July SI, 1873. ] 



JOUBNAIi OF HORTICULTDEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



81 



are the order of the day ; the improvement in the Vines grown 

 in them being nearly as great as that in the strnctures them- 

 selves. But notwithstanding all these advantageous circum- 

 stances, indifferently " set " Grapes are by no means uncom- 

 mon. How best to " set " Grapes is hence a subject which, 

 neither unfreqnently nor iinprolitably, occupies the pages of 

 horticultural periodicals, particularly at the season of the year 

 when the flowering period again comes round. Like many 

 other processes connected with the practice of horticulture, 

 there is much diversity of opinion amongst cultivators as to 

 how this " setting " can best be done. 



All other conditions being favourable, it is essential, in order 

 to maintain and keep up to the highest possible point the health 

 of the Vine (particularly while it is forming its young wood, 

 which includes the period of its flowering), to grow it in a 

 moderately moist atmosphere, more or less water being applied 

 in proportion to the amount of artificial heat used, or the 

 ■strength of the sunshine. The fact that this is generally under- 

 stood and generally practised, has something to do with Grapes 

 not "setting" satisfactorily — the more so, when the weather is 

 doll and cloudy while the flowering period lasts ; because the 

 Vine, Uke most other exotic fruits, " sets" its flowers most 

 surely in a warm, somewhat dry atmosphere — not necessarily 

 •dry, however, the whole twenty-four hours, but only for a few 

 hours during the warmest part of the day, the period when im- 

 pregnation takes place. In bright sunny weather this dryness 

 is obtained, and at the proper time, by the necessary ventilation 

 reqaired to regulate the temperature, which allows the moist 

 atmosphere to pass gradually out, and to be replaced by a 

 more congenial, drier, and warmer air. When dull sunless 

 weather occurs at this period, special attention should be given 

 to keep the pipes sufficiently hot to allow of a temperature of 

 from 80' to 85' being kept up for a few hours each day, the 

 ventilators being at the same time opened sufliciently to allow 

 of a slow change of atmosphere, so as to carry out the extra 

 moisture with which it may be surcharged. 



Grape-growers vary their treatment considerably at this stage 

 of growth. Some prefer a very dry atmosphere and very high 

 temperature, which doubtless is favourable for the " setting " 

 process in, at least, some varieties, such as Muscats, Black 

 Morocco, Ac, but is unfavourable to the health of the Vine at 

 this critical period of its growth, while actively engaged de- 

 veloping its tender shoots and delicate foliage, causing the 

 growths to " come weak," and favouring the rapid increase of 

 injarioas insect enemies, which are almost sure to make their 

 appearance at a later period in large numbers — a standing 

 source of annoyance and injury during the remainder of the 

 season. Others prefer a moist atmosphere, and even recom- 

 mend continuing syringing during the flowering process, if the 

 weather proves fine and plenty of sunshine occurs, so as to ad- 

 mit of the atmosphere inside the houses getting dried for a few 

 hoars every day. This may be safe practice if the conditions 

 are as just explained ; bat if otherwise, it is unsafe, for unless 

 the pollen is quite dry, it will not readily act, and consequently 

 impregnation will became all but impossible. 



The confined state in which Vines under glass are grown is 

 not (aronrable to the process of impregnation — the glass ex- 

 -cluding them to a large extent from the action of the wind, 

 which would otherwise largely aid in spreading the pollen, and 

 bringing it in contact with the stigma. I have long had in 

 use here an admirable but very simple form of trellis attached 

 only to the top and bottom of the vineries and Peach-houses, 

 <S:o., with the horizontal wires screwed tight, to which the 

 Vines, Peaches, Ac, are trained. A sharp blow with the hand 

 makes it vibrate Uke a fiddle- string, sending up from and sur- 

 rounding each bunch with clonds of pollen. This is certainly 

 a moeh better plan than touching the bunches with the hand, 

 as is generally done, saving much time, and, moreover, doing 

 the work more effectually. 



