

 themselves; "nature will out," and I should like to see the experimentalist who should 

 propose to prevent fruiting by cutting all the spurs smoothly and closely to the main stem. 

 The preserving of an open space between the vines, in a span roof house, may not be so 

 essential; but it is quite important in the " lean-to" graperies, so that the sunlight may 

 be reflected from the back wall. 



By a recent and careful observation, at all those points, where I have had an opportuni- 

 have discovered my own errors, at least in part. At the outset I failed in th 

 It was deep enough and suitably drained, but organic manures were furnished 



