January 14, 1911 



ttORTICULTURi: 



37 



Fruit and Vegetables under Glass 



STRAWBERRIES IN POTS 



Strawberries which were started December 1st will 

 have commenced root action and will be pushing up 

 growth on the crown. As soon as this is noticed, ascer- 

 tain if roots liave thoroughly started and if this is so they 

 will be looking for food. Lightly prick up and remove 

 the top soil and replace with new, making it firm with a 

 rammer. When mixing soil add a sprinkling of manure. 

 This should not be a quick-acting manure but one which 

 will last some time, otherwise the plants will receive a 

 boost and have nothing left. This is all the manure or 

 feed tlie plants sliould have until the fruit is set. Many 

 make a mistake by feeding up to this stage. Luxuriant 

 and soft foliage is the result, which often means a shy 

 set. An occasional watering of weak soot water will be 

 beneficial, but nothing else until your fruit is swelling 

 and then give all possible. A temperature of 50 degrees 

 at night will suit them until they come into flower. 



VARIETIES OF VINES 



The grape vine — Vitis vinifera — was found growing 

 wild in Western Asia, Northern Africa and Southern 

 Europe. All our earliest records have mention of the 

 vine and vineyards. The Holy Bible refers to lioth in 

 its earliest records. It is no wonder then that having 

 been known for sucli a long period, under cultivation for 

 a great ]iart of this time, we find endless varieties, pro- 

 ducing ii varied quality of fruit — some the result of 

 Nature's planting, adapting themselves to different coun- 

 tries of ftie world, others the direct result of careful hy- 

 bridizing by the liand of man and it is these latter we are 

 interested in growing under glass. New introductions 

 are sent out every year, each claiming some additional 

 quality or combinations of two or more "old timers," 

 but it is surprising how some of these so called old timers 

 have held their own in the past and today cannot be 

 replaced. Some have even improved with increased 

 knowledge of tlieir requirements, one instance being the 

 drainage of borders. Olden grow'ers were satisfied tliat 

 a vine wlien growing needed a good supply of moisture 

 at the root, but tliat drainage and consequent sweetening 

 of the border, together witli the food substances liberated 

 by the air acting on tlie soil, were not necessary. 



The old Black Hamburgh stands out preeminently 

 above all other black sweetwater varieties. No record 

 of its origin is to be found, but an old edition of "Bar-, 

 ron's Book on Vines" states that it was imported into 

 England more than two centuries ago by a Mr. Warner, 

 from Ilamliurgli and was known for a time as Warner's 

 Black Hamburgh. When grapes were first grown under 

 glass in this countrj'. Black Hamburgh was a pioneer. 

 Some twenty or more varieties are synonymous with 

 Black Hamburgh, but the original has enjoyed a popu- 

 larity equalled by no other grape. It can be grown in 

 any house, alongside almost any other variety and then 

 is the surest cropper we have. It will force earlier than 

 any other grape and does just as well in a late liouse. 

 The quality, too, is good and when kept with other later 

 varieties holds its sweetness for a considerable time. I 

 have emphasized on the merits of Hamburgh for it is 

 the best all-round grape grown and no house should be 

 planted witliout including it. For pot work it is second 

 to none, a good setter always and finishes every berry. 



The Muscat of Alexandria commands next attention 

 on account of its exquisite flavor. To do this variety 

 to perfection a house should be devoted to it, as it requires 

 a little higher temperature than most of the others and 

 has other peculiarities, one in particular being its shyness 



to set. When finished this grape will more than repay 

 any extra trouble it has entailed. 



Foster's seedling and Buckland's Sweetwater are white 

 grapes, well adapted for early and mid-season housei. 

 I know of no better trio for an early house than these 

 two and Hamburgh. 



Madresfield Court was raised at Madresfield Court, 

 Worcester, England, from a Muscat of Alexandria, 

 crossed with Black Morocco. A good mid-season grape, 

 first-class in flavor. Its chief fault is a lack of color and 

 a liability to crack, but careful watering will alleviate 

 this. Apply Towers is a mid-season to late variety of 

 good size and color. 



Gros Maroc and Gros Colman are late varieties with 

 exceptionally large berries. Fine for exhibition. Maroc 

 carries a better color and finish, but Colman will often 

 keep longer. 



Black Alicante is one of tlie finest keeping grapes, but 

 should only be grown for its keeping properties. Lady 

 Hutt is the best late white grape, keeping its flavor well 

 and will hang or keep "bottled" for a considerable 

 time. Raised from Gros Colman x Alicante. 



Tlie above varieties could be added to at length, but 

 they include the most reliable in their respective classes. 



POTATOES 



are sometimes grown under glass as a novelty — more 

 so than a very productive crop. They are easily grown 

 either in benches, or large pots. Water carefully and 

 see that they are kept free from insect pests. If room 

 and time can be given them, plant at once. A night 

 temperature of 55 to 60 degrees will suit them best, but 

 they will grow along with other crops. 



CAPSICUMS 



are grown to a great size and look well in pots, the smaller 

 varieties somewhat resembling the salanum or Jerusalem 

 Cherry. A sowing made now and grovni into 6 in. and 

 8 in. pots will produce a quantity of peppers before they 

 are obtainable outside. 



ONIONS FOR EXHIBITION 



Onions intended for exhibition should be sown at an 

 early date, as a good long season is essential for them 

 to attain the size required for this purpose. Size is the 

 greatest point when on exhibition but they must also be 

 well matured and have a good clean appearance. Like 

 everything grown expressly for show purposes, onions 

 exact that amount of care and attention which must be 

 given to obtain the desired results. Sow in flats in 

 moderately rich soil. Do not bury at all; only slightly 

 cover the seeds, giving a night temperature of 50 to 55 

 degrees. Care must be taken in watering right along as 

 onions resent drought at anytime. Seedlings can be 

 potted off into small pots, as soon as large enough to 

 handle. Save every root, otherwise seedlings are checked. 

 Ailsa Craig is undoubtedly the most popular variety for 

 this work and I should say has won more prizes since its 

 introduction than any other onion ever did. This variety 

 alone is enough to grow, but those wanting a variation 

 can use Exhibition and Sutton's Globe, a variety of good 

 size which shows up well when staged. 



LEEKS 



Leeks are similar to onions in many respects and can 

 be grown with them until they are planted out in the 

 garden when a different course must be taken. Strong 

 plants when planted out will make exhibition stuff by 

 fall. Sow the same as you would onions and after com- 

 ing through encourage a sturdy growth. Some prefer 

 the very long growing varieties while others contend that 

 those with better girth are best. This is often a point 