As is well known to all engaged in the culture of tlie Vine, 

 there are some varieties which " set " under ordinary treat- 

 ment in the greatest abundance, such as the different varieties 

 of Hamburgh, Trebbiano, Black Prince, Ac. There are not a 

 few others which will not "set" freely, unless grown in a 

 high temperature, and assisted in the process of impregnation in 

 gome way — by dispersing either their own or the pollen of 

 other varieties amongst their flowers ; and when this is properly 

 attended to. I believe there are no varieties but what can be 

 Bnccessfally " set " in all weathers. Such at least has been my 

 own experience, with the single exception of the Muscat Ham- 

 burgh, which when started after the beginning of February 

 " sets" with ordinary attention as freely as most other varie- 



ties, but when started a few weeks earlier appears to " set " 

 equally well, aud will swell for a time till after the thinning of 

 the berries takes place, soon after which they begin to swell 

 irregularly, whole shoulders having more than half their berries 

 seedless and scarcely hair the usual size, wuile others in large 

 numbers do not grow much larger than Peas. I have observed 

 the same thing to a less extent with other varieties of 

 Muscats. Is this the result of partial but imperfect impregna- 

 tion, arising from the want of sunshine or light ? Certainly it 

 is not from the want of heat, or caused by a stagnant damp 

 atmosphere. 



It it were possible, in general practice, to grow each variety 

 of Vino in a separate house, I believe the treatment of each, 

 in the hands of expert culturists, would be slightly different. 

 Some, such as the Muscats, Black Morocco, &e., would require 

 both root and branch temperatures higher. Others, such as 

 Hamburghs, Sweetwater, <tc., could be grown in comparatively 

 cool houses. Some would succeed best in strong loams, others 

 in lighter soUs, all requiring thorough drainage, and a liberal 

 allowance of water during the earlier stages of their growth. 

 The variety of treatment applicable to the different varieties 

 would be doubly important during the flowering period. 



All this goes to show the difficulty of giving exact instruc- 

 tions as to treatment during the flowering process. In general, 

 I would recommend all the Muscats aud most of the shy-set- 

 ting varieties to have the temperature increased both by night 

 and d.ay; the night temperature to run from 75° to 72', being 

 highest during the early part of the night, falling a few degrees 

 towards morning, and rising daring dull weath r at least 10' 

 for a few hours in the warmest part of the day, always accom- 

 panying the rise of temperature with additional ventilation. 

 In bright suuuy weather, the thermometer, with plenty of air 

 on, may be safely allowed to rise from 90° to 95° ; never omit- 

 ting iu some way the dispersion of the pollen during the 

 hottest part of the day. 



Free-setting varieties, such as the Hamburghs, set readily 

 with an average of 6° or 8° less heat than the Muscats, but all 

 Vines should have an additional heat, both by night and day, 

 while iu flower. — A. Fuwlee, Castle Kennedij (in Florist). 



GARDENING IN THE WEST.— No. 5. 



WESTONBIET. 



Westonbiet is a scantily-peopled parish on the Ijorders of 

 Gloucestershire aud Wiltshire, and so difficult of access by rail 

 that it can scarcely be a matter of surprise that no notice, so 

 far as we are aware, has hitherto appeared of the magnificent 

 mansion, not yet completed, and the ample and well-appointed 

 gardens of R. S. Holford, Esq., who is the lord of the soil 

 here and for miles around. It may be useful to mention that 

 the nearest Great Western station is Tetbury Road, fuUy ten 

 miles distant, but travellers from the north may take the Mid- 

 land line to NaQsworth, which, by a cross-country road, is a 

 little nearer. In the latter case they will be rewarded by some 

 beautiful views near Nailsworth, which lies nestled between 

 two hills, with the river at the bottom, and for the last five 

 miles they will pass half a dozen houses, and at midday in 

 midsummer meet half that number of people. But Weston- 

 birt, however reached, is a place well worth seeing. Every- 

 one about town knows what a splendid m^nsion Mr. Holford 

 has iu Dorchester House, Park Lane, and that which he is 

 now completing at Westonbirt, aud of which on the next page 

 there is a view*, is on an eipially grand scale. No regard has 

 been paid to cost ; everything is of the most solid character 

 and of the best workmanship. The rooms are of noble pro- 

 portions and very lofty, of a dignity corresponding to that of 

 the mansion, which it should have previously been stated is 

 of Bath stone, and the whole is rendered fire-proof by turning 

 arches over every ceiling — a matter of great importance in a 

 country house situated as this is far from water. Indeed, tho 

 absence of anything like a river or lake within view of tho 

 house is a matter of regret, and the more so, as much of tho 

 surrounding land was formerly farm ground, and consequently 

 those ancestral trees which no money can purchase do not 

 exist: hence there is a certain flatness in the park, though 

 time and judicious planting would remedy this. Forming a por- 

 tion of the mansion is a spacious conservatory, which will cover 

 an area of more than 21100 square feet, but which is only iu 

 course of erection, and this is connected with the dwelUng- 

 rooms by a long glazed corridor, planted with Camellias on 



* From a photograph by Meears. Duttou, Henrietta Villas, Bath, 



