1' 



GEAPE-CULTUEE. 



mous bunches are produced. I preferred equalizing the sustenance so as to have ten 

 good bunces of Hamhurghs well shouldered, black, and fully developed berries, and 

 averaging 1-^ to 2 lbs., (although some exceeded 3 lbs.,) than pursuing the opposite 

 course. The same, also, with the Syrians — the total weight of each vine bearing ten 

 bunches, was more than 30 lbs., as some clusters were more than 6 lbs. each. The 

 largest bunch of Prince Albert is worth looking at, and I hope will reach 5 lbs. This 

 variety is not regarded with favor in our region, owing to its coarse, rank habits, and 

 backwardness in fruiting ; yet for an amateur collection, I would commend at least 

 one vine. Some experienced cultivators contend it is part and parcel of the recently 

 introduced Barbarossa foisted upon the public at $2 and $3 the plant. Of the truth 

 of this I shall be able to judge another year, by fruiting the neio comer in a warm 

 house, although not in season, to save purchasers from paying an exorbitant price. 



In conclusion, I am aware of being open to the charge of " over-cropping" — "that 

 my vines will shew the effect hereafter" — and all that ; but I have pursued this course 

 to test the questions mooted for some time past, of what the vine will bear under high 

 culture, at what periods fruit may be relied upon in cold graperies, and whether equally 

 good can be produced without the aid of carrion fertilizers as ivith this ofiensive ele- 

 ment. I contend it can; but should my two years' experiments prove detrimental, I 

 shall be as ready to acknowledge error, as, in the opposite sense, to proclaim success. 



I merely add, that any one desirous of enjoying this luscious fruit in perfection, may 

 realize the most satisfactory results by having a tight curvilinear house, at a cost of 

 $12 the running foot, (say 50 feet in length, for $600,) which will be a tasteful appen- 

 dage to any establishment. This, with a rich compost border, stinting neither quantity 

 or quality of the material in its first construction, and with Ciiorlton's treatise upon 

 Exotic Grapes, (the best practical work on the subject extant,) to be had of C. M. 

 Saxton, New York, as a guide, he cannot fail to reap full satisfaction in the investment. 



Perhaps at some future day I may give my experience in a warm vinery, also of 

 several hardy varieties for outside culture, now attracting attention. Both classes of 

 Grapes (exotics and native) are worthy of more interest in culture, not only for pleasure 

 but for profit, and I trust the day is not distant when every man residing in the country 

 will be able to " sit under his own vine and fig tree." 



[We thank " Amateur" for the very explicit and satisfactory account he has given 

 us of his grape-culture. He is evidently a man who enjoys it, and who has an eye to 

 the most minute point of arrangement. We cannot hear from him too often. We 

 apprehend that too many grape-growers strive too much for size. We see compara- 

 tively few well-colored Black Harnburghs ; even in well-managed vineries they are 

 very often brown. For our own part we prefer a bunch weighing 1^ to 2 lbs., a jet 

 black and handsomely covered with bloom, to a bunch twice that weight imperfectly 

 colored. Large supplies of water or liquid manure applied up to a late period in the 

 season, added to a defective circulation of air, are, we believe, the chief causes which 

 prevent Grapes froni ripening perfectly and coloring well.— Ed.] 



