GRAPES FOR A COLD VINERY. 



GRAPES FOR A COLD VINERY. 



On the 29th of August, I took from my vmes, one bunch each, of the following kinds of 

 grapes: Muscat Blanc Ilatif, White Muscat of Alexandria, Grizzly Frontignan, and Roy- 

 al Muscadine, and submitted them to the taste of myself, and my friends— and report the 

 following as the result, for the benefit of those who wish to select grapes for their own use. 



The Muscat Blanc Hatif was not a very fair spgcimen, being the only bunch on the vine, 

 and not very ])erfect, and consequently, from that, or some other reason, was uniformly 

 rejected by all the tastei'S. 



After a fair trial, one, a lady, preferred the White Muscat of Alexandria, owing to its 

 exquisite musky flavor. Miss C. gave the preference to the Grizzly Frontignan, while a 

 gentleman who was present shortly after, and tried these two varieties, gave preference to 

 the Royal Muscadine. For myself, for very exquisiteness of flavor, and perfumed aroma- 

 tic taste, I gave the preference to the Grizzly Frontignan. It is truly a delicious grape, 

 though in its absence, it would be difiicult to call either the Royal Muscadine or the AYhite 

 Muscat of Alexandiia, second to it. But while present, in the fulness of its flavor, it 

 seemed to me to carry off the palm. This result may not accord with other's taste, but 

 mny serve as some guide for those who want practical experiments as a guide for selection. 

 For myself, I would think no vinery perfect without the three last named varieties. The 

 AYhite Muscat of Alexandria proved a very thrifty bearer in my vinery last year, while 

 this season the Royal Muscadine has borne very fully, and ripened its fiuit finely. 



I know of no branch of horticulture which pays the amateur better than a vinery, 

 (mine is a cold house,) if it is well prepared by a skilful gardener in the outset; but I 

 would not advise an unskilled gardener to undertake its erection. If the border be once 

 well made, and the house properly constructed, and filled with proper varieties of grapes, 

 then, with the aid of J. FisK Allen's little pamphlet, which can be procured for a small 

 sum, there will be no difficulty in the amateur, with proper care, realizing a satisfiictory 

 return for his outlay, in the delicious fruit he will produce for his own table. To aid as 

 much as possible, those who desire to make a selection, I will give the varieties I have in 

 mj' own house, as I have often felt the need of such lists in making selections myself: 



1 Muscat Blanc Ilatiff— 3 Wilmot's Black Hamburgh — 1 Grizzly Frontignan — 1 

 White Frontignan — 1 Pitmaston's White Cluster— 1 White Sweetwater — 1 Black Prince 

 — 1 Syrian — 1 Royal Muscadine — 1 Decan's Superb— 1 White Muscat of Alexandria — 1 

 White Nice — 1 Black Hamburgh — 1 Black Frontignan. 



Winter before last I laid the vines down, covering them loo.sely with straw. During 

 the winter the field mice got in, and seriously injured some of the canes by stripping them 

 on one side, and in some places entirely, of their green bark. Last winter I suffered them 

 to remain erect, and only filled spent tan-baik around them as high as I could convenient- 

 ly, say about a foot, and wrapped the remainder of the cane loosely with successive folds 

 of a newspaper, and covering them in no other manner. The}' stood the winter well, not 

 being at all injured, except one Black Hamburgh, which, for some reason, whether from 

 being imperfectly protected or not I cannot determine, died down to the ground. It how- 

 ever came forwaid again this summer, and has made a remaikably fine growth. I think 

 the protection I gave them of papers, would in all ordinary winters be sufficient. I 

 thought, however, this winter I should lay them down, and cover them entirely M'ith 

 tan-bark, believing that that will effectually protect them from the mice. 



rij Wayne county. A'ew-Yurk. S. K. Williams. 



